Help with Phobias in London

‘Phobia’ comes from the Greek word for fear or dread, and is the term used to describe an intense fear that some people experience when faced with certain situations.

People with phobias have a compelling need to flee and avoid the phobic object or situation. This fear is irrational and not based on sound judgement. The person suffering from a phobia may know there is no real danger in a situation but the fear and anxiety will feel very real.

We all experience fear of certain things or situations to a degree, but fear in those who suffer from a phobia can be acute and can cause far-reaching complications that impede life functioning. A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder.

Some examples of phobias that clients bring to counselling include agoraphobia (fear of leaving a safe place), social phobia (fear of people) and claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces). Some people fear needles while some may have an overwhelming fear of public transport (for example, a fear of travelling on underground trains).

How can counselling help with phobias or fear?

There are many approaches a therapist might use to help a client suffering from this kind of anxiety. A popular method used in dealing with phobias is cognitive behavioural therapy which would explore the underlying causes of the problem and examine the thoughts and feelings that contribute to the fear. The client and therapist might identify what triggers feelings of fear or dread and look at the body’s reactions to these triggers.

Through gaining insight, cognitive behavioural therapy would then seek to change the thoughts and behaviours that are associated with the phobia. This type of therapy is about changing how a person thinks and feels about the phobic object or situation.

There are other types of therapy that can also be helpful when dealing with phobias and your therapist will consider which approaches might be most helpful in your circumstances.

Our phobia counsellors can help make sense of irrational fears

Living with persistent irrational fear can be distressing and can make even everyday situations difficult for some people.

In counselling for phobias, your therapist in London will help you understand the basis of your problematic fear. We will explore the underlying causes of your phobia and carefully help you overcome the fear, stress and anxiety that comes with most types of phobias.

Some phobias are deeply-rooted and require medium or longer-term personal counselling to fully resolve. Other fears and phobias can be alleviated more quickly through shorter-term brief therapy. Your therapist will help you determine which type of therapy will be most suitable for your circumstances. Through talking through your fear with an experienced therapist, and through learning techniques to help cope with phobias, most people will overcome irrational fear and anxiety.

You are not alone

In the UK it’s estimated that 10 million people have phobias. Phobias can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or social background. Some phobias originate in childhood while others develop later in life. Sometimes there is an obvious explanation for a phobia, sometimes there is not.

Please get in touch if we might be able to help. If it suits you better, you may be interested in our telephone and online counselling.

Your first appointment will allow time to discuss your fear or phobia and consider, together with your therapist, your best options for ongoing treatment. To speak with one of our counsellors, please contact us to make an appointment.

Almost all phobias can be successfully treated through counselling and psychotherapy. Medication is not commonly used to treat phobias.