What are phobias?

Phobias are an intense fear of something, someone or particular situations, disproportionate to the actual threat involved. A ‘trigger’ fires off the natural ‘fight or flight’ response in our bodies leading to unpleasant physical symptoms and an emotional phobic response. We often end up avoiding the cause or trigger, which in turn intensifies the fear. There is a general consensus amongst experts that we are only born with two fears, falling and loud noises. Any other fears that we develop throughout our lives are learnt behaviours, either directly through our own experience or associated from someone/something else. This learnt behaviour rapidly becomes an unconscious response, which is why trying to rationalise it consciously has limited positive effect. These phobias are often created in an instance, yet without help can stay with us for a lifetime.

How they’re treated

For a simple, specific phobia, I use safe techniques that will free you from your phobia in one session. Unlike other forms of therapy that can make you re-experience the feelings or trauma of that phobia, you can be assured that the advanced processes we use together protect you from any unpleasant feelings. I DO NOT use exposure treatment or get you to re-live past traumas. You will be safe and comfortable throughout and gently guided through any techniques we use. It is what makes my approach unique, rapid and permanent, Read one of our previous clients, Helen’s experience here to learn more about how quick and life changing it can be.

For more complex phobias we will work together in a safe, controlled environment to discover the root cause(s) and trigger(s) of your phobia and use integrated approaches from NLP, Hypnotherapy, Havening techniques ® and CBT to free you from the cause(s), design more helpful behaviours and strategies for you to overcome fears, easily and effectively.

Some fearful responses are proportionate and rationale in order to keep you safe, for example a fear of poisonous snakes is an appropriate response to the threat. You can rest assured that we never fully remove fears that maintain your safety; we will work with you to reduce the intensity of the phobic reaction so that you are in a functional state should you be in the situation of your phobia. Your safety is always prime concern and work ethically with you to ensure your response is appropriate to the level of threat.