Hi There, I am currently doing CBT work as well. I have had panic /agoraphobia fir many years. I can honestly say that for the short time I have been doing CBT, I see a difference in the way I think. I do not know that much about desensitization. Regular talk therapy can help you discover where it came from, and can answer those questions, but CBT deals with the present, how to change your thought patterns to function, and fight all of the negative thoughts that cause panic. Good Luck, I hope that helps a bit.