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).
There are many approaches a therapist might use to help a client suffering from this kind of anxiety. Many of our therapists use a combination of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy to 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, the therapist and client 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.
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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.
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.
Over the years that I’ve worked as a therapist, I’ve been asked numerous times by prospective clients, “How does counselling help?” And I’ve yet to come up with a satisfactory answer. Not because I’m in any doubt that it helps, but because the ‘how’ bit is so hard to articulate concisely…
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a practical talking therapy that helps people with problems and issues by addressing and changing how they think and behave. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy focuses on the present problems that are happening now and the relationships between thoughts…
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Amrita works with adults in an integrative way, drawing on various therapeutic approaches tailored to meet the needs of each client She provides a safe space to help clients better understand themselves She offers short term and long term therapy Amrita has experience of working with clients on issues such as trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety, relationship...
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With a Masters degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, Annie offers both short and long term, open-ended therapy to individuals Her experience includes depression, stress and anxiety, bereavement, loss, personal development and trauma Annie has additional, specialist training working with survivors of rape, and adult and childhood sexual...
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Antonella is a psychodynamic therapist offering short- and long-term therapy to adults She also sees couples facing issues within their relationship Since obtaining her Master’s degree in Psychodynamic Therapy & Counselling, Antonella has worked in different organisational settings (charities, NHS and university counselling services) helping people from diverse...
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Barbara brings a warm, non-judgmental, and accepting attitude to her work with clients As an integrative Psychotherapist, she draws from a range of theoretical perspectives which allows her to tailor therapy to the needs of the client Barbara thinks that healing and individual growth happen when difficulties in living are explored with empathy, and the client's unique...
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Barbara is an accredited member of BACP, holding an MSc in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and adhering to the BACP ethical framework Her approach is open-ended, offering both short-term and long-term therapy Barbara has also trained in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), a short-term (16 sessions), semi-structured individual therapy developed for mood...
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Ben believes that at times we all struggle with the challenges life has to offer and therapy provides a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space to explore this Ben works with individuals to make sense of who they are and how they respond to the world today, and to explore new ways of being Ben is also sensitive to how difficult it might be for a client to talk to a...
Oxford Circus
Ben is an experienced psychotherapist who has helped many people through difficult times in their lives He works with clients with a wide range of personal issues around depression, anxiety, bereavement, trauma, abuse, loneliness, stresses within the workplace, low self esteem, relationship and sexual problems including performance anxiety, erectile dysfunction and...
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Catherine offers a safe, confidential space for clients bringing a wide range of issues to therapy These include anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, anger and work-related stress Catherine also supports clients experiencing depression, bereavement and life transitions Among her specialist interests are post traumatic growth and working with adult...
Oxford Circus
Ceri works with adult clients wanting to explore a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, issues arising from physical, emotional or psychological abuse and confidence and self-esteem issues He has particular experience of working with bereavement and loss Ceri’s training in psychodynamic and person-centred approaches to...
Soho
People come to therapy for many different reasons; whatever your reason, therapy is a unique experience It can offer you an environment where you begin to make sense of your experiences, both past and present, and discover how you feel about them Cora likes to create a space that is both safe and supportive in which she can work collaboratively with her clients...
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