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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a panic attack disorder can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Starting Panic attack disorder therapy

What is panic attack disorder therapy?

Panic attack disorder therapy is a specialized therapeutic approach designed to help individuals suffering from recurrent and debilitating panic attacks. During therapy sessions, individuals work closely with trained Thriveworks Arlington therapists to identify and understand the triggers and thought patterns that contribute to their panic attacks. Through panic attack disorder therapy, individuals learn to manage their anxiety, develop coping strategies, and regain control over their lives, ultimately leading to a reduction in the severity of panic attacks.

How does panic attack disorder therapy work?

Panic attack disorder therapy often utilizes cognitive-behavioral techniques like exposure therapy and relaxation exercises to help individuals manage and mitigate panic attacks. These methods involve desensitizing triggers, reducing physical and emotional symptoms, and challenging irrational thought patterns to empower individuals to recognize, control, and reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.

Is panic attack disorder therapy conducted in person or online?

Panic attack disorder therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and through Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does panic attack disorder therapy last?

Panic attack disorder therapy may last for a variable amount of time, depending on the individual’s unique needs.

Need more help deciding?

Interventions for Panic Disorders in Arlington, VA—Counseling and Therapy for Panic Attacks

The therapists at Thriveworks Arlington love seeing their clients receive the holistic interventions they need for panic disorders. We regularly tailor treatment plans for clients that may include a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and/or medication to meet their particular symptoms and needs.

What Is a Panic Disorder?

Without warnings and without triggers, panic attacks can strike. If they occur more than once and if they obstruct normal, daily life, then they may be a panic disorder.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) outlines the criteria for diagnosing a panic disorder (DSM-5 300.01 [F41.0]):

  • When people experience more than one panic attack (at least two) that involves acute fear, anxiety, and discomfort that build for several minutes and then wane. For a panic disorder diagnosis to be made, the panic attacks cannot be the result of another medical condition, a different psychiatric disorder, or the physiological effects of a drug.
  • In particular, a minimum of four of the following symptoms must be present during the panic attack:
    • Numbness or tingling sensations
    • Feeling depersonalized or detached from oneself
    • Shaking or trembling
    • Feeling smothered or experiencing shortness of breath
    • A choking feeling
    • Chest pain or tightness
    • Palpitations or escalated heart rate
    • Fear of dying
    • Dizziness or faintness
    • Fear of going crazy or losing control
    • Hot flashes or chills
    • Sweating excessively
    • Abdominal pain or nausea
  • After one of the attacks, experiencing either or both of the following responses for at least one month’s time:
    • Relentless worry about having more panic attacks and/or that other, similar health problems will occur (e.g., stroke or heart attack).
    • Switching one’s personal or professional schedule in the hope of avoiding another panic attack.

Panic Disorders: Effective Interventions

There are more effective treatments for panic disorders than self-medication or missing out on life. Panic attacks and thus panic disorders are often soothed by psychological interventions that also allow people to maintain their normal, daily routine. Such interventions may include:

  • Exposure therapy: This intervention helps normalize the feelings and sensations of a panic attack, and then it empowers people with coping skills to handle them. Within a safe space and with a therapist’s guidance, people are exposed to a panic attack. As people understand what is happening to them during an attack and as they learn how to respond, the attacks often become less frequent and/or severe.
  • Medication: This intervention is almost always combined with other therapies, and it often increases their effectiveness. Antidepressants or benzodiazepines may relieve attacks so that people can focus upon healing instead of dealing with panic.
  • CBT: CBT addresses and seeks to heal any root causes of the panic attacks. It may help people resolve through past trauma or abuse as well as any negative thought patterns that have resulted from those experiences.

Therapy for Panic Attacks at Thriveworks Arlington

Thriveworks Arlington is ready to meet with you and help form an individualized treatment plan. If you call our office to set up therapy for a panic disorder, it might be helpful to know that:

  • We accept many insurance plans.
  • Evening and weekend appointments are available.
  • First-time clients often see their therapist with a week of their first call to Thriveworks.
  • You can also set up an appointment online.

Call Thriveworks today, or schedule online to get started.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Arlington therapists and counselors accept 25 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

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Self-pay costs at Arlington
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.8 Thriveworks Arlington reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Erika is a pleasure to work with as she is kind, compassionate and understanding.
Arlington Jul 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Erika is an amazing therapist!
Arlington Jul 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★
It's going great, thanks!
Arlington Nov 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
My therapist is amazing. Perfect personality for me.
Arlington Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Amazing!!
Arlington Jun 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I had a great first appointment!
Arlington Jun 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Arlington is located right on Langston Blvd. Nearby businesses include Ski Club of Washington and Assisting Hands Home Care of Arlington. If you travel farther on Langston Blvd past Thriveworks, you’ll see a U-shaped area with other businesses located on N Greenbrier Ct.

Phone number

(703) 457-1749

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
  • French
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

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Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

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