Many people are afraid of something. Whether it is going to get a blood test, heights, flying on a plane, or vomiting, it is common for most people to have at least something they will try to avoid if they can.

While common, some phobias have a greater impact on our life than others, especially if they are unavoidable. For example, some people with a fear of flying will simply choose not to get on a plane, however for others, this may mean missing an interstate job opportunity or making memories on a family holiday.

Some phobias are common especially earlier in life (i.e., dogs, fear of the dark) but people will often grow out of these with age. Other phobias develop over time. If someone has had a particularly bad or traumatic experience, a phobia may be borne from this to avoid having this bad experience again.

The good news is that is possible to overcome phobias with a therapy called CBT and graded exposure. This involves challenging any unhelpful thoughts you have about your fear, and gradually facing your fear at your own pace until your reach your goal. While this may sound daunting, Katie is highly experiencing at treating phobias and aims to make it a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a phobia that is impacting their quality of life, get in touch with our friendly team and we would be happy to help.