Conquer Your Panic: A CBT-Based Group for Panic Disorder

Do you experience unexpected and recurring panic attacks? Do you avoid situations or places out of fear of having a panic attack? If so, this group may be right for you. This group offers a supportive and structured environment to learn evidence-based strategies to manage and overcome panic disorder using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

What is Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks, which are sudden surges of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by various physical and psychological symptoms (e.g., racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, fear of losing control). Many individuals with panic disorder also develop significant worry about having future attacks or their consequences, and may begin to avoid situations or places where they have experienced panic.

How Can This Group Help?

This group utilizes CBT, the gold-standard treatment for panic disorder. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to panic. Specifically, this group will help you:

• Understand Panic Disorder: Through psychoeducation, you will learn about the nature of panic, the factors that contribute to it, and how CBT can help.
• Challenge Negative Thoughts: Cognitive therapy techniques will be used to identify and challenge negative or catastrophic thoughts associated with panic (e.g., “I’m going to have a heart attack,” “I’m going to lose control”). We will learn to replace these thoughts with more realistic and balanced ones.
• Confront Your Fears: Exposure therapy is a core component of CBT for panic. This group will provide a safe and supportive environment to gradually confront feared situations and bodily sensations. We will utilize two types of exposure:
• Interoceptive Exposure: This involves intentionally inducing feared physical sensations (e.g., rapid breathing, dizziness) in a controlled manner to learn that these sensations are not dangerous and to reduce fear of them.
• Situational Exposure: This involves gradually facing feared situations or places that are avoided due to fear of panic (e.g., crowded stores, public transportation).
• Develop Mindfulness Skills: Mindfulness techniques will be introduced to help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings in the present moment, without judgment. This can be helpful in managing anxiety and preventing panic attacks.
• Prevent Relapse: Relapse prevention strategies will be discussed to help you maintain your progress and manage any future challenges. We will work together to create personalized plans to help you continue using the skills you have learned in the group.

Group Format:

The group will meet weekly for 12 sessions. Each session will include a combination of psychoeducation, discussion, skills practice, and exposure exercises. The group format provides a supportive environment to share experiences, learn from others, and practice new skills.

Who Can Benefit?

This group is designed for adults who are experiencing panic attacks and/or have been diagnosed with panic disorder.
We look forward to connecting with you!