What are Specific Phobias?
Phobias are extreme or irrational fears of specific objects, animals/bugs, or situations. People with phobias typically avoid the feared situation, thing, or place, and experience significant distress or anxiety when faced with the feared situation or object. Common phobias in children or teenagers include fear of dogs, snakes, spiders, vomiting, blood or injections, thunderstorms, darkness, or doctors/dentists. Common phobias in adults include flying in a plane, elevators, deep water, heights, public speaking, and bridges.
Treatment for Specific Phobias
CEH clinicians specialize in providing exposure-based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is considered to be the evidence-based treatment of choice for specific phobias. In treatment, clinicians assist individuals in gradually facing what is feared, repeatedly, until the situation/object/animal no longer triggers a fear response and distress tolerance skills are significantly increased. This is done through “imaginal exposures,” confronting the fear in one’s mind, and through “in-vivo” exposures, confronting the fear in real life. Patients work in session and then practice daily between sessions. Exposure-based CBT for phobias is a highly effective and short term treatment.