Overcoming Fear

There are several treatment modalities for specific phobias that research supports as effective interventions. However, the most effective one, in vivo exposure, is considered inconvenient, costly, and sometimes very difficult to conduct in a clinical setting. Clinical hypnosis has been widely used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. This study explored the use of group hypnotherapy for the treatment of different specific phobias. Four females participants, each one with a different phobia, completed 3 group hypnotherapy sessions. Hypnotic suggestions were formulated in a way that allowed each individual to adapt it to their own experience and particular problem. All participants reported benefiting from the experience. Results showed significant improvement in their phobic anxiety after completing treatment.