Effective NYC Phobia Therapy With EMDR
Phobias are a common form of psychological disorder and distress, and a reason for individuals to seek specialized therapy to ease their suffering. Generally defined as irrational fears about objects or situations, people tend to see their phobias as unreasonable but feel incapable of giving up the fear or confronting the situation head-on. Not all phobias are severe enough to impact the quality of one's life, but some are. There are many ways to treat a phobia, and some treatment methods are much more effective than others. The gold standard of treatment for phobia has historically been CBT, however there other other modalities that many mental health professionals and psychologists have found to be more effective.
Most people have certain things or situations that create discomfort but are still able to carry on with the daily activities of life. Individuals with phobias or a specific phobia have intense, irrational fears, and will experience great distress that disrupts their life, avoiding the object or situation altogether. Elevators and dentists are good examples of common phobias. Phobias can be categorized into three types: Simple, or situational, social phobias and agoraphobia.
Some common phobias include:
Heights
Elevators
Small or enclosed spaces
Animals
Blood & needles
Storms
Visiting the dentist or doctor
Flying, driving, cars, trains, or other modes of transportation
Social situations
Open spaces (agoraphobia)
Common symptoms associated with phobias include:
Avoidance
Intense dread
Dizziness
Breathlessness
Nausea
Sweating
A fear of dying
A sense of unreality
Depression
Isolation
Substance use and abuse
Suicide
Many people who suffer severe symptoms from a phobia do not talk about it. They feel shame and embarrassment, and it is not uncommon for someone with a phobia to feel very lonely and isolated. The avoidance alone creates an uncomfortable life of restrictions and challenges for the sufferer. Support groups can be helpful in addition to finding a good therapist who practices evidence-based therapies or even alternative and cutting-edge treatments such as EMDR. Which treatment option will work best for you? Every individual is different. It depends on your personality, motivation, the severity of your symptoms, and the degree to which your life is impacted by the phobia.
There are many very effective treatments available including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT - Cognitive therapy helps modify and change thinking patterns and the behavioral aspect is used to change people's reactions to anxiety-provoking situations. This is done through exposure to the object or situation in vivo, but only when the individual feels ready. Research has proven that CBT is effective for many anxiety disorders including social phobia and panic disorder.
Breathing and relaxation techniques - Specific breathing techniques are taught to help bring down the level of arousal.
Medication combined with CBT therapy - Studies indicate that antidepressant medication along with cognitive behavioral therapy is extremely effective for phobia treatment and other anxiety disorders. Medication reduces intense symptoms enough for someone to function daily while beginning other forms of treatment.
EMDR therapy - EMDR is thought to be easier for clinicians than in vivo treatment where one might not have access to the object or situation that causes fear. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation and the image of the specific target or phobia to process the experience and lessen the impact on the nervous system, thus reducing symptoms. EMDR is believed to heal the nervous system and the root cause of disturbing symptoms.
I use a combination of CBT, relaxation techniques, and EMDR therapy when working with individuals who have specific phobias, agoraphobia, and social phobia as well as any trauma, fear, or terror that seriously limits the quality of one's life.
About Phobia Therapy NYC
This practice provides a range of psychological & wellness services in NYC and throughout NY state. The goal is to individualize treatment to your unique physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual needs. I have experience working with a broad range of symptoms and approaches in psychotherapy, including but not limited to EMDR Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Holistic Mind-Body Medicine. Therapy begins with a therapeutic consultation, where you will gain a wealth of information about your difficulties. Many people feel better after the first session. The initial consultation also lays the groundwork for future treatment as we determine the best modalities to help you heal.
Psychotherapist With Nearly 20 Years Of Experience
This practice offers supportive, compassionate, and comprehensive care and also stays current on research related to mental health. My goal for you is to use my expertise and extensive training to get you back to living your life as quickly as possible.
Book An Appointment For Phobia EMDR Therapy Today
To get started, book an appointment or text at 212-529-8292. Integrative Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan can help you in your healing journey toward optimal mental health.