Therapy For Phobias
therapy for phobias
What Causes Specific Phobias?
therapy for phobias
Do certain situations or objects like heights, spiders, or needles trigger intense fear or panic? You might be experiencing a specific phobia, a type of anxiety disorder that causes overwhelming distress, even when there’s no real danger.
At Resilient Mind Therapies, we provide evidence-based CBT therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) to help you to help you manage and reduce phobia-related anxiety.
We offer online sessions across the UK, or face to face sessions in Oadby, suitable for clients in the Leicester, Oadby, Wigston, Blaby, Countesthorpe, Lutterworth, Broughton Astley or Market Harborough areas. Contact us to discuss how CBT or EMDR could work for you.
what is a phobia
What Causes Specific Phobias?
therapy for phobias
A specific phobia is more than just a fear—it's an intense, overwhelming anxiety about a particular object, situation, or activity. This fear can be so strong that it disrupts your daily life, making it difficult to function normally. The fear can be so overwhelming that you may go to great lengths to avoid the feared object or situation. CBT therapy for phobias can help you overcome the fear. Common specific phobias include:
- Animals: Fear of dogs, spiders, snakes, or insects
- Natural environments: Fear of heights, thunderstorms, or water
- Situational phobias: Fear of flying, elevators, or enclosed spaces
- Medical-related phobias: Fear of blood, needles, or medical procedures
The fear associated with a specific phobia can trigger an immediate anxiety response, often leading to a panic attack. Even thinking about the feared object or situation can cause significant distress.
What Causes Specific Phobias?
What Causes Specific Phobias?
Common Types of Specific Phobias
The exact cause of specific phobias isn’t always clear, but several factors can contribute to their development:
- Traumatic experiences: A past traumatic event, such as being bitten by a dog or trapped in a confined space, can trigger the onset of a phobia.
- Learned behavior: Sometimes, phobias are learned by observing others. For example, if a parent has a fear of spiders, a child may develop the same fear through exposure.
- Genetics and brain chemistry: Research suggests that genetics may play a role in developing phobias. Some people may be more predisposed to anxiety and fear responses due to their genetic makeup or brain chemistry.
- Childhood experiences: Negative experiences in childhood, such as bullying or neglect, can also lead to the development of specific phobias later in life.
Common Types of Specific Phobias
Common Types of Specific Phobias
Animal Phobias
- Fear of spiders
- Fear of dogs
- Fear of snakes
Natural Environment Phobias
- Fear of heights
- Fear of thunderstorms
- Fear of deep water
Situational Phobias
- Fear of flying
- Fear of enclosed spaces
- Fear of visiting the dentist
Medical &
Blood-Related Phobias
- Fear of needles
- Fear of blood
- Fear of medical procedures
Other Specific Phobias
- Fear of vomiting
- Fear of public speaking
- Fear of choking
How Therapy Can Help with Phobias
How Therapy Can Help with Phobias
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
- Helps you recognise and change unhelpful thought patterns
- Uses gradual exposure to reduce fear responses
- Teaches practical coping strategies
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
- Effective for phobias linked to past trauma
- Helps process distressing memories
- Reduces the emotional intensity of fear trigger
