A phobia isn’t just being afraid of something—it’s a really intense, overwhelming fear of a specific thing, situation, or activity, even if that thing isn’t actually dangerous. For the person dealing with it, the fear feels very real, even though logically they might know it doesn’t make sense.

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It’s not just discomfort—it’s the kind of fear that can cause panic, and it can be so strong that the person will go out of their way to avoid whatever it is they’re afraid of. That avoidance can start to affect their daily life, like missing work, avoiding social events, or not doing things they used to enjoy.

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Even if they know the fear is way bigger than the actual risk, that doesn’t make it easier to control or ignore. It’s not something they’re choosing—it’s something they’re struggling with.

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Treatment for phobias consists of counseling, such as Exposure & Response Prevention &Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. At Willow Tree, our counselors can help you better understand your symptoms, learn coping skills to manage phobias , and offer support along the way. We can also provide referrals if you’d like to explore medication options with a medical provider.