Do empirically supported treatments work in private practice? A long-term effectiveness study of panic control treatment

Abstract

The current study investigated the long-term effectiveness of an empirically supported treatment for panic disorder administered in a private practice setting. Participants were 100 clients with a primary diagnosis of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia who received Panic Control Treatment. Clients achieved substantial, clinically meaningful gains that were maintained at follow-up assessment points. At follow-up, 89% of the sample were panic free and the mean value of each self-report measure used in the study was significantly lower than pretreatment. There were virtually no significant differences between posttreatment and follow-up measures. Normative comparisons and high endstate functioning demonstrated a similar pattern of effectiveness. The magnitude of improvement appears comparable to that reported in efficacy trials. In addition, cross-sectional vs. longitudinal methods of analysis were examined.