Many people feel nervous around things like flying, spiders, or injections. But when fear turns into panic, avoidance, and disruption, it may be a specific phobia.
At J&R Psychology, we offer evidence-based treatment for specific phobias, helping you move past fear and get back to living.
A specific phobia is an intense, irrational fear of a particular object or situation, like flying, needles, animals, or enclosed spaces. The fear is strong enough that people go out of their way to avoid it, even when it disrupts daily life, limits opportunities, or causes distress.
The key difference between a general fear and a phobia is how much it impacts your choices, comfort, and confidence.
Phobias often begin in childhood but can continue or emerge in adulthood. They affect around 1 in 10 people, with similar rates across age groups.
A specific phobia can quietly take over your choices, often without you realising how much it’s holding you back. You might:
Even if you know the fear is irrational, it can still feel overpowering. And the more you avoid it, the stronger it gets.
At J&R Psychology, we offer structured, evidence-based treatment for specific phobias using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This approach helps reduce fear and build lasting confidence through gradual, supported exposure.
Your psychologist will work with you to:
You stay in control throughout the process, with your psychologist helping you move forward in a way that feels safe and manageable.
A specific phobia involves intense fear that feels out of proportion to the actual danger. It also leads to avoidance or distress that affects your daily life. If it’s been going on for 6 months or more, it may meet the criteria for diagnosis.
We help with a wide range of phobias, including fear of flying, heights, animals, needles, enclosed spaces, vomiting, and more, across both children and adults.
In most cases, phobias don’t resolve without support. Avoidance tends to strengthen the fear over time. Treatment helps break that cycle in a structured, manageable way.
We use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), including gradual exposure and anxiety management techniques. CBT helps you face feared situations with greater confidence and control.
No. We always start with education and preparation. Exposure is introduced gradually, and you stay in control throughout the process.
