By Mathew 
Seeking therapy can help you manage the anxiety associated with your phobia. Phobias cause an overwhelming fear that might affect your daily life. It can also cause anxiety, which can prevent you from doing or enjoying simple things. Here are some ways that therapy can help you cope with phobias:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
One of the methods that therapists use to treat anxiety disorders such as phobias is CBT. It aids you in managing negative thoughts that cause fear and prevent you from doing things. The therapist works to help you recognize any distorted beliefs you might have about the phobia and replace them with realistic ones. The panic you feel whenever you think about the object, situation, or activity should begin to reduce gradually.
If you have a fear of flying, you might think getting on an airplane could lead to disaster. During a CBT session, the psychotherapist will guide you through an exercise that may ease your anxiety regarding that activity. They might show you statistics that highlight the safety of air travel or role-play several flight scenarios with you to teach you how to remain calm. You work to train your mind that the anxiety is based on irrational thoughts and not facts.
Exposure Therapy
CBT might also involve exposure therapy, where you face your fears in a controlled setup. The treatment starts by imagining the object or the situation, then progressing to real-life exposure. If an individual has glossophobia, the fear of speaking publicly, the doctor could have them imagine giving a speech in front of a crowd. With time, the individual may be able to write a short speech and practice it before the therapist. After several sessions, they could speak in front of a small group of friends and eventually present to a larger group at work or school. The doctor also teaches them relaxation techniques like deep breathing and visualization to help them remain calm in public.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT is another therapeutic approach for handling anxiety. Although it’s mainly used in dealing with borderline personality disorder, some therapists also use it to help people deal with intense emotions caused by phobias. This method focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal skills.
If you experience anxiety in social gatherings, DBT can aid in managing your emotions. The psychotherapist shows you how to practice mindfulness and remain present in the moment during social interactions. Your therapist could also show you distress tolerance tips like grounding for stressful scenarios. If you often have panic attacks when facing your phobia, the specialist might teach you paced breathing to calm your body and reduce panic. After regular DBT sessions, you will begin to tolerate the discomfort of confronting your phobia, especially social or interpersonal ones.
Get Help for Anxiety Today
The right therapeutic approach can help you overcome your phobia. Whether you need cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, or exposure therapy, working with a psychotherapist gives you the tools to address the fear and the anxiety accompanying it. Call psychological services today and get personalized support for your specific needs.
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