Finding Freedom from Fear: How Hypnotherapy Can Help with Phobias

We all experience fear sometimes. It’s our mind and body’s natural way of trying to keep us safe. But when fear becomes overwhelming or starts stopping you from doing the things you want to do, it can be incredibly frustrating.

Maybe you avoid flying even though you’d love to travel. Perhaps needles or medical appointments fill you with dread. Driving, heights, confined spaces, animals or speaking in front of people might trigger a reaction that feels completely out of proportion to the actual situation.

That’s one of the difficult things about a phobia. You can know logically that you’re safe, while your body reacts as though you’re not.

And that reaction can happen before you’ve even had a chance to think about it.

Think of your subconscious mind as having its own internal safety system. Its job is to recognise potential danger and respond quickly to protect you.

Sometimes, though, that safety system becomes a little overprotective.

A previous experience, something you learned when you were younger, or even something you saw or heard can create an association between a particular situation and danger.

Once that association is established, your mind may continue triggering the same fear response even when the original danger is no longer there.

This is where hypnotherapy may help.

Rather than simply trying to tell yourself “there’s nothing to be afraid of,” hypnotherapy works with the thoughts, feelings and automatic responses connected with the fear.

During hypnosis, you’re guided into a relaxed state of focused attention. It can feel a little like becoming absorbed in a good book, movie or daydream.

You remain aware and in control throughout the session.

From this relaxed state, we can work with the thoughts and associations surrounding your fear and begin developing a calmer response.

Depending on your individual situation, this might involve changing the way you imagine the feared situation, reducing the emotional response attached to it and mentally rehearsing yourself responding with greater calm and confidence.

The aim isn’t to make you fearless.

It’s to help your mind recognise when you are safe, so fear no longer has to make the decisions for you.

Phobias are very individual, so your sessions are tailored to your particular fear, your experiences and what you would like to change.

One concern people sometimes have before trying hypnotherapy is whether they’ll lose control.

You won’t.

Hypnosis isn’t about someone taking control of your mind. You remain aware, you can speak and respond, and you cannot be made to do anything against your wishes.

We’ll also talk through what to expect before we begin, and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to ask questions.

Sometimes the biggest impact of a phobia isn’t the fear itself. It’s everything you start organising your life around to avoid feeling it.

The flight you don’t book.

The medical appointment you keep putting off.

The road you won’t drive on.

The opportunity you turn down because it involves speaking in front of people.

Working on a phobia is about more than reducing fear. It’s about giving you more freedom to make choices based on what you want, rather than what you’re afraid of.

If a fear or phobia has been limiting your life, you’re welcome to get in touch and find out whether hypnotherapy may be suitable for you.

There’s no pressure or obligation. You can ask questions, tell me a little about what’s been happening and see what feels right for you.

Sessions are available in person in Melbourne or online across Australia.