If you’re experiencing panic attacks, you know firsthand how exhausting, frightening, and overwhelming it can be to live with the uncertainty of when they’ll strike next. At The Midtown Practice, our New York panic disorder specialists are here to help you finally find relief so you can move through your day with more confidence and calm. Meet our team here to find the right fit and reach out when you’re ready to begin.
Jump to a therapist
- Esmé Stern, LMSW: Good fit for adolescents and young adults experiencing panic attacks
- Shira Lee Silver, LCSW-R: Good fit for adults of all ages experiencing panic attacks, and those with concomitant issues with loss and grief
- Holly Alderman, LCSW: Good fit for adults and couples where panic is straining relationships
- Sana Khan, MPH, PMHNP-BC: Good fit for those exploring medication as part of panic disorder treatment
- Karen Franklin, LCSW: Good fit for adults of any age, as well as those with longstanding anxiety or trauma-related patterns
- Cliff Sobel, MHC-LP: Good fit for adults struggling with panic attacks related to professional or academic concerns
If you’re unsure which provider is the right match, please contact us so we can offer our guidance.
Meet our NYC panic attack therapists
Esmé Stern, LMSW
Good fit for adolescents and young adults experiencing panic attacks
Adolescence and young adulthood are already one of the most emotionally intense periods of life. When panic disorder enters the picture, it can derail school or professional life, friendships, and everyday confidence in ways that feel overwhelming for both patients and their families.
I specialize in working with adolescents and young adults, using a trauma-informed approach that draws on psychodynamic theory, CBT, and mindfulness-based practices to help young people understand what’s happening in their minds and bodies.
- Credentials: Licensed Master Social Worker #127703
- Specialty Areas: Panic disorder, anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship issues, identity development
Shira Lee Silver, LCSW-R
Good fit for young adults of all ages experiencing panic attacks, and those with concomitant issues with loss and grief
I’ve completed extensive training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which I find especially effective for panic disorder because it helps clients stop fighting their fear and start building a life guided by their values instead of their anxiety. I also have advanced training and expertise working with grief and loss.
Much of my work focuses on people in their 20s-40s, a stage of life when panic can feel particularly destabilizing. I combine ACT with CBT and psychodynamic approaches to address both the immediate experience of panic and its deeper roots.
- Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker #084692
- Specialty Areas: Panic disorder, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflict, grief, trauma, career challenges
Holly Alderman, LCSW
Good fit for adults and couples where panic is straining relationships
While panic disorder is overwhelming for the person experiencing it, it also ripples into relationships, family dynamics, and everyday functioning, which is why my work with panic often extends to the people closest to my clients as well.
I draw on advanced training in CBT, ACT, DBT, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help clients understand and interrupt their panic cycles while also strengthening the relational bonds that support recovery. Beyond clinical depth and evidence-based practice, I also strive to bring a warm, collaborative presence to every session.
- Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker #088473, post-graduate training at the Ackerman Institute for the Family
- Specialty Areas: Panic disorder, anxiety, depression, relationships, parenting, life transitions
Sana Khan, PMHNP-BC
Good fit for those exploring medication as part of panic disorder treatment
My path to psychiatry began in public health, and that wide-lens perspective shapes the individualized, culturally informed approach I bring to treating panic disorder today. I also have extensive experience across settings, which means I’ve seen panic disorder in many of its forms and can develop psychopharmacological plans that are genuinely tailored to you.
I’m committed to empowering my clients with a clear understanding of their treatment and helping them reach their goals, whether it’s with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.
- Credentials: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Board-Certified
- Specialty Areas: Panic disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, PTSD
Karen Franklin, LCSW
Good fit for adults across the lifespan and those with longstanding anxiety or trauma-related patterns
With more than two decades of clinical experience, I’ve worked with many clients who have lived with panic disorder for years before finding treatment that addresses it at its root. Many of my clients find relief through a mixture of learning hands-on coping mechanisms and a deeper look at how their symptoms are shaped by relational patterns, past trauma, and longstanding ways of being in the world.
My work integrates psychodynamic therapy with CBT, DBT, and supportive modalities, allowing me to address both the immediate experience of panic and the underlying patterns that sustain it. I also offer therapy in both English and Spanish, and I bring a strong awareness of how cultural background shapes the experience of anxiety.
- Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker #100938
- Specialty Areas: Panic disorder, anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, relationship difficulties, trauma, multicultural issues
Cliff Sobel, MHC-LP
Good fit for adults struggling with panic attacks related to professional or academic concerns
Before transitioning to a career in mental health, I spent decades in the business world building and leading an e-learning company, launching entrepreneurial start-ups, and working with professionals at every level, from entry-level employees to CEOs. That background is what sets my approach to performance-related panic apart; I understand from the inside what it feels like when professional pressure begins impacting your health, your focus, and your sense of self.
I work with clients using psychodynamic, existential, and cognitive-behavioral approaches to address both the immediate experience of panic and the deeper beliefs about achievement and worth that often drive it.
- Credentials: Mental Health Counselor – Limited Permit
- Specialty Areas: Performance anxiety, career stress, professionals
What sets our practice apart from other NYC panic attack psychotherapy providers
- Medication and therapy in one practice: Unlike most therapy-only practices, we offer both psychopharmacology and psychotherapy under one roof, so your care is truly integrated.
- Personalized matching: Our highly trained clinical coordinator is your first touchpoint in the practice. She will help connect you with the right clinician, whether that’s a therapist, a prescriber, or both.
- Multiple evidence-based modalities: Our team is trained in CBT, ACT, DBT, EMDR, CPT, psychodynamic therapy, EFT, and other approaches to ensure that treatment is always customized to you.
- We treat teens and adults: We offer support for clients across the lifespan, from adolescence through later life, including limited availability for couples and families.
- In-person and virtual options: Whether you prefer to meet at our Midtown Manhattan office or via telehealth, we can accommodate your schedule and preferences.
- Extended hours: Our clinicians have early morning, evening, and weekend availability to make getting support as accessible as possible.
Our process
1. Connect
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation with our highly trained Clinical Coordinator, Alli Malamut, by either:
- Call or text us at: 332-262-7077
- Email us at: info@midtownpractice.com
- Or complete the form below
2. Get matched
From here, our Clinical Coordinator will gather more information about what you’re experiencing, what you hope to achieve through therapy, and relevant logistical information so we can find you an ideal-fitting clinician or therapist.
3. Check the fit
After getting matched with a provider, you will have the opportunity to connect for another consultation to ensure it’s an appropriate fit. If so, book your first session. If it does not feel right, circle back with us.
FAQs about panic disorder counseling
Common signs of panic disorder include: Recurring, unexpected panic attacks: intense surges of fear accompanied by a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or a sense of losing control Persistent worry about having another attack, even between episodes Avoiding situations where a panic attack might occur Physical symptoms such as chest tightness, sweating, or nausea that may be mistaken for a medical emergency Having a panic attack does not necessarily mean that you have panic disorder. However, getting professional support can help with either. We can help you clarify what’s going on and provide you with the treatment that makes the most sense for you.
You don’t have to figure it out on your own or know what type of treatment you want in order to reach out. The most appropriate treatment depends on your individual history, the severity of your symptoms, and your personal preferences. At The Midtown Practice, our therapists and prescribers work together to help you make that determination collaboratively.
Panic disorder rarely exists in isolation, and our clinicians are experienced in treating the full spectrum of anxiety-related concerns, including: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) Social anxiety Specific phobias Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Health anxiety Performance and career anxiety Separation anxiety Anxiety related to life transitions, relationships, and major life changes Whether you have a formal diagnosis or simply feel that anxiety is interfering with your life, our team can help you understand what you’re experiencing and develop a treatment plan that fits your needs.
Therapy helps you understand the thought patterns and physical sensations that trigger and sustain panic, develop practical tools to use in the moment, and work toward reducing the frequency and intensity of attacks over time. Many clients find that in addressing panic, therapy also builds broader emotional resilience that benefits other areas of their lives.
Yes, therapy for panic attacks is often covered by insurance. The Midtown Practice is an out-of-network provider and does not bill insurance directly. However, many insurance plans include out-of-network mental health benefits, and we provide a detailed invoice (superbill) that you can submit to your insurer for potential reimbursement. We recommend contacting your insurance company before beginning treatment to understand your out-of-network coverage.
Start psychotherapy for panic attacks in New York today
