Online Phobia Treatment
Professional phobia treatment, online via telehealth.
You’ve probably heard the word Phobia thrown around in conversation or on television, as it’s a common term we see used in everyday life.
However, having a genuine phobia involves intense fear causing self-terror and extreme levels of anxiety.
When dealing with a phobia, an individual feels an irrational, disproportionate response to the actual threat or perceived threat.
In some cases, people with phobias are aware, and able to recognise that their response is irrational, extreme and unlikely to be based in fact – however, their response feels automatic, powerful and uncontrollable.
When somebody is struggling with a phobia, they’re often calm and composed in everyday life, however it is when they’re in the presence of the object or situation at the root of their phobia they experience intense panic and fear.
According to the latest research conducted by the Federal Health Department, one in seven Australians will develop a phobia, or intense anxiety around a situation or object during their lives.
Phobias often start in childhood but can develop and intensify at any age.
The intense, irrational and disproportionate fear can have a serious negative impact on the lives of somebody living with a phobia, whether it be a personal or professional impact.
Online phobia treatment delivered via telehealth is not a new concept and was already growing at a steady rate prior to 2020.
However, during the global pandemic two factors at play greatly accelerated the adoption of online phobia support:
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Forced social distancing which made e-health and online treatment the norm
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Heightened levels of uncertainty as a result of ongoing health concerns, record levels of job loss and unemployment dramatically increased levels of anxiety and stress in some people, exacerbating their response to their phobia.
At Online Psychologists Australia our team are well-trained in helping individuals manage and get over their phobias. The team is skilled and supportive and will work through a wide range of evidence-based exercises which allow you to separate yourself from your fear and accept it.
Medicare rebated phobia therapy with a personally experienced Australian psychologist
One of the misconceptions with online phobia treatment, when compared to face-to-face support, is that it’s not Medicare rebated – this is not the case.
At Online Psychologists Australia our sessions are rebated through Medicare.
You’ll be individually matched with an expert psychologist that best meets your unique needs and preferences so your online phobia therapy can be as effective as possible.
What are the common phobias we treat patients for?
Interestingly, the process of treating somebody for a phobia, regardless of what it is can be quite similar. The goal is to create comfort and space in the patient’s mind, allowing them to feel and experience their fear or panic response without having an overt reaction.
As professional psychologists dealing with phobias in Australians every day, there are some common objects or situations which elicit an intense phobic response, these include:
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Fear of heights (acrophobia)
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Fear of flying
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Fear of needles or injections
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Fear of blood
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Claustrophobia or the fear of enclosed spaces
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Fear of vomiting
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Animal or insect phobias such as spiders, snakes, dogs or mice
What can you expect from online phobia treatment?
Before you officially start your treatment – you’ll have a chat with someone in our team so that we’re able to match you with a psychologist that best meets your unique needs, your specific phobia and your treatment preferences.
Once you begin treatment, the psychologist treating you will take the time to understand you as an individual. You will find the conversation takes place in a completely safe, private and comforting manner – your highly skilled psychologist is there to help you, not to judge you.
Depending on your individual needs and circumstances, the psychologist treating you can draw on a range of evidence-based methodologies to help you recover from your phobia.
Completely overcoming your phobia won’t happen overnight, and more often than not, you will have some ‘homework’ or tasks to perform in between sessions. These small tasks often involve being present and aware during day-to-day life and will help you make progress between sessions.
Get phobia treatment online with a professional psychologist today
Reaching out and accessing support for your phobia can be tough, however the benefits of doing so can be genuinely lifechanging.
Our professional, empathetic and understanding team of psychologists are ready to help you overcome your phobia.
At Online Psychologists Australia, we offer a free, no obligation chat where we’ll personally match you with a psychologist that best meets your unique needs.
All of our sessions are claimable with a Medicare rebate.
Get the help you need today.
Andy, 28
"The privacy and comfort of having sessions online, but still face-to-face over Zoom made me feel so much more at ease. I was able to open-up much quicker and felt like I was making progress after just my first session."
What our clients are saying
Liz, 41
"Being able to book in appointments that work around my schedule has been incredible. Speaking to Rob has had the most positive impact on my mental wellbeing given the isolation I experienced in 2020."
Amita, 22
"The fact I was able to get medicare rebate on my sessions made the whole process so much easier. I've already recommended Online Psychologists Australia to a few friends that have been struggling lately.
If you're having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
If you’re having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, there are many organisations that can help you 24 hours, 7 days a week. They include:
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Lifeline - 13 11 14
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Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
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Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
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MensLine Australia (counselling service for men) - 1300 78 99 78
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Kids Helpline (for young people up to 25 years) - 1800 55 1800
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Open Arms (for veterans, ex-serving personnel and their families) - 1800 011 046