Selecting a Therapist

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Selecting A Therapist

Various types of health professionals may have the training and experience needed to treat panic disorder. Sometimes panic disorder patients are treated by two healthcare professionals—one who prescribes and monitors medication and another who provides cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Each professional will use the treatments with which he or she is most familiar and successful. It is vital to choose a professional who is trained and experienced in the treatment methods described earlier; it is equally important to choose someone with whom you feel comfortable.

Many people begin looking for treatment by visiting their family doctor or a local clinic or health maintenance organization. Other places to seek help include your local health department or community mental health clinic. If there is a university near you, you may wish to ask about participating in a panic disorder study. Many universities have ongoing treatment research programs in their psychology or psychiatry departments that may provide care at less expense.

When seeking a healthcare professional to treat your panic disorder, you may want to ask the following questions:

How many patients with panic disorder have you treated?
Do you have any special training in panic disorder treatment?
What is your basic approach to treatment—cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication, or both?
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If you provide only one type of treatment, how do I get the other if I need it?
How long is a typical course of treatment?
How frequent are treatment sessions?
How long does each session last?
What are your fees?
Can you help me determine whether my health insurance will cover this?

It's also important to realize that you have to work with your therapist to make your treatment successful.

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