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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 Williamsville 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?

For most of us, trusting our bodies isn’t something we think about. We don’t worry about being overwhelmed with feelings of dying during our lunch break. The possibility of our body experiencing sudden shortness of breath, a racing heart, chest pain, and dizziness doesn’t haunt us.

But for over 2 million Americans, that’s not a luxury they have. Panic attacks are terrifying, debilitating experiences that can wreak havoc on a person’s wellbeing and day-to-day life. Panic disorder therapists at Thriveworks in Buffalo, NY understand this frightening experience and are here to help you regain control and trust of your mind and body.

What Is a Panic Attack?

Panic attacks are a hallmark of panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder, although they can be found in many other conditions. People struggling from social anxiety, eating disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, and depression can all experience panic attacks. What makes panic disorder unique, however, is the frequency and unpredictability of a panic attack.

Someone with a phobia of dogs may get a panic attack when they see a dog. Panic attacks have no warning. If you or a loved one has had a panic attack, know that the psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, social workers, and licensed counselors at Thriveworks in Buffalo, NY are here to support you.

What Are the Symptoms of a Panic Attack?

Panic attack symptoms are different for each person. However, some common symptoms include the following:

  • A general sense of dread or impending doom
  • Shakiness
  • Numbness in hands or feet
  • Racing heart
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feelings of “going mad”
  • Thinking you are dying
  • Racing thoughts

These are just some symptoms of a panic attack. Individual differences occur. For example, some people may think they’re having a heart attack and rush themselves to the emergency room. No matter what the specific experience, panic attacks are terrifying and painful. But they aren’t inherently dangerous. You aren’t at risk of dying from them. We recognize how that can be hard to understand when you are in the middle of an attack. Part of the treatment plan for panic disorder is learning more about panic attacks and how to best manage them on an individual level. The fully licensed mental health providers at Thriveworks in Buffalo, NY are ready to help you through that learning process.

Panic disorder has some additional unique symptoms. The big two are:

  • Experiencing at least 4 panic attacks in a one-month period
  • The attack produces additional distress and worry about the possibility of having another attack. This may result in changed behavior.

Although this is the criteria for panic  disorder, anyone is free to come in for therapy at Thriveworks in Buffalo, NY. Our counselors are happy to work with you no matter the official diagnosis.

What Does Therapy for Panic Attacks Look Like?

Education is a large part of panic disorder therapy. Panic attacks get much of their power from being misunderstood. You don’t have control over when a panic attack occurs, but there are methods to recognize an oncoming panic attack and make it more bearable or even shorter. Some things you might learn in anxiety therapy:

  • What your unique “tells” are of an oncoming panic attack (sweaty, racing heart, sense of dread, etc.)
  • Relaxation training. Recurrent panic attacks can create a lot of stress in day-to-day life, which increases the likelihood of an attack. Learning how to relax when stressed is a crucial first step.
  • Cognitive restructuring. Learn how to catch negative, destructive thinking before it spirals.
  • Mindfulness. This is especially important during an attack. It teaches us that the negative emotions are not part of us, and they will pass. It can shorten the length and intensity of attacks.
  • Coping strategies. Panic attacks leave people feeling drained, both emotionally and physically. It’s vital to take care of yourself during the aftermath of an attack. We can figure out the best coping strategies to do that.

The anxiety and panic disorder therapists at Thriveworks in Buffalo, NY can also help identify your triggers and possibly use exposure therapy to diminish your responses to certain stimuli.

Get Evidence-Based Panic Disorder Counseling at Thriveworks in Buffalo, NY

Panic attacks don’t have to rule your life. The counselors at Thriveworks in Buffalo, NY understand your pain and are here to help you cope with and manage it. You can get matched to a panic disorder counselor today and meet with them online or in-person as early as tomorrow. Most Thriveworks clients can have a session within 24-48 hours after their initial booking. Thriveworks members can also reach out to their provider by phone or email between full sessions. And Thriveworks providers accept most major forms of health insurance coverage.

Call today to get affordable, expert, and compassionate care from a therapist at Thriveworks in Buffalo, NY. We look forward to hearing from you.

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 Williamsville therapists and counselors accept 18 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP

  • JP Farley Corporation

  • Martin's Point (US Family Health Plans)

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Self-pay costs at Williamsville
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 Thriveworks Williamsville reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Jennifer balances her counseling expertly between talking/educating and listening. I already trust her after just a handful of sessions thanks to her objective feedback and concern. If you need a skilled mental health professional to help guide you thru life’s challenges, you will not be disappointed in Jennifer.
Read more Jennifer balances her counseling expertly between talking/educating and listening. I already trust her after just a handful of sessions thanks to her objective feedback and concern. If you need a skilled mental health professional to help guide you thru life’s challenges, you will not be disappointed in Jennifer.
Buffalo Sep 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Wendy has been seeing my wife and I for almost two and half years. Her insights into how we both viewed our marriage so differently ultimately helped us both see that we are not the right people for one another. We have unfortunately decided that divorce was the right path forward for us as individuals but counseling made it a healthy, productive journey instead of letting things just fall apart at home. She is now my personal therapist helping me deal with the loss of my marriage. I don’t just appreciate our sessions, but I look forward to them. I take notes and I learn a lot about myself and my growth every time we meet.
Read more Wendy has been seeing my wife and I for almost two and half years. Her insights into how we both viewed our marriage so differently ultimately helped us both see that we are not the right people for one another. We have unfortunately decided that divorce was the right path forward for us as individuals but counseling made it a healthy, productive journey instead of letting things just fall apart at home. She is now my personal therapist helping me deal with the loss of my marriage. I don’t just appreciate our sessions, but I look forward to them. I take notes and I learn a lot about myself and my growth every time we meet.
Buffalo Oct 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I was looking for a new therapist for my teenage son and came across their website. I called to see how long of a waitlist they had, expecting there to be a waitlist. ThriveWorks got my son in within 24 hours! Incredible! My son found a great therapist at ThriveWorks, Mr.Stephen Obrien. This guy has a unique approach and it works for my son. My son actually WANTS to go to therapy. He's getting more out of his sessions than either of us could have hoped for. We found this place at the right time and we couldn't be happier.
Read more I was looking for a new therapist for my teenage son and came across their website. I called to see how long of a waitlist they had, expecting there to be a waitlist. ThriveWorks got my son in within 24 hours! Incredible! My son found a great therapist at ThriveWorks, Mr.Stephen Obrien. This guy has a unique approach and it works for my son. My son actually WANTS to go to therapy. He's getting more out of his sessions than either of us could have hoped for. We found this place at the right time and we couldn't be happier.
Buffalo Oct 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Had circumstances that made me very unhappy. My therapist Cheryl gave me great coping skills. The appointments were easy to get and the office was bright and inviting. I would recommend Thriveworks to my friends and family.
Read more Had circumstances that made me very unhappy. My therapist Cheryl gave me great coping skills. The appointments were easy to get and the office was bright and inviting. I would recommend Thriveworks to my friends and family.
Buffalo Feb 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Therapy Williamsville is located at 1120 Youngs Rd Suite 300, Williamsville, New York 14221, near Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.

Phone number

(716) 453-2877

Languages spoken by NY providers

  • English
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
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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