CBT for Phobias in Cheadle Hulme & Online
A strong fear can make everyday situations feel difficult to face, even when part of you knows the danger may be small.
I offer individual CBT to help you understand what is happening and explore manageable ways of responding. We agree the work together, with sessions in Cheadle Hulme or online where suitable.
When Phobias Start to Get in the Way
You may recognise some of these experiences. Not every example will fit, and we will take time to understand what is happening for you:
- Just thinking about a particular thing, such as spiders, dogs, heights, flying, needles or being sick, brings a wave of fear.
- You go out of your way to avoid it, such as taking the stairs instead of a lift, avoiding certain routes or putting off medical appointments.
- You know the fear seems bigger than the actual danger, but that doesn't make it feel any smaller.
- Your body reacts strongly, with a racing heart, sweating, shaking or wanting to escape. With needles or blood, some people feel faint.
- The fear is starting to limit your life, such as holidays, work, healthcare or family plans.
- For children, many fears, such as of the dark, dogs or loud noises, are a normal part of growing up. It may be worth seeking support when a fear is very intense, lasts a long time or stops a child doing everyday things.
- If you're Autistic or have ADHD, a strong reaction to things like hand dryers, balloons or sirens may sometimes be about sensory sensitivity rather than fear. The two can overlap, and it's worth understanding which is which, because they may need different kinds of support.
Making Sense of Phobias Together
A phobia is an intense fear of a specific thing or situation that feels hard to control. It may start after a frightening experience or after seeing someone else afraid, or it may have no clear starting point at all.
Avoidance is the main thing that can keep a phobia going. Each time you avoid or escape, the fear eases quickly, which makes avoiding feel like the right thing to do. Over time, though, avoidance means you don't get the chance to discover that you can cope, or that what you fear is less likely to happen than it feels. The fear can then grow, along with the worry beforehand.
For example, someone afraid of dogs might cross the road whenever they see one. They feel relief each time, but their walks become more stressful, and the fear stays as strong as ever.
Together, we can understand how your fear works, what you predict might happen and what it stops you from doing. We can then plan gradual, manageable steps towards what you'd like to be able to do, with you deciding the pace.
Sessions Shaped Around You
Therapy is shaped around you. In our first session, we explore how you think, communicate and learn, what feels comfortable, and what you would like support with. Adjustments are available to everyone, whether or not you have a diagnosis.
We can vary the pace, take breaks, use visual tools or written summaries, and consider sensory needs. Between-session tasks can be broken into realistic steps. If you are Autistic or have ADHD, we also consider how your experiences, attention, energy and environment affect the work, without expecting you to fit one way of doing therapy.
For children and young people, I consider developmental needs from the beginning so that materials and the approach are suitable, and review this as we work together. Parents are an essential part of therapy for younger children, helping reinforce new ways of thinking and regulating; their involvement varies with need.
Location, Fees & Common Questions
Sessions are weekly, last 50 minutes and cost £85. We can meet in person in Cheadle Hulme or online where suitable. Payment is by bank transfer within 24 hours after your session.
In-person sessions are at 11 Station Road, Cheadle Hulme, SK8 5AF. The room is quiet, has low-level lighting and is wheelchair accessible using a lift. Parking is free for up to three hours at the ASDA next door. You are welcome to bring sensory supports.
How long will therapy take?
The length of therapy depends on your needs and goals. We agree an initial plan and review the work together, rather than giving everyone the same number of sessions.
Will I be asked to face my fear before I am ready?
We agree the plan together and take manageable steps at a pace you understand and have a say in. You can discuss what feels difficult before deciding on your next steps.
A free 20-minute telephone or video consultation gives you space to share a little of what you are experiencing, ask questions about the process and explore your next steps.
Arrange a Free 20-Minute Consultation