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)

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

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

    • Online booking
I'm Kristen Hamilton-Block (she/her), a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Approved Clinical Supervisor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I've dedicated the past 15 years to working with... Read more

John Woychuk

M.A., CCC
    • Blog on profile
I'm here to provide a safe space for you in your time of distress, crisis or loss. Safety begins with connecting with another human being and not being alone in your struggle. Whatever is happening for you will be... Read more
    • Online booking
Sunny Singhawachna  (She/They) MCP, RCC. I am a registered clinical counsellor and I am currently offering virtual and in-person counselling from downtown Vancouver. I identify as a cis-gendered, queer female... Read more

Soo Sen Lee

M.C., RCC
Soo Sen Lee is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who sees clients virtually, over the phone and in-person in Burnaby, BC.   Burnout, debilitating anxiety and depression, burnout, sexual assault, painful family... Read more

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

Rosalyn Best Clark

M.Couns., RCC
Rosalyn Best, MoC, RCC #8656. Ros Best is passionate about counselling because she has so often witnessed its transformative power. She offers couples counselling, and counselling for life transitions, trauma, cancer... Read more

Kevin Gomes

Ph.D., R.Psych
    • Online booking
A genuine human connection is the most important part of any successful therapy, as it’s from this nurturing relationship that people can begin to heal wounds, make meaning, find purpose, and eventually grow. With... Read more

chelsea mcgowan

MCP, RCC
I am a passionate therapist, teacher, and dancer. I bring these elements into the work I do, and the love I have to see people develop a deeper relationship to self and in turn others. I am not a “blank slate... Read more

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
    • Online booking
As you take the step towards finding a therapist, it’s important to find someone with whom you resonate,  as well as someone whose approach seems to fit for you.   Married, mom of 3 young... Read more

Pam Hirakata

Ph.D., R.Psych
**EXPANDING PRACTICE; ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS** Pam received her Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia and has over 20 years of experience supporting individuals through a variety... Read more

Abby Wong

M.A., RCC
Hi there, my name is Abby! I hold a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology and have experience working with a diverse range of client populations, including children, adolescents, and adults. My background... Read more

Margaret Brennan

Ph.D., R.Psych
    • Online booking
Hello. My name is Maggie and I am a Registered Psychologist offering virtual services in BC.  As a fellow human being I understand how messy, challenging and painful life can be. Drawing on my training and... Read more

Ayesha Sackey

M.S.W., RSW
Does your mind consistently race? Do you feel unsafe or wish you had more confidence? Do you feel like you simply can’t control what’s going around you? Do you feel like you must keep busy all the time for... Read more

Ronald Ma

Psy.D., R.Psych
    • Online booking
There are many different reasons people might seek counselling. You may be looking for support for something specific or you might feel something’s just been off and want help figuring it out. In either case, it... Read more
*Taking new clients*. My practice is here to help you to have honest conversations that start to uncover the areas in your life where you feel stuck or at a loss. Clients find that after only a few sessions they’... Read more

Roya Shameli

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Roya’s caring nature creates a safe space where her clients can freely express themselves while feeling fully supported and seen. She understands that facing life's challenges can be lonely and overwhelming.... Read more

Sarah Becker

Ph.D., R.Psych
    • Online booking
I believe that my role as a therapist involves walking alongside my clients while offering an objective and informed perspective. Because I often see people who are seeking change, my goal is to help my clients identify... Read more

Robyn Kozak

M.Ed., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
Whether it is struggles with trauma, anxiety, pregnancy, postpartum, parenting, relationships, or mood, I support individuals with identifying what they want to be different in their life and co-creating a... Read more

Tania Zulkoskey

M.S.W., RCSW
Video/Telephone Sessions Available. Tania counsels individuals, children and couples on issues such as:  relationship dynamics  communication issues  parenting and multiples  ... Read more

Shelley Hine

M.Couns., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor who blends perspectives of inclusiveness, feminism, social justice and trauma work into my counselling practice. I am trained in a variety of clinical methods and... Read more

Lucia Pecnikova

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Creating a safe space where you feel heard and seen is my priority and I consider my work a privilege as we create a secure therapeutic relationship to support your healing process and inner exploration. I have a master... Read more

Deborah Jones

M.S.W., RCSW
    • Online booking
ACCEPTING new virtual clients. 15 minute free phone consults available. Approved Provider with First Nations Health Authority, CVAP, ICBC, Veterans, and active duty Canadian Armed Forces. Available also as clinical... Read more

Virginia Chomley

MCP:AT, RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #15070) in British Columbia with seven years experience working in clinical settings and 14 years in health and well-being. I have a Bachelor of Communication (Bond University... Read more

Carolyn Heppner

M.Ed., RCC
    • In-Person Sessions
Couples Counselling and Individual Counselling for Trauma/EMDR, Anxiety and more Facing difficult times personally or in your relationship with your partner? I can help. I believe in providing practical tools... Read more

Renee Bartkiewicz

M.A., RCC
  Renee Bartkiewicz is both a Registered Clinical Counsellor and an Art Therapist. In her inclusive, creative, and collaborative practice, she sees individuals that present with a variety of  issues... Read more

Ava Outadi

M.A., RCC
I'm passionate about supporting young adults and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance misuse, and life transitions. I will work alongside you by helping you recognize your inner strengths and... Read more

Jeff Morley

Ph.D., R.Psych
I am an experienced Registered Psychologist (#1577), as well as a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress.  In my practice I help people working through different challenges in their life from relationship and... Read more

Jonathan Carter

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
**ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS **NO REFERRAL NECESSARY When we set out on life's journey we all have expectations of what life is going to give us and how life is going to turn out. We all have a sense of how... Read more

Teddy Chu

MC, RCC
Hello! I am the founder of WAVE Performance and Wellness offering individual clinical counselling, relationship counselling, and mental performance / sport psychology consulting services. My passion for... Read more