About 6 million adults in the U.S. live with panic disorder, data from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) shows. Still, the average person waits 15 years for an accurate diagnosis. Why? Many clinicians don’t receive focused training on anxiety disorder assessment or panic disorder treatment LA. In Los Angeles, care options span the spectrum. You’ll find telehealth psychiatric practices that get you seen the same week, specialist CBT therapy groups, intensive outpatient programs, and even treatment formats you won’t find anywhere else in the country. This guide walks you through five standout therapy and psychiatry services for panic disorder therapy Los Angeles. Each one was chosen for its specialist credentials, evidence-based methods, and real-world accessibility.
How to Select Top Therapy and Psychiatry Services for Panic Disorder
Research for this guide wrapped up in March 2025. We reviewed provider websites, checked IOCDF and ADAA directories, combed through Psychology Today listings, verified professional licensing records, and scanned patient review platforms. Here’s what mattered most:
- Panic disorder specialization: Panic disorder or anxiety disorders must be a dedicated, named treatment focus, not a generic add-on condition.
- Clinical credentials: Practices must employ licensed psychologists, LMFTs, LCSWs, or board-certified psychiatrists with active California licensure and documented anxiety disorder training.
- Evidence-based treatment: Providers must use recognized approaches such as CBT, ERP, ACT, or psychiatric medication management tailored for panic disorder.
- Accessibility: Telehealth availability, location convenience, and speed of intake or initial consultation all factored in.
- Patient feedback and professional recognition: Reputation came from verified patient reviews and affiliations with respected bodies like ADAA, IOCDF, and NSAC.
List of the Best Therapy and Psychiatry Services for Panic Disorder in LA
Here are the five practices that made the cut:
- Reimagine Psychiatry
- Behavioral Associates LA
- Anxiety Specialists of Los Angeles
- OCD & Anxiety Program of Southern California
- Anxiety Therapy L.A.
Best Therapy and Psychiatry Services for Panic Disorder in LA
1. Reimagine Psychiatry
- Founded: 2024
- Location: Los Angeles, CA (telehealth throughout California)
- Approach: Whole-person psychiatry blending medication management, lifestyle modification, and individualized treatment planning
- Panic Disorder Services: Medication management for panic disorder and anxiety, individualized treatment plans, genetic testing to identify optimal medications, same-week appointments
- Insurance: In-network with Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of CA, Cigna, United Healthcare, Medicare, Tricare, Magellan, and more
Company Overview: Dr. Sham Singh, a board-certified psychiatrist trained at UCLA, leads this telehealth-first practice alongside a team of nurse practitioners and physician associates. Panic disorder and anxiety are treated through a model that pairs medication management with lifestyle coaching. Same-week encrypted video appointments serve patients anywhere in California. If previous medications haven’t worked, genetic testing helps clinicians pinpoint better options faster, skipping months of trial and error.
Best For: California residents who want fast, insurance-covered telehealth psychiatric care for panic disorder that blends medication with lifestyle support.
Standout Feature: Genetic testing that matches your unique biology to the most effective medications, reducing guesswork in panic disorder treatment.
2. Behavioral Associates LA
- Founded: By Dr. Emanuel Maidenberg, Ph.D., who has trained clinicians and psychiatry residents in CBT for over 25 years
- Location: 462 North Linden Drive, Suite 430, Beverly Hills, CA 90212; also serves West LA, Santa Monica, Westwood, West Hollywood, and Greater LA area
- Leadership: Founded and directed by Dr. Emanuel Maidenberg, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the CBT Clinic at UCLA’s Semel Institute; Co-directed by Dr. Michelle Craske, Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Director of the Anxiety Disorders Research Center at UCLA
- Panic Disorder Services: Individual CBT for panic disorder, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), ERP, ACT; group therapy (4 to 6 participants) for social anxiety, mixed anxiety and depression, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder; treatment typically 6 to 8 months (15 to 20 appointments)
- Affiliation: Regional Clinic of the National Social Anxiety Center (NSAC); clinicians are licensed or supervised by licensed psychologists with the California Board of Psychology or Board of Behavioral Sciences
Company Overview: This Beverly Hills group practice was founded by Dr. Emanuel Maidenberg, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA’s Semel Institute, and co-directed by Dr. Michelle Craske, who runs the UCLA Anxiety Disorders Research Center. The practice focuses solely on CBT for anxiety and mood conditions, treating panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, social anxiety, phobias, and depression. Treatment is time-limited, usually 15 to 20 sessions, and individually tailored. BALA also runs group therapy and offers clinical supervision for mental health professionals.
Best For: Adults wanting research-informed, time-limited CBT for panic disorder from a practice led by UCLA’s top anxiety disorder researchers.
Standout Feature: Direct access to two of UCLA’s leading anxiety disorder scientists, Dr. Maidenberg and Dr. Craske, bringing current academic research straight into clinical care.
3. Anxiety Specialists of Los Angeles
- Founded: Open Doors Institute, the predecessor network, was founded by Dr. Lynne Freeman in 1989; Anxiety Specialists of Los Angeles was formed in 2018 when Dr. Susan Holt joined as partner
- Location: Encino, CA; online therapy and telephone sessions available
- Approach: Concierge practice focused on assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders and related conditions for adults and adolescents
- Panic Disorder Services: CBT, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), ACT, ERP, Imaginal Exposure Therapy, and in-person or telephone sessions; accepts patients with resistant or complex anxiety presentations
- Recognition: Dr. Lynne Freeman is the author of Panic Free: Eliminate Anxiety/Panic Attacks Without Drugs and Take Control of Your Life
Company Overview: Formed in 2018 when Dr. Susan Holt partnered with Dr. Lynne Freeman, who has treated anxiety disorders since 1989, this concierge practice works exclusively with adults and adolescents living with anxiety and OCD. The team is known for treating resistant cases. Dr. Freeman wrote Panic Free, a guide to overcoming panic attacks without medication. Treatment includes CBT, MBCT, ACT, ERP, and imaginal exposure therapy. Telephone sessions are available for patients who need maximum flexibility.
Best For: Adults and adolescents with resistant or complex panic disorder who need seasoned therapists with decades of anxiety-focused experience.
Standout Feature: Over 35 years of combined anxiety disorder expertise, a focus on treatment-resistant cases, and telephone session availability for added convenience.
4. OCD & Anxiety Program of Southern California
- Location: 3205 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 250, Santa Monica, CA 90405 (near Ocean Park Boulevard, accessible by public transit)
- Team: PhD-level clinicians; co-directed by Naomi Zwecker, PhD and Thröstur Björgvinsson, PhD; treatment providers include Todd Brown, PhD and Bita Mesri, PhD
- Programs: Outpatient Clinic, adult and adolescent Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) for OCD; the only clinic in the United States currently trained to deliver B4DT
- Panic Disorder Services: Individual CBT, ERP, ACT, Mindfulness-Based treatments for panic disorder, specific phobias, social anxiety, GAD, OCD, and depression; home visits available; teletherapy offered
- Bergen 4-Day Treatment: Clinicians were trained in B4DT in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024; as of early 2026, clinical teams in 13 countries have been trained in B4DT
Company Overview: This Santa Monica group brings together PhD-level clinicians who treat OCD, panic disorder, phobias, and depression. The practice runs outpatient and IOP services for all ages, using CBT and ERP as core methods. It’s the only U.S. clinic trained to deliver the Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) for OCD. Some treatment exposures happen out in the community around the clinic’s Ocean Park Boulevard location.
Best For: Adults and adolescents with moderate to severe panic disorder, OCD, or related anxiety conditions who want PhD-level specialists and access to LA’s most intensive ERP-based care.
Standout Feature: Exclusive U.S. access to Bergen 4-Day Treatment for OCD, collaborating directly with the Norwegian team for international training and research.
5. Anxiety Therapy L.A.
- Founded: By Michelle Massi, LMFT (California license #129529), who has treated OCD and anxiety disorders for 15+ years in private practice and at UCLA’s Adult OCD Intensive Outpatient Program
- Location: Three offices in Los Angeles: Calabasas, Encino (16055 Ventura Blvd., Suite 1020), and West LA; remote therapy available throughout California
- Team: Group practice: Michelle Massi LMFT, Marni Baim LCSW, Stephanie Harad LCSW, Nicholas Jewell PsyD, and Nadine Shoukry LMFT; all licensed in California
- Panic Disorder Services: Individual, couples, and family CBT; ERP; ACT; Habit Reversal Training; home visits available when appropriate; consultations for clinicians and families offered
- Professional affiliations: IOCDF Task Force Member (#RealOCD); IOCDF Conference Planning Committee member 2014 to 2020; presenter at International OCD Foundation Conference for 10+ consecutive years
Company Overview: Michelle Massi, LMFT, founded this group CBT practice after 15+ years treating panic disorder, OCD, and anxiety at UCLA’s OCD and Anxiety Disorder programs and in private practice. The team runs three LA offices in Calabasas, Encino, and West LA, with teletherapy available statewide. Treatment modes include individual, couples, and family therapy using CBT, ERP, ACT, and Habit Reversal Training. Home visits happen when clinically appropriate. The clinicians together bring more than 30 years of specialist anxiety treatment experience.
Best For: Children, adolescents, and adults with panic disorder or OCD who want a multi-therapist group practice with deep IOCDF connections, home visit options, and three convenient LA locations.
Standout Feature: More than 30 combined years of specialist anxiety treatment experience, active IOCDF leadership roles, and home visit availability from a multi-therapist group with three LA offices.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Therapy or Psychiatry Service for Panic Disorder
Therapy vs. Medication vs. Both
CBT and ERP are the most research-supported therapy methods for panic disorder, and medication management (often SSRIs or SNRIs) is a common partner approach. Ask any provider upfront whether they deliver therapy, psychiatry, or both before you book.
Specialist Training in Anxiety
Not every therapist or psychiatrist has dedicated training in anxiety and panic disorders. Look for providers who name panic disorder as a main specialty and can explain the evidence-based protocols they follow.
Program Intensity and Format
Milder or moderate panic disorder often improves with individual outpatient therapy. More severe or treatment-resistant presentations may respond better to IOP or intensive formats like Bergen 4-Day Treatment.
Insurance and Self-Pay Options
Many therapy-only practices don’t take insurance. Clarify payment options before booking. Some offer sliding-scale fees or provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.
Telehealth vs. In-Person Access
Telehealth works well for medication management and many therapy models. But in-vivo exposure exercises, a core part of ERP for panic disorder, are most effective when done in person or in the community.
Final Thoughts
Panic disorder responds well to treatment. Most people see real improvement in weeks to months when paired with the right therapist or prescriber. The single biggest choice you’ll make is matching your needs to the right type of provider. If medication is your priority, start with a psychiatrist. If therapy comes first, seek a specialist in CBT and ERP. Don’t let a 15-year diagnosis gap become your story. Reaching out to a specialist quickly can speed up recovery dramatically. Taking that first step, whether it’s a phone call or an online form, is often the hardest part. It’s also the most important.
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