All about Fears and Phobias
About 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 for you depends on your situation and the problem or issue you would like to address.
Many people find a combination of Hypnotherapy and CBT helpful for fears and phobias and most therapy sessions will involve a blend of different therapies depending on your situation. 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 time and space for you to explore your situation. During your first session, we will discuss a number of areas connected with your problem or issue including everyday events, problems, feelings, thoughts, memories, past experiences and the future. At each session, we will discuss your progress since we last met and a combination of therapy techniques may be used during your session.
You may be given exercises or tasks to complete between your sessions to build on the work done during your session and to help you develop new skills and strategies to enable you to overcome the problem or issue.
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.
We will discuss the frequency and number of sessions during your first session.
How much does it cost?
The standard therapy session fees are £80 per session. A deposit of £40 is payable online before the online initial consultation or your first therapy session and this is refunded at or following your final therapy session. For more information, please see the fees page.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach in therapy, so it’s difficult to say exactly how many sessions you may need because everyone is different and some people experience changes more quickly than others.
The number of sessions required also depends on the problem or issue, along with your level of motivation and participation in your therapy sessions.
Generally speaking, most people find between 4 to 6 sessions helpful and occasionally further sessions may be required.
Will therapy work for me?
If you are committed to making changes, you have a good chance of succeeding. However, there are a variety of factors that can affect the outcome of therapy sessions and for this reason, it is unethical to offer any guarantee of success.
Hypnotherapy and talking therapies have a good track record in helping people to make lasting changes, however everyone responds differently and therefore outcomes may vary from person to person. Your motivation, participation and commitment are the key to success, so you need to play your part too.
Why do I need to complete therapy tasks between my sessions?
The problems or issues that people often seek help for have usually occurred as a result of past experiences and unhelpful thought processes. To overcome a problem or respond differently, the desired change must come from within, therefore we need to change our thoughts and behaviours.
During your therapy sessions, you may be shown how to use self help tools and techniques to enable you to make the changes that you desire. How you use these tools and the level of effort applied, will affect how quickly you experience positive changes. Remember, your motivation and participation are the key to your success.
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.
Experience hypnotherapy wherever you are
Whether you want some time to relax or you’re looking for help with a problem or issue, a range of hypnosis audios are available to buy from the downloads store.
