Counselling for panic attacks

Short answer

Counselling for panic attacks helps you understand what your body is doing, stop fearing the next attack, and slowly return to places you avoid. At ClaraShift you talk with a counsellor online by video or audio, and you see the price before you pay. In the moment, a long slow out breath helps, and most attacks pass within 5 to 20 minutes; if it is your first attack or you have chest pain, get medical help first.

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Audio from ₹2,499, video from ₹2,999 per session

Last updated 2026-10-28 · Part of anxiety & stress

Calm comes back to the body

How ClaraShift helps with panic attacks

You meet one counsellor, privately, by video or audio. Every person is different, but sessions for this usually focus on:

Understand the alarm

You learn what happens in the body during panic, so the racing heart and breathlessness feel less like danger.

Ease the fear of the next one

Worrying about the next attack keeps panic going. Sessions work on that worry directly.

Return to what you avoid

Step by step and at your pace, you go back to the places and plans you have been avoiding.

Build a plan for hard moments

You leave with a short, personal plan for what to do when panic starts.

Counsellors who work with this

Nidhi Singh

Wellness Counsellor, CBT, ACT and anxiety support

AnxietyCBTACTRelationships

Nidhi Singh brings 9+ years of experience supporting clients with anxiety, stress, relationships, and emotional wellness. She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches in a warm, structured style. She holds an M.Sc. in Clinical & Counseling Psychology (Gold Medalist) and a Diploma in Community Mental Health from NIMHANS. She works in English, Hindi, and Bengali. On ClaraShift, Nidhi provides wellness and counselling-style support. She does not provide clinical assessments, diagnoses, or emergency care.

English · Hindi · Bengali

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Susan Christy

Counsellor for anxiety, relationships and family

AnxietyDepressionRelationshipsTrauma

Susan Christy has more than 20 years of hospital and university experience. She offers private online sessions for teens, adults, and couples who want support with anxiety, low mood, relationships, trauma, parenting, or family stress. Sessions can be in English, Hindi, or Gujarati. Her style is structured, with practical next steps. ClaraShift sessions are wellness support. They are not a diagnosis and not emergency care.

English · Hindi · Gujarati

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How to calm a panic attack: what to do in the moment

Stay where you are, if it is safe
Running away teaches your brain that the place was dangerous. If you are safe, stay and let the wave pass.
Breathe out longer than you breathe in
Breathe in slowly through your nose and out through your mouth, counting to five each way. A long out breath helps the body settle.
Ground yourself in the room
Name five things you can see, four you can touch, and three you can hear. It pulls attention back from the fear.
Name it
Tell yourself: this is panic, it is uncomfortable, and it passes. Fighting the feeling often makes it peak higher.
Loosen your body
Unclench your jaw, drop your shoulders, and press your feet into the floor.
Be gentle afterwards
Drink water, rest, and note what was happening before it started. Patterns are useful to bring to a session.

What does a panic attack feel like?

A sudden rush of intense fear with strong body signs. People describe:

A racing or pounding heart
Chest tightness or trouble breathing
Shaking, sweating, or feeling hot or cold
Dizziness, tingling, or feeling unreal
A sense of losing control, or of dying

Can a panic attack hurt me?

The feelings are frightening, but a panic attack itself is not dangerous. Because the symptoms can look like a heart problem, see a doctor if you have chest pain, if it is your first attack, or if anything feels different from usual.

Why do panic attacks keep coming back?

Often because of fear of the next one. People start avoiding the places, foods, or activities linked to an attack. Avoidance brings short relief but makes life smaller and keeps the fear alive.

What helps panic attacks in the long run?

Health services such as the NHS list talking therapy, especially cognitive behavioural therapy, as a main treatment for panic disorder. Exercise, breathing techniques, and yoga can also help.

ClaraShift sessions are wellness counselling. Check the therapist profile to see whether they work with panic or offer cognitive behavioural approaches.

When is it time to talk to someone?

Panic attacks keep coming back
You avoid places or plans in case one happens
You worry about the next attack most days
You use alcohol or other substances to cope

If you might hurt yourself, contact local emergency services now. ClaraShift is not a crisis line.

If you are in India

In India, panic attacks are often first taken to a cardiologist, and people are told everything is normal without being told what happened. Getting checked is right. If tests are clear, counselling helps with the fear that remains.

Audio sessions start at ₹2,499. Video starts at ₹2,999. Exact prices are on the India pricing page before you pay. The government Tele-MANAS helpline is 14416 (Ministry of Health). ClaraShift is not that helpline.

Talk it through with a counsellor

Private wellness counselling by video or audio. Pick a therapist, choose a listed time, and see the price before you pay.

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Common questions

Can online counselling help with panic attacks?

Yes. A counsellor can help you understand your triggers, practise calming skills, and slowly face situations you have started to avoid. ClaraShift sessions are private and online by video or audio.

Is a panic attack the same as an anxiety attack?

People use both phrases. Panic attack is the medical term for a sudden peak of fear with strong body symptoms. Anxiety attack is not a formal term and often means worry that builds more slowly.

Should I see a doctor?

Yes if you have chest pain, if it is your first attack, or if attacks are frequent. A doctor can rule out physical causes and talk about treatment options.

What if I feel unsafe or cannot cope?

Contact local emergency services now. ClaraShift is not an emergency service.

Sources

Scope of care depends on the therapist you book. Review credentials before booking. ClaraShift is not an emergency service. See Terms.