Panic Attacks – How to Treat and Regain Emotional Control
Panic attacks are intense, sudden episodes of overwhelming anxiety. They often come without warning and can include symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, racing heart, and an intense fear that something terrible is happening. While panic attacks can feel frightening and isolating, you are not alone—and help is available.
At Past 2 Present Counselling & Psychotherapy, we offer a calm, non-judgemental space to explore what’s behind your panic attacks. Therapy helps uncover the root causes, gently working towards restoring a sense of safety and emotional stability.
How Therapy Can Help Treat Panic Attacks
Many people who experience panic attacks feel like they are at the mercy of their body and mind. With the right therapeutic approach, it's possible to interrupt this cycle. Therapy offers tools to understand, manage and reduce the intensity of panic, including:
- Recognising early signs and triggers
- Learning grounding and breathing techniques
- Addressing underlying anxiety or trauma
- Reframing fear-based thought patterns
- Reducing the frequency and severity of attacks
Rather than simply reacting to panic attacks when they happen, therapy helps you take control, build resilience and prevent them from taking over your life.
Types of Therapy Used to Treat Panic Attacks
At Past 2 Present, therapy is always tailored to your unique needs and pace. You may benefit from a combination of therapeutic techniques, including:
- Integrative Counselling – Combining approaches that suit you
- Person-Centred Therapy – Focusing on your lived experiences and feelings
- Solution-Focused Therapy – Working towards specific, manageable goals
- Psychoeducation – Helping you understand how panic responses work in the brain and body
- Mindfulness and Grounding – Practising present-moment awareness to stay calm
Sessions are available online, by telephone or in person through Walk and Talk Therapy in Cornwall.
What Triggers Panic Attacks?
Panic attacks can stem from various factors, including:
- Accumulated stress
- Trauma or unresolved emotional pain
- Phobias or specific anxiety triggers
- Fear of losing control
- Life transitions or uncertainty
You don’t need a formal diagnosis to seek help. If you’ve been struggling with sudden fear or physical symptoms of panic, it’s worth reaching out.
What You Can Expect from Panic Attack Therapy
Choosing therapy is a brave step toward healing. With gentle support and practical guidance, you can expect to:
- Feel less alone and more in control
- Discover healthy coping strategies
- Experience fewer panic attacks over time
- Build emotional safety and self-understanding
- Reclaim confidence in your daily life
Past 2 Present Counselling offers a confidential, trauma-informed approach to treatment, without pressure or judgement. Whether your panic attacks have just started or have been ongoing for years, therapy is a space where change can begin.
How Does This Affect You?
Living with panic attacks can be exhausting. It may stop you from socialising, travelling, or enjoying simple pleasures. You might feel ashamed, scared or disconnected—but you don’t have to stay stuck in fear.
Therapy empowers you to move from surviving to living. Step by step, you’ll build the tools you need to calm your mind, understand your body’s responses and gain confidence in handling the world around you. You're not broken—and you don’t have to face this alone.
What is the best therapy for panic attacks?
Therapies like integrative counselling, person-centred and solution-focused approaches are all effective for panic attacks.
Can therapy stop panic attacks completely?
With time and the right support, many people experience fewer or less intense attacks and learn to manage them confidently.
Is medication necessary to treat panic attacks?
Not always. Therapy alone can be effective, though some people benefit from combining therapy with medical advice.
Are online sessions effective for panic support?
Yes. Online therapy offers flexibility and privacy, which many people find helpful when addressing anxiety-related conditions.
Will I have to talk about traumatic experiences?
Only if you choose to. Therapy is led by you, and we work at your pace with care and sensitivity.
How soon will I see results?
Some people find relief after a few sessions, while others need longer-term support. Therapy is a personal journey.