Flying, needles, spiders, heights
Phobias
Getting used to the thing in your imagination first, step by step, while you are calm. Often combined with doing the real thing, gradually.
The approach with the strongest evidence for a specific phobia is graded exposure, which means facing the thing gradually with support. We use hypnosis as a way of doing the first steps calmly, in your head, before you do them for real.
You tell us what you fear and how far you can currently get: looking at a picture, standing at the airport, going up the first flight of stairs. We make a ladder from that. In the chair, you rehearse each rung while relaxed. Between sessions, you try some rungs in real life, if you want to.
Some of our clients have a needle phobia and a medical appointment they cannot avoid. Tell us the date. If you faint at needles, say so, because there is a simple muscle-tensing technique that can help, and your nurse should know about it.
What is included
- A written ladder of steps, at your speed
- Rehearsal in the chair
- A recording for the day itself
- Real-life steps, if and when you choose
What it costs
Phobias usually take two to four sessions: £90 for the first and £65 for each after, so £155 to £285 in all. There is no block booking. Most people have between two and six sessions, and we review at the third. The is it for me? page works it out by subject.
Questions about phobias
Will I have to touch a spider?
Not in this room, and not ever unless you want to.
I have a flight in three weeks. Is that enough time?
It can be enough to feel better about it. We cannot promise how you will feel at the gate. Book soon and tell us the date.
Start with ten minutes on the phone.
Free, and no obligation. We ask what you are hoping for and tell you honestly whether we think we are the right people, or whether you should see someone else.