Hypnotherapy for phobias

A fear is a response to something that feels threatening. A phobia is an intense, persistent fear that can lead you to avoid situations or make significant changes to daily life. How much it affects you is a useful starting point for deciding to seek help.

Yes. Imagining a trigger can bring on anxiety before you encounter it. In sessions, we can work on the images, predictions and expectations that build up in your mind, as well as your response to the situation itself.

Yes, I work with long-standing fears as well as recent ones. We look at how the phobia affects you now and what you would like to do more confidently, then tailor hypnosis to those goals.

We can begin with your current triggers and reactions. Knowing what happens when you feel afraid gives us useful information. The work can focus on present-day confidence, imagery and expectations.

Yes. We discuss which fear has the biggest effect on your life and whether the fears share themes, such as feeling trapped or expecting to panic. We can work on them together or in an agreed order.

When you are already tense, tired or preoccupied, a feared situation can feel harder to manage. Sessions can address both the particular fear and the wider stress around it, with relaxation and self-hypnosis to practise between appointments.

Yes. This is often called anticipatory anxiety. We can work on repeated worrying, frightening mental pictures and expectations about coping, and rehearse approaching the event more calmly.

Yes. You can describe it in your own words. I take the effect it has on your life seriously, including unusual triggers or situations you find difficult to explain. We start with what you feel comfortable sharing.

Hypnotherapy uses focused attention, therapeutic suggestions and imagery to help change how you respond to a feared situation. I tailor the work to your triggers and goals, such as travelling, attending appointments or feeling comfortable around animals.

I use this term for learned associations and reactions that happen automatically, such as tensing up when you see a needle. Hypnosis gives us a way to explore those reactions and practise different responses through suggestions and imagery.

My work can include tailored suggestions, sensory imagery, mental rehearsal, belief work, relaxation, self-hypnosis and the rewind technique. I choose from these and other approaches according to your needs, preferences and progress.

It is a guided imagery technique that involves viewing a remembered experience from a distance, like watching a film, then changing the sequence in your imagination. I may use it to help reduce the emotional intensity of a memory. It is one of several methods available.

Many people describe feeling physically relaxed and absorbed in what I am saying, with their attention turned inward. Experiences vary: you might notice images, sensations or simply a calmer focus. I guide you through the process.

Yes. You take an active part in the session and can speak, open your eyes or pause. We agree the work together, and I explain techniques so you know what to expect.

We agree a comfortable starting point. Hypnosis can involve imagining parts of a situation and rehearsing a calmer response. Any practical steps between appointments are discussed together and paced around your readiness.

We agree concrete goals and review changes together. Progress might include less worry before an appointment, feeling steadier around a trigger or doing something you used to avoid. Your feedback helps me adapt each session.

I can help you prepare for the appointment and work on anxious thoughts, imagery and expectations around needles. Tell the medical team about your fear when booking so they can plan support during the procedure.

Tell your healthcare team about any history of fainting so they can assess it and plan appropriate care and positioning. Hypnotherapy can address the anxiety around the appointment as part of that preparation.

We can work on anticipatory anxiety, feeling comfortable in the chair and coping with sensations you find worrying. Let your dentist know about gagging or particular triggers so they can discuss practical adjustments. Hypnosis can include rehearsing the visit calmly.

Yes, I help people with anxiety about enclosed spaces, scanner noise and feeling unable to move. We can rehearse the stages of the appointment in your imagination. Tell the scanning team about your concerns in advance so they can explain their support options.

We can focus on the sensations, sounds and thoughts that trigger your fear, including turbulence and feeling far from home. Sessions can include mental rehearsal of the journey and a recording to use while safely resting before travel. Read about fear of flying hypnotherapy.

We can address the sense of being trapped, worrying about panic and imagining the worst. Hypnosis can include rehearsing a calmer response to stops and crowded journeys. My claustrophobia page explains more.

Yes, we can explore whether the main trigger is height, movement, enclosed space or feeling unsteady. The hypnosis is tailored to the exact situation you want to handle more confidently. Read about fear of heights.

I help people work on anxious predictions, panic-related worry and confidence in those driving situations. We agree practical goals and use hypnosis while you are safely resting. Explore driving anxiety hypnotherapy.

We can start with what feels manageable and discuss how you react to pictures, thoughts or real spiders. Suggestions and imagery can be adjusted to your comfort and goals. Read about spider phobia hypnotherapy.

Yes. We can focus on sudden movement, flapping wings, being approached or particular places you avoid. Sessions can help you rehearse walking through those places with a calmer response.

We can work on the emotional impact of the experience and your expectations around dogs today. The approach is tailored to your history and comfort, alongside sensible awareness of an animal’s behaviour and boundaries.

We can work on your reaction to buzzing, sudden movement and thoughts about being stung. If you have a diagnosed allergy, follow your clinician’s allergy plan; hypnotherapy can support the anxiety side of being outdoors.

Yes. A fear can have a strong effect even when the trigger seems ordinary to someone else. Tell me what bothers you, what you expect might happen and how it affects your day. That helps me tailor the work.

Yes, I work with emetophobia, including anxiety about other people being sick, public transport and social events. We explore your triggers and patterns of worry. Read more about emetophobia.

I can help with the anxiety and frightening expectations around eating. Arrange a medical assessment for swallowing difficulties or choking symptoms so the physical side is properly understood. We can then plan psychological support alongside appropriate care.

We can work on anxious anticipation, sensitivity to sounds and repeated checking that keeps your attention on the fear. Hypnosis can include rehearsing feeling calmer indoors and responding more steadily when weather changes.

Your sessions are with me, Susannah Saunders. I have practised as a clinical hypnotherapist since 2003 and work with adults on phobias, anxiety, confidence and related difficulties. Read about my experience.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, the Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma (HPD) and the Senior Qualification in Hypnotherapy Practice (SQHP). Before private practice, I worked for two years as an assistant clinical psychologist in NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Yes. I trained in solution-focused hypnotherapy with CPHT. That training is part of my wider professional background. I draw on a range of methods, adapting the approach to the person and the issue they bring.

I am registered with the General Hypnotherapy Register. You can check its practitioner register and read my qualifications and experience page. You are welcome to ask me about training, professional insurance and the complaints process before booking.

The NHS includes hypnotherapy among phobia treatment options. A 2019 meta-analysis also reported positive results for hypnosis in reducing anxiety. You can follow the NHS and research links in the evidence section above and discuss how my approach fits your particular fear.

Sessions are private and handled within the professional confidentiality boundaries we discuss before treatment, including legal and safeguarding responsibilities. My privacy policy explains how I handle your information.

My ICO registration reference is ZB654528. You can search the ICO register using this reference. Information about how I collect, use and store personal data is in my privacy policy.

CBT focuses on thoughts and behaviour; hypnosis uses focused attention, suggestions and imagery. We discuss any care you already receive and the goals you want to work on, so your hypnotherapy can fit with your wider support.

Yes. We can meet by video call while you are in a comfortable, private place. You need a reliable internet connection and a device with a camera and microphone. Read about online hypnotherapy.

We talk about your phobia, relevant health information and the changes you want. I explain my approach and answer questions, then guide you through hypnosis tailored to you. Your first appointment includes both the consultation and hypnosis.

We discuss a suitable plan after learning about your phobia and goals. The number varies with your needs and progress. We review changes together and agree the next steps as we go.

The About me and fees section above shows my current standard session fee and what is included. You can also visit the prices and appointments page or contact me with a booking question.

Yes. You receive a personalised recording after each session to listen to at home. Set aside time when you are safely resting and can give it your attention. We discuss how to use it to support your goals.

Yes. Please include the date when you enquire, so we can discuss availability and suitable preparation. Getting in touch early gives us more time to plan sessions and practise with your recording.

Choose a private room, a comfortable seat and a charged device with a stable internet connection. Silence notifications and allow time to settle in. We check that we can hear each other and agree what to do if the connection drops.

Use my contact page or call 07973 896907. Tell me briefly what you would like help with and any important dates. We can discuss your needs and arrange an initial appointment.