We all experience or know someone who experiences a profound fear, such as a fear of spiders, snakes or heights. This is because holding fears towards certain objects or situations is extremely common. However, in some cases, the fear reaction is so severe, and the feared stimulus is commonly encountered that the fear becomes a major burden, which interferes with our ability to function day-to-day.
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that may present as persistent fear and irrational avoidance of an object or situation. Common phobias include claustrophobia, blood or injection phobias, animal and insect phobias, height phobias, flying phobias, storm phobias, fear of death; choking and vomiting phobias, dental phobia and fear of disease. It is important to seek help if a phobia is disrupting your everyday life, or causing significant distress.
So how do you know when your worries or fears have crossed the line and are starting to affect your quality of life? There are a number of indicators which could suggest that you are experiencing a phobia, including:
Complete avoidance of a specific object, animal, environment or situation at all costs
If you are unable to avoid the feared stimulus, it is endured with a great amount of stress and anxiety
Experiencing physical sensations when coming into contact or thinking about the feared stimulus, including heart palpitations, light headedness, sweating, dizziness, or shaking
Your anger lasts a lot longer or is more extreme than one would normally expect given the situation
A phobia can occur towards anything, and will uniquely effect each person in a different way. Therefore, it can sometimes be difficult to identify. You may have experienced some of the above features, but not know specifically what the cause of them are. This could indicate a phobia towards an everyday behaviour such as socialising or leaving the house, or it could even indicate a more general experience of anxiety.
If you have a phobia which you know has been impacting on your life for a long time, or if you feel nervous and anxious without knowing why, a psychologist can help you work through this. There are a number of practitioners who specialise in phobias and anxiety, and they can assist by:
Providing an assessment to find out whether you are experiencing a phobia, what specific factors trigger your fear or anxiety, and the severity of this
Identifying the thoughts or behaviours that are contributing to the fear, and changing these into more helpful and positive ones
Providing relaxation strategies to use when in contact with the feared stimulus
Helping you overcome the phobia by gradually exposing you to the feared stimulus using practice both in and out of the session, at a pace that you feel comfortable with
Meet the someone.health psychologists currently available to see new clients for phobia counselling.
Alicia is a Clinical Psychologist who has extensive experience treating low self worth, child attachment and behaviour management and family of origin issues. This includes the experience feeling different to others growing up, family domestic violence, emotional abuse, being criticised or bullied, having low self worth or other trauma growing up.
View ProfileWesley’s warm and collaborative approach fosters the safe and supportive space his client’s need. He strives to gain a deep understanding of the difficulties you're facing, while recognising the resources you already possess. Together, you can work towards achieving a more meaning-rich life. He draws from a range of evidence-based modalities such as Solution-Focussed Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),...
View ProfileI am committed to helping my clients discover their unique strengths to overcome the challenges they may face in their life journey. I value everyone of my clients as a special person, working with them to achieve the personal goals they want to develop through counselling.
View ProfileRachel only works with children and young adults, up to the age of 25. She has over 20 years experience. Rachel has a keen interest in helping those who struggle with anxiety issues, including social anxiety, OCD and phobias. She has also worked extensively with young people who experience depression and other mood disorders, alongside other significant life events, such...
View ProfileMy main goal as a psychologist is to help people to re-discover their inner strengths. People are often very aware of their strengths and difficulties, but when things go south, they may need a little nudge from someone who is not their family or friends. I try to nudge and change in people’s perspective by pointing out other side of...
View ProfileI love getting to know you as an individual and what makes you tick. I enjoy working in a collaborative and holistic way, incorporating your strengths and values into your therapy journey. My style is conversational, warm and natural with a dash of humour thrown into the mix.
View ProfileCongratulations in taking the next step to tackling whatever it is that brought you here. I have enjoyed 20 years as a Psychologist working in a number of areas, and the one thing that ties all the people I work with is the desire for more in their lives - because they deserve more. In a judgement free space we...
View ProfileI am looking forward to working collaboratively with you to identify your goals for therapy. I will endeavour to provide an environment that is warm, flexible, non-judgemental, and empathic. I believe in building a working partnership to identify your strengths and weaknesses and to focus on finding appropriate solutions and strategies so you can achieve your desired outcomes. I am...
View ProfileHi there, I’m Hugo and I’m an early career psychologist. I see the client as the expert in their own lives and use my knowledge and skills to help you overcome the barriers that are getting in the way of leading a purposeful and meaningful life
View ProfileLuke is a psychologist with general registration who is dedicated to helping individuals improve their overall well-being and achieve their personal goals. He understands that everyone's experiences and needs are unique, and he tailors his approach to meet each person's individual needs. Luke is trained in evidence-based psychological interventions and is equipped to support clients facing a variety of challenges,...
View ProfileHi there, Well done for considering getting help as it can be hard to reach out when you’re struggling. I’ve been working as a psychologist for many years and regard it as a privilege to hear people’s personal stories and help them move forward in life. I listen deeply to help you feel heard and understood and together we can...
View ProfileClaire is deeply committed to helping individuals enhance their overall well-being. She believes that everyone possesses the capacity for growth and change and is deserving of compassionate and effective mental health care. Claire fosters a therapeutic environment that encourages clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment. She respects each individual’s unique journey and cultural background, recognizing the...
View ProfileI am a fully qualified hypnotherapist, treating all types of anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances, drug addictions, self-esteem issues, chronic pain, and IBS. I have 20 years of experience as a music teacher and taught children from age four to adults, aged 64 years. I also treat children and adolescents for peer relationship issues, school refusal, bullying, and poor school performance.
View ProfileHi ! I am Saji, a registered psychologist with over a decade of experience. I am dedicated to create a supportive, empathetic and non-judgemental space where you feel safe to share your world and experiences, and we can work on various aspects of it. Together, we can embark on a journey towards your personal growth and building a lifestyle that...
View ProfileAngela has an unwavering dedication to helping those in need overcome challenges in their lives. Her patience, curiosity and understanding allow her to build a therapeutic relationship with her clients. She is a warm and compassionate individual who successfully connects with people to feel heard and understood. Angela approaches therapy from a client-centred perspective, creating a safe and non-judgmental environment...
View ProfileLarissa has 11 years experience working in the mental health sector and her therapeutic approach includes Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectal Behaviour Therapy (DBT). She works with clients over the age of 18 who are experiencing difficulties with anxiety, various phobias, stress and self esteem issues.
View ProfileTrisha has experience working with a diverse range of clients including children, community from different cultural backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and LGBT+ community.
View ProfileKatherine has worked with a wide array of presentations, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, grief, trauma, anger management, bullying, relationship difficulties and personality disorders. Katherine has worked as a School Counsellor for five years and an English teacher for over thirty years. Katherine is experienced in dealing with adolescent development and parenting issues. She has a keen interest in working...
View ProfileJessie has expertise with the psychological impact of perinatal loss, the topic of her Ph.D. She has worked with adults experiencing mood disorders, personality disorders, procrastination, anxiety and grief. Jessie offers a supportive, non-judgmental and accepting environment for her clients to feel safe so that they can openly discuss the issues that they would like to change.
View ProfileI am committed to working with clients through a collaborative client-centered approach. I view acceptance and a non-judgmental interaction as critical components to the client-therapist relationship. I believe in focusing on strengths and self-observation skills as the keys to client change, growth, and development. I look forward to the opportunity of working with clients who are seeking to move forward...
View ProfileDeciding to see a Psychologist is a big step, so congratulations for coming this far. Once you choose a therapist, stepping into a their virtual therapy room is the next big step, and for many people this can feel overwhelming. A big part of my job is to help you feel comfortable and safe. All you have to do is...
View ProfileMy combined professional and life experiences make me highly aware of the types of difficulties encountered by people from all walks of life and the impact on their and others’ lives these obstacles to wellbeing can have. My efforts and professional skill are dedicated toward helping to make a difference and to assist people in developing their greater potential
View ProfileDajana has 20 years experience as a Psychologist working with a diverse range of clients. She has extensive experience in substance abuse and addictions, depression, anxiety, stress management, adjustment disorder, PTSD and grief and loss.
View ProfileDavid has had 15 years of experience as a Psychologist working with children, adolescents and adults. He has experience working with educational needs, with a particular focus on life long education, differential diagnosis, understanding giftedness and managing neural diversity. David has also worked extensively with people experiencing anxiety, depression, issues of self worth and attachment concerns.
View ProfileRosemary welcomes clients concerned with personal issues such as anger, stress, anxiety, and depression, self-esteem, phobias, adjustment, behavioural change, eating disorders, smoking cessation, grief and loss, and relationships. She also welcomes clients with workplace issues such as career development, motivation, performance, and interpersonal conflict. Rosemary only provides video consultations.
View ProfileMarie works with a diverse range of clients, including children, adolescents and adults. She has extensive experience working with people with disabilities, including intellectual disability and Autism. Marie has a keen interest working with people experiencing anxiety, stress, depression, low self esteem and interpersonal difficulties.
View ProfileJeanette has 27 years of experience as a psychologist. She has worked in private practice, as an Employee Assistance Provider (both internal and external) and as a teacher of counselling in a private counselling college. Jeanette has gained a lot of expertise working in many areas of psychopathology over the years and continues to enjoy ongoing professional development, offering a...
View ProfileI am a clinical psychologist with experience working with adolescents and adults. I aim to provide a safe, non-judgemental space where we can collaboratively explore the challenges you are currently facing; identify and work on the goals you want to achieve in therapy.
View ProfileManya is experienced in helping people change behaviours that form part of a chronic condition whether physical or psychological. These changes include becoming more physically active and fit; pain management; feeling in control of your eating; the moderate consumption of alcohol; and cessation of smoking & problem gambling. She also has extensive experience helping people exit a substance abuse lifestyle.
View ProfileI am excited to be able to support you in meeting your goals and managing challenging circumstances. I am passionate about delivering accessible Psychology sessions by telehealth. I am committed to working with you based on your priorities and values.
View ProfileFirst of all, I believe that it takes a great amount of courage to seek help and want to speak to someone. Hence as a practitioner, I do not take this lightly and would want to give every person the best possible opportunity to grow and manage their life challenges. Every individual comes with different life experiences and knowledge and...
View ProfileSarah uses a person-centred, strength-based approach, working in collaboration with clients to reach their therapeutic goals. Sarah is highly focused on the therapeutic relationship using a calm and relaxed manner, positive communication strategies, empathy, and understanding during therapy sessions.
View ProfileI am excited to listen and get to know you as we work together to make sense of, predict or change areas of life. My practice has always been to actively listen, to explore and to experiment using a range of psychology tools. I work using innovative approaches that highlight your strengths whilst also addressing issues or areas that are...
View ProfileDavin is a compassionate, warm, flexible, and approachable psychologist who understands the need for a safe and non-judgemental environment to support individuals in attaining better mental health and well-being. Davin has experience working with a wide range of age groups who are dealing with a wide variety of challenges. Davin is passionate about supporting individuals and providing a therapeutic, holistic,...
View ProfileRosa strives to help clients to gain greater insight into their lives to understand and overcome their presenting issues, develop their self-confidence and make meaningful changes in their lives. Rosa provides psychological services in both English and Spanish.
View ProfileSimon is a qualified primary school teacher as well as a registered psychologist. Simon has a keen interest in working with people experiencing anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and behaviour and emotional disorders in children. He has a relaxed, easy going nature and likes to provide people with the skills to manage life's challenges.
View ProfileHi! So glad you have taken this important step for yourself. I am here to listen and to support you to move forward in your life, to create a more richful, fuller and more meaningful life for yourself and to let go of the struggle which takes up so much of our time, energy and attention. It’s one thing to...
View ProfileYou can not change the waves but you can learn to surf them. I really like that saying because it emphasizes that although you might not be able to control certain situations, you can still control your reaction and response to it. You might be surprised how small changes in our behaviours or our perspectives can have a great impact...
View ProfileHi there. My name is Karen and I am looking forward to meeting you and working with you. It can be a bit scary to reach out and ask for help so I already know you have the capacity to be brave. I know it may not feel like it right now though. I really want you to feel that...
View ProfileIt is very exciting when people take the first step to being proactive in their mental health and it makes me happy that mental health is becoming a topic we can talk freely about. I am excited to learn more about you and work together on how we can begin to create the life you want for yourself.
View ProfileHi, my name is Rachel and I'd love to meet and support you. What makes therapy with me different? We will work in the moment. I will meet you where you are at and walk alongside you using my wealth of tools and my deep intuition. You are not a diagnosis or a label to me. You are precious and...
View ProfileMartin is best known for his humour and pragmatism. Martin has experience working with a diverse range of clients, including children, adolescents, adults and families. Martin has spent recent years working in a mental health clinic for people living with addictions, trauma and mood disorders.
View ProfileKathie enjoys helping a broad range of people aged 16 years and over, and has a keen interest in helping people adjust to various life transitions such as changes in work, relationships, and parenthood. Kathie also has extensive experience in helping women work through issues related to sexual intimacy. Kathie uses evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance...
View ProfileGeoff has over 10 years of experience working as a psychologist and has a keen interest working with people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, procrastination, interpersonal difficulties and low self esteem. Geoff is trained in evidence-based approaches including CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
View ProfileMy passion is helping people, in good times and tough times, and that is my aim when meeting you. I want to get to know you and help you through whatever challenges are facing you. I like to celebrate successes, even the little ones, and work through the next steps towards more success. I see every barrier or bump in...
View ProfileJade has more than 20 years experience in working with people of all ages, across both private and government settings. She has a special interest in weight management psychology, as well as mood disorders (anxiety and depression), stress management and health psychology.
View ProfileHi! I’m Wendy. I’m a dedicated psychologist who loves working with adult clients wishing to improve their mental health. I have been working in psychology since 2012. I take a client centred approach, and work with a range of evidence-based approaches individually tailored to suit to your preference and needs. I have lived most of my life in remote, rural...
View Profile“First I’ll listen, then I’ll help” Hello, I am Dr Geoff Pearce, a Performance and Positivity Psychologist and have 30 years’ experience. I work with Performance and Positivity in adults. ‘Performance’ refers to how well people do the things that are important to them
View ProfileShe has experience working with children, adolescents, older adults and CALD communities. Sharilee has worked extensively with individuals on the Autism Spectrum and with other developmental disorders. She has experience with Attentional difficulties in both neurological/biofeedback and behavioural approaches. She has also worked extensively with Anxiety and Mood disorders.
View ProfileThank you for taking a brave step in reaching out for help. I look forward to getting to know you as an individual, and assisting you in enhancing your quality of life throughout your therapeutic journey. Through my warm and empathetic approach, I endeavor to provide a safe space for you to connect with yourself in an authentic and self-compassionate...
View ProfileAs a mother myself, I know how difficult it is to see your child struggling. And I know that bringing them to therapy is such a big step for both of you. So welcome, and congratulations on taking that first step - I am so looking forward to working with you.
View ProfileJenny has been a registered Psychologist since 2005. Jenny’s key areas of interest are stress and health management, mood and anxiety disorders, parenting, managing life transitions, executive functioning and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
View ProfileI am passionate about psychology and take an individual approach to psychological services from a broad worldview and framework of practice. I seek to understand your unique experiences and situation. I believe in personal empowerment using a strengths based approach. I consider it a privilege to provide support as you take steps towards your health and wellbeing goals.
View ProfileHi, I am really looking forward to getting to know you and working together to achieve your therapy goals. I believe in a holistic approach to therapy, recognizing that the psychological and physical both impact overall mental well-being and as such my approach to therapy includes elements of each in order to achieve lasting change.
View ProfileI look forward to working with you on this journey through collaboration to understand your goals and work towards developing a plan tailored to achieving these goals. I have a client centered approach to counselling and ensure that focus is on ensuring that any treatment is individualised to suit your needs which is aimed to promote functional, psychological, and social...
View ProfileI am an experienced, generalist psychologist specialising in counselling for people living in rural and remote areas. Whether you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, are having difficulty negotiating a life or career transition, illness or disability, are struggling with relationship issues, or simply want someone independent to talk to, I am ready to...
View ProfileHello! My name is Toni. I am a dedicated Clinical Psychologist and Coach passionate about working with those wanting to live life according to what matters most – even if you are not sure what that is at the moment. I aim to help you cultivate curiosity and develop the strength and tools to live your life to the fullest...
View ProfileIoanna has over 30 years of experience working with a diverse range of clients including adolescents, adults and seniors in both rural and urban settings. Ioanna is keen to work with clients who experience anxiety and depression, low self esteem, family and/or relationship conflicts, amongst other areas or simply to be a sounding board.
View ProfileI’m a warm and engaging Clinical Psychologist who works collaboratively with my clients to develop evidence-based interventions to help clients reach their goals. While skilled in the treatment of mental health disorders, my approach to sessions goes beyond treating symptoms, to address broader goals including motivation, client-centred values, identity, meaning, and purpose. I use a range of evidence-based models including...
View ProfileI have learned that deep and lasting change is possible, that long-term issues can be resolved, and people can be free of emotional pain they carry by making sense of difficult experiences together, both past and present, and moving towards a place of self-understanding. Michiel works with adults and adolescents using an integrative approach which is based on empathy and...
View ProfileCaroline is very approachable and believes that positive change is sustainable, working holistically and using practical strategies, developing new skills and psychological interventions to achieve the best outcomes for you. She has been the principal psychologist and proprietor of Pure Gold Christian Counselling and Psychological Services for eight years.
View ProfileAdauto has 14 years of experience in a private practice focusing on anxiety, depression and life changes (work, divorce, sexuality and maturing) with young adults. Adauto believes that each person can benefit from problem solving strategies, but also from finding causes and reasons. Adauto studied Psychology in Brazil and applies CBT, ACT and DBT modalities.
View ProfileHi! I'm looking forward to supporting you on your journey in working towards your goals, wherever you want to go. I aim to provide a safe space to talk about difficult things and value working with a bit of humour. Sometimes it helps bring some spark of joy back to the day to day. It can add meaning when it...
View ProfileI am looking forward to meeting many and varied clients to work with together to bring the very best in your life. My style is relaxed and friendly and I like to focus on the relationship we build together. I have practiced for over 30 years with all range of problems so I welcome all or any struggles in your...
View ProfileI like to take a unique approach, tailoring strategies around what works best for you. Whether you are comfortable with talk therapy or taking a more creative approach, I can be flexible in my therapeutic style. I look forward to getting to you know as a person so we can work together creating a better life for you. I am...
View ProfileMatthew is trained in several evidence-based therapies, including; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Motivational Interviewing. Matthew has a keen interest in working with people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma related concerns, drug and alcohol misuse, and OCD.
View ProfileWill is a warm and compassionate Psychologist who is passionate about supporting individuals attain greater mental health and well-being. Therapeutic sessions are centered around helping individuals gain a deeper insight of themselves, their behavioural patterns and self-beliefs.
View ProfileMichelle is a registered psychologist of over 20 years and has pent the last 15 years working in a private practice setting, where she became passionate about working with couples, teenagers, and anxiety disorders. She is trained in Gottman, Emotion Focussed Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
View ProfileTony supports people with a variety of presentations including depression, anxiety, stress, adjustment difficulties, grief and loss, addictions and work-related conditions such as burnout and career transition. Tony can also provide support in a high performance context (for example athletes & executives, start-up founders). Having lived in multiple continents and being from a multi-cultural background, Tony is able to support...
View ProfileHi, I am very excited to meet you, get to know you as a person and work together to achieve the change you desire, the life you would like for yourself. I am committed to working with you, the whole person and I will treat you as a real person, not just see your issue. I want you, us, to...
View ProfileI believe that therapy is an opportunity to gain a better understanding of ones self in a professionally supportive environment. My goal is to empower my clients to believe and better handle life stressors through utilizing their own strengths. I see life stressors as a way to help us build resilience and as a journey to better oneself. I assists...
View ProfileHi, I’m Leah, a wholistic psychologist specialising in creating a positive outlook and cultivating whole body and mind wellbeing. I will explore and unpack your history with you to the extent that it affects your current functioning and collaborate with you to forge the path forwards toward a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life of meaning and purpose.
View ProfileNina has a keen interest in working with people experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship and family difficulties, gender identity issues, work stress, low self-esteem, anger issues, survivors of sexual abuse and other childhood trauma. She is trained in several evidence based approaches, including CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
View ProfileBilyana's 20 years’ experience is vast, having started my career in nursing before embarking on study to become a Clinical Psychologist. She sees people presenting with a broad spectrum of presentations, including trauma, depressive and anxiety based disorders, workplace bullying, phobias, relationship issues, stress disorders, schizophrenia, self-harm, suicidal behaviour, personality disorders, grief and relationship issues.
View ProfileCarolina offers sessions in English and Portuguese, for adults and adolescents, covering a vast spectrum of psychological conditions including as anxiety, depression, interpersonal difficulties, relationship issues, and parenting-related difficulties. She has over 10 years experience in the academic and professional spheres of Psychology.
View ProfileJames' approach to mental health is about mind-body integration and looking at the “whole person”. Mental health influences how we feel, think and move, how we communicate and relate to the world, and can seriously impact our physical health. James will hep make sense of how this all fits together, to explore unhelpful thoughts and behaviour, and identify different options.
View ProfileDarren has been helping people from a psychological perspective for over 17 years. He is experienced working with depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress, anger management, loss and grief, as well as intellectual, physical, developmental disabilities. Darren has also experienced life as a wine merchant, martial artist, security officer and as a tradesman.
View ProfileJulian's professional style is a person-to-person clinical practice focusing on individual needs. He works in a natural and holistic style. Your personal preferences are key to the therapy that you receive. Julian delivers therapy that considers your being in the world so that you can gain positive personal relationships and satisfying personal interactions.
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