Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025You’re in the right place to find help for panic in Boston. Explore trusted therapists, counselors, and resources for panic attacks and panic disorder. Get local support, evidence-based care, and clear next steps to feel safer and regain control.
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Remote only
Jamie Farrelly is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 9 years. They treat Panic, Women's Issues, Perfectionism.
College life can be overwhelming. I help young adults (18+) build coping skills in a safe, inclusive space to navigate stress, trauma, and life changes.
Psychologist, Pre-Licensed Professional, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Remote only
Ashley O'Hearn is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 10 years. They treat Panic, Academic Concerns, Binge-Eating Disorder.
At Insights Psychological Services, we put the client-therapist relationship above all, as this is the basis for successful treatment.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Psychotherapist
10 West Central Street, Natick, Massachusetts 01760
Stacy Creamer is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Natick, Massachusetts and has been in practice for 26 years. They treat Panic, Self-Esteem, Relationship(s) with Partner/Husband/Wife.
Working with me, you will always be accepted just as you are. Together we'll make the changes you want to make.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Remote only
Ronellie Joy Acaso is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 14 years. They treat Panic, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Life Transitions.
Culturally-attuned therapy for the Asian community by Anise Health. Submit our intake form to be instantly matched with a therapist who understands you.
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Remote only
Stacy Ross is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 34 years. They treat Panic, Social Anxiety, Self-Esteem.
We are highly trained clinicians who bring evidence-based treatment, infused with empathy and humor, to create a supportive and effective process.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Remote only
Amy Stone is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 16 years. They treat Panic, Sleep Concerns, Anxiety.
Supporting you in becoming your best self!
You’re in the right place to explore mental health resources in Boston. This section guides you to care with clear, practical information. You’ll find contacts for local hospitals and clinics, access to outpatient and inpatient psychiatric services, an overview of Massachusetts mental health laws and rights, and community programs that support everyday well-being. We’re here to help you understand options and take the next step with confidence.
Mental health is the way we think, feel, and manage stress, and it affects how we connect with others, handle responsibilities at work or school, and care for our bodies. When our well-being is supported, relationships feel safer and more collaborative, focus and productivity improve, and healthy routines like sleep and exercise are easier to maintain. Mental and physical health are linked—ongoing stress can impact sleep, energy, immunity, pain, and conditions like heart disease, while caring for mental health can improve these outcomes. Early experiences, including parenting styles and attachment patterns, shape how we understand emotions, trust others, and cope with challenges throughout life, and these skills can be strengthened at any age. In Boston, support is available through your primary care clinic, the Boston Public Health Commission resource hub, the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (833-773-2445), NAMI Massachusetts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and hospital programs at MGH, Boston Medical Center, and community health centers.
In Boston, leading options for psychiatric care include Massachusetts General Hospital (inpatient units, 24/7 emergency stabilization through its ED, and specialty anxiety/panic care via the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders), Brigham and Women’s/Faulkner Hospital (inpatient, outpatient, and partial programs for mood and anxiety), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (crisis stabilization, inpatient psychiatry, and outpatient medication management/therapy), and Boston Medical Center (safety-net emergency care plus the Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine for co-occurring issues).
Tufts Medical Center and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center offer inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, including consultation-liaison services and addiction support.For children and teens, look to Massachusetts General Hospital – Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (including inpatient care) and Boston Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health outpatient and specialty programs.
Cambridge Health Alliance (Cambridge/Somerville) provides inpatient units, emergency psychiatric services, and accessible community clinics with multilingual support.
Nearby McLean Hospital in Belmont specializes in anxiety, OCD, panic, and addiction, with inpatient, residential, partial hospital, and intensive outpatient programs—ask about wait times and the best fit for panic symptoms.
If you’re experiencing panic, Boston offers low-cost and sliding-scale care through public and nonprofit centers across the city.
The Boston Public Health Commission’s Behavioral Health programs and Neighborhood Trauma Team Network provide free, citywide, multilingual support with walk-in community sites. The Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) at Boston Medical Center offers 24/7 mobile crisis and urgent care, accepts MassHealth and uninsured patients, and provides interpreters.Community Behavioral Health Centers include BMC’s CBHC – South End and North Suffolk Mental Health Association’s CBHC serving East Boston, Chelsea, and Revere, offering same-day evaluations, telehealth, and MBTA-accessible clinics.
Nonprofit clinics and community health centers with sliding-scale counseling include The Dimock Center (Roxbury), Codman Square Health Center and Upham’s Corner Health Center (Dorchester), East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, South Boston Community Health Center, DotHouse Health (Dorchester), Brookside Community Health Center(Jamaica Plain), and Fenway Health (Back Bay/South End, LGBTQ+-affirming).
Many sites offer care in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Mandarin/Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Arabic, with interpreter services, telehealth, evening hours, wheelchair-accessible buildings, and services regardless of immigration status.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) provide full-day, structured therapy several days a week so you can get intensive help for panic without an overnight stay; Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) offer fewer hours per week with flexible schedules; Residential programs involve living on-site for 24/7 support.
In Boston, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital (Jamaica Plain) runs an Adult Partial Hospital Program using CBT/DBT for panic, anxiety, and mood disorders.The Renfrew Center of Boston (Back Bay) offers eating-disorder PHP/IOP with strong support for co-occurring anxiety and panic.Bournewood Health Systems (Brookline) provides PHP and IOP for anxiety, trauma recovery, and substance use.Nearby, McLean Hospital (Belmont) offers anxiety-focused partial hospital care and residential programs (including OCD/anxiety tracks) that can help with severe panic symptoms.
In Boston, emergency mental health care often starts by calling 988, the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (833-773-2445), or the Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) 24/7 crisis line at 1-800-981-4357 (local 617-254-1271), which can dispatch a Mobile Crisis Intervention clinician to your location or arrange an urgent evaluation; you can also go to nearby ERs like Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s, Beth Israel Deaconess, Boston Medical Center, or Tufts Medical Center. Under Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c.123, §12), if someone appears at imminent risk of serious harm due to mental illness, a qualified clinician or police officer can authorize transport for an emergency psychiatric evaluation and, if needed, a hospital hold of up to 3 days, after which continued hospitalization requires a court hearing; evaluations are typically done within hours by ED clinicians and a psychiatrist or other licensed mental health professional. During a crisis, you have the right to be told what’s happening and why, to ask for a free interpreter, to call a support person or attorney, and to receive care in the least restrictive setting; you can request a hospital patient advocate, contact the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health patient advocacy program, or the Disability Law Center for help or to appeal ongoing detention or treatment. If panic symptoms feel overwhelming but not life-threatening, a BEST mobile team can often help at home or in the community and coordinate follow-up care; if there is immediate danger, call 911 and ask for a Crisis Intervention Team officer. Additional support: Samaritans Statewide Helpline 877-870-4673 (call/text) for nonjudgmental listening.
Panic can show up in everyday Boston life in ways that feel sudden and overwhelming, like a racing heart on a crowded Green Line train or a wave of fear before a big meeting downtown. The high cost of living—rent increases, grocery bills, and student loans—can add constant pressure, making small stressors feel bigger. Long commutes, packed sidewalks, and tight deadlines can leave you on edge, while winter weather and shorter days can lead to more time alone and more worry. Some people notice panic when they hear sirens, walk into busy Fenway crowds, or even while waiting in line for coffee in the morning rush. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—many Bostonians experience these feelings, and reaching out for support is a strong, healthy step.
When explaining panic to family or friends, use simple “I” statements like “I sometimes feel sudden waves of fear and physical symptoms; it isn’t dangerous, but it’s hard,” and share what helps in the moment (quiet space, steady breathing, a short walk). Set healthy boundaries by saying what support you want and don’t want, and let people know you may pause or leave a conversation if you feel overwhelmed. Be mindful of cultural values common across Greater Boston’s diverse communities—ask how they view mental health, invite questions, and offer resources in their preferred language or format. Stay compassionate with yourself and others, focusing on understanding rather than fixing, so you can keep the relationship supportive and respectful.
The Boston Public Health Commission offers behavioral health referrals and Neighborhood Trauma Teams in Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan; call 617-534-5050 or dial 311 for help finding services. For urgent support, the Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) provides 24/7 mobile crisis care citywide at 800-981-4357. NAMI Massachusetts runs free peer-support groups (NAMI Connection and family groups), advocacy trainings, and a Compass Helpline at 617-704-6264 or 800-370-9085, with meetings in Back Bay, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, and online. Samaritans’ 24/7 emotional support line for Greater Boston is 877-870-4673 (call or text), and 988 is available nationwide. Evidence-based anxiety programs are offered by nonprofit clinics like BU’s Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders (Kenmore/Fenway, 648 Beacon St; 617-353-9610) and MGH’s Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders (Charlestown Navy Yard; 617-724-6300).
In Boston, parents can learn about emotional development, attachment, and panic through workshops at the Brazelton Touchpoints Center at Boston Children’s Hospital and parent programs at Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. The Family Nurturing Center in Dorchester and Boston Public Schools Family Resource Centers offer classes and support groups that build skills in calm communication, co-regulation, and resilience. Community lectures and webinars from the MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds and author talks at the Boston Public Library provide practical, evidence-based guidance. Ask local agencies and health centers about enrolling in Nurturing Parenting or Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) groups to practice tools together. Helpful books include Helping Your Anxious Child (Rapee et al.), The Whole-Brain Child (Siegel & Bryson), Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child (Gottman), and The Explosive Child (Greene).
Spending time in green or waterside spaces can help calm an overactive nervous system, making it easier to slow your breathing and reduce panic symptoms. Natural light and gentle movement like strolling can lift mood and support better sleep. Quiet places also make it easier to practice simple mindfulness—focusing on sights, sounds, and textures—without pressure or judgment. Short, regular visits at times that feel safe to you (like mornings) can build confidence and steadiness.
- Arnold Arboretum (Jamaica Plain/Roslindale; Orange Line to Forest Hills): Shaded, quiet paths and wide lawns for slow walking and grounding; many benches away from traffic noise.
- Charles River Esplanade (Back Bay; Green Line to Arlington or Charles/MGH): Water views and soft-surface paths; plenty of seating for paced breathing while watching boats and birds.
- Boston Public Garden (Downtown/Back Bay; multiple Green/Red Line stops nearby): Central, flat, and accessible with shaded benches and calm pond views; early mornings are especially peaceful.
- Jamaica Pond (Jamaica Plain; 39 bus or Orange Line to Green St + short walk): Flat loop trail with steady water vistas and open space for gentle movement; low sensory overload.
- Belle Isle Marsh Reservation (East Boston; Blue Line to Suffolk Downs): Boardwalks through quiet marsh with ocean breezes and bird sounds; open sightlines can feel grounding and safe.
Boston offers many welcoming spaces for creative expression and calm, including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Institute of Contemporary Art for reflective art visits, and GrubStreet’s writing groups for sharing stories in a supportive setting. Yoga studios like Down Under School of Yoga and Boston Yoga Union provide gentle classes and breathwork that can help steady the body and mind during stressful times. Music venues such as the Sinclair, Club Passim, and the Berklee Performance Center host live performances that invite connection, inspiration, and shared experiences. These spaces foster community, creativity, and mindfulness in ways that can feel grounding and nonjudgmental for people navigating panic.
1) How do I know when to seek professional help for Panic?
Seek help if panic attacks are frequent, unpredictable, or make you avoid places or activities you value. If you spend a lot of time worrying about the next attack or your body symptoms, that’s a sign support could help. Therapy and, when appropriate, medication are effective and can quickly reduce fear and avoidance. If you have thoughts of harming yourself or others, call or text 988 in the U.S. or go to the nearest emergency room.
2) What’s the difference between therapy, psychiatry, and counseling?
Therapy (psychotherapy) is structured, evidence-based talk treatment provided by licensed clinicians (e.g., psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors). Psychiatry is medical care by physicians (MD/DO) who can prescribe medication; some also provide therapy, but many focus on medication management. Counseling often refers to shorter-term, goal-focused support for specific issues; many therapists also use the title “counselor.” The right fit often depends on your needs, preferences, and whether medication may help.
3) Can I be hospitalized against my will?
In most places, involuntary hospitalization can occur only if you’re at imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, or unable to care for basic needs due to a mental health condition. It usually involves an emergency evaluation, short-term stabilization, and legal safeguards to protect your rights. In Massachusetts, a “Section 12” allows brief involuntary evaluation under those risk criteria. You have the right to ask questions, involve a support person, and request advocacy.
4) Are there affordable therapy options in Boston?
Yes. Look for community mental health centers, hospital outpatient clinics (e.g., Boston Medical Center, Mass General, Cambridge Health Alliance), and university training clinics that offer sliding-scale fees. Nonprofits and directories like Open Path Collective and Psychology Today let you filter for low-cost or insurance-based care; NAMI Massachusetts can provide local referrals. Group therapy and telehealth can also reduce costs and wait times.
5) What daily habits support good mental health?
Aim for steady sleep (7–9 hours), regular meals, and daily movement—short walks count. Practice brief calming skills (slow breathing, grounding, or mindfulness) and schedule small, enjoyable activities. Stay connected with supportive people and set gentle limits on alcohol, cannabis, and excessive caffeine. Keep goals realistic, talk to yourself kindly, and step outside for daylight when possible.
Taking the first step can feel hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. You can reach out through MiResource’s directory, connect with a trusted provider, or call a local crisis line in Boston for immediate support. Recovery, healing, and connection are possible, and getting help in your own community can make a real difference.
Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.
