The 5 Most Common Phobias Treated in Online Therapy in NJ
Learn How Phobia Treatment Can Help you
Whether big or small, fears can come from experiences we’ve had in certain environments or certain people. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the most common phobias treated with online therapy in New Jersey. Phobia treatment may be an effective option for anyone whose fear becomes so intense causing distress or prohibits them from functioning.
Our List of the 5 most common phobias
- Agoraphobia:
Fear of being in places where you can’t easily escape - Social Phobia:
Fear of social situations - Arachnophobia:
Fear of spiders. - Claustrophobia:
Fear of tight, enclosed spaces - Acrophobia:
Fear of heights
Some of these phobias are categorized as specific phobias like arachnophobia, acrophobia and claustrophobia because they center a specific object or environment. Whereas agoraphobia and social phobia are in their own category because these phobias can appear in various types of situations causing people to avoid doing various types of activities or going to various places.
Phobia treatment generally involves a form of Exposure Therapy, such as ERP or Prolonged Exposure Therapy.
Understanding the Most Common Phobias
Agoraphobia: A Misunderstood Common Phobia
Agoraphobia is a fear of being in places where you can’t easily escape. Agoraphobia is commonly known as a fear of open spaces and while open spaces can be in the same category, it’s not technically correct. It is a phobia that covers almost all aspects of being a human being which is why it can cause the most harm in a person. Phobia treatment for Agoraphobia is most effective when Exposure Therapy is utilized.
Social Phobia: The Most Well Known Common Phobia
Social phobia is a fear of social interactions or situations. Social phobia is also known as Social Anxiety Disorder it is a persistent problem with adults and children. It’s where one has an intense fear of any social interactions with people. A person suffering with social phobia might have problems in the workplace, in a public learning facility, getting potential partners, making friends or anything involving interacting with another person resulting in a relationship.
Claustrophobia: A Common Phobia Associated with Small Spaces
Claustrophobia is a fear of tight, enclosed spaces. It’s when someone gets fear or anxiety being in an extremely tight, enclosed space. The most common environments where people experience claustrophobia are in elevators, tunnels, trains, caves, rooms with low ceilings, crowded rooms, MRI scans and other types of small enclosed areas and spaces. An individual that has claustrophobia might be keen towards taking the stairs instead of going on an elevator or standing close to any exits available in case they have to escape.
Acrophobia: A Common Phobia Many Adults Have
Acrophobia is fear of heights. It’s when someone gets fear or anxiety being in an environment where they are high up off the ground or any surface area. An individual that has acrophobia will avoid going on airplanes, balconies, ladders, and, looking out of the windows of tall buildings. They may also not take part in more extreme activities like skydiving, hangliding, bungee jumping, or going on carnival rides where you’re high up in the air.
Arachnophobia
Arachnophobia is a fear of spiders. This is when an individual gets anxious, disgusted, or fearful when encountering a spider or other arachnids. This can be coincided with a fear of bugs but not always. An individual who has arachnophobia might avoid going into anywhere that might accumulate spiders like garages, attics and caves. They also might not enjoy being outside as other people do.
How Phobia Treatment Can Help
Phobia Treatment Option 1: Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy can help get rid of these intense fears and phobias that one might have because it can help you not avoid a problem but to deal with the problem that arises. There are also different types of exposure therapy to deal with many common phobias.
- Direct exposure therapy
- Virtual reality exposure therapy
- Imaginal exposure therapy
- In-vivo exposure therapy
Phobia Treatment Option 2: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to change a person’s thoughts and behaviors when in a situation where they are exposed to something that is triggering.
Phobia Treatment Option 3: Somatic Therapy
Somatic Therapy is used as a tool to foster relaxation and body awareness during times of distress caused by certain environments, objects and sensations.
Final Thoughts on the Most Common Phobias & Options for Phobia Treatment
These intense fears and phobias don’t have to define you or hold you back from anything. There are many ways to conquer them and still do the things you want to do. There is more information about phobias on our website in our “What We Treat” section under Phobias and Fears.
Where are you located? I need a therapist near me
We are fully online, which means that your therapy sessions will be help via video call on our HIPAA compliant Platform. Anyone in New Jersey can access our therapy services
How do I get started as a new client?
New Clients can reach out to us directly via call, text or email here:
Does my insurance cover my visits?
We provide”Courtesy Billing” for clients who are using the Out-of-network insurance benefits.
Our Insurance Page might answer your questions about your insurance information, cost and OON coverage.
What are out-of-network benefits?
Visits our FAQ About Insurance to learn more about OON coverage for mental health services. We can also check your benefits for you. When using OON benefits, patients typically pay the full cost of the treatment upfront and then file a claim with their insurance company for reimbursement.
Is Online Therapy As Effective As In-Person Therapy?
Online therapy is essentially face-to-face counseling, just conducted remotely. Studies show that tele-therapy is as effective as traditional counseling. Professional organizations and state governments recognize its benefits and have set regulations for it. However, like any therapy, its success in achieving your goals isn’t guaranteed. It’s important to discuss with your therapist whether tele-therapy is working for you.
How Should I Prepare for My First Session?
Showing up is all that you need to do! But if you really want to get the most out of session, it could help to take some time to think about what you want from therapy. It helps to write down your goals, questions you have or things that you feel are important to share.
Do you offer traditional talk therapy?
of course! though we have some unconventional therapy approaches, we are rooted in evidenced based practices. Talk therapy is a major player in the therapy room! See What we Treat and Integrative Services for more information
Is Virtual Counseling Suitable for Everyone?
Online therapy might not be as effective for individuals with chronic suicidal thoughts, severe trauma, significant mental health history, or those recently in intensive care. Such cases often benefit more from traditional, in-person counseling. We’ll help you decide if our online services are right for you during your intake and evaluation.
Can I Change Therapists If I'm Not Happy?
Yes, you can switch therapists to another provider within the practice, or we can provide you a referral if preferred. We want to ensure that your time and effort are well spent, and that you are getting the relief you need, that’s why we work collaboratively with each other in the practice, as well as outside therapists who we know and trust.
How Do I Know If Therapy Is Helping?
You should feel like you’re making progress. Signs it’s working include:
- Feeling comfortable talking to your therapist
- Your therapist respects boundaries
- You’re moving towards your goals
- You feel listened to
You’re doing better in life - Your self-esteem is getting better
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask that clients provide at least 24 hours notice in the event that they need to cancel to avoid the 50% cancellation fee. we understand that life happens and do our best to be flexible & reschedule.
What Geographic Areas Are Served?
Currently, we serve clients in New Jersey and are expanding to other states as telehealth laws evolve. While telehealth offers the convenience of attending sessions from anywhere, state laws require clients to be in-state during their session.
Is Online Therapy Easy to Use for Non-Tech-Savvy People?
Yes, it’s pretty simple to access sessions. You’ll need basic internet skills, such as opening and visiting the patient link sent to you via email. It’s similar to video chatting like Facetime or Zoom. We can also walk you through it on the phone the first time to ensure a strong connection
What Questions Should I Ask My New Therapist?
Feel free to ask anything. Some good questions are:
- How often will we meet?
- What do you specialize in?
- What experience do you have with my issue?
- What outcomes can I expect?
- How will I know I’m progressing?
- How long do you usually work with clients?
- How will we set my treatment goals?
What is the difference between associate therapists & fully licensed therapists?
Our Qualifications:
Our founder, Rebecca Sidoti, is a highly qualified, state-licensed therapist and supervisor with extensive training in anxiety related disorders and innovative treatment such as Ketamine Therapy. Mind by Design Counseling adheres to standards set by the our governing counseling boards.
To see each providers credentials, training and licenses, visit our “Meet the Therapists” Page to learn more.
- LAC/LSW are therapists who may practice clinical work under the supervision of a fully licensed therapist.
- LPC/LCSW are therapists who have completed the necessary clinical hours post-graduation under supervision and can practice clinical work independently.
Rebecca Sidoti, LCSW
OCD & Anxiety
Ketamine Therapy
VR Therapy
Ashlee Jacobs
Teens
Trauma
Depression
Learn more →
Jordyn Kaprowski
Grief
Teens
Postpartum Wellness
Learn more →
Jailene Irizarry
Identity Development
Self-Esteem
Stress
Learn more →
Paulina Del Pino
Family & Teens
Trauma
Depression
Learn more →
