Phobia Therapy in Oregon
I provide EMDR therapy for phobias to adults across Oregon through secure online telehealth.
What Is a Phobia?
A phobia is an intense and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or experience that triggers a strong anxiety response in the body. Unlike everyday fears, phobias can feel overwhelming and difficult to control, even when a person knows the fear is not logically dangerous. Common phobias may involve flying, driving, medical procedures, heights, enclosed spaces, animals, or certain social or performance situations.
Phobias often develop after a distressing or frightening experience, though they can also form gradually over time. Because phobias are rooted in the nervous system and the brain’s threat response, they are not something people can simply “think their way out of.”
EMDR Therapy for Phobias
I treat phobias using EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), an evidence-based approach that helps reduce the intensity of fear responses by addressing the experiences that keep phobias stuck. EMDR therapy works by helping the brain process and integrate distressing memories or associations that are linked to the phobia, allowing the nervous system to respond with less fear and reactivity.
EMDR therapy for phobias does not rely on forced exposure. Sessions are paced collaboratively and focus on increasing a sense of safety, reducing panic responses, and strengthening adaptive beliefs. Over time, many clients experience less avoidance, reduced anticipatory anxiety, and greater confidence in situations that previously felt overwhelming.
I provide EMDR therapy for phobias in Oregon through secure online telehealth, working with adults statewide, including Portland and surrounding areas. If you are seeking phobia therapy in Oregon, please reach out to schedule a 15-minute consultation to explore whether EMDR therapy may be a good fit for your needs.