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

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

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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 Philadelphia 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.,Panic attack disorder therapy may last for a variable amount of time

How long does Panic attack disorder therapy last?

depending on the individual's unique needs

Need more help deciding?

Molly was sleeping deeply one moment when she was suddenly awake and having a panic attack. She doubled over with stomach pain, and her chest constricted. The room was spinning. Molly piled on the blankets but still felt cold. Molly almost felt as if she was out of her body, looking down on herself. These awful symptoms lasted for several minutes and then stopped as suddenly as they started. Even though the symptoms subsided, Molly felt exhausted and shaken. This was Molly’s second panic attack this month.

Attacks are debilitating and exhausting, and people reasonably want to avoid them. Many people change their routines in the hopes of avoiding anything that may trigger an attack. But rearranging daily life often means missing out on work opportunities, time with family, and connection to friends. Others try to soften the difficult feelings through self-medication. But drugs and alcohol make the attacks worse.

People who turn to psychological intervention, in contrast, are often able to maintain their normal routine while the discomfort they feel from the attacks subside. Over time, many people experience complete relief from panic attacks as these treatments bring healing and freedom.

The therapists and psychologists at Thriveworks Philadelphia 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, 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.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy: This intervention 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.

Therapists and Psychologists for Panic Attacks at Thriveworks Philadelphia

As you read through the diagnostics for panic disorders, did you recognize any symptoms in your own life? Have you experienced one or more panic attacks? Are you ready to try an intervention? Thriveworks Philadelphia 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…

    1. We accept many insurance plans.
    2. Evening and weekend appointments are available.
    3. First-time clients often see their therapist with 24 hours of their call.
    4. A person—not a voicemail—answers our phones. You can also set up an appointment online.

If you have changed your routine to avoid panic attacks, it may be time to reclaim your life. Call Thriveworks today.

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 Philadelphia therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Geisinger Health Plan

  • Geisinger Health Plan Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Pennsylvania | BCBS

  • Humana Exchange

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Self-pay costs at Philadelphia
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

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Rob is great! Making progress.
Brian Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I had the pleasure of working alongside Marie for years. Her work with her clients is unparalleled. She is clinically exceptional, while somehow maintaining an authenticity that makes working with her in any capacity a wonderfully positive experience. I would recommend Marie to anyone who is serious about helping themselves, and particularly those with a history of trauma.
Read more I had the pleasure of working alongside Marie for years. Her work with her clients is unparalleled. She is clinically exceptional, while somehow maintaining an authenticity that makes working with her in any capacity a wonderfully positive experience. I would recommend Marie to anyone who is serious about helping themselves, and particularly those with a history of trauma.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Marie is the best around. So knowledgeable and supportive with her clients. She helped me through many traumatic situations without judgment. If you are looking for an amazing therapist to help you, she is who you need.
Read more Marie is the best around. So knowledgeable and supportive with her clients. She helped me through many traumatic situations without judgment. If you are looking for an amazing therapist to help you, she is who you need.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Marie Moriarty Puggi is a fantastic clinician. She’s very person centered and empathetic. She goes above and beyond for her clients and their families. They have shown a great deal of appreciation for the efforts she makes with her clients. They want to talk with her and engage and do the work in order to heal. Highly recommended.
Read more Marie Moriarty Puggi is a fantastic clinician. She’s very person centered and empathetic. She goes above and beyond for her clients and their families. They have shown a great deal of appreciation for the efforts she makes with her clients. They want to talk with her and engage and do the work in order to heal. Highly recommended.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Marie is an excellent Therapist. She assisted me with various ways to change my perspective. Marie's assistant me with positive ways to view situations and how to be accountable for my behavior. Marie is very kind and personable. She made me feel important and that I should matter to me first.
Read more Marie is an excellent Therapist. She assisted me with various ways to change my perspective. Marie's assistant me with positive ways to view situations and how to be accountable for my behavior. Marie is very kind and personable. She made me feel important and that I should matter to me first.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Marie has an excellent communication skills. She displayed active listening skills when engaging with her clients and coworkers. Marie is dependable, accountable and reliable. Marie is a team player who goes beyond her expectations to meet the need of her consumer. Marie is non judgemental, observant and respectful. Marie is a very patient therapist.
Read more Marie has an excellent communication skills. She displayed active listening skills when engaging with her clients and coworkers. Marie is dependable, accountable and reliable. Marie is a team player who goes beyond her expectations to meet the need of her consumer. Marie is non judgemental, observant and respectful. Marie is a very patient therapist.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Marie is a compassionate, hard working, supportive, empathetic therapist that I would recommend to clients. She offers an environment conducive for a therapeutic relationship. She works well individually and is a great team member.
Read more Marie is a compassionate, hard working, supportive, empathetic therapist that I would recommend to clients. She offers an environment conducive for a therapeutic relationship. She works well individually and is a great team member.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Marie Moriarty-Puggi a clinician at the Walnut St site in Philadelphia is one of the most caring, dynamic, person centered therapists that I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with. Marie always goes the extra mile for her clients, going above and beyond to help her clients reach their maximum potential. I would recommend Marie without hesitation.
Read more Marie Moriarty-Puggi a clinician at the Walnut St site in Philadelphia is one of the most caring, dynamic, person centered therapists that I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with. Marie always goes the extra mile for her clients, going above and beyond to help her clients reach their maximum potential. I would recommend Marie without hesitation.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling Providence is located at 245 Waterman St Suite 504A, Providence, RI 02906, between Wayland Ave. and Butler Ave.

Phone number

(215) 642-8968

Languages spoken by PA providers

  • English
  • French
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
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

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Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
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

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