Panic Disorder Treatment in Naperville, IL.
When fear comes out of nowhere—we help you find your ground
What Is It?
When Fear Comes Out of Nowhere.
Panic attacks are intense surges of fear that can feel life-threatening. When you start changing your life to avoid having another one, that's Panic Disorder. At Ascend Therapy in Naperville, we help you de-escalate the body's alarm system and learn that while panic is uncomfortable, it is not dangerous.
Panic Disorder Care in the Naperville Area
A panic attack can happen anywhere—stuck in traffic on I-88, in the middle of a meeting in the tech corridor, or while shopping in Downtown Naperville. The fear of another attack often leads to 'agoraphobic' avoidance, where your world starts getting smaller and smaller to keep you safe.
Our office on Ogden Avenue (East adjacent to Andy's Frozen Custard) is a safe, accessible location where you can learn to retrain your nervous system. Located between Washington and Columbia St, we provide a quiet space with plenty of free parking so you don't have to worry about the stress of getting to your appointment while dealing with panic symptoms.
We specialize in Interoceptive Exposure and CBT, helping you face the physical sensations of panic in a controlled way so you can reclaim your freedom to go anywhere in Naperville and beyond without fear.
Meet Our Panic Specialists.
We understand the physiology of fear and can help you regain control.
Dr. Jonathan Woodin, PsyD
Specialties
Expert in helping clients tolerate physical sensations of anxiety without spiraling.
Sara Banks, LCSW
Specialties
Providing tools to manage high-stress responses and grounding techniques.
Takeisha Rheams, LCPC
Specialties
Helping you understand the connection between your thoughts and physical symptoms.
Nagla Mostafa, LMFT
Specialties
Supporting individuals in overcoming avoidance behaviors.
Signs & Symptoms
Common Signs of a Panic Attack.
A panic attack often peaks within minutes and includes at least four of these symptoms:
- Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
- Sweating and trembling
- Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
- Feelings of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint
- Fear of losing control or "going crazy"
- Fear of dying
Treatment
Retraining Your Alarm System.
Medication can help, but therapy treats the underlying mechanism of panic.
Related Services
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions.
Panic attacks mimic heart attacks. If you have been medically cleared, what you are feeling is likely the body's "fight or flight" response misfiring in Naperville, IL. We help you learn to distinguish anxiety from danger.
No. They are incredibly uncomfortable, but your body cannot sustain a panic attack forever. It will pass. We teach you how to ride the wave rather than fight it.
Panic disorder is highly treatable. Many clients see significant reduction in symptoms within 12-16 sessions of targeted CBT/Interoceptive work.
Your new chapter
starts today.
Every transformation begins with a simple outreach. Our clinical team is ready to guide your first steps.