- Do you experience extreme anxiety when confronted with a certain object or situation, such as fear of driving, getting sick, animals, or public speaking?
- Do you tend to avoid these objects or situations but wish you could overcome your anxiety?
- Have you wanted to end your phobia but are hesitant to confront your fears?
Experiencing a phobia is a common anxiety disorder. A phobia is a significant fear or anxiety about specific objects or situations. For example, some people experience a negative emotional reaction when they see snakes, dogs, bugs, blood, bridges, or vomit, while others may avoid flying, driving, or giving a presentation.
How Did I Get a Phobia?
Often, phobias are conditioned from earlier events, such as experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Individuals often don’t recall the specific instance when the phobia developed. You may have experienced fear when you were bitten by a dog as a child, and you subsequently generalized this fear to all dogs. This process, called conditioning, is a common reason individuals experience phobias. Additionally, over the years, your mind has generated a lot of negative associations related to the feared object or situation, which leads to avoidance. Although avoidance may minimize your anxiety and fear, this behavior can exacerbate your phobia.
Experiencing a phobia can cause significant problems in your life. You may feel negatively impacted by your relationships, work, and home life. Avoidance of phobias may even limit your professional or personal aspirations.
Adults, adolescents, and children can be affected by phobias. Phobias commonly develop in childhood. Risk factors for developing a phobia include one’s temperament, environment, and genetics. You may struggle with other emotional issues, such as anxiety, depression, or addiction.
Phobia Treatment
Fortunately, there are efficacious treatments for phobias. Psychological treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), biofeedback, hypnosis, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy are especially effective in phobia treatment.
If you feel your phobia negatively impacts your life and hinders your well-being, mental health counseling can help you. Dr. Mazzei, Health Psychologist, has worked with numerous individuals to help them overcome their phobias. She is knowledgeable about phobias’ neurological, emotional, and behavioral aspects.
Dr. Mazzei works with the following phobias:
Dr. Mazzei specializes in CBT, ACT, EMDR, biofeedback, and hypnosis as proven psychological phobia therapies. Within a non-judgmental and supportive therapeutic environment, she will help you gain insight, develop practical and long-term coping skills, and improve your overall functioning. If you are suffering from anxiety, depression, addiction, or a traumatic past, Dr. Mazzei can also help with these issues. During therapy, you will learn new ways of managing thinking, feeling, and behaving to overcome your phobia and live a fulfilling life.
How Dr. Mazzei Can Help
The best place to start is by speaking to Dr. Mazzei, who can discuss phobia treatment, answer any questions about the process, and schedule a confidential appointment. Simply follow these simple steps:
- Text today at (480) 448-6755 or e-mail for a consultation
- Or, you can book directly online
- Begin your journey towards a fulfilling and healthier life
Dr. Mazzei offers both in-person and teletherapy for online phobia treatment for residents of Arizona, Illinois, Tennessee, and PSYPACT states. Her private practice is located at 3377 S. Price Rd., Suite 2104, Chandler, AZ.