Phobia Release
Free yourself from fear’s deep roots
Phobias can shrink your world. Avoiding places, situations, creatures. Until the fear starts to feel like part of who you are. It doesn’t have to stay that way.
Phobia and fear release - amongst the trees.
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Start you exploration here, with a free discovery conversation with me, JK.
Understanding Phobias
A fear that feels bigger than you
A phobia is more than being nervous or cautious. It’s an intense, automatic fear response triggered by something that your mind has coded or believes as dangerous even when you know, rationally, that it isn’t. Your body reacts as if the threat is real. Heart racing, breath shortening, the overwhelming urge to escape, the panic sets in and you behave in ways you feel you wouldn't do 'normally'.
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You didn’t choose this. Phobias are learned responses, often picked up in a single moment, and just as the mind learned them quickly, it can unlearn them too.
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Common phobias worked with:​
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Heights
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Flying
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Needles & medical situations
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Dogs & animals
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Spiders & insects
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Vomiting
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Driving
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Open or enclosed spaces
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Water
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Social situations
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Storms
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The dark
If you recognise yourself in any of these, or you have a fear that doesn’t appear on this list, this doesn't mean I can't work with you. There are many less common phobias and a discovery call will help us discuss if this approach is right for you.
Please note I don't personally work with psychosexual phobias and recommend exploring support for those, with a qualified psychotherapists, experienced in that field.
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You might relate to some of these experiences:
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Organising your life around avoiding the thing you fear.
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Feeling embarrassed or frustrated that you can’t seem to just “get over it” or take control.
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Heart pounding, sweating, freezing or fleeing or a strong sense of panic or doom, even at the thought of the trigger
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The phobia holding you back from travel, social life, work, or family activities
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Tried to push through, but the fear shows up strongly every time
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You may feel like you’ve had this fear for as long as you can remember
The Approach
Two powerful methods, working together
Sessions most commonly combine NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and IEMT (Integral Eye Movement Therapy) two evidence-informed approaches that work directly with the way your nervous system holds the fear, rather than simply talking about it. In some sessions I may choose to use other therapeutic or coaching approaches I am trained in, to help you experience the changes you have come for, in the most suitable way for you, your experiences and your desired outcome.
NLP : Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Rewiring the fear response
NLP’s Fast Phobia Model (originally developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder ) works by guiding you to revisit the fear from a safe, dissociated perspective, as if watching a film rather than being in it. By mentally replaying and rewinding the memory in a new way, the emotional charge attached to it begins to dissolve.
Your brain recognised the fear quickly in the first place, often in a single moment. The same rapid learning capacity means it can relearn just as swiftly. Many clients experience profound shifts within one or two sessions.
IEMT : Integral Eye Movement Therapy. Releasing what’s been imprinted
IEMT is a brief, focused therapy that uses guided eye movements paired with precise questioning to update how your nervous system holds an emotional imprint. When we experience something distressing, the memory becomes emotionally coded. IEMT works directly with that 'coding'.
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What many clients values is that IEMT does not require you to talk through or relive what happened in detail. You don’t need to disclose anything you’re not comfortable sharing. The process has the potential to create real, lasting change in a subtle and profound way.
The Setting
Why we work in private woodland
Every phobia session takes place in a private, secluded woodland, near Ripon, North Yorkshire. Not a clinic, not an office. For these sessions, I offer in person, in the woods only. This is for a reason.
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Nature can help calm the nervous system
Being among trees measurably reduces cortisol and activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the body’s rest-and-restore state. This is precisely the state most conducive to deep change work.
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Privacy
The woods, where I coach, offer true seclusion. There’s no waiting room, no other clients, no clinical smell. We'll meet at the car park and wander through the site together, to our coaching space beneath the canopy and amongst bird song.
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A different kind of openness and calm
Clients often describe feeling more open, less guarded, and more able to access the deeper parts of themselves than they would in an indoor setting. The physical space allows you to breathe deeply, shift and let go in a different way to a session in a room somewhere.
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Embodied, not just cognitive
Fear lives in the body, not just the mind. Working outdoors keeps you grounded in your senses and allows us to help move and regulate you. sight, sound, breath, the feeling of the earth beneath your feet are some of the things you might notice while you are here. Which supports the body-level change these techniques create.
What to Expect
Your session, step by step
Sessions are led gently and at your pace. You are never pushed, and you remain in control throughout. There is no expected exposure to a phobia stimuli, unless your phobia relates to something in the woods.
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1. A conversation before we begin
We start by talking through what you’re experiencing . We might look at when the fear shows up, how it affects your life, and what you’d like to feel differently. There’s no pressure to go into distressing detail or trigger a high intensity phobic response. This is simply about understanding where you are now, and where you’d like to be.
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2. Settling into the space
Before any technique begins, we’ll take time to arrive in the space together, we may do some emotional regulation techniques like grounding or breathwork. This helps your nervous system regulate and anchor itself calmly in the space. The woodlands beautiful setting helps us with this naturally. ​
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3. Working with NLP and/or IEMT
Depending on what feels right from what we have explored together, we’ll move through NLP’s phobia framework, IEMT, or a blend of both. Including any other approaches that may help you. Without feeling overwhelmed. These processes are led gently, clearly explained as we go, and adapted to how you’re responding. You’ll be guided every step of the way.
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4. Checking in and integrating
After the main process, we check in on how things feel. Many clients notice a surprising sense of calm, lightness, or neutrality where the fear used to be. We take time to ground that shift before you leave. And I'll help you consider your opportunities for the future, with the phobia released.
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5. Follow-up and support
You’ll leave with a clear sense of any next steps. Some phobias resolve in a single session; others may benefit from a follow-up. Either way, you won’t be left wondering what comes next.
You leave knowing how, when and where you will know things are different. With no pressure to explore these goals straight away but clear insight of what will make a difference.
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Sessions last 90 minutes.
Following a discovery call together, if you'd like to book you will receive booking links, a copy of the coaching agreement and a short form to register, ahead of the session.
Sessions are £175 per session
Is this right for you?
This is a good fit if…
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You have a specific phobia or intense fear response
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Your fear is affecting your daily life, choices, or relationships
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You’re ready and motivated to release it, even if that feels scary right now
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You’ve tried other things and they haven’t stuck
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You’re comfortable spending time outdoors (even just sitting)
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You prefer a gentle, non-clinical approach to change
Good to know:
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You do not need to re-live or relive the fear in detail
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IEMT can work without you disclosing the root of the fear
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You won’t be confronted with the feared object during your session
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Sessions are private , 1.1. No other clients will be present. If someone is bringing you to the session, they will be asked to stay onsite, or leave and pick you back up. They will not be part of the session.
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The woods provide a naturally safe, grounding environment
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Not sure if this is right for you? I want to ensure this for you too. A free discovery call ensures we are a great fit and this is a good next step for your needs and goals. BOOK THAT HERE
Frequently Asked Questions
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How many sessions will I need?
Many specific phobias respond within one to three sessions. NLP’s phobia framework in particular is designed to create rapid, lasting change, sometimes in a single sitting. This can also happen with IEMT. That said, every person and every phobia is different. We’ll discuss realistic expectations during your initial conversation, and you’ll never be pushed into booking more than you need.
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Do I have to talk about what caused the phobia?
Not if you don’t want to. I have worked with clients who only felt comfortable to give brief headlines of their phobia. IEMT in particular is designed to work without requiring you to disclose the detailed content of difficult memories. You might not even know the original cause that’s absolutely fine. The techniques work with the emotional imprint itself, not the story/detail around it.
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Will I be exposed to the thing I’m afraid of?
No. This is not exposure therapy. These techniques work entirely within the imagination and the nervous system. You will not be confronted with your specific fear is during the session. The process is designed to feel manageable and safe throughout. That noted, we do carry sessions out in the woods, this includes a range of wildlife and mini-beasts. Exposure will never be deliberate and I will ensure you are clear on our session setting before taking part on a session together.
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What if I’m nervous about coming?
That’s completely understandable and very common. Clients are often so ready to let go of the phobia by the time they book in a session, they share a mix of excitement, anticipation and nerves. Even the thought of addressing a phobia can feel daunting. You will have the chance at our discovery call, before booking the session, to ask any questions and get a feel for things. There’s no pressure, and the session always moves at your pace.
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What should I wear or bring?
Comfortable clothes and footwear suitable for being outdoors. Layers are recommended as woodland temperatures can vary. You don’t need to bring anything specific just yourself and an openness to the process. Some people like to bring a notepad and pen to capture any reflections. There is no recording of the session permitted.
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Is this suitable for children or young people?
Both NLP and IEMT can be highly effective with younger people. I currently only work with clients aged 18+ but I am happy to signpost you to other practitioners who work with children, or you can find these on life coach directory or IEMT directory website.
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How much does it cost?
A 90-minute pay as you go session is currently £175. Payment is due upfront in advance of the session to secure the time together. The coaching agreement will outline wider terms and conditions of working together.
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When can I get a session?
Following our discovery call, you'll be sent a booking link to book and pay for the session. Typically sessions run at the woods between Tuesdays - Thursdays with availability day and evening. Subject to current availability. I will most often be able to see you within 2-4 weeks of our discovery call. On the discovery call, you'll be able to let me know if you are looking to change the phobia/fear before a particular event e.g holiday, job interview, driving lesson
Ready to take the first re-rooted step?
A short conversation is all it takes to find out whether this is the right fit for you. No obligation, no pressure just an open conversation to see how I can help. Book a discovery call or zoom below or email info@wherethemindgrows.co.uk to take that next step.
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