Medical & Needle Phobia
Needle Phobia & Medical Procedure Phobia Therapy in Newport Beach, CA
Injections, blood draws, MRIs and medical anxiety · EMDR • Clinical Hypnotherapy • CBT • Somatic Approaches
Arolyn Burns, LMFT, LPCC, CHT is a Newport Beach psychotherapist specializing in anxiety, phobias and trauma, including fear of needles, injections, blood draws and medical procedures. Practicing since 1997, she is a Certified EMDR Therapist and Certified Hypnotherapist serving Newport Beach, Corona del Mar and surrounding Orange County communities.
Written and clinically reviewed by Arolyn Burns, LMFT, LPCC
Psychotherapist · EMDR Certified · Certified Hypnotherapist · Author of Anxiety Annihilated · Practicing since 1997
When fear delays the care you need
Needle fear and medical fear are among the most consequential phobias, because avoiding them can mean postponing bloodwork, vaccinations, imaging, dental treatment or a needed procedure.
Many people describe knowing the procedure is brief and necessary — and still feeling their body react before they reach the exam room.
Therapy addresses the fear that stands between you and the care you have already decided you want.
Fears this page addresses
Medical and procedure-related fear can take several forms, including:
- Fear of needles and injections (trypanophobia)
- Fear of blood draws and IV lines
- Fear of the sight of blood
- Fainting or feeling faint during medical procedures
- Fear of MRI, CT or other enclosed imaging
- Fear of surgery or anesthesia
- Fear of dental injections
- White-coat anxiety and fear of medical appointments
- Fear of receiving test results or bad news
- Fear associated with a previous frightening medical experience
The fainting response is different
Needle and blood fear are unusual among phobias because some people experience a drop in heart rate and blood pressure rather than only a surge of anxiety — which can lead to lightheadedness or fainting.
That physical pattern deserves specific attention in treatment. Assessment clarifies how your body responds so the plan matches what actually happens to you, rather than assuming every fear response looks the same.
When medical fear is rooted in a past experience
A difficult hospitalization, a painful childhood procedure, a botched blood draw, a serious diagnosis or a frightening emergency can leave a lasting physical and emotional response — sometimes decades later.
When fear is associated with a distressing memory, EMDR may be clinically appropriate. Arolyn has been EMDR certified since 2001 and evaluates each client individually before incorporating it.
A focused approach to needle and medical phobia
Arolyn has developed a structured five-session phobia protocol based on her clinical experience treating fears and phobias. Treatment is individualized and may incorporate EMDR when the fear is associated with a previous distressing medical experience; clinical hypnotherapy, used to help clients practice focused attention, relaxation and therapeutic responses to procedure-related triggers; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to address catastrophic predictions and avoidance; somatic techniques, to work with the specific physical response — including the faint response — that medical fear can produce; solution-focused therapy, organized around the practical goal of completing the appointment or procedure; and The A.R.O.L.Y.N. Method™, Arolyn's framework for addressing anxiety, phobias and trauma.
Five sessions describe the structure of Arolyn's focused protocol and do not guarantee that every client's needle or medical phobia will resolve in five sessions. Treatment length and outcomes vary.
The A.R.O.L.Y.N. Method™ for medical and needle fear
- A — Assess: identify the specific trigger — the needle, the sight of blood, the enclosed scanner, the waiting — and what you predict will happen.
- R — Reframe: examine the thoughts and interpretations that reinforce the fear.
- O — Observe: build awareness of thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and avoidance behaviors.
- L — Learn: develop therapeutic strategies for responding differently during appointments and procedures.
- Y — Yield: allow a new response instead of following the established fear pattern.
- N — Normalize: practice and integrate healthier responses so necessary care becomes manageable.
A psychotherapist, not a medical provider
Arolyn is a licensed psychotherapist. She does not provide medical care, sedation or medical advice, and therapy is not a substitute for treatment from your physician or dentist.
Her role is to treat the fear and anxiety that may be preventing you from obtaining the medical or dental care your providers recommend.
About Arolyn Burns
Arolyn Burns, LMFT, LPCC, CHT is a California licensed psychotherapist who has practiced since 1997, specializing in anxiety, phobias, trauma and chronic pain.
She is a Certified EMDR Therapist and Certified Hypnotherapist, the author of Anxiety Annihilated and creator of The A.R.O.L.Y.N. Method™. Her private practice serves clients in Newport Beach, Corona del Mar and surrounding Orange County communities.
Don't let fear postpone your care again
Treatment can begin well before your next appointment — that's often the ideal time to start.
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation with Arolyn Burns.
Who you would be working with
Arolyn Burns, LMFT, LPCC is a Newport Beach psychotherapist specializing in anxiety, phobias, trauma and chronic pain. She provides EMDR therapy and clinical hypnotherapy and has been practicing since 1997.
- CA LMFT #MFC40173, LPCC #LPC54
- M.A. Clinical Psychology, Azusa Pacific University
- 10× Best Newport Beach Therapist
- 2333 E Coast Highway, Suite C, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
Creator of The A.R.O.L.Y.N. Method™, the framework behind this work.
Frequently asked questions
Related pages
Ready to take the first step?
In-person appointments at 2333 E Coast Highway, Suite C, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625, and secure video sessions anywhere in California. Mon–Wed 11am–8pm, Thu 11am–2pm (by appointment only).