Hypnotherapy for Fears and Phobias
Face Fears With Confidence, Calm Your Nervous System, and Regain Your Freedom
Learn to soothe an overprotective nervous system, reduce panic and avoidance responses, and rebuild confidence through evidence-based, solution focused hypnotherapy.
How Hypnotherapy Helps With Fears and Phobias
Solution focused hypnotherapy does not claim to instantly cure phobias and does not replace psychological or specialist anxiety treatment. However, it can be a valuable supportive therapy alongside other forms of care and professional support.
Hypnotherapy can help to:
Calm an overactive nervous system that perceives threats and triggers fight-or-flight responses
Reduce panic symptoms, racing heart, and physical sensations connected to feared situations
Support emotional regulation when facing fears and building tolerance for manageable anxiety
Improve confidence and resilience, gently expanding what feels possible and safe
Ease catastrophic or unhelpful thought patterns that can amplify fear and avoidance
Rebuild a sense of calm, control, and capability at a manageable pace
Support gradual re-engagement with activities and situations that fear has limited
Many clients notice improvements in their ability to approach feared situations, feel calmer in the face of triggers, and take back control of their lives, even as confidence builds gradually and naturally.
Why Choose Solution Focused Hypnotherapy for Fears and Phobias?
Solution focused hypnotherapy is a forward-focused therapeutic approach that supports freedom from fear and combines:
Solution focused brief therapy techniques
Neuroscience-based psychoeducation
Clinical hypnosis
Rather than analysing the origins of your fear or focusing on what you’re afraid of, this approach helps calm the mind and nervous system, reduce panic responses and avoidance patterns, and strengthen your ability to feel safe and capable.
Sessions are structured, practical, and carefully adapted to support nervous system regulation, gently building confidence and resilience, and moving forward at a pace that feels safe and achievable.
Who Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Can Help
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can support people experiencing fears or phobias by helping to calm an overactive nervous system, reduce panic responses and avoidance, and ease the emotional distress that can limit freedom and quality of life.
Rather than dwelling on why the fear started or focusing on distressing scenarios, this approach helps the mind and body settle in the present, creating the conditions needed for calm thinking, confidence, and the ability to approach feared situations with less fear.
Sessions are practical, structured, and time-limited, with an emphasis on gently calming the nervous system, building confidence and resilience, and supporting you toward greater freedom at a pace that feels manageable and comfortable. Many clients find this a supportive, forward-focused alternative to traditional talking therapies, helping them move past their fears and reclaim their life.
How It Works
Over our sessions, we’ll work together to help you:
Understand how the brain and nervous system interpret threat and trigger fear and panic responses, and how this protective system can become overactive
Learn tools to calm the nervous system when triggered, reduce panic symptoms, and create more space between fear and response
Develop a more supportive, solution-focused approach to building confidence and facing fears gradually
Reinforce feelings of calm, safety, and confidence through guided relaxation and hypnosis
Each session is structured as follows:
A discussion of “what’s been good?” to help your brain notice moments of bravery, times when you felt calmer, or situations you managed with less fear, however small, and move into a more grounded state. These do not need to be major achievements — perhaps you approached something that scared you, or felt less anxious thinking about it.
Brain revision to remind you of the neuroscience behind fear and phobias, including how the nervous system perceives threat, how panic occurs, how avoidance maintains fear, and how calming the system supports confidence and resilience.
A simple scaling exercise to explore how you are managing your fear this week and what might help you feel slightly more capable or less anxious.
A visualisation exercise to explore what freedom from fear might look like, how you might feel approaching situations without panic, and what small step you can take to build confidence naturally.
A guided relaxation to support nervous system regulation and gently reinforce calm, confidence, and capability at a subconscious level.
Many clients notice a real difference after just a few sessions.
Meet Laura
My name is Laura Bartlett and I am a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist, with a strong academic and professional background in psychology and evidence-based therapy. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Royal Holloway, University of London, alongside a Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and a Hypnotherapy in Practice Diploma.
I am a registered member of the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH), fully insured, and hold an enhanced DBS certificate — so you can be confident you are working with a qualified, professional, and ethical practitioner.
Before retraining as a therapist, I spent 20 years working in the London corporate world as an insurance broker. With an Advanced Diploma in Insurance (ACII) and a Level 3 Diploma in Management and Leadership, my approach is practical, grounded, and evidence-informed.
You’re In Safe Hands
Membership Number: 2625
The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists (AfSFH) maintains the only dedicated register for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists. All members are fully qualified, insured, and required to follow a strict Code of Conduct and professional standards. AfSFH also sets and monitors best-practice standards, with members completing at least 21 hours of ongoing professional development each year, including regular supervision and further training.
Membership Number: 12094
The National Council for Hypnotherapy holds one of the largest registers of independent Hypnotherapists in the United Kingdom and strives to maintain the highest standards among its members.
There is an agreed Code of Conduct, an established Complaints & Disciplinary Procedure and all members are obliged to maintain comprehensive Public Liability & Professional Indemnity Insurance, maintain regular CPD (continuing professional development) hours, and attend Supervision when needed.
CASE STUDY: Overcoming a Lifelong Fear of Flying
Details changed for confidentiality reasons)
Amy had struggled with a fear of flying for her entire life. Previous attempts to manage this fear, including a structured fear-of-flying course, had helped her understand some of the physical sensations and noises associated with air travel, but had not eliminated the crippling anxiety she experienced. Flights remained stressful and overwhelming, often avoided entirely.
Seeking a more personalised approach, Amy attended solution focused hypnotherapy sessions with Laura Bartlett. The therapy focused on understanding how the mind responds to fear, reassuring Amy that her reactions were natural, and helping her brain reframe flying as a safe experience rather than a threat.
During her first flight following hypnotherapy, Amy experienced only brief moments of panic, not because of the plane itself, but due to the unfamiliar sensation of remaining calm. She described the experience as surreal, able to sit and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Alps without being overwhelmed by fear.
The sessions helped Amy understand that fear is a protective mechanism designed to keep us safe, but that sometimes the brain misinterprets safe situations as dangerous. Through relaxation techniques, cognitive reframing, and solution focused strategies, she was able to reduce the emotional intensity of her anxiety and regain control over her responses.
Thanks to the therapy, Amy was able to enjoy a family ski holiday in Italy, something that had previously seemed impossible. She now feels confident allowing her loved ones to fly without experiencing worry and is able to engage in air travel with calm and composure.
This case demonstrates how solution focused hypnotherapy can help people overcome lifelong phobias, supporting nervous system regulation, reframing fear responses, and creating practical, lasting change.
Client Testimonials
“Hi everyone! Just wanted to write a massive thank you to Laura Bartlett who offered the hypnotherapy sessions recently. I took her up on her kind offer and it turned out to be one of the best thing I have ever done. I’ve been an anxious flyer my whole life and avoided it at all costs. I’ve done a fear of flying course previously which helped explain a lot of the sensations and noises but didn’t cure the crippling fear. This flight I had a couple of moments where I panicked slightly….not due to the plane but because of myself it felt wrong that I wasn’t panicking. So surreal to sit there calmly looking at this breathtaking view of the alps! I’d 100% recommend trying hypnotherapy, Laura gave me an understanding on how the mind works, reassured me that fear isn’t rational or logical and it’s not something you can control. Fear is there to keep you safe but at some point my brains filed flying away under dangerous which explains why the mere sight of a plane could send me into a panic. But my rational brain knows it’s safe, I’ll allow my loved ones to fly without me and don’t experience that worry while they are in the air. I’m having the most amazing ski holiday in Italy with my family and it wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you Laura! Xx ” — Amy, Female, 36
“Although I haven’t flown yet I definitely feel calmer and have noticed less negative thoughts around flying. I actually feel positive about booking and taking a flight.
As my fear of flying is around feeling trapped I’ve really seen a positive change around how I feel on London Underground. No negative thoughts and more relaxed .
The recording given by Laura has really helped me take time out to relax. I’ve also thought more about the positive things that happen during my week.” — Andrea, Female, 35
Next Steps…
Ready to face your fears with confidence?
Book an initial consultation or learn how solution focused hypnotherapy can help you overcome fears and phobias and rebuild a sense of calm, control, and freedom.
I service the local areas of Hadleigh, Leigh-on-Sea, Benfleet, Chalkwell, Southend-on-Sea, Canvey Island, Dunton, Laindon, Basildon, Horndon on the Hill, Corringham, Stanford-le-Hope, Pitsea, Thundersley, Hockley, Hawkwell, Rochford, Westcliff-on-Sea, Wickford and Rayleigh. Or anywhere in the World via Zoom.
An initial consultation is £35 and takes up to 45 minutes. It can take place online via Zoom or in-person in my relaxing therapy room at 96 Westwood Gardens, Hadleigh, Essex, SS7 2SJ.
During the initial consultation I will take some basic information from you - including what you are looking to achieve from sessions. I will then explain how the brain works including why it is negatively biased and what causes our intrusive thoughts. We will discuss the format of further sessions and you will leave with a sleep audio to listen to at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hypnotherapy for Fears and Phobias
Can hypnotherapy help with fears and phobias?
Yes. Solution focused hypnotherapy can be very effective in helping people overcome fears and phobias by calming the nervous system and reducing the intense anxiety response that triggers panic and avoidance.
It works by addressing the way the brain processes perceived threats, helping to reduce the fight, flight, or freeze response that drives phobic reactions. Hypnotherapy supports the mind in responding more calmly to previously feared situations, reducing anxiety levels and making it easier to face challenges with greater confidence and control.
Will hypnotherapy cure my phobia straight away?
Hypnotherapy is not a quick fix and does not guarantee that a fear or phobia will disappear overnight. Phobic responses develop over time and are deeply rooted in the brain’s protective mechanisms.
Instead, solution focused hypnotherapy focuses on calming the nervous system, reducing the intensity of the fear response, and helping your brain learn to react more calmly to previously feared situations. Many clients notice positive changes after just a few sessions, but lasting improvement comes from consistent practice and allowing the mind to build new, healthier responses gradually.
Is solution focused hypnotherapy safe alongside other treatments or therapy?
Yes. Solution focused hypnotherapy is safe and non-invasive and can be used alongside other treatments, counselling, or medical support for fears and phobias.
It does not replace medical advice, medication, or therapy when needed. Instead, it complements other approaches, focusing on calming the nervous system and helping the brain respond more rationally to perceived threats.
Is solution focused hypnotherapy suitable for all types of fears and phobias?
Solution focused hypnotherapy can support people experiencing a wide range of fear and phobia-related difficulties, including:
Specific phobias such as fear of flying, heights, spiders, or needles
Social anxiety or fear of public speaking
Generalised fears and persistent feelings of dread or unease
Panic attacks or intense physical anxiety responses
Phobias linked to medical or dental procedures, enclosed spaces, or driving
Each session is tailored to the individual’s needs and circumstances, ensuring the approach is safe, compassionate, and relevant to your specific fears.