Most of us are afraid of something. Fear is a natural, useful part of being human — it’s there to protect us. It triggers our instinct to fight, flee, or freeze when we sense danger. But sometimes, fear can take on a life of its own. It can start to feel bigger than it needs to, getting in the way of day-to-day life, travel plans, work meetings, or even just popping to the dentist.
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When fear becomes so intense that it causes you to avoid situations, places, or experiences you’d otherwise want to manage, it can tip into a phobia. And living with a phobia can be exhausting, frustrating, and sometimes a little isolating too — especially when other people don’t seem to understand.
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You might find yourself saying things like:
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“I know it’s silly, but I just can’t help it.”
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“I wish I could be normal about this.”
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“I avoid it at all costs.”
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But here’s the truth — no fear is silly if it’s real to you.
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Common fears & phobias
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People seek support for a whole range of fears and phobias, including:
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Fear of spiders or insects
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Fear of flying
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Fear of dogs or other animals
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Fear of public speaking or social situations
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Fear of driving, particularly motorways
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Fear of the dentist
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Fear of heights
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Fear of sickness (emetophobia)
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Fear of confined spaces
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Fear of storms or bad weather
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Fear of medical procedures or blood
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You might experience physical symptoms too — things like heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, shaking, or a sense of panic. It’s exhausting to carry that around.
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How counselling and hypnotherapy could help
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Counselling offers a safe, supportive space to gently explore where your fear might have started, how it affects your life, and how you can begin to loosen its hold. Often, fears are rooted in past experiences — sometimes obvious, sometimes buried away in your subconscious. Talking it through with someone who won’t dismiss or minimise it can be an important first step.
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Together, we’ll work at your pace, looking at the thoughts, patterns, and beliefs that keep the fear in place. Counselling can help you understand your fear, make sense of your reactions, and learn coping tools to manage it day to day.
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Hypnotherapy is particularly useful when tackling fears a phobias. Hypnotherapy is a gentle, effective way to work directly with the subconscious part of your mind — the place where fears often quietly live. Through guided relaxation and focused attention, hypnotherapy helps you access this part of yourself and gently introduce new, healthier, and calmer ways of thinking and responding.
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You remain fully in control throughout, and many people find the experience deeply relaxing in itself. Hypnotherapy can be particularly helpful for desensitising your response to a feared situation or object, so it no longer feels so overwhelming.
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Which approach is right for you?
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Some people find that counselling alone is enough to work through their fears, while others prefer a combination of counselling and hypnotherapy. We can chat about what feels right for you and tailor your sessions accordingly — no pressure, no harsh exposure techniques, and no one-size-fits-all approach.
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The aim is to help you feel calmer, more in control, and better equipped to handle the things you currently dread. It’s not about forcing yourself into terrifying situations — it’s about gradually reclaiming the parts of life that fear has made difficult.
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You don’t have to put up with it
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Whatever your fear or phobia is, it doesn’t have to define you. Change is possible, even if you’ve felt this way for years. If you’re ready to gently start unpicking the fear and finding new ways to move forward, I’m here to help.
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