CBT for Panic Attacks

There can be few things in life that are more frightening than experiencing a panic attack. Characterised by a sudden, overwhelming surge of fear, panic, or anxiety, it can trigger severe physical reactions including shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, chest pains and more. If you suffer from regular panic attacks, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a proven, effective psychological treatment. At KlearMinds, our experienced CBT therapists for panic attacks are available for personal sessions in Central London and also for online therapy.
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What Is A Panic Attack?

It happened again. One minute you were trying to fall asleep, and the next thing you knew, you were sitting up straight in your bed struggling to catch your breath. You started to pace around, opened a window, lay down and sat back up again, but nothing seemed to help. As your heart pounded rapidly, your anxiety grew to the point that you wondered if this was the end for you. About 20 minutes later, however, you were still alive and able to see the incident for what it really was: another panic attack.

The attack can be triggered by a specific situation, or it can strike out of the blue, and it typically lasts somewhere between 5-20 minutes. During the panic attack, your mind perceives a threat, which causes your body to go into fight-or-flight mode. Your body tries to take in extra oxygen, which can cause rapid breathing. In addition, hormones such as adrenaline are released, resulting in a rapid heartbeat.

Panic attacks are very frightening when they occur, and although they are not usually physically harmful, some people feel they might die when they are in the throes of an attack.

Symptoms Experienced During a Panic Attack Can Include:

Physical Symptoms

  • Heart palpitations
  • Sweating
  • Shaking or trembling
  • Chest pains
  • Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
  • Hot or cold flushes

Mental Symptoms

  • A sudden spike in anxiety, with or without cause
  • Feeling detached from your surroundings
  • An intense fear of going crazy or dying

How Can CBT Help With Panic Attacks?

Even though panic attacks manifest themselves physically, they are a chiefly psychological issue, and getting to the root of the issue is the best way to keep panic attacks at bay. A CBT therapist can examine the thought patterns that trigger or sustain a panic attack and help sufferers reframe their fears and anxieties in a more realistic light. Treating panic attacks with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy typically involves a frank assessment of:

  • Your thoughts leading up to a panic attack
  • How you react when an attack occurs
  • The thoughts that run through your mind during the attack itself

Your therapist will help you replace negative thought patterns with more balanced ones that are less likely to trigger panic attacks.

Much of its success as a treatment for panic attacks lies in the fact that CBT teaches people useful thought management skills that can be applied to the situations they encounter in daily life. Your therapist can also suggest breathing techniques and other coping mechanisms that can alleviate the symptoms when a panic attack does strike.

How Effective is CBT Help With Panic Attacks?

CBT is believed to be one of the most effective psychological treatments for panic attacks. Although no single treatment works for everybody, its high success rate makes it a great starting point for most individuals. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggests between 7 and 14 hours of CBT over a period of four months on average, but your therapist can suggest a timescale that is appropriate for the severity of your problem.

The next time a panic attack sets in, try to remind yourself that you are not in danger and that the sensation will pass. We’ve put together 10 Tips for Managing Panic Attacks – keep it handy so you can be prepared the next time you feel panicked.

If you want to minimise the frequency and severity of future panic attacks, consult with one of KlearMinds’ CBT therapists who specialises in cognitive behavioural therapy.

Therapy Reviews

Help With Bereavement & Depression
I was coping with a major bereavement and it felt like a crisis… Straight away Maggie was warm, kind and understanding… I didn’t want to be in therapy for a long time, I just wanted to get better, get on with my life… I cannot recommend Maggie highly enough to you. Whilst life still presents me with challenges I can cope with them as I feel so much stronger now… over six weeks… after each session I’d… Read More
TV Director, London
Overcoming Career Anxiety & Work Stress
I had never thought I was someone who would need counselling or therapy, as I had always been very strong. However when my career wasn’t going quite as I had planned it, I found I was becoming very negative and mentally spiralling out of control – in fact turning myself into a victim. Maggie was outstanding at providing me with what I needed, not as a “quick fix” but by giving me the tools to use whenever I may need… Read More
Corporate Finance Lawyer
Empower Yourself – Building Self Confidence
Before meeting with Maggie, I had been feeling demotivated, lacking focus and very lonely…. Counselling was something I only considered when I felt there was nothing I could do. Retrospectively, this was incorrect. Maggie gave me support and provided me with the encouragement to empower myself to change. I had always found it hard to deal with questions, getting defensive. Maggie’s questions…helped me… I now realise… Read More
Investment Banker
Discovering Enjoyable Career Success & Creating Loving Relationships
When I came to see Maggie I was very depressed, but also very cynical about the benefits of seeing a therapist… I was working as a sales director… which I thought was what I wanted, but I had very little confidence in my abilities… I also had very bad relationships… Maggie has helped me to understand why… and…to turn things around so that I am so much happier now than I have been in many, many, years and… Read More
Ex Sales Director
Ensuring You Get the Right Therapist

The following feedback is from a client who we provided with a therapist re-match:

Just wanted to say, amazing pick with Kate. Very happy with the switch.
I am loving my therapy and making progress already after 3 sessions.
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Entrepreneur, London
Overcoming Anxiety & Work Stress – Improving Career & Relationships
After a number of false starts with therapists, I can only say that I wish I had found Maggie sooner!… Over a period of 15 years I had seen multiple therapists and psychiatrists to address issues relating to anxiety, depression and workplace stress…. Maggie really helped me to elucidate and articulate the origins of deeply embedded patterns of negative and self defeating thinking, which proved essential… Read More
Dan, Civil Servant
Empower Yourself – Overcome Trauma & Build Self-Esteem
I came to Judy struggling to understand the impact sexual abuse that had taken place in my childhood had had on me. I knew there were things… weaving their way into how I formed relationships and the way I have behaved since I was a teenager, but I didn’t know what they were or how to deal with them. The hours I’ve spent working with Judy have been the most…liberating and empowering experience and I’ve learnt… Read More
Magazine Editor, London
Overcome ME/CFS Long Covid & Build Confidence
…Thank you to KlearMinds for taking such care in matching me with the right therapist…. I started sessions when I was very unwell with Long Covid/ ME/CFS… Amanda was a huge part of my recovery… I’ve got my life back. I’ve just been for a run, am a Mum to my boys again and am loving life. The connection between my mental health and physical health were much more entwined than I had realised. Amanda helped me to… Read More
Jenny, Occupational Therapist from North England.
Flexible therapy that worked best for me
Had a very positive experience working with Kate and KlearMinds. Kate was very easy to talk to and gave me space to do sessions in the way that worked best for me and I came out of them feeling refreshed and motivated. I would definitely recommend Kate…. she was kind, thoughtful and always reliable, even when I was a bit awkward about finding times that suited my schedule. Read More
Professional, IT Sector
Career Coaching & Finding Loving Relationship
I started to see Maggie as a work coach… I was frustrated with my job… working myself into the ground… not getting any returns… I’m now in a job I love, and have just been promoted! I’m now much more confident… with who I am…. in a great relationship for almost two years now… I’ve recommended her to numerous friends since and I know she’s helped them massively too… She helped me realise…. Read More
Managing Director
Control Anxiety – Depression – Improve Relationships – Career Coaching
…therapy with Judy… has changed my life forever. I suffered daily from anxiety and.. negative thought[s].. holding me back..in my relationships… during lockdown..i was put at risk of redundancy.. I saw 3 different therapists before this, none of which really understood and helped me… Judy helped me understand things… control my anxiety… get back on track… I was blown away with her….Read More
Events Producer
Build Self-Confidence and Overcome Relationship Problems
….I had tried counselling before and thought it wasn’t for me. I now realise that finding the right counsellor makes all the difference. I went to see Maggie when I felt I was no longer able to cope and everything in my life was going wrong…. I cannot recommend Maggie enough. I feel in control, grounded and confident… capable of moving forward in my life. My sessions with her have not only helped me gain…. Read More
A very grateful Lawyer!
Overcoming Trauma, Depression, Parenting problems, Career Issues
I have seen Maggie for a short batch of sessions, on 4 occasions… I’ve needed help with…post-natal depression…childhood trauma…career…work/life balance…parenting struggles… the services she provides, have been absolutely transformational… Without fail, each time, Maggie has..quickly distilled..the root..issue..and given me highly..actionable..advice..I can…use..long past attending one to one sessions…. Read More
COO, London

Meet Our Experienced Therapists

Maggie Morrow Award Winning Therapist
Maggie Morrow is an award winning psychotherapist, an accomplished life coach and counsellor, and Director of KlearMinds. In 2007 she was awarded the BACP National Award for advancing the quality of therapy service provision to the highest standards in the UK.

Maggie’s experience spans over 20 years helping people overcome problems so they can enjoy more fulfilling and satisfying lives.

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Paul Glynn - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Paul Glynn holds over 30 years experience as a therapist and is KlearMinds Clinical Director. Paul offers a warm, pragmatic and interactive approach to help you understand and go beyond the difficulties you are facing. He is passionate about empowering clients to develop the tools that can help them to resolve stuckness and positively change repetitive, problematic behaviours.
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Nishah Dennison - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Nishah is a highly skilled therapist with over 25 years experience. She utilizes a wide range of therapies, including Coaching, CBT, Mindfulness and psychoeducation to help her clients. Her approach to working with clients is warm, interactive and practical, providing life skills and strategies that can be used effectively across all areas of life. Alongside seeing clients she expertly leads our therapy team to provide quality and excellence.
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Judy Harrison - Psychotherapist and Couples Therapist London
Judy holds over 25 years experience as a psychotherapist, working with both individuals and couples. She utilizes a wide range of therapies, including CBT and psychoeducation and holds considerable experience providing Career Coaching, Mindfulness Meditation and Mediation. Judy works proactively with clients to help them understand and address problematic situations and experiences and develop positive skills they can draw upon for life.
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Andrea Tibbitts - Relationship Therapist and Couple Coach in London
Andrea is a highly experienced relationship therapist and coach, with over 15 years clinical experience providing marriage and relationship counselling. She is passionate about empowering couples to be the best version of themselves and to live their best lives. She can help you and your partner to identify and address the root causes of problematic patterns which have a negative impact on your relationship.
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Mita Hiremath - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Mita is a highly experienced psychotherapist and counsellor with over 20 years of clinical experience. She is passionate about helping clients overcome issues they have been struggling with for months and sometimes years. Mita draws upon a range of therapies including, CBT, Mindfulness and EMDR, which she tailors to best suit each client she works with.
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Kate Thomlinson - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Kate is a highly skilled therapist. She has worked successfully in a variety of settings, including media, TV, journalism, law and higher education. She draws upon a broad range of therapeutic skills including existential, CBT, mindfulness and psychoeducation to enable clients to achieve the outcomes they want, in terms of professional and personal satisfaction and wellbeing.
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Amanda Reynolds - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Amanda is a highly experienced Advanced CBT and Integrative therapist with more than 8 years experience. She draws upon a wide range of therapies and works proactively to help clients understand, process and resolve their concerns and conflicts. Amanda can assist you to quickly identify problematic thoughts and behaviours which negatively impact your personal and professional well-being.
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Karen Gubb - Clinical Psychologist London.webp
Karen is a highly experienced psychologist, executive and career coach with over 15 years experience. Karen draws upon a variety of therapies and coaching skills, tailoring her approach, to best suit the learning style of each client. Karen works proactively. She can help you understand and constructively change problematic thoughts and patterns of behaviour so you can realise your personal goals.
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Tania Turner Counsellor and Couples Therapist in London
Tania is an experienced psychotherapist and couples counsellor. She is highly skilled in helping couples and individuals address a wide range of concerns. She has a warm, collaborative, insightful approach and uses a range of therapies including psychodynamic and mindfulness, to enable her clients to understand and resolve issues constructively.
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Nicola Reeves Psychotherapist and Counsellor London
Nicola is an experienced psychotherapist skilled in a range of therapies which she tailors to the unique learning style of each client she helps. Nicola can help you understand how current and past conditions, experiences and relationships can influence your difficulties. She can also show you simple yet effective tools you can use to turn things around.
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Annette is a highly experienced clinical psychologist with over 13 years experience working with individuals, couples and families. She is skilled in a range of different therapy approaches including CBT and mindfulness, which enables her to constructively tailor therapy sessions to meet your particular needs. Annette works empathically and collaboratively, providing you with useful insights and tools for problem solving.
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Rachel holds extensive experience in providing expert couples and individual therapy and coaching. She draws on a range of therapies including CBT, mindfulness and coaching in tailoring her approach to best suit your learning style. Rachel adopts a proactive, balanced and empathetic approach helping people understand problematic patterns of behaviour and communication.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
In order to understand how CBT can help with panic attacks, it’s important to know what this type of therapy entails. Working with a trained CBT therapist, you will examine the relationship between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and uncover certain patterns of thinking that result in beliefs or actions that are destructive. You will then learn how to direct them towards more constructive behaviour patterns.

CBT is a goal-orientated therapy that focuses on a specific problem. The NHS has increased the provision of access to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in primary care on account of its effectiveness to help people manage issues such as panic attacks, anxiety, depression and more. It is also an active intervention in the sense that patients are expected to practise the skills they learn outside of the therapist’s office.

As the name suggests, CBT consists of two elements: cognitive therapy and behavioural therapy.

How does CBT Therapy Work?

Further Self-Help & Reading on CBT

Panic Attacks: How Can Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Help?

1st December 2014

It happened again. One minute you were trying to fall asleep, and the next thing you knew, you were sitting…

CBT FOR ANXIETY – HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

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CBT Diagram

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are interconnected and that by changing…

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CBT What’s It All About?

7th September 2021

Why do people keep talking about CBT Much is written and much is talked about CBT or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.…

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Cognitive Distortions and Thinking Errors – How Can CBT Help?

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Having trouble controlling your negative thoughts?  Feeling anxious or depressed and wish you could switch off those thoughts? Sometimes, it’s…

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety

How Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Can Help Treat Anxiety Disorders

2nd November 2014

Anxiety disorders can seriously affect your quality of life. If you worry nonstop, have obsessive thoughts or panic attacks, or…

The History of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

7th March 2022

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a popular psychological treatment which has been shown to be effective in treating common disorders…

Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy More Effective Than Medication in Treating Anxiety?

17th March 2015

The strong feelings of fear, unease and worry that are hallmarks of anxiety can have a very negative impact on…

Maggie Morrow Award Winning Therapist
Author: Maggie Morrow, Award Winning Psychotherapist, Counsellor & Life Coach
Last updated: March 30th, 2023

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Our hand-selected therapists have trained in the UK’s most respected counselling institutions. They hold a minimum of 8 and up to 30 years clinical experience within the NHS, private and/or charitable sectors in and around London. They are registered with: