Barbara is a 29-year-old, single Hispanic mental health counselor, who shares a home with her parents.

Barbara is a 29-year-old, single Hispanic mental health counselor, who shares a home with her parents. In her first session with you, she reported experiencing an increase in the frequency of nervous episodes." During these episodes she reports pounding in her chest, sweaty palms, feeling short of breath, feeling as if the "walls are closing in" on her, and nausea. She reported that when her parents leave the house for an evening out, she becomes increasingly anxious. When left alone, she ruminates about the thought of having an "episode" and passing out with no one around to help her. She reported that she no longer drives due to her fear of having an episode." Barbara’s mother drives her to work. Barbara reports that these symptoms have occurred for several years with waning frequency, duration, and intensity. She reports that these symptoms have worsened within the last 6 months and have peaked within the last 8 weeks.