Therapy for Phobias

 

Phobias can feel intense and limiting — even when you know the fear isn’t logical. Whether it's a fear of flying, needles, animals, driving, or social situations, phobias can shrink your world. Therapy can help you take your life back. At Hampstead Psychology, we offer effective, supportive therapy for phobias — in clinics across London or online.

 

What Is a Phobia?

A phobia is an intense fear of a specific object, situation, or experience. The fear often leads to avoidance, which can reinforce the anxiety and make life more difficult over time.

Common phobias include:

• Flying

• Heights

• Needles or medical procedures

• Animals or insects

• Public speaking or social situations

• Enclosed spaces (claustrophobia)

• Vomiting or illness

Phobias can feel overwhelming — but they are highly treatable.

 

How Therapy Helps

We use evidence-based therapies to help reduce fear and avoidance, gently and safely.

Our approach may include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – to challenge fear-based thoughts and gradually reduce avoidance

• Exposure Therapy – to help you face feared situations in manageable steps

• ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) – to reduce fear of fear and build resilience

• Compassion-Focused Therapy – to support self-kindness and reduce shame

​

We tailor treatment to each individual, drawing on a range of evidence-based approaches see other pages related to phobias here anxiety, health anxiety and depression.