Online panic disorder counselling to help you stop fearing the fear
Your heart pounds, you can't catch your breath, and you're sure something terrible is happening. Then you spend the next days dreading it happening again. Online panic disorder counselling can help you understand panic attacks and feel confident in your body again, with a qualified therapist, from home.
- Qualified, vetted therapists
- Evening & weekend sessions
- Talk from home
What a panic attack really feels like
A panic attack is a sudden rush of intense fear with strong physical symptoms. It usually peaks within a few minutes. Many people think they're having a heart attack, losing control or even dying, which is why panic attacks are so frightening, even though they aren't dangerous in themselves.
Lots of people have one or two panic attacks in their life. Panic disorder is when they keep coming back, often out of the blue, and you start to live in fear of the next one. You might avoid places where one happened, or stop going anywhere you can't easily leave.
Panic attacks are your body's fight-or-flight response firing at the wrong time. The good news is that panic disorder responds very well to treatment, and online panic disorder counselling can help you break the cycle.
Why panic attacks happen
There's rarely one single cause. Usually it's a mix of things that come together.
Stress and life events
A period of stress, a loss, a big change or a difficult experience can leave your nervous system primed for panic.
Your body's alarm
Some people are more sensitive to physical sensations. A normal flutter of the heart can be read as danger, which sets off more fear.
The fear of fear
After one attack, it's natural to watch out for another. That watchfulness can make you notice every sensation, which can trigger the very panic you're dreading.
Avoidance
Steering clear of situations feels safer in the moment, but it teaches your brain those places are dangerous, so the fear grows over time.
Treatment for panic disorder that works with you
The most researched treatment for panic disorder is CBT. It helps you understand what happens in your body during a panic attack, challenge the frightening thoughts that fuel it, and gradually stop avoiding the situations you've come to fear. Your GP can also talk to you about whether medication might help alongside therapy.
Online panic disorder counselling is a good fit for many people because you can start from home, where you feel safest. Over time, you and your therapist will work on preventing panic from taking hold and managing it calmly when it does show up.
Starting is simpler than you think
Reaching out is often the hardest part. From there, we'll guide you through each step.
Get in touch
Fill in our short contact form and tell us the best time to call. Share as much or as little as you like.
We'll call you
We'll ring at the time you chose for a relaxed, no-pressure chat about what's going on and what you'd like help with.
Start your sessions
We'll match you with a therapist who suits you and send a secure video link. Then you just log on.
Questions about panic disorder counselling
Yes. CBT for panic disorder works well online, and many people find it easier to begin from home. Online panic disorder counselling helps you understand your symptoms, handle attacks when they happen and gradually become less afraid of them.
That's completely fine, and your therapist will stay with you and help you through it. It can even be useful, because you can practise calming techniques with support right there.
Many people find their panic attacks become much less frequent, or stop altogether, with the right treatment. Counselling helps by lowering your overall stress, reducing the fear of the symptoms and ending the avoidance that keeps panic going.
They're closely linked. Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder, with sudden, intense attacks as the main feature. Many people experience both. If general worry is the bigger issue for you, our anxiety counselling page may help.
Just contact us through our form. We'll reply within 24 hours and call you back at a time you choose to talk about what you need, then match you with a suitable therapist.
You'll find our current prices on our fees page. Sessions last 50 minutes.
Panic doesn't have to call the shots
Send us a message and we'll get back to you within 24 hours to arrange a call at a time that suits you.
Opening hours
- Monday – Friday9:00 – 20:00
- Saturday10:00 – 15:00
- Sunday10:00 – 15:00
We can't offer crisis support. If you're in danger or feel unable to keep yourself safe, call 999 or go to A&E. You can call Samaritans free, day or night, on 116 123, or NHS 111 (option 2 for mental health). See our crisis support page for more.