Dog-assisted phobia therapy in Ballarat

Individuals can develop phobias due to maladaptive or negative thought patterns and distorted perceptions of threat. Essentially, we develop an unhelpful tendency to have exaggerated beliefs about danger and our inability to cope, leading to heightened fear responses to the phobic stimuli. For example, someone with arachnophobia (fear of spiders) may irrationally believe that all spiders are deadly. The effect of a phobia on individuals can range from heightened anxiety when you face your phobia all the way to extreme fear, panic or functional challenges (like being unable to leave your house because of your phobia).

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Avoiding your fears may feel like relief in the moment, but true freedom comes from facing them in a safe and supported way.
Phobias from a cognitive perspective

If we approach a phobia from a cognitive theory, the phobia is thought to develop from a maladaptive or unhelpful thought pattern that distorts our idea of the threat posed to us by our phobia. We might engage in catastrophic thinking such as a belief that our phobia will lead to serious injury or death. We might even generalise a genuine past experience to develop a phobia across different situations. For example, someone who was once trapped in a lift might develop a phobia of all enclosed spaces and an unreasonable fear that if they become trapped, they might die or be unable to escape. You may also develop a tendency to ‘single out’ things you see that reinforce your threat-based feelings about a phobia, while selectively ignoring other evidence that suggests you will be safe in those situations.

Phobias from a schema perspective

Schema theory go a bit further to suggest that phobias develop due to deeply ingrained mental frameworks (schemas) that shape how individuals interpret and respond to fear-related stimuli. Our schemas, often formed through early experiences in life, influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, leading to unhelpful fear responses when we encounter our phobia. We may develop a rigid schema that a certain place or thing is to be treated with fear because we either experienced or were consistently told this in early life. A negative schema can be difficult to shift because we often engage in avoidance behaviour (e.g. avoiding dogs, spiders or whatever our fear stimulus is). Because avoiding this fear keeps us safe, it reinforces the belief that the fear is justified (i.e., ‘I’m only alive because I stay away from spiders).

Mental health therapy for phobias

Unlike prevailing opinions these days, avoiding the ‘triggers’ of your fear is not likely to help you overcome them in the long run. At Barking Mad Company our psychologists will work with you to develop an understanding of how your fear may have developed (by exploring past experiences and identifying negative thought patterns). This exploration can uncover some helpful ‘aha’ moments that support an individual to achieve insight into the underlying experience predisposing you to phobia. We can also engage with you in an evidence-based treatment called ‘graded exposure’. This is a structured, gradual approach to systematically face your phobia in a controlled and supported environment. Graded exposure is based on the principles of habituation (reducing fear through repeated exposure) and cognitive restructuring (challenging irrational thoughts). Incorporating animal-assisted therapy for overcoming fears into your phobia treatment can help reduce stress and anxiety relating to treatment and exposure to your phobia.

Men's mental health services in Ballarat

Phobias can feel overwhelming, but with the right support, they don’t have to control your life. At Barking Mad Company, our psychologists help you understand the root of your fears and work through them using evidence-based techniques like graded exposure therapy and animal-assisted therapy.

If you're ready to take the first step toward overcoming your phobia, reach out today and let us guide you through the process in a safe and supportive environment.

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