Book a sessionWhat a phobia is and why it ignores logic
A phobia is a conditioned fear reflex stored in the amygdala. At some point (often in childhood, often unnoticed) the brain linked a certain object or situation with danger. From then on the response fires automatically, in milliseconds, without conscious involvement. You do not decide to be afraid; you already are.
That is why reassurance, statistics and "just don't think about it" do not work: they address the cortex, while the reflex lives deeper. To change the response you have to work at the level where it is stored. That is what hypnosis does.
Fears I work with
- Fear of flying: take-off, turbulence, the enclosed cabin.
- Fear of heights, bridges, glass elevators, balconies.
- Claustrophobia: elevators, MRI scanners, the subway, crowds.
- Animal phobias: spiders, dogs, snakes, insects, birds.
- Fear of needles, blood, the dentist, medical procedures.
- Fear of driving or riding in a car after an accident.
- Social fears: public speaking, phone calls, meeting people, being judged.
- Fear of water, darkness, thunderstorms, choking, getting ill.
What the research shows
How the work goes
When it first appeared, how it shows up in the body, what you are actually afraid of (often not the spider but losing control). 15–20 minutes.
In trance you first gain access to deep calm. This is the foundation: the body needs to know where to return to.
The subconscious often leads to the moment the fear took hold. It may be something you forgot long ago. We reframe the event from an adult perspective.
Imagined contact with the feared object while staying calm. The brain gets new evidence: "this is safe". We repeat until the response changes.
A 1–2 minute technique for the real situation. For fear of flying we separately rehearse take-off, turbulence and landing.
How many sessions are needed
A simple specific phobia (spiders, heights, needles) usually takes 1–2 sessions. Fear of flying and claustrophobia, 2–3, because they often have several layers: fear of enclosed space + fear of losing control + fear of panic. Social fears, 2–4. The result is tested not in words but in the real situation: the next flight, dental visit or presentation.
FAQ
Will I have to look at a spider or board a plane during the session?+
No. All the work happens in imagination, in a calm state. Real contact comes only after the response has changed, and only if you want it.
My phobia goes back to childhood and I do not remember where it came from.+
That is normal. Most people do not remember the first event. The subconscious finds it in trance, or we work without it, directly on the response.
Can the fear come back?+
After thorough work, rarely. If it partially returns, one follow-up session is usually enough.
Does it work online?+
Yes. For phobias the online format is even more convenient: you are in a safe place, and self-hypnosis techniques are practiced in your usual environment.
Do you work with children's fears?+
With teenagers from 14, yes, with parental consent.
References
- Valentine K.E., Milling L.S., Clark L.J., Moriarty C.L. (2019). The efficacy of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis.
- Kirsch I., Montgomery G., Sapirstein G. (1995). Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy: a meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.
- Öst L.G. (1989). One-session treatment for specific phobias. Behaviour Research and Therapy.
- Hammond D.C. (2010). Hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety- and stress-related disorders. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics.