“Exposure therapy” is commonly employed to help people with phobias get over their fears. A “phobia” is an extreme or irrational fear of something that brings on anxiety and an aversion to facing the feared object or situation. In some cases, the anxiety can be so severe that the phobia prevents those affected from carrying out daily tasks. Exposure therapy works by having the fearful person directly face the object or situation that he or she is afraid of, with the goal of creating a new, “safe” memory to replace the old one. This treatment has been found to be effective in helping people who fear heights, spiders, and other objects and circumstances to overcome even long-standing phobias.
Of course, you needn’t be dealing with something as extreme as phobia to benefit from help. Less dramatic issues, including depression and anxiety, can also benefit from professional advice. Our compassionate counselors can help. We can provide a safe space and proven techniques for dealing with the issues that bother you, from phobias to insomnia. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please call us. We can also help you if you are dealing with grief, depression, anxiety or other issues. Call one of our offices today or check out our free on-line assessment on this website.
P.S. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, 12.5 million Americans have an overwhelming fear of something, and nearly 22% of this number have a phobia that is classified as “severe.”