Fears & Phobias
All about Fears & Phobias
What is Fear?
Fear is a natural and important part of being human. It plays a vital role in keeping us safe by alerting us to genuine threats and helping us respond quickly when we need to protect ourselves. This built-in survival response has helped humans stay safe for thousands of years.
However, fear can sometimes occur in situations where there is little or no real danger. When this happens, the mind and body may react as though a threat exists, even when we know logically that we are safe. These reactions can feel very real and can trigger intense feelings of anxiety, panic or distress.
For some people, fears develop around specific situations, objects or experiences and can begin to affect everyday life. Common examples include fears of flying, heights, spiders, needles or injections, visiting the dentist, or speaking in public. Whilst these are among the more frequently experienced fears, people can develop fears about many different things.
When a fear becomes particularly intense or begins to lead to avoidance of certain situations, it may develop into a phobia. This can have a significant impact on confidence, daily activities and overall quality of life.
The good news is that fears and phobias are learned responses, which means that they can often be successfully changed. With the right therapeutic approach, it is possible to reduce the fear response, build confidence and regain a greater sense of control.
Therapy for Fears and Phobias
The most effective approach for overcoming a fear or phobia will depend on your individual circumstances, experiences and goals. Because everyone responds differently, I tailor therapy to your specific needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Many clients find that a combination of Hypnotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be highly effective in reducing fear and anxiety responses. Hypnotherapy works with the subconscious mind to help change unhelpful patterns of thinking and reacting, whilst CBT helps you develop a greater understanding of the thoughts and behaviours that may be maintaining the fear.
I am also trained in the Rewind Technique, an approach that can be particularly helpful where fears and phobias are linked to a distressing or traumatic experience. This gentle technique allows the brain to reprocess memories without requiring you to repeatedly re-live or discuss difficult events in detail.
Throughout therapy, you can learn practical relaxation and anxiety-management techniques that help calm the body’s stress response and increase your sense of control. As confidence grows and anxiety reduces, many people find they are able to respond to situations in a calmer and more balanced way.
Fears and phobias can feel overwhelming, but they do not have to remain a permanent part of your life. With the right support, it is possible to change the way your mind and body respond, helping you feel more confident, more in control and free to move forward without being held back by fear.
Below are some of the fears and phobias that I have helped people with. If your fear or phobia isn't listed, please get in touch to discuss your situation.
Common Fears
Fear of Public Speaking
Fear of Flying
Fear of Escalators
Fear of Lifts
Fear of Falling or Tripping Over
Animal & Insect Fears
Fear of Dogs
Fear of Snakes
Fear of Spiders
Fear of Bees & Wasps
Fear of Frogs & Toads
Medical Fears
Fear of Needles & Injections
Fear of Blood
Fear of Hospitals & Medical Treatment
Fear of the Dentist
Fear of MRI Scans (confined spaces)
"I thought I might be anxious getting on the plane, but it didn't happen!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of therapy do I need?
The most appropriate type of therapy depends on your situation and the problem or issue you would like to address.
Most therapy sessions involve a blend of hypnotherapy and talking therapies. We will discuss your situation at your first session and decide on the best approach for you.
How long is each session?
Standard therapy sessions are 50 minutes in order to maximise concentration and get the best from the process. Your first session is usually a little longer (approximately 60 to 90 minutes) to allow sufficient time to discuss your situation and answer any questions you may have.
What happens in a therapy session?
Therapy sessions provide a safe, supportive and confidential space for you to explore your situation and talk openly about the difficulties you may be facing.
During your first session, we will discuss a range of areas connected to your situation, which may include current challenges, thoughts, feelings, past experiences, patterns of behaviour and the changes you would like to make moving forward.
At each session, we will review your progress since we last met and use a combination of therapeutic approaches and techniques tailored to your individual needs, with the aim of helping you move towards the changes you would like to achieve.
You may be given exercises or suggestions to work on between sessions. These are designed to build on the work we do together during therapy and can help you develop new skills, perspectives and ways of responding to situations more effectively.
How often do I need sessions?
Hypnotherapy sessions are typically 2 to 3 weeks apart as this allows sufficient time for your subconscious mind to process new ideas and for you to start making changes.
Other types of talking therapy sessions such as Counselling, are usually weekly, especially in the early stages.
We will discuss the frequency and number of sessions during your first session.
How much does it cost?
Please see the fees page for more information.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to therapy, so the number of sessions required can vary from person to person. Everyone’s situation is different and some people experience changes more quickly than others.
The number of sessions you may need will depend on a range of factors, including the nature of the problem or issue, your personal circumstances and your level of motivation, commitment and participation throughout the therapeutic process.
Hypnotherapy works on a subconscious level and is often considered a relatively short-term approach, with many people finding between 4 and 6 sessions helpful for a variety of issues. However, this will depend on your individual situation and the changes you would like to achieve.
With talking therapies such as Counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), an initial course of 6 sessions is often recommended, followed by a review of your progress. Some issues can be resolved within a relatively short period of therapy, while others may benefit from longer-term support. Many people find that meaningful progress can be achieved within 12 sessions or less.
During your first session, we will discuss your situation in more detail and consider the most appropriate therapeutic approach for your needs.
Will therapy work for me?
If you are motivated and committed to making changes, hypnotherapy and talking therapies can be highly effective. However, because every person and situation is different, it would be unethical to guarantee a particular outcome or result.
There are a number of factors which can influence how successful therapy may be and people often respond differently depending on their circumstances, readiness for change and level of participation in the process.
In general, there are several reasons why therapy may sometimes be less effective than hoped for:
- You may not yet feel fully ready to engage with the process or make the changes you would like to achieve.
- You may be attending therapy primarily because somebody else would like you to, rather than because you personally want things to change. For example, you may feel under pressure from a partner, friend or family member to attend therapy.
- There may be underlying or subconscious ‘secondary gains’ connected to the behaviour. This means that, despite the difficulties it causes, the issue may be serving a protective or beneficial purpose in some way. For example, fear of flying may be linked to worries about being away from home or separated from loved ones.
Hypnotherapy and talking therapies have helped many people to create positive and lasting changes in their lives. However, therapy is a collaborative process and your motivation, openness and participation are important parts of achieving the best possible outcome.
Why do I need to complete therapy tasks between my sessions?
Many of the problems or difficulties people seek therapy for can develop as a result of past experiences, unhelpful patterns of thinking or learned ways of responding to situations. In order for lasting change to take place, it is often necessary to develop new ways of thinking, responding and behaving.
During therapy, you will be introduced to a range of self help tools and techniques designed to support the work we do together within your sessions. These approaches can help you build greater understanding, develop new coping strategies and make positive changes in the areas you would like to improve.
The way these techniques are used between sessions, along with your level of motivation, commitment and participation, can have an important influence on the progress you make. Therapy is a collaborative process and active involvement often plays a key role in achieving positive and lasting change.
Free Consultation
If you have any questions or are unsure whether therapy is right for you, I offer a free 20 minute online consultation via Zoom.
Free Hypnosis Audio
If you’re wondering what hypnosis feels like, check out my free 10 minute Deep Relaxation Hypnosis MP3. You can also find more information on my YouTube channel.
