Panic Disorder Therapy
Serving San Jose, Sacramento & all of California
Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder Therapy to
Overcome Fear of Panic Attacks
Panic disorder therapy can help you when the fear of panic attacks starts taking over your life. Worrying about the next panic attack often causes avoidance and you miss out on fun things you’d like to do but feel like you can’t. Here are a few ways you may experience panic disorder:
- Sudden waves of fear or panic hit you without warning
- Racing heartbeats, dizziness, or shortness of breath make you worry something is seriously wrong
- Fear the possibility of having another panic attack
- Avoiding certain places or situations in case it happens again
If any of this sounds like you, then you may be struggling with panic disorder. The good news panic disorder therapy is effective and can help you break free from the cycle of fear.
Laura Johnson, LMFT, LPCC, is a certified CBT and schema therapist with experience in panic disorder therapy. I can provide you with panic disorder therapy if you live anywhere in California including San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
Could I Have Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder happens when the fear of panic attacks starts taking over your life. Here are some questions to help you see if this might be what you’re experiencing:
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Do sudden waves of fear or panic ever hit you without warning?
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Have you felt racing heartbeats, dizziness, or shortness of breath that made you worry something was seriously wrong?
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Do you fear the possibility of having another panic attack?
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Have you started avoiding certain places or situations in case it happens again?
If these questions sound familiar, you may be struggling with panic disorder—but the good news is, effective treatment can help you break free from the cycle of fear.
What is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is the fear of having a panic attack. A panic attack involves sudden, overwhelming terror combined with intense physical symptoms—such as a racing heart, dizziness, tingling in the hands, sweating, chills, chest pain, or difficulty breathing. Many people feel like they are having a heart attack or losing control.
Panic attacks may feel like they come out of nowhere, but they often happen because the body’s normal sensations are misinterpreted as dangerous. For example, noticing your heart skip a beat might trigger the fear that you’re about to collapse. It’s common for people to end up in the ER, only to learn it was a panic attack.
When the fear of having another panic attack takes over and starts limiting your life, that’s when panic disorder develops. Some people also develop agoraphobia, where they avoid certain places or situations to prevent another attack.
Common Symptoms of Panic Disorder
Panic attacks can feel overwhelming and frightening, often creating a sense that something is terribly wrong with your body. While the intensity can be alarming, these symptoms are not dangerous—but they can feel very real in the moment. Here are some of the most common ones:
Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Panic Disorder
CBT is the most effective therapy for panic disorder because it helps you change both the way you think and the way you respond to panic. In therapy, you’ll learn to spot common “thinking traps” such as:
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Catastrophizing – “My racing heartbeat must mean I’m having a heart attack.”
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Fortune telling – “If I leave the house, I know I’ll have another panic attack.”
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All-or-nothing thinking – “If I feel anxious, that means I’m completely falling apart.”
You’ll also practice simple, hands-on strategies to take your power back:
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Shifting thoughts so panic symptoms feel less threatening
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Exposure practice where you safely face scary sensations and avoided places until they lose their hold on you
With CBT, you’ll stop living in fear of panic and start building the confidence that you can handle whatever comes your way.
Why Work with Me?
My specialty is with anxiety disorders and panic is one of the most common anxiety disorders. I’m one of the few therapists in California who is both a Certified Cognitive Behavior Therapist and an Advanced Certified Schema Therapist. That means you’ll get the best of both worlds—tools for immediate relief and a depth approach that tackles the roots of panic. I specialize in anxiety and panic and work with clients throughout California via secure video therapy, including San Jose, Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions about Panic Disorder
How do I know if I have panic disorder and not just panic attacks?
Panic attacks can happen to anyone, but panic disorder develops when the fear of having another attack starts to control your life and make you avoid certain places or situations.
Are panic attacks dangerous?
No. Even though they feel terrifying—like you might faint, lose control, or have a heart attack—panic attacks are not harmful. They are your body’s alarm system misfiring.
Can therapy really stop panic attacks?
Yes. Therapy won’t erase all anxious feelings, but CBT and Schema Therapy teach you how to change the way you respond to panic. Over time, attacks become less frequent, less intense, and far less scary.
Do I have to bring on panic attacks in therapy?
Sometimes we purposely trigger mild panic sensations (like a racing heart) in a safe setting. This helps you learn that the feelings are uncomfortable but not dangerous—and that you can handle them.
Take the First Step to Get Help with Panic Disorder
Panic disorder can feel overwhelming—but it’s highly treatable. Through secure video therapy, I help clients across California—including San Jose, Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County—regain calm and confidence. You don’t have to live in fear of panic attacks. Reach out today to begin taking your life back.