Essendon Private Clinic
Phobia Treatment in Melbourne
A phobia can become much more than feeling uncomfortable or nervous around something.
For some people, fear and avoidance can begin to affect travel, healthcare, work, relationships, routines or other important parts of everyday life.
Essendon Private Clinic provides planned, psychiatrist-led mental health care in Melbourne for people who may require additional support with anxiety and related mental health concerns.
Returning to EPC? Request a call back →
Private mental health hospital in Essendon West, Melbourne
Psychiatrist-led care
Inpatient, day program and TMS pathways
What Can A Specific Phobia Feel Like?
Specific phobias can affect people in different ways.
Someone may experience intense fear or anxiety when faced with a particular object or situation — or sometimes simply when anticipating it.
This may involve:
- Strong anxiety when approaching a feared situation
- Physical feelings such as a racing heart, shaking or nausea
- Feeling an urgent need to escape
- Worrying in advance about encountering the fear
- Changing plans to avoid particular situations
- Relying on other people to help avoid the feared situation
- Feeling increasingly restricted by avoidance.
Some phobias involve medical procedures, flying, enclosed spaces, driving, heights, animals or other specific situations.
Experiencing fear does not necessarily mean someone has a phobia. A qualified health professional can assess the broader pattern, level of distress and impact on everyday life.
Not sure whether you need help?
You do not need to have all of the answers before asking about support.
Common Examples of Phobias
Specific phobias can involve many different objects or situations. The experience and impact can vary considerably from person to person.
Needle or Medical Phobias
Intense fear associated with injections, blood tests or medical procedures.
Fear of Flying
Significant anxiety before or during air travel.
Claustrophobia
Intense fear associated with enclosed or confined spaces such as lifts, aircraft or medical scans.
Emetophobia
Intense fear associated with vomiting.
Fear of Driving
Significant fear associated with driving or particular driving situations.
Fear of Heights
Intense anxiety associated with heights or situations involving heights.
Other specific phobias may involve animals, insects or particular environments. Experiencing a strong fear does not by itself determine whether someone has a specific phobia. A health professional can assess how the fear is affecting everyday life and discuss appropriate treatment options.
Phobias in Australia
Phobias sit within the broader group of anxiety disorders.
5.6 million
Australians have experienced an anxiety disorder during their lifetime.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
8-12%
of Australians are estimated to experience a specific phobia at some point in their lives.
Source: Expert Minds
When Phobia Starts Affecting Everyday Life
A phobia can affect much more than the moment someone encounters what they fear.
Avoidance may begin to influence travel, healthcare, work or study, relationships, independence and everyday routines. Some people may spend considerable time planning around the fear or worrying about situations they might encounter in the future.
If fear and avoidance are increasingly restricting everyday life, or current treatment is not providing enough support, it may be worth discussing your treatment options with a health professional.
Treatment at Essendon Private Clinic
There is no single treatment pathway that is right for everyone experiencing a specific phobia.
Treatment depends on the individual, their circumstances, previous treatment, clinical needs and the level of care recommended by their treating clinician.
Inpatient Mental Health Care
Planned, psychiatrist-led care in a private hospital environment for people who may benefit from more structured mental health treatment.
Day Programs
Structured therapeutic programs that allow you to receive ongoing treatment while continuing to live at home.
TMS
A psychiatrist can assess your symptoms, diagnosis, medication and treatment history and discuss appropriate next steps.
Psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) may form part of treatment, with medication considered depending on individual circumstances.
When Might Inpatient Treatment Be Considered?
Most specific phobias can be treated in the community and inpatient treatment would not usually be required for a specific phobia alone.
For some people, however, a psychiatrist may consider whether a more structured level of mental health care is appropriate when broader mental health difficulties are significantly affecting everyday functioning or the support currently available is no longer enough.
This may depend on:
- How much mental health difficulties are affecting everyday life
- Treatment already being provided
- Other mental health concerns occurring at the same time
- Available support outside hospital
- individual clinical circumstances.
Admission to EPC is based on referral, assessment and clinical suitability. If you are unsure whether inpatient treatment may be appropriate, our Intake Team can explain the process and what information is required.
Inpatient Care Is Different From Emergency Care
EPC provides planned, private mental health treatment. We are not an emergency department and do not provide crisis or emergency care. If you are in immediate danger, please call 000 or present to your nearest emergency department.
Supporting the Whole Person
A significant phobia can affect much more than fear itself. It can influence confidence, independence, relationships, routines and participation in work, travel, healthcare or other meaningful activities.
EPC’s Whole-Person Recovery Model considers these different parts of recovery through three connected pillars — ESSENTIAL, EMPOWERED, ENGAGED.
ESSENTIAL
Build Safety & Stability
Support with overwhelming emotions, sleep and daily routines, grounding, practical coping skills and building stability.
SKILLS YOU MAY EXPLORE
- Understanding fear and avoidance patterns
- Managing anxiety and physical sensations
- Building stable routines and practical coping strategies
Additional topics may be explored according to your individual needs.
EMPOWERED
Understand Your Emotions
Recognising unhelpful thinking patterns, behavioural activation, emotion regulation and building resilience.
SKILLS YOU MAY EXPLORE
- Recognising triggers and patterns
- Building tolerance for anxiety and uncertainty
- Strengthening emotional regulation and coping skills
Additional topics may be explored according to your individual needs.
ENGAGED
Connect With What Matters
Rebuilding relationships, confidence, meaningful activities, purpose and plans for life beyond hospital.
SKILLS YOU MAY EXPLORE
- Returning to meaningful activities
- Rebuilding confidence and independence
- Planning for ongoing wellbeing and recovery
Additional topics may be explored according to your individual needs.
How To Get Started With Treatment
1
Contact our Intake team
We’ll listen and answer your questions.
2
Referral and assessment
Your psychiatrist will review your needs.
3
Understand your treatment options
We’ll explain the options that may help.
4
Plan your treatment
Together, we’ll create your treatment plan.
Worried About Someone You Care About?
Significant fears and avoidance can also affect partners, family members and carers.
It can be difficult to know how to help when someone is distressed or repeatedly avoiding situations they fear.
Support may involve encouraging connection with professional treatment while avoiding pressure or forcing someone into a feared situation before they are ready.
Family members and carers can contact Essendon Private Clinic's Intake Team for general information about treatment options and referral requirements.
Does Private Health Insurance Cover Treatment?
Coverage depends on the treatment, your health fund, and your individual policy.
We work with major health funds
Most major Australian private health funds are accepted for eligible admissions. Cover depends on your fund, policy and level of hospital cover.
Out-of-pocket costs
Excesses and out-of-pocket costs vary by policy and treatment. Intake can explain what information is needed so you can confirm costs before admission.
We can help explain your cover
The intake team can walk you through the funding process and what to check with your health fund, including waiting periods and eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks
What is a specific phobia?
A specific phobia involves an intense and persistent fear associated with a particular object or situation that can cause significant distress or avoidance.
A qualified health professional can assess whether someone's experiences may meet diagnostic criteria for a specific phobia.
What are common examples of specific phobias?
Specific phobias can involve medical procedures or needles, flying, enclosed spaces, driving, heights, animals, insects or other particular situations.
The experience and impact can differ considerably between people.
Can a phobia affect everyday life?
Yes. Significant fear and avoidance may affect travel, healthcare, work, relationships, routines and independence.
If avoidance is increasingly limiting everyday life, professional support may be helpful.
What is needle phobia?
Needle phobia involves intense fear associated with needles, injections or related medical procedures.
For some people, the fear may make blood tests, vaccinations or other healthcare difficult to access.
What is claustrophobia?
Treatment depends on individual needs and may include psychological therapy, strategies for understanding and responding to panic, medication where clinically appropriate, and support to reduce avoidance and rebuild confidence in everyday life.
What is emetophobia?
Emetophobia involves an intense fear associated with vomiting.
The fear may lead someone to avoid particular foods, places or situations they associate with becoming unwell.
What if my phobia is becoming harder to manage?
If fear or avoidance is increasingly affecting everyday life or previous treatment has not provided enough support, speak with your GP, psychologist, psychiatrist or other treating clinician.
The treatment approach or level of support may need to be reviewed.
How are phobias treated?
Treatment commonly involves psychological approaches such as CBT and exposure-based therapy.
Treatment should be tailored to the person's circumstances and undertaken with appropriate professional support.
Do I need a referral to Essendon Private Clinic?
A GP or psychiatrist referral is generally required for a private admission. If you do not have an admitting psychiatrist, contact intake to ask about the pathway.
Can a family member enquire about treatment?
Yes. Family members and carers can contact EPC to ask about available treatment options and the referral process. Privacy and confidentiality requirements apply to information about an individual patient.
Does private health insurance cover inpatient treatment?
Cover and out-of-pocket costs vary by insurer, policy and admission. Intake can explain what information is needed; confirm benefits with your health fund before admission.
Where is Essendon Private Clinic located?
Essendon Private Clinic is located at 35 Rosehill Road, Essendon West VIC 3040, in Melbourne’s north-west. Contact our Intake Team if you would like to ask about treatment options, referrals or how to access care.
You Don't Need to Diagnose Yourself Before Asking For Help
Reading about symptoms online can help you recognise that something may not be going well. It cannot determine why you are experiencing those difficulties or what treatment you need.
Our Intake Team can discuss your circumstances and explain available treatment options.
YOU DO NOT NEED EVERY ANSWER BEFORE YOU CALL
Talk to Intake About Admission
Send a short enquiry and the Intake team can explain treatment options, referrals, costs and next steps.