How to Face Your Phobias with Confidence
A Brief Guide to Overcoming What Scares You
Phobias are intense, irrational fears that lead to avoidance and limit life. Whether it's spiders, heights, flying, or embarrassing social situations.
At The Tunbridge Wells Psychologist, we support clients to confront their fears through Exposure Therapy.
What Exactly Is a Phobia?
A phobia is more than mere dislike, it's significant anxiety activated by specific triggers, interfering with your daily life. Common phobias include:
Agoraphobia (open spaces, leaving home)
Arachnophobia (spiders)
Acrophobia (heights)
Claustrophobia (enclosed spaces)
Phobias function via avoidance—they persist because avoidance prevents learning that the feared outcome won't happen.
Why Exposure Works
CBT with exposure helps you gradually face the fear—step by step—so it loses its emotional power. Each small success helps rewire your brain's response.
Step-by-Step Exposure Plan
dientify the feared object/situation clear and specific
Create an anxiety hierarchy, from least to most scary
Start small, then gradually move up
Stay until anxiety reduces, instead of escaping early
Repeat and progress, each time with confidence
What to Expect During Exposure
You may feel anxious but learning to withstand that discomfort is the goal. If avoidance is impacting your career, travel, or quality of life, don't wait. A few sessions with a Clinical Psychologist can make phobias much more manageable.
