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Phobias

Talking therapies for Phobias in Cardiff, Carmarthen and online via video.

Phobias are intense and persistent fears of specific situations, objects, or activities. These fears may feel overwhelming or irrational, yet they can trigger strong physical and emotional responses. Phobias often lead to avoidance behaviours, impacting daily life, confidence, and overall wellbeing. Talking therapies can help individuals understand the root of their fears, reduce anxiety, and gradually regain control through safe and structured therapeutic approaches.

Common Types of Phobias

Specific phobias, such as fear of flying, animals, heights, needles, or enclosed spaces
Social phobia or social anxiety
Agoraphobia – fear of open or crowded places
Situational phobias, such as driving or medical procedures
Environmental phobias, such as storms or darkness

Common Symptoms of Phobias

Intense fear or panic when faced with the trigger
Physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, or a racing heart
Avoidance of certain places, objects, or situations
Feeling out of control or overwhelmed
Anticipatory anxiety before encountering the trigger
Distress that interferes with daily activities or routines

Therapy for Phobias

Talking therapies is highly effective for treating phobias. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), exposure-based techniques, and anxiety management strategies help individuals understand their fears, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and gradually reduce avoidance. At iTT, our therapists provide a calm, supportive environment where clients can safely explore their phobia and build confidence at their own pace.

Talking therapies for phobias includes:

An initial assessment to understand the specific phobia and how it affects daily life
Identifying thoughts, triggers, and physical reactions linked to the fear
Developing grounding and relaxation techniques to manage anxiety
Using graded exposure to help reduce fear in a controlled, supportive way
Building long-term coping strategies and confidence

Counselling for Phobias – How Are Talking Therapies Different?

Counselling for phobias is one form of talking therapy that can help individuals understand their fears, reduce avoidance behaviours, and develop effective strategies for coping with anxiety triggers. Counselling offers structured, supportive sessions that focus on current challenges, emotional regulation, and practical techniques that support gradual confidence-building. Psychotherapy explores the emotional patterns, past experiences, and psychological processes that may contribute to the development or persistence of specific fears and the intensity of phobic responses. Both counselling and psychotherapy for phobias are beneficial, but they differ in focus, method, and the type of change they aim to achieve. Psychotherapy offers a more in-depth approach, making it particularly well suited for individuals who want to understand the underlying emotional factors driving their fears and work towards longer-term, meaningful change.

At iTT, all talking therapy for phobias is delivered by qualified psychotherapists. This ensures that individuals receive a depth of support capable of addressing both immediate symptoms and the underlying psychological factors contributing to their phobic responses.

How do I start my therapy?

Your next steps to positive change

We want to ensure that all of our clients receive the information they need to make an informed decision about their therapy. If you are ready to start your journey with us please contact us.

Independent Talking Therapies