Manage Your Phobias
Phobias represent intense and irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities that generally pose little to no real danger. As a type of anxiety disorder, phobias can profoundly affect an individual’s daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
What Is a Phobia?
A phobia goes beyond mere fear; it is a persistent and excessive reaction that often leads to avoidance behavior. When someone with a phobia confronts—or even thinks about—the object of their fear, they may experience a range of distressing symptoms, including:
- Intense anxiety or panic
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or dizziness
- Sweating or trembling
- An overwhelming urge to escape
Even when individuals recognize that their fear is irrational, they frequently find it challenging to manage their emotional and physical responses.
Types of Phobias
Phobias can typically be divided into three main categories:
1. Specific (Simple) Phobias: These involve fear of particular objects or situations such as:
- Animals (e.g., spiders, dogs, snakes)
- Natural environments (e.g., heights, water, storms)
- Medical situations (e.g., needles, blood, dental visits)
- Situational factors (e.g., flying, elevators, enclosed spaces)
2. Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder): This type involves an intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated in social settings or performance-related scenarios—such as public speaking or eating in front of others.
3. Agoraphobia: This is the fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or where help may not be accessible during a panic attack. Individuals with agoraphobia often avoid public spaces, crowds, and even leaving their homes.
How Do Phobias Develop?
Phobias frequently originate in childhood or adolescence and can be triggered by various factors including:
- Traumatic experiences (e.g., being bitten by a dog)
- Learned behaviors (e.g., observing a parent’s fearful reactions)
- Genetic predisposition and brain chemistry (some individuals are more susceptible to anxiety disorders)
Understanding phobias helps us recognize their profound impact on those who suffer from them and emphasizes the importance of seeking support for those affected.
Hello, I’m Mary Galanis
As an accredited Strategic Psychotherapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, passionate about helping you navigate and resolve life’s challenges with a practical yet compassionate approach. I understand how Phobias can leave you feeling debilitated, overwhelmed, with deep physical and emotional limitations. I aim to empower you with the tools and treatments that are required to heal and regain control.
With a focus on tangible results, I offer personalised treatment plans using a variety of proven methods like Hypnosis, EMDR for trauma, Psychotherapy, and Somatic Healing, ensuring your holistic well-being is always at the centre of our work together.
Clinical Hypnotherapy and Strategic Psychotherapy are recognised by medical professionals as proven, safe, and effective methods for treating Chronic Pain and many other issues. My goal is to empower you, offering tailored treatments to help you to regain peace of mind, quickly and effectively.
When I’m not helping clients, I enjoy spending time with my two adult daughters, practising yoga, and relaxing with my two cats. I believe in continuous growth—both in my personal life and in my practice—always striving to help you become a well-balanced and the best version of yourself.
We work together on your tailored treatment for your unique journey to better wellness. Here’s to better and better.
Treating Phobias with Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy
Treating Phobias with Hypnotherapy: A Comprehensive Look at Mind-Body Healing
Phobias rank among the most prevalent and disruptive anxiety disorders. They can lead to intense fear and avoidance of specific objects, activities, or situations—often severely impacting daily life. While conventional treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are effective for many individuals, an increasing number are exploring hypnotherapy as a viable alternative or complementary method for addressing phobias.
Understanding Phobias
A phobia is characterized by an intense, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual threat. Unlike general feelings of fear or nervousness, phobias elicit anxiety responses that can be overwhelming and often disproportionate to the perceived danger.
Common Types of Phobias Include:
Specific phobias: Examples include fear of spiders (arachnophobia), heights (acrophobia), or flying (aviophobia).
Social phobia: This entails an intense fear of social situations or being judged by others (also referred to as social anxiety disorder).
Agoraphobia: This involves a fear of being in places or situations where escape may be challenging.
These fears frequently lead individuals to avoid particular places, people, or activities—ultimately restricting their lifestyle and diminishing their quality of life.
What Is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that utilizes hypnosis, a focused state resembling trance, to access the subconscious mind. During hypnosis, individuals become more receptive to suggestions and can explore thoughts, memories, and emotions that are typically hidden or suppressed.
Hypnotherapy can be applied to various issues including:
* Anxiety and panic
* Trauma
* Weight management
* Insomnia
* Phobias
It is a collaborative process, guided by a trained hypnotherapist who assists individuals in reframing negative thought patterns and emotional responses.
How Hypnotherapy Helps with Phobias
Phobias are not merely learned responses—they often have their origins in the subconscious mind. Whether stemming from traumatic events, early childhood experiences, or learned behaviors, these fears become deeply ingrained and may resist conscious efforts to overcome them.
Hypnotherapy assists by:
1. Accessing the subconscious: Hypnosis allows both therapist and client to bypass the analytical part of the brain and work directly with the subconscious where fears reside.
2. Uncovering root causes: Many individuals do not recall the initial cause of their phobia. Hypnotherapy can help bring those buried memories back into consciousness so they can be addressed.
3. Reframing the fear: Once identified, therapists can assist clients in reinterpreting their fears in ways that diminish emotional intensity.
4. Desensitizing triggers: Through guided imagery and suggestion techniques during sessions, hypnotherapy helps reduce emotional reactions when confronted with feared stimuli.
5. Building confidence and calmness: Hypnosis can instill positive suggestions aimed at fostering feelings of safety, control, and resilience.
A Typical Hypnotherapy Session for Phobias
A hypnotherapy session generally starts with a discussion about the phobia itself—how it developed (if known) and its impact on daily life.
The session may include:
Induction: The therapist guides the client into a deeply relaxed state.
Exploration: Clients may be prompted to recall instances when they first experienced this fear or any related events.
Suggestion: The therapist introduces empowering beliefs or visualizations (for example, envisioning oneself calm during encounters with their fear).
Reinforcement: Suggestions are reiterated throughout sessions to solidify new neural pathways and behavioral responses.
Re-orientation: The client is gradually brought back to full awareness at session's end.
Most participants report feeling calm, relaxed, and more in control after each session.
Benefits of Hypnotherapy for Phobias
Here are several reasons why hypnotherapy is gaining popularity as an effective treatment option for phobias:
✅ Access to Root Causes
Phobias often originate from childhood experiences or deep-seated emotional wounds; hypnotherapy uncovers these hidden memories for resolution.
✅ Non-Invasive & Drug-Free
No medication is required during treatment; this significantly reduces potential side effects associated with pharmaceuticals.
✅ Personalized Approach
Each session is tailored specifically around individual experiences while addressing unique triggers and desired outcomes.
✅ Fast Results for Some Individuals
Many clients report noticeable improvements within just a few sessions—particularly those struggling with mild-to-moderate phobias.
✅ Can Complement Other Therapies
Hypnotherapy integrates seamlessly alongside psychotherapy practices while also enhancing exposure therapies through mindfulness approaches.
Success Stories
I had a fear of spiders from a young child. I couldnt bear to even look at them - let alone wach them crawl Having hypnotherapy is the best thing I ever did with Mary