Adolescent Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia Intensive Treatment Center

Treatment Options

Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT)

Studies show that CBT is effective in treating adolescents with panic disorder
Children and adolescents with panic disorder benefit from treatments that have several components

Ways to identify and change dysfunctional thought patterns that perpetuate fear
Ways to identify “automatic anxious thoughts” that trigger physical feelings of panic
Ways to change these thoughts so that they are more realistic

Allows individuals with panic disorder to face their fears
Adolescents are taught techniques and skills to reduce their fear and physical anxious feelings.
With the guide of their therapist, patients are taught to use these skills to enter situations that they had formerly feared or avoided
Adolescents are taught to cope more adaptively with feared situations

Traditional CBT for panic disorder:

Takes place over a three to four month period
Treatment components mentioned above are incorporated over time to address the disorder
Therapist and patient work as a team in facing anxiety provoking situations using skills they have learned through treatment

New Intensive CBT for panic disorder:

Currently being offered through our Center via a NIMH-funded treatment study
Unique because it takes place over a short period, allows adolescents to quickly return to developmentally appropriate activities (i.e. school and extracurriculars)
For adolescents 12-17 years of age with a primary diagnosis of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia
Treatment has been found by many patients to help overcome panic symptoms and quickly reduce impairment and distress

To find out more about how to enroll, click here.