Using Hypnotherapy and CBT to help manage phobias and fears.
Fears and phobias arise from similar circumstances.
A fear is what might normally be considered a proportionate emotional response to a real or perceived threat like a spider, drowning or great heights. A phobia elevates the fear to a level at which it becomes so acute as to very often be life disrupting. In this case, someone suffering a phobia may go to excessive or even irrational lengths to avoid even the slightest risk of encountering the item or situation in question.
Encouragingly. Hypnotherapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy are usually highly effective in managing both conditions.
How a phobia or fear may be affecting you.
Each of us is different, and so the reasons we develop phobias and fears range widely. For some, the cause may be traceable to a trauma or bad experience, while for others it may derive from a less tangible memory or deep-seated belief.
- Preventing taking part in everyday activities is a very common effect of a fear or phobia. The idea of going out, confronting a dog, being in a crowd or whatever your fear happens to be becomes so threatening to you that the alternative – not doing things that could give rise to that situation, becomes your only option.
- Worry about passing on your phobia to your children is also extremely common, bringing with it both concern and guilt over the idea of handing down something that is blighting your own life.
- Anger and frustration at your self – the totally erroneous feeling that you must just be “being silly” about whatever your fear, also occurs with great regularity.
Hi Paul, just thought I would let you know how I got on with my fear of flying following our sessions. In the 4 weeks of our holiday we completed 8 flights, 4 of which were over 10 hours each. I coped with all of them and only had a slight wobble on the the last one which quickly disappeared. I can’t say that flying is now my favourite thing but at least it is OK now!
My approach to phobias and fears.
Somewhere, and for some reason, you have developed associations which are preventing you from thinking about the situation, action or object of your phobia with what we might think of as ‘normal’ objectivity. We will tackle this, generally, using all of my core therapy tools.
Hypnotherapy
Safe, and always fully in your control, Hypnotherapy is extremely useful in relaxing the subconscious to create a ‘safe space’ in which you can understand and confront your fears.
CBT
I generally use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy alongside Hypnotherapy, as this can help us to address the way you feel and respond currently and play a key role in helping you regain control over your fear.
Mindfulness
Although Mindfulness is not in itself a therapeutic approach, I find it an extremely practical ‘mind maintenance’ tool that can help you recover control over feelings of fear at the precise moment in which you experience them.
Paul Levrant. Hypnotherapy, CBT and Mindfulness to treat phobias and fear.
For as long as I’ve been practicing, I’ve been helping clients whose lives are disrupted by phobia and fear. Having come to train as a therapist in mid-life following a long career in business, I practice Hypnotherapy and CBT, and make use of Mindfulness, each of which has a role to play in overcoming these challenges.
Tackle your problem with the help of one of the best-trusted Hypnotherapists in North London and Hertfordshire.
Book a FREE Initial Consultation
I’d be pleased to arrange an initial telephone consultation with you. This gives me the opportunity to gain a basic understanding of your situation, and lets you decide whether you’d like to arrange to see me for therapy.
This initial consultation is completely free of charge, and without any obligation on you to take matters further.
