Panic Disorder Therapy in Upper West Side, NY

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When a wave of fear hits out of nowhere—heart racing, chest tight, the thought that something terrible is happening—it’s hard to trust your body or your day. If you’ve begun avoiding the subway, elevators, or long lines because of panic attacks, you’re not alone, and you’re not “weak.” Panic disorder is common and highly treatable. 

At Gordon Therapy Group on the Upper West Side, our licensed psychologists utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) combined with interoceptive and situational exposures to help you break the panic cycle, rebuild confidence, and return to the places and routines that matter. We offer in‑person sessions at our UWS office and telehealth for NY, NJ, and CT residents. 

Therapist and client discuss panic disorder using gestures.

Understanding the Panic Cycle

A quick map of what’s going on can make the path forward feel less mysterious.

  • Trigger → body sensations → catastrophic thought → more anxiety. A normal sensation (e.g., a flutter in your chest) gets read as danger (“I’m going to pass out”), which ramps anxiety—and sensations—higher.
  • Avoidance and safety behaviors keep it going. Skipping the subway, carrying water everywhere, or constantly checking exits can shrink your life and teach your brain the world is unsafe.

Common co‑factors. Agoraphobia, health anxiety, caffeine sensitivity, stress, and poor sleep can all feed the cycle.

Our Treatment Approach

We use a structured, compassionate plan paced with you. For panic disorder, we start with CBT: we map your patterns, test catastrophic predictions, and build new interpretations of body cues. 

Then we add interoceptive exposures—short, safe practices of the sensations themselves. You might try a few seconds of spinning, a minute of straw breathing, or a brief jog in place to bring on lightheadedness or a racing heart. 

We pause, notice what shifts, and remind your brain that these sensations are uncomfortable, not dangerous. Each step is gradual, collaborative, and adjusted to your comfort level as confidence builds.

Situational exposures bring you back into real life—subway rides, elevators, grocery lines, bridges—with a clear ladder and support. 

We incorporate skills training in breathing retraining, grounding, distress tolerance, and the gradual reduction of safety behaviors. Then, we track symptoms and successes, adjust the plan, and build a relapse-prevention toolkit for future spikes.

Why Clients Choose Gordon Therapy Group

Our team of psychologists is led by Tamar Gordon, PhD, who brings over 20 years of CBT experience. She provides individual supervision to every clinician so you know you’re always getting expert help. 

Our licensed psychologists have advanced CBT/ERP and exposure training for panic, OCD, and agoraphobia. Treatment is structured and compassionate, with clear goals, brief between-session practice, and regular progress checks so progress is measurable. 

Scheduling is practical, as we offer in-person sessions on the Upper West Side near Central Park and secure telehealth for New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey residents. When helpful, we coordinate with your primary care clinician, psychiatrist, or school—always with your consent.

In‑Person & Telehealth Options

Access shouldn’t be another source of anxiety. Choose the format that keeps you consistent.

  • In‑Person: Private Upper West Side office near the 1/2/3 and B/C lines. We can practice local exposures (elevators, avenues, parks) with support.
  • Telehealth: HIPAA‑compliant video with real‑time coaching and between‑session assignments. Hybrid care is welcome.
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Frequently Asked Questions

To alleviate some uncertainty about starting, here are quick answers to common questions.

What’s the difference between a panic attack and panic disorder?

Panic attacks are sudden surges of fear and bodily sensations. Panic disorder means repeated attacks plus worry about future ones and changes in your behavior (like avoidance). Therapy targets both the attacks and the patterns around them.

Timelines vary. Many clients notice early changes within a few weeks when they practice between sessions. Focused courses typically consist of 12–16 sessions, tailored to individual goals and severity levels.

They’re short, guided exercises that recreate feared sensations (like lightheadedness). You’ll practice safely and gradually, learning that the sensations pass and aren’t dangerous.

Yes. We build a graded plan for the specific route or bridge and practice the steps together. The goal is freedom—not white‑knuckling.

Many people improve with CBT alone. Some choose to combine therapy with medication. We can coordinate with your prescriber if that would be helpful.

Absolutely. Telehealth is effective for panic treatment, and we can design exposures you can practice from home and in your neighborhood.

Take Your Next Move

You can feel steady again—even in moments that used to trigger panic.
Request an Appointment to start panic disorder therapy on the Upper West Side.

Location

241 Central Park W # 1D, New York, NY 10024

Phone: (917) 972-5671

Email: info@gordontherapygroup.com

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 6 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed