“How many CBT sessions are needed for panic attacks?”

Usually 8-12

I would suggest a minimum of 24 sessions of CBT therapy needed to treat a case of severe anxiety. Some individuals may recover more quickly, while others may require 48 or more CBT sessions combined with additional therapies to ensure that underlying root causes of anxiety are tackled.

Each client and situation is different. So, it is difficult to say. Often we start with coping skills to manage the intense emotion. Then try to get to the core of what is causing the panic attacks.

You may need several months of once-weekly sessions (10-16). However, CBT alone will not improve symptoms completely. I highly recommend a therapy that includes a somatic component that targets your anxiety/fight or flight reaction in the body. Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a form body focused, exposure desensitization therapy that could be effective for panic. Thanks for asking!

A minimum of 24 sessions of CBT therapy may be needed to treat a presentation of severe anxiety.

I recommend a minimum of 6 sessions for panic attacks, using CBT. These will allow for time to practice the different exercises in CBT.


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Hi, Thank you for your question. It can take a varied amount of time for panic attacks to go away, however, a treatment period lasting at least 6 to 9 months is usually recommended. Some people taking medicine for panic disorder are able to stop treatment after only a short time. What works for one person may not be effective at all for another. But even though there is not a magic bullet to wipe out every case, through treatment, patience, and persistence, you can find the methods that help you cope with panic disorder. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy A mental health professional can assist you in developing ways to change your thinking and behaviors that allow for lasting relief. Different types of psychotherapy have been shown to be helpful in panic disorder. One of these is CBT, a method that includes learning ways to relax, change unhelpful thinking patterns, manage stress, and increase self-confidence. Progressive or gradual exposure is a CBT technique in which therapists slowly introduce a patient to their fears and then teach them to relax while they experience anxiety. For example, if your panic is induced by driving cars on the freeway, your therapist may have you begin by simply imagining cars driving on a freeway. You will then be instructed to keep this image in mind as they guide you into noticing your tension. This focus on uneasy feelings is followed by guided attention to relaxing the body and mind. Over a number of sessions, the therapist will progressively increase your exposure to your fear, from visualizing yourself driving on the freeway, to being a passenger in a car on the freeway, to driving the car yourself. While moving through these phases, you will continue to learn how to remain calm and manage feelings of panic. There are numerous self-help resources that address issues related to anxiety and panic disorder. These are intended to help you manage panic on your own. Common self-help strategies include: Relaxation techniques, such as stretching and deep breathing positive affirmations and self-talk peaceful and reassuring visualizationsJournaling and other writing exercisesExpressing feelings through transforming a negative belief system to more constructive and optimistic viewsLifestyle changes, such as getting enough sleep, limiting the use of caffeine, eating a nutritious diet, and exercising medication Treating panic disorder with medication is often recommended when symptoms persist despite efforts to control them through therapy and self-help strategies. Medication may also be suggested when the panic disorder has become so extreme that it affects daily functioning. Antidepressants Medical professionals typically prescribe an antidepressant for panic disorder, usually from the class of
antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These drugs can relieve feelings of anxiety and reduce depression symptoms, which often coexist with panic disorder. Tranquilizers Benzodiazepine tranquilizers are another class of drugs that can ease anxiety and alleviate panic.. There is some potential for abuse with these medications. They may also lead to physical dependence if they are taken over a long enough period of time. Overall, there is no one approach that works for everyone. Give different methods a try to determine what works for you. Even though there is not a cure for panic disorder, you can still experience long-term improvements by finding the combination of treatments that is effective for you. I hope this has been helpful!

There aren’t a “standard” amount of sessions because every person progresses differently in therapy and works at their own pace. Some clients have worked through this in 4-6 months, for others it may take a year or longer. Typically therapy would begin with some psycho education about what happens when the person experiences panic attacks. They are seemingly “out of the blue” but in truth they get triggered by something that happens right before the panic. The trigger may be a thought, a smell, a memory, etc. Your body suddenly goes into a fight or flight response because it thinks there’s an emergency and it’s going to work to protect you from the life/death situation. There’s only one problem; You’re fine! It was a false alarm, but your body know this. Your body feels like you’re going to have a heart attack and die. This is your sympathetic nervous system activated. Then you have your parasympathetic nervous system that’s trying to create homeostasis and get things back to normal. While all this is going on internally, the CBT skills are there to help you learn how to reframe and correctly interpret what’s occurring in your body and help you allow, accept, and not give in to scary thoughts your brain is used to feeding you. It also takes time to explore and potentially rule out other areas of concern influencing the panic that may have to do with trauma which would be a much lengthier therapy process.

There is no set on this. Panic attacks vary in levels and how you respond, and what type. Talk to your family provider first seek testing and get a wellness checkup find out first. Remember just because they are licensed doesn't mean they are well qualified. You know You. Education and suggestion seek a biofeedback or spiritual holistic health practitioner or get medical doctor advice.

Check this link out for some insight into your question:
https://www.verywellmind.com/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-2584290
or
https://www.psychologytools.com/self-help/panic-attacks-and-panic-disorder/