Panic attacks can feel like a storm you never saw coming—heart racing, breath shortening, thoughts spiraling. In the midst of it, it’s easy to feel like you’re losing control or that something terrible is about to happen. But what if there were a proven way to not only manage panic but to understand it, disarm it, and eventually move beyond it altogether?
That’s exactly what Caroline Goldsmith, Chartered Psychologist at ATC Ireland, helps clients achieve. With years of experience in anxiety-related disorders, Caroline is known for combining clinical expertise with deep empathy—guiding clients from a place of fear and confusion toward calm, confidence, and control.
The Hidden Toll of Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are more common than many realise, yet those who suffer often do so in silence. The intense physical sensations—tight chest, dizziness, trembling, nausea—are often mistaken for serious medical issues like heart attacks or strokes. This misinterpretation only fuels the cycle of panic.
Over time, these experiences can lead to anticipatory anxiety—the fear of having another panic attack—which results in people avoiding situations they associate with panic. Driving, public speaking, shopping, or even going outside can become sources of dread. This avoidance shrinks the world around the person, limiting their quality of life and increasing their dependence on “safe” zones.
Caroline Goldsmith notes, “Panic can make someone feel trapped—not just by the physical symptoms, but by the fear of those symptoms coming back. But this is exactly where therapy can begin to unlock change.”
Understanding Panic: The First Step Toward Recovery
Caroline Goldsmith’s approach begins with something incredibly powerful: awareness and understanding. Using psychoeducation, she teaches clients how the panic response is a natural—if exaggerated—biological reaction. It’s the body’s “fight or flight” system activating in the absence of real danger.
“When we break down what’s actually happening during a panic attack, people begin to feel less afraid of the experience itself,” Caroline explains. “They realise it’s not dangerous, even though it feels overwhelming. That realisation alone can start to loosen panic’s grip.”
This reframing is crucial. Once panic is no longer seen as catastrophic, it becomes something manageable—something that can be understood and eventually transformed.
Therapy That Works: Caroline’s Multi-Layered Strategy
Caroline uses a combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based practices, and breathing regulation techniques to treat panic effectively. Her strategy focuses on helping clients:
1. Identify and Reframe Panic-Provoking Thoughts
At the heart of panic are thoughts like “I’m going to die,” or “I’ll lose control in public.” These are catastrophic misinterpretations. Through CBT, Caroline Goldsmith works with clients to notice these thoughts, challenge their accuracy, and replace them with more realistic, balanced ones.
This cognitive restructuring gives clients a sense of agency. Rather than being swept away by the storm of panic, they learn to observe it, challenge it, and eventually calm it.
2. Interrupt the Physical Panic Cycle
Caroline teaches clients specific breathing techniques that target the autonomic nervous system—the system responsible for physical panic symptoms. Slow, diaphragmatic breathing sends a powerful message to the brain: You are safe. Over time, these practices help reduce both the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.
She also integrates body awareness and mindfulness, helping clients become less reactive to early symptoms of anxiety, which often escalate into panic when left unchecked.
3. Face Fear, One Step at a Time
Avoidance reinforces anxiety. That’s why Caroline gently guides clients through gradual exposure to the situations they’ve been avoiding. Whether it’s getting back on the motorway, taking public transport, or walking into a crowded shop, each small victory builds confidence.
“This isn’t about pushing people into discomfort,” Caroline emphasizes. “It’s about empowering them to reclaim the parts of their life they’ve had to avoid.”
Real Change Is Possible
Recovery from panic isn’t instantaneous—but with the right guidance, it’s absolutely achievable. Caroline’s clients often report not only fewer panic attacks, but also a profound increase in self-trust, resilience, and peace of mind.
One client reflected,
“Caroline didn’t just help me stop the panic attacks—she helped me understand why they were happening and how to take back control. I can drive again. I can travel. I feel like I have my life back.”
Why Choose Caroline Goldsmith at ATC Ireland?
Caroline Goldsmith brings both professional expertise and deep compassion to her work. Her ability to tailor therapy to the unique needs of each client makes the experience feel personal, empowering, and effective.
Whether you’re dealing with daily panic attacks, fear of a relapse, or simply feel like anxiety is taking too much space in your life, Caroline offers a space where healing begins.
At ATC Ireland, clients benefit from a calm, confidential environment and the option for in-person or online sessions.
Take the First Step—Today
You don’t have to keep living in fear of panic. Whether you’ve just experienced your first panic attack or have been battling panic for years, help is available—and it works.
Contact ATC Ireland today to book a confidential consultation with Caroline Goldsmith, Chartered Psychologist.
Contact Information:
Caroline’s practice is easily reachable through her website, email, or phone, ensuring clients have multiple ways to Connect and Resources.
