Phobia Relief

Are you tired of living in constant fear because of a phobia? Do your phobias hold you back from living your life to the fullest? If so, you're not alone. Phobias are a common and debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Fortunately, there is a solution that can help you overcome your phobias for good - hypnotherapy.

What is a Phobia? 

Phobias are more than just simple fears. They can grip our lives and hold us back from doing the things we love. But what exactly are phobias, and why do they affect us so deeply? To unravel this mystery, let's take a closer look.

Phobias are intense, irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or even animals. They can cause panic attacks, sweating, trembling, and a desperate desire to escape the feared object or situation. Phobias can be triggered by a traumatic event or is a learned behaviour

But what makes phobias so fascinating is that they can vary greatly from person to person. While some people may fear spiders or heights, others may have an intense fear of flying or public speaking. It's this individuality that makes phobias so intriguing.

We can see that Phobias are irrational patterns of fear that are pointed towards one particular 'thing'.  It doesn't seem  to be that Phobias are predictable, or even understandable.  I have worked with people who know exactly where their phobia 'came from' and many others that suddenly noticed feeling panicky about a particular thing and then it seemingly grew from nowhere.  

The important thing to note is that Phobias often 'generalise'. B y the time people come for treatment, they can often have associated fears about going out, making new friends, going somewhere unfamiliar, changing their place of work, eating new foods.... the list is endless - each restriction seemingly arriving from nowhere and now just part of a restricted and restrained life.

How Does Hypnotherapy Work?

Hypnotherapy is a powerful therapeutic technique that can help individuals overcome their phobias and regain control over their lives. But how does it actually work?

Depending on your phobia, I work in a number of different ways to release your mind from believing that your Phobia is permanent and unchangeable.  Perhaps we 'go back' to the original sensitising event and reassociate the experience that you had at the time and relay it back into the unconscious in some new and helpful way, allowing for change to happen.  

Perhaps we open up a dialogue with the part of you that is so resistant to change and is making these patterns of behaviour manifest.  

Perhaps we go for a clinical hypnosis session where I guide you into a deeply relaxed state. In this state, your conscious mind becomes less active, allowing your subconscious mind to be more receptive to suggestions and positive affirmations.

The point is that depending on you, your phobia, your life, your psychological profile.... I choose the technique or treatment plan that gets you to where you want to be.  It is certainly not a one size all technique that is a pass or fail result.

By accessing the subconscious mind, hypnotherapy can help you explore and challenge any negative beliefs or associations that are contributing to your phobia.

For some phobias, that are formed early on, it is often necessary for us to relearn 'how' to relate to certain situations.  For instance, when presenting with Agrophobia (which is categorised as a fear of everything) we often have to rediscover the pleasures of social interaction and a connection with our purpose and place in the world.  

For simpler phobias (such as fear of heights, fear of needles) we can often treat the very specific situations in an effective and efficient manner - perhaps even just one or two sessions.

Emetophobia is a phobia that is sadly getting more common.  Retraining the body to understand its own internal experience is highly rewarding to individuals, removing the fear and looking at how the original beliefs have often filtered into other areas of life - perfectionism and self-doubt seem to be common areas that this diffuse fear seems to seep into.

It seems that Phobias can be formed about pretty much anything - we really are remarkable creatures!  I am willing to work with you to 'change' your mind about what is worthy of terror!

Overall, hypnotherapy works by accessing the subconscious mind and reshaping your beliefs and associations related to your phobia. It helps you to build confidence and develop new, positive responses to the feared object or situation, enabling you to overcome your phobia and live a fear-free life.

The Process of Hypnotherapy in Treating Phobias

We begin by discussing your specific fear and the impact that it has on your life.  I will ask you many questions, some that you won't have even considered to be relevant to your situation - when does it NOT happen, for instance.  

Then we look at what 'good' would look like as a result.  I usually encourage people to be a little creative here as they usually ask for a very small improvement.  I usually follow up with clients at around 6 months and the results are usually very consistent and show improvements through time too.  

The Long-Term Benefits of Hypnotherapy for Phobia Treatment

Once you have successfully overcome your phobia through hypnotherapy, you will experience a wide range of long-term benefits that will positively impact your life. Firstly, you will feel a tremendous sense of relief and freedom from the constant fear and anxiety that once held you back. No longer will you have to avoid certain situations or objects, as you will have the tools and confidence to face them head-on. This newfound freedom will open up a world of possibilities for you, allowing you to pursue your dreams and live life to the fullest.

In addition to the immediate relief, hypnotherapy provides lasting changes in your thought patterns and behaviours. By accessing and reshaping your subconscious mind, hypnotherapy helps to rewire your brain's responses to the feared object or situation. This means that even after your hypnotherapy sessions have ended, you will continue to experience a reduction in phobic symptoms. Over time, the fear will become less and less dominant in your life, and you will find yourself approaching situations that once triggered your phobia with a newfound sense of calm and confidence.

Furthermore, the benefits of hypnotherapy extend beyond just your phobia. Many people report an improvement in their overall well-being, including reduced stress levels, improved sleep, and increased self-confidence. Hypnotherapy empowers you to take control of your mind and emotions, allowing you to navigate life's challenges with greater ease and resilience.

How long will it take?

We can make changes from our first session together.  Generally I like to work over 2 sessions, but for more complex and longer standing Phobias, we sometimes work for a few weeks.  I can usually give you my best knowledge once we have spoken.  I offer a free consultation to establish what where and how and when you are ready, we can begin.