Hypnotherapy for phobias and fears

What is a phobia?

A phobia is an intense, lasting fear of a particular object, place or situation. It is usually much stronger than the real risk involved. Common examples include fear of flying, spiders, heights, needles, enclosed spaces, dogs and being sick. Many people know their reaction does not quite make sense, which can make it even more frustrating to live with.

Phobias tend to lead to avoidance, and over time avoidance can quietly shape your life. You might turn down holidays, put off medical appointments, avoid lifts or plan your day around the thing you fear. The aim of hypnotherapy is to help the fear lose some of that power.

When does a fear become a phobia?

Most people dislike something, whether it is spiders, heights or injections. A fear tends to be called a phobia when it starts to affect your life. Signs include:

• feeling intense panic or dread, even when you just think about the thing you fear
• going out of your way to avoid it, even when that is inconvenient
• physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, shaking or feeling sick
• knowing the fear is out of proportion but being unable to control it

How can hypnotherapy help with a phobia?

Phobias are largely automatic. Your body reacts before your thinking mind has a chance to step in. Hypnotherapy works with that automatic response. While you are deeply relaxed, you can begin to approach the feared situation in your imagination, a little at a time, while staying calm and in control. Over time, the aim is for the situation to feel more manageable in real life.

Depending on what suits you, sessions may also include NLP techniques. These change the way a memory or image is "stored" in your mind, for example by making it feel smaller, further away or less vivid. Some people also like EFT as a tool for calming distress in the moment.

Hypnotherapy for fear of flying

Fear of flying is one of the fears people most often bring to sessions. For some it is about heights or turbulence; for others it is about being in an enclosed space or feeling out of control. Sessions usually focus on deep relaxation and on rehearsing the whole journey in your mind, from packing your case to landing, while staying calm. You will also learn simple techniques to use at the airport and on the plane itself.

Other common fears

The same gentle approach can be used for many other fears, such as needles and injections, the dentist, heights, driving and enclosed spaces. If your fear is not listed, it is still worth getting in touch.

What happens in a phobia session?

Your first session begins with a calm conversation about your fear: when it started, how it affects you and what you would like to be able to do. You will then be guided into a relaxed state and taught how to return to that calm on your own. In later stages, you may be gently guided to imagine the feared situation from a safe distance, then a little closer, always stopping to check how you feel. Afterwards you will talk about what you noticed and agree a small, realistic step to try in everyday life if you feel ready.

Is it frightening to work on a phobia?

This is a very common worry, and the answer is no. The work is designed to be gentle. You will never be asked to face something before you are ready, nothing is brought into the room without your agreement, and you can pause at any time. Your first session focuses on understanding your fear and building a strong sense of calm before any of the deeper work begins.

Sessions are led by Sonya Hudson, a clinical hypnotherapist with more than 20 years of experience, and last around 60 to 90 minutes at the clinic in Wallsend or online.

Take the first step

A free, no-obligation phone call is a relaxed way to talk about your fear and how sessions might help. Send an enquiry or call 0191 580 1548.