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
Angela Neary, BACP
Ref 109659
Experienced person-centred counsellor with practical support
Works with: Addictions, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingCleo Irish Zorrilla, BACP
Ref 258501
Compassionate, practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingSiyue Zhang, AASW
Ref 243585
Calm, practical therapy focused on real-life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Mandarin
View listingMalak Alsaidi, LCSW
Ref 203999
Supportive New York LCSW focused on healing
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingYumi Lemaster, LCSW
Ref 2633
Skilled, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingWilliam Signey, BACP
Ref 113870
Practical, person-focused counselling for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingJonetta Wakely, LPC
Ref 124539
Practical, listening-focused counseling for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJonathan Stuart, NCPS
Ref 175272
Practical, respectful support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingLiisa Hiltunen, PACFA
Ref 317033
Calm practical therapy with coaching focus
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingBrandi Kelly, LA Psychologist
Ref 201932
Experienced Louisiana psychologist focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Parenting, Depression Languages: English
View listingShannon Mott, LCSW
Ref 108724
Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingTammy Russell, LMHC
Ref 181426
Compassionate, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingCory Nelson, LPC
Ref 77586
A steady, practical counselor focused on goals
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingDarwin Allen, LCPC
Ref 125869
Direct, practical counseling for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingAnnie Taylor, NCPS
Ref 153305
Experienced client-centred counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingAnna Gilmore, BACP
Ref 109642
Compassionate counsellor for complex life challenges
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Grief, Eating Languages: English
View listingNicholas Taylor, BACP
Ref 242465
Practical person-centred counselling for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingJennifer Mcpherson (Norman), BACP
Ref 161239
Experienced relationship and trauma counsellor
Works with: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMark McConnell, BACP
Ref 208651
Practical support for stress and change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingLouis Blea, LPC
Ref 277410
Practical, strengths-focused counseling for common struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDale Thompson, LCSW, CSW
Ref 341301
Practical, experienced help for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDarla McAdams, LPC
Ref 58935
Practical, person-focused counseling in Missouri
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT Languages: English
View listingStacey Sugar, MD, LCPC, LPCC
Ref 2629
Relationship-focused therapist who values authentic change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingIjeoma Nweze, BACP, NCPS
Ref 203170
Compassionate counsellor for everyday challenges
Works with: Relationship, Family, Parenting Languages: English, Igbo
View listingHarjit Kundi, BACP
Ref 183353
Practical, compassionate support for complex issues
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT Languages: English, Punjabi
View listingKerrie McCabe, BACP
Ref 128546
Compassionate counsellor blending listening with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDonna Khan, LMSW
Ref 29669
Experienced social worker focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJosephine Sultana, AASW
Ref 309775
Compassionate social worker blending therapy and lifestyle care
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Sleeping Languages: English
View listingLoire Bennett, LMHC
Ref 25344
Experienced Florida LMHC focused on practical growth
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Grief Languages: English
View listingReuben Alexander, NCPS
Ref 212721
Practical, focused therapy for anxious and stuck feelings
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Sleeping, Depression Languages: English
View listingKalpna Kerai, BACP
Ref 165701
Calm, practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingEdward Mcguinness, BACP
Ref 263954
Practical, respectful support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDebby Sawyer, LIMHP
Ref 236392
Experienced, practical help for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDaniel Windemer, NCPS
Ref 173238
Calm, practical counselling to help you move forward
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingRobert Marshall, BACP
Ref 116379
Person-centred counsellor with practical focus
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingCatherine Kearns, BACP
Ref 183397
Practical, person-focused therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingJoanne Fabrick, LPC
Ref 148298
Experienced Texas counselor focused on practical growth
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDonald Henderson, LMHC
Ref 68596
Practical support for trauma and life change
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Grief, Anger Languages: English
View listingSophia Mas, LMHC
Ref 91155
Compassionate counselor with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Spanish
View listingLorelle Busby, BACP
Ref 182380
Practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingLouise Fielder, BACP
Ref 137857
Calm client-centred counselling for practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingDr. William Cook, BACP, NCPS
Ref 167158
Supportive counsellor for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Spanish, French
View listingCarlos Camarena, LSCSW
Ref 71035
Practical, respectful therapy you can use now
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Sleeping Languages: English
View listingVictoria Bowker, NCPS
Ref 293367
Calm, practical counselling for life’s hard moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingCarolyn Faucette, LISW
Ref 143321
Compassionate, practical therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingWendy Kesel, LCSW-R
Ref 204558
Compassionate guidance for practical life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Parenting Languages: English
View listingCharm Tinn, BACP
Ref 141082
Supportive counsellor for trauma and change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Eating Languages: English
View listingCanse Karatas (MBACP), BACP
Ref 150906
Compassionate counsellor for lasting change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem 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.