What is fear of public speaking?

Fear of public speaking, also known as glossophobia, is an anxiety response triggered by speaking in front of others. It may involve fear of judgment, making mistakes, or losing control.

Can hypnotherapy help with public speaking anxiety?

Yes. Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy helps calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and retrain the brain’s response to speaking situations so they feel safer and more manageable.

How does Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy improve confidence?

SFH works with the subconscious mind to reduce fear-based thinking and strengthen calm, confident responses, helping public speaking feel more natural and controlled.

How many hypnotherapy sessions are needed for fear of public speaking?

The number of sessions varies, but many clients notice improvements within a few sessions, with confidence continuing to build over time.

Will I lose control during hypnosis?

No. Hypnosis is a natural, relaxed state where you remain aware and in control at all times.

Is Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy suitable for workplace presentations?

Yes. SFH is effective for workplace meetings, presentations, and public speaking events by reducing anxiety and improving focus and confidence.

Dentophobia is an intense fear of dentists or dental procedures that may cause anxiety or avoidance of appointments.

Why am I scared of the dentist?

Fear of the dentist may develop due to past negative experiences, fear of pain or loss of control.

Can dental anxiety be treated?

Yes. Hypnotherapy and CBT can help reduce dental anxiety and build confidence around dental care.

What is thalassophobia?

Thalassophobia is an intense fear of deep or open water, including oceans, lakes and sometimes swimming pools.

Does thalassophobia include fear of not touching the floor?

Yes. Many people with thalassophobia feel anxious when they cannot touch the floor in deep water.

Can fear of deep water be treated?

Yes. Therapeutic approaches such as CBT and hypnotherapy can help reduce fear of deep water and rebuild confidence.

What is social phobia?

Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, is an intense fear of being judged, embarrassed or negatively evaluated in social situations.

What are the symptoms of social anxiety?

Symptoms may include rapid heartbeat, sweating, blushing, avoidance of social events and persistent fear of embarrassment.

Is social phobia treatable?

Yes. Social anxiety can be treated using approaches such as CBT and hypnotherapy to reduce fear and build confidence.

What is claustrophobia?

Claustrophobia is an intense fear of confined or enclosed spaces such as lifts, trains, underground transport, tunnels or aeroplanes.

Why do confined spaces trigger panic?

Confined spaces can trigger a fear response due to perceived lack of escape or loss of control, activating the body's threat system.

Is claustrophobia linked to fear of flying?

Yes. Many people with claustrophobia also experience anxiety about flying because aeroplanes are enclosed environments.

Can claustrophobia be treated?

Yes. Therapeutic approaches such as CBT and hypnotherapy can help retrain the brain's fear response and reduce panic in enclosed spaces.

Mysophobia is an intense fear of germs or contamination that can cause anxiety, avoidance, and excessive cleaning behaviours.

What causes fear of germs?

Fear of germs may develop after illness, health anxiety, or repeated exposure to contamination messaging. Anxiety patterns can reinforce the fear response.

What is the difference between OCD and mysophobia?

Mysophobia is a specific fear of germs. OCD involves intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours that may include contamination fears but extend beyond them.

Can mysophobia be treated?

Yes. Therapeutic approaches such as CBT and solution-focused hypnotherapy can help retrain the fear response and reduce contamination anxiety.

Can stress make IBS symptoms worse?

Yes. Stress activates the fight-or-flight response, which disrupts digestion and can increase pain, bloating and urgency in people with IBS.

How does hypnotherapy help with IBS?

Hypnotherapy helps calm the nervous system, reduce stress and change how the brain interprets gut sensations, easing IBS symptoms.

What role does the parasympathetic nervous system play in IBS?

The parasympathetic nervous system supports rest-and-digest functions, helping reduce gut tension, regulate digestion and ease IBS symptoms.

Can hypnotherapy help with anxiety linked to IBS?

Yes. Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy reduces anxiety, overthinking and stress, which often play a major role in IBS flare-ups.

Do I need a medical diagnosis to try hypnotherapy for IBS?

No. Many people benefit from hypnotherapy for stress-related digestive symptoms, whether or not they have a formal IBS diagnosis.

What is the fear of flying?

Fear of flying, also known as aviophobia, is an anxiety response linked to flying or the thought of flying. It may involve fear of turbulence, heights, losing control, or panic symptoms. It is very common and can be successfully supported with fear of flying treatment such as Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy.

Can hypnotherapy help with fear of flying?

Yes. Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy can reduce flying anxiety by calming the nervous system, reframing fear-based thinking patterns, and restoring a sense of control and confidence before and during a flight.

How does Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy reduce flight anxiety?

SFH works by guiding you into a relaxed, focused state where the subconscious mind is more open to positive suggestions. This helps lower the fight-or-flight response and replace anxious reactions with calm and rational responses.

How many sessions are needed to overcome the fear of flying?

This varies for each person. Many people notice positive changes within a few sessions. Typically, focused work over 6-8 sessions can significantly reduce anxiety and increase confidence when flying.

What happens in a hypnotherapy session for fear of flying?

Sessions include positive reflection, understanding how the brain creates fear, setting solution-focused goals, and a period of guided hypnosis to help rewire anxious responses and build calm, confident associations with flying.

Is Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy suitable for everyone with flight anxiety?

Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy is suitable for most people. Any concerns such as severe mental health conditions or medical issues can be discussed during your initial consultation to ensure a safe and effective approach.

Emetophobia is an intense fear of vomiting or feeling sick. It often involves anxiety around food, illness, travel or social situations where nausea is feared.

What causes emetophobia?

Emetophobia often develops after a distressing experience involving sickness or as a result of chronic anxiety and overthinking. The brain learns to associate nausea with danger.

Can hypnotherapy help with emetophobia?

Yes. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy helps calm the nervous system, reduce fear responses and retrain the brain so that nausea and bodily sensations feel less threatening.

Is emetophobia linked to anxiety?

Yes. Emetophobia is closely linked to anxiety and the fight-or-flight response, which can actually increase nausea sensations and reinforce the fear cycle.

Do I need exposure therapy for emetophobia?

Not necessarily. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy does not rely on exposure. Instead, it focuses on calming the nervous system and building confidence and emotional resilience.

Can stress make IBS symptoms worse?

Yes. Stress activates the fight-or-flight response, which can disrupt digestion and increase symptoms such as pain, bloating, urgency and discomfort in people with IBS.

What is the role of the nervous system in IBS?

The nervous system plays a key role in digestion. When the parasympathetic nervous system is active, the body enters a rest-and-digest state that supports healthier gut function.

How does hypnotherapy help with IBS?

Hypnotherapy helps calm the nervous system, reduce stress and anxiety, and change how the brain interprets gut sensations, which can help ease IBS symptoms.

Can hypnotherapy help with anxiety-related IBS?

Yes. Many IBS symptoms are linked to stress and anxiety. Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy helps reduce overthinking and emotional stress that can trigger flare-ups.

Do I need a medical diagnosis to try hypnotherapy for IBS?

No. Hypnotherapy can support people experiencing stress-related digestive symptoms whether or not they have a formal IBS diagnosis.

Acrophobia (Fear of Heights): Causes & Hypnotherapy Help

A fear of heights, known as acrophobia, can make everyday situations feel overwhelming. Standing on a balcony, climbing stairs with open sides, looking down from a bridge, or even watching scenes involving heights can trigger intense anxiety for some people.

Acrophobia isn’t about a lack of courage or confidence. It’s an automatic response created by the subconscious mind and once it’s in place, it can feel impossible to control.

The good news is that this fear can be resolved gently, without revisiting distressing memories or forcing yourself to confront heights.

What Is Acrophobia?

Acrophobia is a specific phobia involving an intense fear of heights. The reaction often feels immediate and physical, even when the person knows they are safe and supported.

This fear can affect people of all ages and may develop gradually or appear suddenly. For many adults, it limits travel, work opportunities, or enjoyment of everyday experiences.

Common Symptoms of a Fear of Heights

People with acrophobia may experience:

Panic or intense anxiety when at height
Dizziness, nausea, or a feeling of being unsteady
A racing heart, sweating, or shortness of breath
Feeling frozen or unable to move
Avoidance of balconies, stairs, lifts, hills, or bridges
Anxiety when thinking about or imagining heights

Over time, avoidance can reinforce the fear, keeping the nervous system on constant alert.

Why Does a Fear of Heights Develop?

Acrophobia is often the result of the mind trying to protect you. This may be linked to:

A past experience involving loss of balance or fear
Learning fear from others or media
A sensitive nervous system that reacts strongly to perceived threat
The subconscious associating height with danger

Once this association is formed, the body reacts automatically even when logic says you are safe.

Is a Fear of Heights Normal?

Many people feel cautious around heights. However, when fear feels intense, persistent, or begins to restrict your life, it may be acrophobia rather than normal caution.

People often feel frustrated or embarrassed by their reaction, especially when they are confident and capable in other areas of life. This can lead to self-criticism, which only adds to the stress.

Book your free initial consultation

How Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy Can Help

Solution-focused hypnotherapy works by helping the mind and nervous system return to a calm, balanced state.

This approach does not involve:

Talking in detail about the fear
Analysing past events
Exposure therapy or facing heights
Being pushed beyond your comfort zone

Instead, sessions focus on strengthening calm, confidence, and emotional regulation. By working with the subconscious mind where the fear response is stored, hypnotherapy helps reduce the automatic anxiety response associated with heights.

Many clients are relieved to discover that change can happen without reliving the fear.

You Don’t Have to Face Heights to Overcome Acrophobia

A common concern is the belief that therapy will involve being exposed to heights. With solution-focused hypnotherapy, this simply isn’t part of the process.

As the nervous system settles and the mind feels safer, the fear response often softens or disappears naturally without confrontation.

Moving Forward With Confidence

Acrophobia does not define you. It is a learned protective response, and learned responses can be unlearned.

With the right support, it is possible to feel calmer, more in control, and free to enjoy situations that once felt overwhelming.

Ready to Take the First Step?

If a fear of heights is affecting your confidence or quality of life, help is available.

At Aspyre Hypnotherapy, I support clients using solution-focused hypnotherapy to overcome phobias gently and effectively without exposure or revisiting distressing experiences.

Book your free initial consultation

Book a free initial consultation to explore how hypnotherapy could help you move forward with confidence, calm and clarity.

FAQ’s

Acrophobia is a fear of heights that causes intense anxiety or panic when a person is at height, thinking about heights, or anticipating being in a high place even when they are safe.
A fear of heights is very common. While many people feel cautious around heights, acrophobia involves a stronger emotional and physical response that can interfere with daily life.
Symptoms can include panic, dizziness, nausea, shaking, sweating, shortness of breath, or feeling frozen. Some people also experience anxiety simply imagining being at height.
Acrophobia is usually a learned response stored in the subconscious mind. It may develop from past experiences, learned behaviour, or the brain misinterpreting height as a serious threat. The reaction is automatic, not a choice.
Yes. Solution-focused hypnotherapy can help calm the nervous system and reduce the subconscious fear response linked to heights. This approach does not involve exposure therapy or talking through the fear in detail.

Acrophobia: Understanding a Fear of Heights — Without Facing the Fear

What Is Acrophobia?

Common Symptoms of a Fear of Heights

Why Does a Fear of Heights Develop?

Is a Fear of Heights Normal?

How Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy Can Help

You Don’t Have to Face Heights to Overcome Acrophobia

Moving Forward With Confidence

Ready to Take the First Step?

FAQ’s

What is acrophobia?

How common is a fear of heights?

What are the symptoms of acrophobia?

Why do I react so strongly to heights?

Can hypnotherapy help with a fear of heights?