Panic Disorder Treatment Melbourne

Effective Panic Disorder Therapy with Dr Damon Mitchell

Regain calm and confidence with evidence-based panic disorder treatment in Melbourne. Dr Damon Mitchell provides compassionate therapy to ease panic attacks, reduce fear, and help you regain control over your life.

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What is Panic Disorder

Panic is characterised by discrete periods of intense fear and physiological arousal. Furthermore, panic can cause significant distress and lead to patterns of avoidance and worry. Fortunately, effective panic disorder treatment in Melbourne is readily available.

During panic attacks people experience intense, unpredictable, and uncontrollable physiological arousal. This can include rapid heart beat, rapid irregular breathing, sweaty palms, tightness in the chest, shaking and trembling, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhoea.

The body has essentially gone in to extreme danger mode and the need for immediate action such as escape and avoidance occur. Having these reactions when there is a real and clear threat makes sense. However, often we might believe that we are losing control, going to die, or going crazy.

Symptoms of fear, panic, and hyper-arousal can severely restrict the quality and range of a person’s life. People tend to retract from life, growth, and opportunity in order to feel safe. Understanding your emotional states can help you notice triggers early and respond more effectively.

Causes and Triggers of Panic Attacks

Panic attacks can be triggered by a variety of factors:

  • High-stress situations (work, relationships)

  • Phobias (e.g., heights, enclosed spaces)

  • Life transitions or major changes

  • Caffeine, stimulants, alcohol, or medication

  • Past trauma or developmental experiences

Therapies like AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) can help process underlying trauma and support emotional regulation. Learn more → AEDP Therapy

Common Symptoms of Panic

Panic can manifest physically, emotionally, and cognitively. Common symptoms include:

  • Rapid or pounding heartbeat

  • Trembling or shaking

  • Shortness of breath or shallow breathing

  • Nausea, dizziness, or feeling faint

  • Tingling or numbness in limbs

  • Intense fear of losing control or dying

  • Anticipatory anxiety and avoidance behaviors

  • Muscle tightness, butterflies in the stomach, or cognitive narrowing

These symptoms can feel overwhelming, but with the right therapy, they are manageable.

Evidence Based Therapies for Panic

The main treatment for panic disorder is Cognitive-behavioural therapy. This is where we learn to down-regulate overall panic and anxiety, coupled with gradually confronting feared scenarios. Overall, we are trying to teach the bodies nervous system how to feel safe and that there is no immediate danger. With all anxiety treatments we aim to cultivate a stance from reluctance, resistance, and avoidance to approach, curiosity, and openness. Furthermore, by changing our thought patterns and beliefs we can shift away from worst-case thinking. Psychodynamic and trauma-informed therapies can also be useful to unpack internal experiences that contribute to panic symptoms.

AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy)
AEDP explores deeper emotional responses in a safe, supportive space, helping to process trauma and cultivate emotional resilience.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT teaches mindfulness and acceptance skills to shift your relationship with anxiety instead of trying to eliminate it.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts, reduce avoidance, and build coping strategies to manage panic attacks effectively.
Mindfulness-Based Strategies
Mindfulness practices cultivate present-moment awareness, calm the nervous system, and reduce the intensity of panic symptoms.

What to Expect in Therapy

From our first session, we focus on creating a space that feels supportive, thoughtful, and non-judgmental. Therapy includes:

A thorough assessment of your history, patterns, and goals
Collaborative planning for therapy focus and pace
Gentle, tailored work on processing trauma, building coping skills, and reconnecting with what matters to you
Trauma-informed care that prioritises your safety, choice, and empowerment

Why Choose Core Life Psychology

Experienced in working with the complexities of panic disorder
Warm, client-centred care that meets you where you are
Evidence-based therapies combined with a deeply compassionate approach
Convenient Carlton location, accessible across Melbourne

Start Your Healing Journey Today

If you’re seeking a psychologist to help you treat panic disorder in Melbourne, I invite you to take the next step. You don’t have to have everything figured out—you just need a willingness to begin.

📍 In-person in Carlton (Melbourne) or via telehealth across Australia
🗓️ Book a confidential session or send a message to get started

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