Phobias, COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety and Depression Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

Phobias, COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety and Depression

Phobias are classified as irrational fears that impede on normal daily life. While everyone has one or two irrational fears, they are minor. However, if irrational fears become so intense that they cause extreme anxiety that interferes with normal life, it is time to get therapy to help overcome these fears.

The most important thing people should understand is that phobias can be controlled and even cured. Between self-help strategies and professional phobia therapy, anyone can overcome irrational fears and start to live a life of freedom from phobias.

Phobias can interfere with life when you are forced to face them on a regular basis. People with phobias are generally afraid of things that pose little to no real danger at all. People with phobias generally fear heights, clowns, flying, driving, insects, small spaces, wide open spaces or needles.However, phobias are not limited to this, but to anything about which the fear is highly exaggerated.

While phobias are usually developed during childhood, adults may also develop new phobias. People will go to extreme lengths to avoid exposure to whatever they are phobic about.

The good news is that phobias are easily treated using a range of therapies. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help a person recognize their phobias and find different ways to react to their exposure to the things they fear. Desensitization therapy helps a person to learn how to manage being exposed to what they fear in a safe environment. A therapist will help the person understand that their fears are unfounded and as such, manage and eventually cure the phobia.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers phobias and related issues you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

As the world confronts this pandemic there are so many emotions that can feel overwhelming.  Many feelings can be triggered and it may be useful to see a professional for help and perspective. As there are so many uncertainties and so many changes in routine many people find that mood changes are inevitable. That does not mean that solutions are impossible to find but sometimes a trained professional can serve as a guide for a more balanced and happier life.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy encompasses a range of six principles that aim to help clients develop greater psychological flexibility. The six principles include:

1. Cognitive defusion help to reduce tendencies to regard thoughts, memories and emotions as real and concrete events.

2. Acceptance is about allowing the thoughts to surface and pass without the need to allow them to interfere with daily life.

3.  Being present means being aware of current existence and being involved with the now.

4. Self observation helps the client to be aware of the self and the unchanging consciousness.

5. Exploring values to discover those that are most important to the person.

6. Committed action involves setting goals based on the explored values, and setting actions in place to reach those goals.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy and is commonly used in therapy, and in it's sub-forms and helpful for a range of conditions, including OCD. If you require Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, have a look at the counsellors listed below.

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Jill Arnold

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
Clients describe me as straightforward and kind while being practical, effective and patient. I am available to help you through a secure virtual platform or on the telephone. I want you to feel better. In... Read more

Bonnie Zargari

M.A., CCC
    • Online booking
Bonnie Zargari is a Canadian Certified Clinical Counselor who sees clients in person, online or via telephone.  Her main clinical focus is working with adolescents and adults with depression, anxiety and/or... Read more