Phobia Treatment
Phobia Therapist in Newport Beach, CA
EMDR • Clinical Hypnotherapy • CBT • Somatic Approaches • The A.R.O.L.Y.N. Method™
Specialized treatment for phobias, fears and anxiety in Newport Beach / Corona del Mar, California. Arolyn Burns, LMFT, LPCC, CHT is a Newport Beach psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of phobias, anxiety and trauma. Practicing since 1997, she is a Certified EMDR Therapist and Certified Hypnotherapist, author of Anxiety Annihilated and creator of The A.R.O.L.Y.N. Method™.
Written and clinically reviewed by Arolyn Burns, LMFT, LPCC
Psychotherapist · EMDR Certified · Certified Hypnotherapist · Author of Anxiety Annihilated · Practicing since 1997
When fear starts controlling your life
A phobia is more than simply disliking or feeling uncomfortable about something. The fear can become so powerful that you begin organizing your life around avoiding it.
You may know intellectually that your reaction is stronger than the actual danger — yet your body still responds with intense anxiety.
Arolyn integrates approaches including EMDR, clinical hypnotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), somatic techniques and solution-focused therapy according to each client's individual needs.
Phobias Arolyn treats
Arolyn works with adults experiencing a variety of specific fears and phobias, including:
- Fear of flying
- Dental phobia
- Social phobia and social anxiety
- Public-speaking anxiety
- Performance anxiety
- Fear of driving
- Fear of heights
- Fear of enclosed spaces
- Medical-procedure fears
- Animal and insect phobias
- Other specific fears and phobias
A focused five-session phobia protocol
Arolyn has developed a focused five-session protocol for treating phobias based on her clinical experience working with anxiety, fear and trauma. Depending upon the individual, treatment may incorporate elements of EMDR (addressing distressing memories, triggers and associations connected with the fear), clinical hypnotherapy (focused attention, relaxation and therapeutic suggestion when clinically appropriate), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (identifying and changing thoughts and behaviors that may maintain fear and avoidance), somatic techniques (increasing awareness of and learning strategies for managing the body's fear response), solution-focused therapy (specific goals, existing strengths and practical changes), and The A.R.O.L.Y.N. Method™, Arolyn's framework for assessing and addressing anxiety, phobias and trauma.
The five-session protocol provides a structured framework rather than a guarantee that every phobia will be resolved within five sessions. Treatment needs and outcomes vary by individual.
Fear of flying
Has a fear of flying started determining where you can go? Fear of flying can interfere with vacations, family visits, relationships and professional opportunities.
For some people, anxiety begins days or even weeks before a flight. Others may avoid flying entirely. Treatment can address both the thoughts associated with flying and the physical fear response.
Arolyn works with clients experiencing fear of flying and flight anxiety using an individualized combination of therapeutic approaches.
Dental phobia
Dental anxiety can become a cycle. Fear leads to avoidance. Avoidance delays dental care. Delayed treatment can result in more complicated procedures — which can reinforce the original fear.
Arolyn works with individuals experiencing dental phobia and severe dental anxiety, helping address the thoughts, memories, triggers and physical reactions associated with dental treatment.
Social phobia and social anxiety
Social anxiety can make ordinary interactions feel threatening. It may involve fear of being judged, saying the wrong thing, meeting new people, dating, attending social events, eating or speaking in front of others, being the center of attention or public speaking.
Therapy can focus on identifying the thoughts and learned responses that reinforce anxiety while developing new ways of responding to feared situations.
EMDR for phobias
Arolyn has been EMDR certified since 2001.
Some fears become associated with earlier distressing experiences. A frightening flight, painful dental procedure, accident, embarrassing social experience or other event can become strongly connected with later anxiety.
When clinically appropriate, EMDR may be incorporated into treatment to help process distressing experiences and triggers associated with the phobia.
Clinical hypnotherapy for phobias
Arolyn is both a licensed psychotherapist and Certified Hypnotherapist. Clinical hypnotherapy may be incorporated into phobia treatment when appropriate. Hypnotherapy involves focused attention and therapeutic suggestion and can be integrated with other psychotherapy approaches.
It does not involve losing control or being unconscious. The client remains an active participant in the therapeutic process.
The A.R.O.L.Y.N. Method™ for phobias
Created by psychotherapist and author Arolyn Burns, The A.R.O.L.Y.N. Method™ provides a framework for understanding and addressing anxiety, phobias and trauma:
- A — Assess the fear, triggers and desired outcome.
- R — Reframe thoughts and interpretations that may reinforce the fear.
- O — Observe thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and behavioral responses.
- L — Learn therapeutic tools and new ways of responding.
- Y — Yield to new responses instead of automatically following established fear patterns.
- N — Normalize healthier responses through practice and integration.
About Arolyn Burns
Arolyn Burns, LMFT, LPCC, CHT is a California licensed psychotherapist specializing in anxiety, phobias, trauma and chronic pain. She has practiced psychotherapy since 1997 and is a Certified EMDR Therapist and Certified Hypnotherapist.
Arolyn is 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.
Take back the choices fear has been making for you
A phobia doesn't have to continue determining where you travel, which activities you participate in or which opportunities you pursue.
Treatment begins by understanding your specific fear and developing an individualized plan for addressing it. 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 #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
- Fear of flying therapy in Newport Beach
- Dental phobia therapy in Newport Beach
- Social anxiety therapy in Newport Beach
- Public speaking anxiety treatment
- Specific phobia treatment
- Performance anxiety treatment
- EMDR therapy
- Clinical hypnotherapy in Newport Beach
- The A.R.O.L.Y.N. Method™
- About Arolyn Burns
- Author page — Anxiety Annihilated
Ready to take the first step?
In-person appointments at 2333 E Coast Highway #C, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625, and secure video sessions anywhere in California. Mon–Wed 11am–8pm, Thu 11am–2pm (by appointment only).