What does a phobia therapist do?

If you have a phobia, you probably already know the fear does not make sense. You can tell yourself that the plane is safe, the spider is harmless or the injection takes two seconds, and your body still reacts as if your life is at risk. That gap between what you know and what you feel is exactly what a phobia therapist works on.

What a phobia therapist is

“Phobia therapist” is not one protected job title. It usually means a professional who specialises in fears and phobias, such as a clinical psychologist, a CBT therapist, a counsellor or a clinical hypnotherapist. What they share is experience of helping people with the same kind of problem you have, again and again.

What happens in a first session

A good first session is mostly a conversation. A phobia therapist will usually want to understand:

• what you are afraid of, and exactly which situations set it off
• when it started, if you know, and how it has changed over time
• what you avoid because of it, and what that is costing you
• what you have already tried
• what you would like to be able to do once it is under control

Nobody should push you to face your fear in the first session before you are ready. Feeling a little nervous beforehand is normal, and a good therapist will expect it.

The main approaches

Most phobia therapists draw on one or more of these:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which looks at the thoughts and habits that keep the fear going.
• Exposure therapy, often part of CBT, where you face the fear in small, planned steps until it loses its grip.
• Clinical hypnotherapy, which uses a calm, focused state to help you rehearse feeling relaxed around the thing you fear. Read more about hypnotherapy for phobias.

The NHS page on treating phobias lists talking therapies such as CBT, and hypnotherapy, as options, along with self-help and, in some cases, medicines from your GP.

How many sessions it takes

It depends on the person and the fear. A single, specific fear such as spiders or needles often needs fewer sessions than a fear that has spread into many areas of life. Any honest therapist will talk you through what is realistic for you rather than promise a set number.

Do you need one?

If the fear is stopping you doing things you want or need to do, such as travelling, seeing a doctor or dentist, going to work or enjoying time with family, it is worth getting help. You do not need to wait until it gets worse.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. If your fear comes with panic attacks, low mood or anything that worries you about your health, please speak to your GP or doctor. In the UK you can call NHS 111, and in an emergency call 999.