A fear doesn’t have to make sense to feel completely real.
You may know that the spider is small, the lift is safe or thousands of flights land without difficulty every day. Your body can still react as though you are in immediate danger.
People sometimes feel embarrassed by this, particularly when friends or family cannot understand why reassurance hasn’t worked.
You don’t need to convince me that the fear is reasonable. I’m interested in what happens, how it has been affecting your life and what you would like to feel able to do.
What is the difference between a fear and a phobia?
Fear is a normal part of how we protect ourselves.
A phobia is more persistent and focused. The reaction is connected with a particular object, situation or activity, and may feel much stronger than the actual danger involved.
You might experience:
- a racing heart
- shaking or sweating
- nausea or a churning stomach
- feeling dizzy or light-headed
- tightness in your chest
- an urgent need to escape
- distress when seeing a picture or hearing the subject mentioned
- anxiety for days or weeks before the situation
- relief once you know you can avoid it
Some people recognise the reaction as excessive while it is happening. That insight doesn’t necessarily make the physical feelings easier to control.
The fear may begin long before the situation
If you have a flight booked in three months, the fear may already be affecting you now.
You imagine the journey, check information, look for reasons not to go or repeatedly ask other people what they think. Each reminder can bring the situation back into your mind.
The same can happen before a medical appointment, a long drive or an event where you expect to encounter the thing you fear.
By the time the day arrives, you may feel as though you have already been through it dozens of times in your imagination.
This anticipatory anxiety is an important part of what we can discuss.
Common fears people ask me about
Fears and phobias can involve almost anything, although common enquiries include:
- flying
- driving
- needles and medical procedures
- heights
- enclosed spaces
- animals, birds or insects
- vomiting
- public speaking
- being trapped or unable to leave
- experiencing panic away from home
Your concern may not appear on that list. What matters is the effect it has on you and whether my approach is suitable.
How avoidance can grow
Avoidance is an understandable response to fear. If you stay away from the situation, you don’t have to experience the anxiety.
The immediate relief can make avoidance feel like the safest answer.
Over time, however, the arrangements may become more complicated.
You take a longer route, turn down invitations, avoid holidays or delay a medical appointment. You may only go somewhere with a trusted person, sit close to an exit or carry something that helps you feel able to cope.
One rule can gradually lead to another.
Our aim is not to force you into the feared situation. It is to support you in working towards more freedom and choice.
How hypnotherapy may help
Hypnotherapy can help relieve anxiety associated with a feared situation.
We begin by talking about the fear, how it developed if you know, what you currently avoid and what you would like to feel more comfortable doing.
During hypnosis, I may use relaxation, imagery and mental rehearsal connected with that goal.
You may imagine approaching the situation gradually, remaining aware that you have choices and responding more steadily to the sensations that arise.
We can include the parts that usually feel difficult. There is little value in rehearsing an unrealistically perfect version where nothing unexpected happens.
You remain aware and in control throughout hypnosis. You can speak, move or stop whenever you wish.
What is the Rewind Technique?
For some fears, I use an imagery-based approach known as the Rewind Technique.
The exercise allows you to consider a difficult experience from a more distant perspective, using imagination in a structured way.
You are not expected to give me a detailed account of everything that happened. I will explain the process beforehand, and we will only use it with your agreement.
Some people contact me because there is one particular event they connect with the fear. For others, there is no clear memory and a different approach may be more suitable.
Rewind is one of the options I can draw upon. I don’t promise that it will remove a phobia or that one session will be enough.
Will I have to face the fear during the appointment?
You won’t be unexpectedly confronted with the object or situation you fear.
We begin with conversation and, where appropriate, use imagination in a controlled setting. Any practical step outside the session is discussed with you.
Some established psychological treatments for phobias involve gradual exposure. If you are receiving treatment from a psychologist or another therapist, continue following their plan and let me know about that work.
Where you need practical experience as well as anxiety support, another professional may be useful. Driving anxiety may involve a qualified driving instructor, and airline fear-of-flying courses can provide helpful information about aircraft and flying.
When fear affects your health or safety
Some fears need particular care.
If fear is preventing you from attending necessary medical appointments, taking prescribed medication, eating adequately or making safe decisions, please seek appropriate medical or psychological support.
A GP or NHS Talking Therapies can assess a suspected phobia and help you access established treatment.
New, severe or unexplained physical symptoms should also be medically assessed rather than assumed to be anxiety.
Hypnotherapy can complement suitable care but should not delay it.
Explore particular fears
You can read more on my individual pages:
Each page looks at the particular situations involved, practical preparation and how hypnotherapy may fit.
What happens at the initial consultation?
The consultation gives us time to talk about:
- what you fear
- what happens when you encounter or think about it
- how long it has affected you
- what you avoid
- what you would like to be able to do
- any treatment or support you already receive
You can ask me about hypnosis, Rewind or anything else you are unsure about.
I’ll explain how I might approach the work and tell you if another form of support should be involved.
There is no need to face the feared situation during this first conversation.
Would you like to ask me about a fear?
You don’t have to write a lengthy explanation or worry that your fear sounds unusual.
Tell me briefly what happens and what it is preventing you from doing. I’ll explain whether my approach seems appropriate.
Appointments are available at my practice in Hayle, Cornwall, and online.