Phobias Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP)

Phobias

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.

Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), EMDR

The goal of this approach is to help clients overcome resistance to experiencing their true feelings that are too frightening and/or painful.

EMDR, also known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy uses a range of processes to address the full clinical situation. Dual stimulation is one of the key elements and the therapist will use tools such as bilateral eye movements, taps or tones.

Reprocessing involves the client momentarily attending to triggers, past memories or anticipated future events, all the while focusing on the supplied external stimulus. Normally, the client will experience memory changes, new associations and insights. EMDR has been found to be incredibly useful for processing past and present trauma that can continue to impact an individual in many ways.

There are eight phases to EMDR treatment and the therapist will devise a treatment plan during the first phase, and equip the client with the necessary coping skills in the second phase. Phases 3-6 cover the actual EMDR treatment, described above. Phase 7 is about closure, while phase eight is all about re-evaluation of the process.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers EMDR Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

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

Tami Amit

M.A., RCC
    • Article(s) on profile
    • Blog on profile
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and EMDR Practitioner with extensive training and experience in the field of Counselling, Coaching and Personal... Read more

John Zak

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Let me guess, there's a part of you that wants to try out counselling and another that is skeptical of whether it will work. Perhaps you tried it before and it seemed like a waste of time and money. As a skeptic... Read more

Carole Boivin

M.Ed., RCC
I CURRENTLY HAVE SOME OPENINGS FOR NEW CLIENTS. Hi, As an experienced Registered Counsellor (23 years) and EMDR Therapist, I am passionate about helping others find resolution, healing & happiness in... Read more

Amrita Grewal

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Everyday life has become increasingly complex because we are continually presented with endless possibilities of how things ‘could be' or ‘should be.’ The juggle is real and can lead to... Read more

Ian Bond

M.A., RCC
Ian has over 25 years of education, training, and experience in counselling and therapy.  He works together with clients to help them explore relationships, thoughts, feelings, or behaviours, which... Read more

Rachel Braund

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS. NO REFERRAL NECESSARY.  Do you feel like you are crumbling on the inside, trying to hold it all together; meanwhile you feel tense or just "off"? Did you dig deep to move past a... Read more

Kathryn Pybus

MCP:AT, RCC
    • Online booking
A Registered Clinical Counsellor (#14856) and Professional Canadian Art Therapist, I bring expertise, passion, and skill to my practice with clients of diverse cultures and experiences. I practice from a place of... Read more

Bruce Avery

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
My name is Bruce Avery, I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor and I’m the founder of Avery Therapy Centre. I work with a wide range of people who may seek increased perspective, self-understanding, and... Read more

Bill Arbuckle

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Why is it that things have to hurt so much before we reach out for help?  I help people struggling to feel better about themselves and less exhausted.  I listen to people and try to understand what it's... Read more

Aliza Rothman

M.A., RCC
  Life is complicated and challenging and we are thrown many curveballs along the way. Many of us struggle with how to stay grounded and live the life we dream in the midst of challenges.   Reaching... Read more

Nadia Oomer

M.C., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and have been working in the mental health and substance abuse sector for over twelve years. I work with clients with a wide variety of psychological, health and life problems... Read more

Lisa Otterstein

M.A., RCC
Lisa is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a private counselling practice in North Vancouver.  She has a Masters degree with honours from UBC, and advanced training in EMDR.  She has extensive training... Read more

Terry Estrin

Ph.D., R.Psych
I am a Registered Psychologist in private practice with offices in Richmond and Vancouver. My areas of practice include psychotherapy and counselling for individuals (age 17 and up), relationship therapy for couples and... Read more

Johanna Abraham

M.S.W., RSW
I have a Masters Degree in Social Work and 25 years of professional experience helping individuals, couples and families from a range of backgrounds deal with a variety challenges. As well as providing counseling... Read more

Colleen McKee

M.A., RCC
    • In-Person Sessions
    • Online booking
* NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS* Sometimes you are thrown curveballs and unexpected challenges. At times, life can feel downright unbearable. With my help and support, we can work together to set and reach your goals,... Read more

Sarah Siddiqui RCC

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
*Now Accepting Clients.  For insurance purposes: please note I am an RSW and RCC* Whether trying therapy has been an unfulfilled new year’s resolution for the past number of years, something that just... Read more

Aigin Larki

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
My name is pronounced (Eye-gheen Lar-key) and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor in British Columbia. I am of Turkic Iranian descent, speak conversational French and Farsi and have lived in... Read more

Dani Smith

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I know this step isn’t an easy one. Seeking therapy is brave; finding a counsellor that fits can be tricky; I’ve been there myself. My approach is multidimensional and personalized, drawing from various... Read more

Johanna Simmons

M.A., RCC
I believe that families are the foundation of any society. As parents you create the future through your children. Occasionally we encounter challenges and need some encouragement to overcome these. I can provide... Read more

Rebecca Berman

B.S.W., RSW
Trauma impacts how we see the world, navigate through our experiences and connect in our relationships.  The lives we live are built upon the lessons we learn in our families, cultures, peer groups, and in the... Read more

Crystal Daigneault

M.Couns., RCC
    • In-Person Sessions
    • Online booking
Life has a way of being overwhelming sometimes, especially when we are in a season of transition. If you or your partner are trying to conceive, are expecting, just recently welcomed a little one to your family, or are... Read more

Roya Vojdani

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
Life is a journey full of twists and turns, but you don't have to face it all alone. Depression, anxiety, trauma and other emotional struggles take away from the joys of everyday life and might leave you feeling... Read more

Kady Wong

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Hi, nice to meet you, I’m Kady (she/her)! I know how hard it can be to find a counsellor so I hope this bio helps you decide if we would be a good fit together. As a counsellor, I approach therapy relationally and... Read more

Tamara Pearl

Ph.D., RCC
    • Online booking
As a psychotherapist and trauma counsellor I have helped people for over 20 years to heal from personal, intergenerational, and collective trauma as well as addictions, depression, anxiety, stress,... Read more

Adrienne Johnson

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am passionate about helping clients who are facing challenges in transitions, relationships, or who are exploring questions about their life’s meaning and purpose. I also have experience working with anxiety,... Read more

Josh Slatkoff

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Josh Slatkoff is a Registered Psychologist (CPBC #1774) who sees adult clients in Victoria, BC. He works with clients to develop coping skills to face challenges and accept limitations. He believes that clients... Read more

Monique Wong

M.Ed., RCC
No one needs to be alone and feel isolated during difficult times. Let’s have a conversation to work together to explore and practice different coping strategies and get the support you need.  Monique is a... Read more

Salley-Ann Ross

M.A., RCC
Salley-Ann sees the potential in every person; whether it is working with families through divorce, parenting issues, children, youth, trauma, anger, grief or mental health issues. She believes that the road to... Read more

Vicki McCabe

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Are you stressed at work and can’t sleep at night? Feeling worried, stuck and overwhelmed? I understand that these experiences can lead to feelings of loss – loss of control, loss of freedom, and loss of... Read more

Mila Skeeles

M.A., CCC
Like many people, I grew up in an environment where we didn’t talk about our struggles and emotions. From an early age, I learned to keep the difficult things inside and deal with my emotions on my own. Although I... Read more