Top-Rated Chicago Panic Attack Therapist
When panic attacks hit, it can feel like your body is betraying you—heart racing, breath shallow, that overwhelming sense that something terrible is about to happen. You might find yourself avoiding situations or constantly worrying about the next attack.
If this sounds like you, I hear you—and I can help. As a Chicago therapist specializing in anxiety (including panic disorder), connect with the inner peace and confidence that’s already there, even if it feels out of reach right now. You don’t have to do this alone.
Meet your Chicago panic disorder therapist
Elizabeth Bodett Dresser
Hi, I'm Elizabeth. I understand, both firsthand and through my professional experience, the toll that stress, anxiety, and panic can take on a person. That’s why my approach isn’t just about managing symptoms—it’s about understanding what your panic is trying to tell you and healing the underlying patterns that keep you stuck in that anxious cycle. Using methods like IFS, you’ll be able to quiet that inner noise and ground yourself in even the toughest moments.
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Clientele: Adults
Location: Chicago, IL
Virtual therapy: Yes
FAQs about panic disorder treatment
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There’s no single “best” therapy approach for panic disorder. However, in my experience, I’ve found that the most effective way to treat panic attacks is through a combination of gaining insight into your unique inner world, building practical tools to use when attacks happen, and a trusting relationship with your therapist.
I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to help you recognize what parts of you might be creating this panic response—often it's your system trying to protect you from something deeper. We'll also work on grounding techniques and ways to build trust back with your body.
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Therapy helps you move beyond just surviving panic attacks to actually understanding and healing them. Many of my clients discover their panic is connected to perfectionism, suppressed emotions, or old survival patterns from childhood. Instead of just learning to cope, we'll work on addressing the root causes so you can feel genuinely calmer and more in control. Anxious moments may still happen, but you’ll be much more equipped to support yourself through them.
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I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help you understand what your panic is trying to protect you from. Often, panic develops when we've been pushing ourselves too hard for too long. We'll slow things down, create space for you to reconnect with your body's wisdom, and develop a more compassionate relationship with the parts of you that feel scared or overwhelmed.
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I specialize in working with high-achievers who struggle with anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. Many of my clients come in thinking they just have "anxiety," but we often discover underlying trauma or attachment wounds. I also help with relationship issues, boundary setting, and that feeling of being disconnected from yourself and others despite appearing like you “have it all together.”
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Early sessions will be focused on building our therapeutic relationship. From here, we’ll begin to map out what’s going on for you internally, learning more about your different parts and the relationships between them. Through this process, you’ll both gain the confidence that comes with truly understanding yourself and gain coping strategies that you can use when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Most clients notice feeling more grounded and self-compassionate within the first several sessions.
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We’re probably a good fit if you're tired of just "managing" your panic attacks and ready to understand what's really going on underneath. My clients tend to be thoughtful, hardworking people who are ready to do the deeper work—not just learn breathing exercises (though we may do that too). If you're looking for someone who gets that healing takes time and humor helps, we might be a great match.
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The first step is scheduling a free consultation call where we can talk about what you're experiencing and see if we're a good fit. No pressure, just a chance to ask questions and get a feel for how I work. If it feels right, we'll schedule your first session and start this journey together.