Panic Attack Treatment & Relief in DC & Virginia
It feels like a medical emergency: one moment you are fine, and then out of the blue, your heart is racing, the world slides sideways, and a wave of pure terror convinces you that something is catastrophically wrong.
When you go to the ER and are told it’s “just” anxiety, it doesn’t feel like a relief—it feels like a mystery. You start living in the fear of the fear, shrinking your world to avoid anything that might trigger that sensation again.
I help you understand that while a panic attack is terrifying, it is not dangerous. Together, we work to recalibrate your body’s survival instinct so you can stop fearing your own sensations and get your life back.
Understanding the Mistaken "Red Alert"
A panic attack is your body’s brilliant ‘survival mode’ (the fight or flight response) activating at the wrong time. It’s an alarm bell going off when there is no fire.
- The ‘Out of Body’ Feeling: This is dissociation—your brain’s way of trying to protect you from overwhelming intensity by ‘detaching’ for a moment.
- The Need to Escape: Your system is flooded with adrenaline, preparing you to run from a threat that isn’t there.
- The Fear of Losing Control: This is the most common symptom, yet panic actually never causes you to lose your mind or pass out.
Taking the Power Back from the "Oh No" Feeling
We don’t just talk about panic; we build the plan to handle it. Recovery isn’t about never having a nervous sensation again; it’s about knowing exactly what to do when they arise so they don’t spiral into an attack.
- Somatic Grounding: Learning how to signal ‘safety’ to your brain through your body.
- Cognitive Reframing: Dismantling the catastrophic thoughts that turn that spark of worry and sensation into full-blown panic attack.
- Exposure & Agency: Gradually returning to the places you’ve been avoiding, proving to yourself that you are safe in the world.
Don't wait any longer to stop letting panic call the shots in your life.
Can a panic attack actually cause me to pass out or lose my mind?
While it feels like you are losing control, panic is actually an over-arousal state – your blood pressure and heart rate go up, which is the opposite of what happens when someone faints. You are physically safe, even if every alarm in your body is screaming otherwise.
Is online therapy for panic attacks effective?
The goal of therapy is not necessarily to “cure” panic, but instead to give you the skills and confidence to manage it effectively for the rest of your life. We will work to equip you with the tools you need to respond with confidence should a panic sensation arise, allowing you to live a life no longer controlled by panic attacks.
I’ve started avoiding the metro and busy stores. Can therapy help me go back there?
Absolutely. This is called avoidance behavior, and it’s how panic shrinks your world. We use a combination of somatic tools, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) Exercises, and gradual exposure to prove to your nervous system that these places are safe, helping you reclaim the freedom to move through the world without scanning for exits or needing a “safe person” to go with you.
Why do I feel so exhausted after an attack is over?
A panic attack is like running a physiological sprint. Your body floods with adrenaline and cortisol, and once the “misfiring alarm” shuts off, your system crashes into a state of recovery. It is completely normal to feel “hung over” or drained for a day or two afterward.
Will therapy be a permanent fix for my panic?
Yes. Numerous studies have shown that online CBT is just as effective as in-person therapy for panic and anxiety. The convenience and privacy of a telehealth platform can also make it easier to attend consistent sessions, which is key to building the skills you need. One of the best things about CBT in general is that once a technique works, it tends to have excellent longevity and repeatability (i.e. if it works, it keeps working).
You're sure panic attacks aren't dangerous? They feel really dangerous.
Panic attacks are definitely not physically dangerous, even though they feel like they are!
(As an aside, while the above is true, this site can’t give you medical advice. It’s an important part of your overall ongoing self-care to see a physician as needed, to rule out any medical conditions.)
Are panic attacks and anxiety attacks the same thing?
While people often use these terms interchangeably, they are different experiences. Anxiety is typically a response to a perceived threat or stressor and can build up over time (the “slow burn”). A Panic Attack is a sudden, intense surge of overwhelming fear that often comes “out of the blue” and includes intense physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath. My approach helps you identify which one you are experiencing so we can use the specific tools that work best for each.
Getting Your Life Back
Panic attacks have a way of shrinking your world as each scenario where you’ve experienced one gets added to the list of “unsafe” places and activities. I want to help you venture beyond that space and have found great satisfaction over the last 20+ years in helping people tame their panic. For as bad as panic attacks feel, once we understand how and why they operate we can readily change our experience for the better.
Learn to Stop Panic in its Tracks: Contact me today.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Cheryl Zandt
Telehealth in Virginia and Washington DC
Cheryl Zandt is a compassionate and highly experienced Licensed Professional Counselor providing online therapy to individuals and couples across Virginia and Washington DC. With a warm, down-to-earth approach, Cheryl helps clients navigate anxiety, burnout, relationship challenges, and life transitions. She creates a supportive space where clients can feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful changes.
