About phobias
On this page you will find therapists who list phobias among their specialties, with profile details about approaches, credentials, languages and focus areas. Browse the listings below to review therapist summaries and find professionals who align with your needs.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether phobias is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page has phobias among the areas they told the platform they work with. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for phobias
Savithri (Savi) Jayaweera, NCPS
Ref 151058
Compassionate counsellor for complex life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Hindi, Sinhala
View listingAngela Teasdale, NCPS
Ref 119622
Supportive counsellor focusing on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDallas Bentley, ACA
Ref 345691
Practical support for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJames French, BACP
Ref 203032
Practical support for anxiety and life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingTomasz Konieczny, BACP, NCPS
Ref 199992
Practical, compassionate online counselling
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English, Polish
View listingClement West, BACP
Ref 167549
Gentle, practical support for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDavid Potts, LCSW
Ref 23255
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingNicola Claydon, NCPS
Ref 183763
Calm, practical support for complex life issues
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingRichard Gordon-Smith , NCPS
Ref 120083
Straightforward, experienced counsellor for complex issues
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting Languages: English
View listingWellington Cesar Assis Bueno, BACP
Ref 226813
Healing emotions, building clearer choices
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingKizzie Wells-Daniels, LPC
Ref 67515
Therapist for stress, parenting, and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Parenting, Anger Languages: English
View listingRebecca "Becca" Mather, BACP
Ref 236007
Compassionate, practical support for life’s pressures
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting Languages: English
View listingJoanne Rothery, NCPS
Ref 179003
Compassionate counsellor for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingFrank Centonze, LPC
Ref 297421
Direct, practical counseling for emotional recovery
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingAnjanette Morton, LMHC
Ref 207471
Calm, practical support for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJoshua Plantz, LMHC
Ref 10378
Practical, goal-focused counseling for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingMichael Witham, LPC
Ref 56161
Practical, person-focused counseling for daily struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingCallie Roberts, LPC
Ref 261180
Calm practical support for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Anger Languages: English
View listingJohn Swearengin, LPC
Ref 93490
Practical support for stress, addiction, and mood
Works with: Addictions, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingClaudia Santiago, LCSW
Ref 149793
Practical, collaborative therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English, Spanish
View listingAndrea Antrobus, BACP
Ref 121857
Warm counsellor blending practical therapy and listening
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingMaria Wilson, LCSW
Ref 138055
Understanding, practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingPaul Bryan, LPC
Ref 175985
Compassionate counselor guiding steady change
Works with: Family, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingFaye Noyland, BACP
Ref 176481
Calm, practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDonna Watts, BACP
Ref 219020
Compassionate, practical support for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDr. Robert Hunt, LPC
Ref 187307
Experienced therapist for life changes and emotion work
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingKim Smith, BACP
Ref 203026
Warm integrative BACP counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Grief Languages: English
View listingChris Rottcher, NCPS
Ref 167547
Compassionate integrative counsellor for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Afrikaans
View listingJamie Finkelstein, LPC
Ref 16744
Compassionate counselor for practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDanielle Turner, LCPC
Ref 43399
Practical, compassionate therapy for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Parenting Languages: English
View listingRani Sagar, BACP
Ref 180509
Gentle humanistic counselling for life changes
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingChase Carter, LCSW
Ref 330670
Skilled LCSW focused on relationships and recovery
Works with: Addictions, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingPeter Bramhill, BACP
Ref 236747
Practical, compassionate counselling for life’s challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRosalind Oliver, BACP
Ref 232595
Gentle practical therapy for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, German
View listingJatindar Bhogal, BACP
Ref 116956
Calm, experienced support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Punjabi
View listingKirstie Beckman, BACP
Ref 241734
Compassionate counselling focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingAyelet Wellard, NCPS
Ref 236001
Person-centred therapy with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Hebrew
View listingBrittany Meredith, LCPC
Ref 310847
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingFiona Scotland, BACP
Ref 147790
Calm practical counselling for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingAbbe Goodman, LMFT
Ref 226386
Experienced therapist offering steady support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Eating Languages: English
View listingKeith Brown, LCSW-R
Ref 74478
Collaborative, practical therapy for real life
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Depression Languages: English
View listingAngela Lindl, BACP
Ref 155213
Calm practical therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingMelanie Duffin, BACP
Ref 241752
Practical, compassionate help for daily struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingLaDreamer Harrison, LCSW
Ref 267200
Supportive LCSW helping people find practical change
Works with: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingPuja Attul, NCPS
Ref 173304
Compassionate therapist offering practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDr. Betsy Puentes, LMFT, LPC
Ref 212361
Calm guidance for lifes tough moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingKimberley Roberts, LCSW, CSW
Ref 103862
Practical support for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingMore about phobias
Understanding phobias and how they affect you
Phobias are intense, persistent fears of specific objects, situations or experiences that often go beyond reasonable concern. You may have been avoiding a place, situation or activity for a long time because the thought of encountering it causes significant distress, physical symptoms or disruption to daily routines. For some people the fear is tied to a particular object, like insects or needles. For others it centers on settings such as heights, flying, or enclosed spaces. Social phobia, sometimes called social anxiety, focuses on interactional fears while specific phobias are limited to clearly defined triggers.
Living with a phobia can mean planning your days around avoidance, missing opportunities, or feeling anxious in situations others find routine. That worry may show up as rapid heartbeat, trembling, nausea or a strong urge to flee when you face a trigger. If you find yourself altering travel plans, work choices or relationships to steer clear of triggers, that pattern can be a sign that treatment could help you regain flexibility and confidence. Therapy is not about eliminating reasonable caution - it is about helping you respond in ways that let you live according to your goals rather than your fears.
Signs that you might benefit from therapy for phobias
You might consider seeking help if your fear is frequent, intense or lasts for months and if it interferes with things that matter to you. Common indicators include routine avoidance that limits activities, strong physical reactions when facing a trigger, or ongoing worry about encountering the feared object or situation. You may notice that your fear feels out of proportion to the actual danger, or that you spend a lot of energy planning routes, events or jobs to minimize exposure.
Emotional signs can be persistent dread, shame about your reactions, or feeling isolated because you cannot take part in social or recreational activities. Practical impacts can show up as missed work, strained relationships or difficulty traveling. If your responses are creating a pattern that you cannot change on your own, therapy can offer methods to reduce avoidance and to build strategies that help you manage symptoms and move toward goals. At the first session you and a therapist can talk about how the fear started, how it shows up now, and realistic aims for treatment so you have a clearer sense of next steps.
What to expect in therapy sessions focused on phobias
Sessions for phobias often begin with assessment and collaborative goal setting so you and your therapist have a shared roadmap. You can expect a careful exploration of triggers, the thoughts and bodily sensations that arise, and the ways avoidance has shaped your daily life. Early work tends to involve education about fear and anxiety - understanding how the nervous system responds and how avoidance maintains fear - so you know why certain techniques are recommended.
Therapy may involve gradual behavioral work where you practice facing feared situations in a controlled way, starting with less threatening steps and building toward more challenging exposures. You will likely learn tools to manage physiological reactions, such as breathing techniques, muscle relaxation or grounding strategies, and ways to notice and reframe unhelpful thoughts. Sessions often include planning for real-world practice, reviewing what worked and adjusting the pace. Many people find that predictable structure, clear steps and supportive coaching help them do exposure work without feeling overwhelmed. Progress is measured by your ability to do more of what matters to you with less interference from fear.
Common therapeutic approaches used for phobias
There are several approaches therapists may use when working with phobias. Cognitive behavioral approaches focus on the interaction between thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and often emphasize behavioral experiments and exposure as central tools. Exposure methods help you face feared stimuli in a gradual, repeated way so that the fear response decreases over time through new learning. Some therapists combine exposure with cognitive work that helps you identify and test the beliefs that fuel avoidance.
Other approaches include acceptance-based strategies that teach you to make room for anxious sensations while moving toward valued actions, and mindfulness-informed practices that strengthen awareness of the present moment without being swept away by fear. Some therapists list EMDR among their approaches for processing past events that may be linked to a phobia. You may also find therapists who use virtual reality to simulate exposure in a controlled setting. When reading profiles, note which approaches a therapist lists and think about how those methods align with your preferences for hands-on behavioral work, reflective talk therapy or a blend of techniques.
How online therapy works for this specialty
Online therapy can be an accessible way to work on phobias, especially when travel, timing or geography make in-person care difficult. You can meet with a therapist over video or audio sessions to discuss your history, practice cognitive strategies and plan exposure exercises. For some types of phobias, online sessions allow for in-the-moment guidance during real-world practice when you are outside the therapy room, which can speed the transfer of skills into daily life.
When you choose online work, you should ask about session format, how homework and between-session practice are supported, and whether a therapist uses tools such as smartphone exercises or recorded guidance. Virtual reality and in-session exposure can sometimes be adapted to remote formats, depending on your technology and the therapist's approach. Online work also requires planning for a distraction-free environment and a reliable connection so sessions can proceed smoothly. Many people appreciate the convenience of meeting from a familiar setting while still receiving structured, goal-focused therapy.
Tips for choosing the right therapist for phobias
Choosing a therapist is a personal decision that depends on the match between your needs and a therapist's focus, approach and style. Start by reviewing profiles to find therapists who list phobias or anxiety as an area of focus and who describe approaches that resonate with you. Pay attention to whether a therapist emphasizes exposure-based work, cognitive methods, acceptance-oriented strategies, or combinations of techniques, because comfort with the method can influence your engagement and results.
Consider practical factors such as session format - in-person, video or phone - and whether a therapist lists languages or cultural experience that match your preferences. Look for descriptions of population focus, such as working with adults, teens or specific life stages, so you can find someone familiar with your context. When you reach out, prepare questions about how a therapist structures sessions, how they support between-session practice and how progress is tracked. Think about rapport - you should feel heard and understood - and whether a therapist's communication style fits how you like to work. Finally, trust your sense of fit; effective work often depends on a partnership where you feel supported to try new approaches and to make steady progress toward living the life you want despite fears.
Phobia-focused therapy is practical, structured and often offers tangible steps you can use right away. Whether you choose in-person or online sessions, reviewing therapist profiles and noting approaches, experience and communication style can help you find a match that aligns with your goals and comfort level. Use the therapist listings above to explore options and begin a conversation about the approach that feels most helpful for you.