Emotional health
Hypnotherapy for panic attacks
Hypnotherapy helps you calm the anxiety that drives panic, break the fear-of-fear cycle and feel safe in your own body again.
How hypnotherapy helps with panic attacks
A panic attack is the body's alarm going off at full volume with no real danger in sight: pounding heart, tight chest, dizziness, and the conviction that something terrible is about to happen. Afterwards, many people start to fear the next attack, avoid places where it happened, and watch their body for warning signs. That watchfulness keeps the alarm sensitive.
Hypnotherapy works on the anxiety underneath. A 2019 review of controlled trials found that people who had hypnosis reduced their anxiety more than about 79% of people in comparison groups, with the benefit still there at follow-up and larger when hypnosis was combined with other psychological approaches (Valentine et al., 2019). Research on panic itself is at an early stage: a small 2023 pilot trial of hypnotherapy for agoraphobia was encouraging, and larger studies are needed (Fuhr et al., 2023).
UK clinical guidelines (NICE) recommend CBT for panic disorder. Hypnotherapy fits well alongside it, and clients often tell Tim that learning to relax deeply on demand gave them the confidence to stop running from the feeling.
What we work on
- Understanding what happens in your body during panic, so it feels less frightening
- A fast, reliable way to calm your breathing and heart rate
- The fear of the next attack, and the habit of scanning for symptoms
- Places and situations you have started to avoid: the Tube, crowds, driving, flying
- Rehearsing those situations calmly under hypnosis before you face them for real
- The background stress and poor sleep that make attacks more likely
How sessions work
You start with a free 15–30 minute consultation by phone or video. Sessions are in person at 9 Coldbath Square, Farringdon, or online, which many people with panic find a gentle place to begin. Each session is tailored to you, combining Ericksonian hypnotherapy and NLP, and Tim teaches you self-hypnosis to use whenever you feel the first signs.
Why Tim
Tim Dunton has over 20 years' experience, has trained since 2004 and is a member of the General Hypnotherapy Register. He is an Advanced and Ericksonian Hypnotherapist and a Master Practitioner of NLP trained by Richard Bandler and John Grinder. His clients include celebrities, film producers, sportspeople and business leaders.
Could hypnosis bring on a panic attack?
Hypnosis is a calm, relaxed state and you stay in control throughout. You can open your eyes and stop at any time, and Tim goes at your pace.
Should I see my GP first?
Yes, if you have not already. Symptoms such as chest pain should always be checked by a doctor, and your GP can talk you through CBT and other options.
Is this different from general anxiety?
Panic is one form anxiety can take. If your worry is more constant than sudden, see hypnotherapy for anxiety.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical course | Usually around five sessions (7 hours) |
| Session length | 1 hour |
| Format | In person in Farringdon, central London, or online |
| First step | Free 15–30 minute consultation |
| Fee | £150 an hour online, £195 in person |
See also fears and phobias and all psychological problems Tim works with.
Hypnotherapy works alongside medical care. Please see your GP about any medical condition, and keep taking prescribed medication unless your doctor advises otherwise.
The research
- Valentine KE, Milling LS, Clark LJ, Moriarty CL (2019). The efficacy of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 67(3):336–363. PubMed 31251710
- Fuhr K, Bender A, Wiegand A, et al. (2023). Hypnotherapy for agoraphobia: feasibility and efficacy investigated in a pilot study. Frontiers in Psychology 14:1213792. Europe PMC 37637902
- NICE CG113 (2011, updated). Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: management. nice.org.uk/guidance/cg113
Individual experiences vary.
Related treatments
A free, no-obligation 15–30 minute call by phone or video. Or call 07975 653893.