The Freedom Collection · Phobia support in Swindon & online UK-wide
More freedom.
Less fear.
Whether it's flying, dogs, needles or something harder to explain, your experience deserves to be taken seriously.
I'm Gary Smith, a psychotherapist and clinical hypnotherapist. Explore individual phobia guides below, or arrange a free conversation about the support and treatment options available.
In-person in Swindon · Online consultations throughout the UK
Understanding the experience
It's more than simply not liking something.
A phobia can make ordinary situations feel unpredictable or overwhelming — even when part of you knows you're safe.
You might spend days worrying about an appointment, plan journeys around a particular fear, avoid places you once enjoyed or feel frustrated that other people don't understand.
Phobias vary. Some are connected to a particular object or animal; others to situations such as flying, enclosed spaces or medical procedures. What matters is how the fear affects your life.
The Freedom Collection
Explore our dedicated phobia guides.
Four in-depth pages, each focused on the specific challenges of a different fear.
Fear of flying
AviophobiaFlights, airports and worries about turbulence.
Explore this guide → Dedicated phobia guideFear of dogs
CynophobiaWhen encounters with dogs affect your plans or confidence.
Explore this guide → Dedicated phobia guideFear of vomiting
EmetophobiaThe fear of being sick or seeing someone else become unwell.
Explore this guide → Dedicated phobia guideNeedle phobia
TrypanophobiaAnxiety about injections, blood tests and medical procedures.
Explore this guide →Further phobia information
More fears. More ways to explore.
Not seeing your fear above? These additional topics already have pages on our website.
Worry about encountering spiders at home or elsewhere.
View existing page → Fear of snakes OphidiophobiaFear of snakes, reptiles or unexpected encounters.
View existing page → Fear of mice and rats MusophobiaDistress around rodents or places they might appear.
View existing page → Fear of heights AcrophobiaDifficulties with bridges, balconies, stairs or high places.
View existing page → Claustrophobia Enclosed spacesWorry about lifts, confined rooms and crowded spaces.
View existing page → Agoraphobia Situational anxietyFear associated with leaving safe places or finding escape difficult.
View existing page → Fear of public speaking GlossophobiaAnxiety about presentations, meetings and speaking to groups.
View existing page → Fear of the dark NyctophobiaFear linked to darkness, night-time or being alone in the dark.
View existing page → Fear of clowns CoulrophobiaDistress related to clowns, costumes or particular situations.
View existing page →Something else on your mind? Let's talk about your experience.
Where you can access support
In Swindon, nearby communities and online across the UK.
Explore phobia-related support in person at one Swindon clinic, or discuss online consultations wherever you live in the United Kingdom.
In person · Swindon clinic
Swindon and an approximate 50-mile area
Our clinic is based on Northbourne Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN25 4YE. People enquire from Swindon, Cirencester, Royal Wootton Bassett, Marlborough, Devizes, Chippenham, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bath, Oxford and other nearby communities.
All face-to-face appointments are arranged at the Swindon practice, not at additional clinics in the towns listed.
Online · UK-wide
Suitable online phobia consultations
Where appropriate, consultations are available to people in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. An initial conversation helps us discuss privacy, suitability, the available approaches and alternatives if another treatment would be more suitable.
There is no need to travel to Swindon for an online appointment.
The 50-mile area is an approximate straight-line enquiry catchment around Swindon, not a statement that every road journey is 50 miles or less. No additional clinic locations are implied.
A considered approach
You deserve a clear conversation about your options.
Phobias are treatable, but no single approach is right for everyone.
For many specific phobias, evidence-based CBT commonly includes carefully planned, gradual exposure. My own approach is different: I offer Solution Focused Clinical Hypnotherapy and, where appropriate, NLP-derived rewind techniques with CBT-informed strategies. I do not use exposure therapy. The evidence for hypnosis and NLP approaches is less established, and we can discuss alternative treatments or referral.
My work draws on Solution Focused therapeutic conversations and, where suitable and agreed, clinical hypnotherapy and other techniques. We can discuss what is appropriate for you, including whether an evidence-based alternative or referral may better meet your needs.
I won't promise a cure or a fixed number of sessions. We will review what is useful together and discuss other options if a different approach may suit your needs.
For independent information, see the NHS guide to phobias .
A simple way to begin
Start with one conversation.
No obligation to commit. Just the space to talk through what's happening.
Tell me what's happening
Describe what concerns you, the situations you avoid and what you would like to be different.
Explore suitable support
We'll discuss what I offer, other treatment options, any relevant medical considerations and practical arrangements.
Decide what feels right
If we agree to work together, we'll review progress as we go. There's no pressure to proceed.
Meet your therapist
Hello, I'm Gary.
A psychotherapist, clinical hypnotherapist, lecturer and clinical supervisor based in Swindon.
I believe therapy works best when you feel respected, comfortable asking questions and involved in decisions about your care. My approach is friendly and practical, with space to understand what you're going through.
I welcome clients at my Swindon practice and offer online appointments throughout the UK, where online work is suitable for their needs.
Questions, answered
What would you like to know?
Is a phobia different from an everyday fear?
A phobia usually involves a strong and persistent fear that may feel out of proportion to the situation and can lead to significant distress or avoidance. A healthcare professional can assess symptoms when a diagnosis is needed.
Can I get help if my particular fear isn't listed?
Yes, you're welcome to contact me about another fear. We'll discuss your circumstances and whether the support I offer is appropriate, or whether another specialist may be a better fit.
Will I have to confront my fear immediately?
No technique should be undertaken without explanation and your informed agreement. Evidence-based CBT for phobias often involves planned, gradual exposure; we can discuss what that means and whether referral would be appropriate.
Can hypnotherapy cure a phobia?
I don't promise a cure or a particular outcome. The evidence base for hypnotherapy is more limited than for CBT with exposure for specific phobias. We can talk honestly about the options and their limitations.
How many sessions would I need?
There isn't one reliable number for everyone. Your needs, goals and progress would be reviewed together if you choose to proceed.
Do you offer online phobia appointments?
Yes. I offer online consultations throughout the UK, subject to suitability, alongside in-person appointments in Swindon.
What does the initial consultation cost?
It's free and without obligation. You can also read the current session details on the fees page .
Your next step
You don't have to have everything figured out.
If a fear is narrowing your choices, a first conversation can help you explore what to do next.
Book a free consultation, or get in touch to ask a question before arranging an appointment.
Best Mind Therapy
In person:
Northbourne Road
Swindon, Wiltshire SN25 4YE
Online:
Across the United Kingdom, where appropriate.
Contact:
07359 071210
Gary@bestmindtherapy.co.uk