IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING WITH ARACHNOPHOBIA, you already know it’s not just “being a bit afraid of spiders.”
It’s intense fear. It’s sweaty palms, rapid heartbeat, panic attacks—physical symptoms that appear out of nowhere, sometimes even at the thought of a spider.
And if you’ve been told you need exposure therapy—handling a real spider to “get over it”—you’re probably here because that idea feels unbearable.
Let us reassure you right away: you do not need exposure therapy to overcome your fear. Not here, you don’t.
At The PHOBIAMAN Clinic, we specialise in phobia hypnotherapy. That means we work exclusively with people with phobias – people who feel trapped by an irrational but very real fear. And we do it without forcing you to face the fear to beat it.
Welcome to The PHOBIAMAN Clinic – Experts in Hypnotherapy for Arachnophobia
I’m Alex, Treatment Director at The PHOBIAMAN Clinic and a veteran member of Paul McKenna’s Training Team. Together with my team, I’ve spent over 20 years developing a highly effective form of hypnotherapy for spider phobia that works at the subconscious level—where the fear actually lives.
Our approach is calm, professional, and above all else, non-confrontational. We never use live spiders. Instead, we help you reprogram the unconscious mind so it no longer reacts with terror to a harmless creature.
What Is Arachnophobia and How Does It Affect People?
Arachnophobia is more than just disliking spiders. It’s a deeply conditioned fear response that can form after a single traumatic experience—or be passed down through observation, like seeing a parent scream at a spider.
For many people, this fear develops early and affects their whole life. It might stop you from going into basements, garages, or even certain rooms in your home. Some people can’t sleep if they’ve seen a spider in the house and they feel like they’re losing control. Others avoid travelling to countries where spiders are common.
If that sounds like you, know this: you’re not alone, and it can change.
What Happens During a Hypnotherapy Session for Arachnophobia?
In your hypnosis sessions, there are no spiders, no surprises, and no need to “be brave.” You’ll simply be guided into a relaxed state—similar to daydreaming—where the subconscious mind becomes more open to suggestion.
From there, your therapist will help reframe your fear. Instead of reacting as though a spider is a threat, your unconscious begins to understand that it’s just a stimulus—something you can respond to calmly.
We use powerful tools that help “rewire” how your brain processes spiders so you can overcome fear.
We may also use the Rewind Technique—a method that allows you to revisit the root of your fear (if there is one) in a safe, detached way. You stay fully aware and in control the entire time.
Why Choose Hypnotherapy Over Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (exposure therapy) is the standard approach in many clinics. You start with pictures, then move up to plastic spiders… and eventually, a live one. But many people can’t even begin that journey because the intense fear is simply too overwhelming.
Hypnotherapy is different. The “exposure” happens entirely in your mind—and only when your body and mind are calm.
You don’t even have to visualise a spider unless and until you feel ready. This allows deep subconscious changes to occur without panic, stress, or risk of re-traumatisation.
And unlike exposure therapy, hypnotherapy doesn’t just “mask” the fear. It targets the root cause—often a learned or traumatic association stored in your unconscious mind—and helps dissolve it entirely.
Is Hypnotherapy for Spider Phobia Fear Effective?
Yes. In fact, studies show that hypnotherapy can significantly reduce phobic symptoms, often in just a few sessions. One review published in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis concluded that hypnosis is a “powerful and successful method” for phobia treatment.
Another study highlighted in Scientific American found that just a few hours of therapy could actually rewire the brain of a spider phobic, reducing activity in the amygdala (the fear centre) and replacing it with calm, rational processing.
Anxiety UK, one of the leading mental health charities in the UK, actively endorses hypnotherapy as a valid treatment for anxiety and phobias. And Medical News Today notes that hypnosis, especially when combined with other strategies, is among the most effective tools for reducing anxiety-related symptoms.
How Many Hypnosis Sessions Will I Need for Fear of Spiders?
Every person is different. Some clients experience a breakthrough after just one or two sessions, especially if their spider phobia stems from a single traumatic memory. Others with more deeply ingrained fears may benefit from a short course of 3–5 sessions.
Because we specialise in phobia treatment—and only phobias—we’re often able to achieve results faster than generalist therapists.
Can I Use Self Hypnosis or Other Techniques at Home?
Absolutely. After your sessions, your therapist may provide you with self hypnosis recordings or calming scripts you can listen to at home. These are designed to reinforce the new, calmer pathways your mind has formed.
We also teach relaxation techniques and breathing strategies to help you stay in control when you encounter spiders in real life. Many of our clients develop their own personal “Spider Response Plan,” which includes steps to overcome fear, act rationally, and—eventually—deal with the situation confidently.
For example:
- Visualising a “golden bubble” of safety around you
- Repeating an empowering phrase like “I am calm and in control”
- Remembering that spiders are more afraid of you than you are of them
These simple tools can make all the difference.
Is Hypnotherapy Safe?
Yes. Hypnosis is not mind control—despite what you might have seen on TV. You stay fully aware and in control throughout every session. You can’t be made to do anything you don’t want to do.
In fact, most people describe hypnotherapy as a deeply relaxing and empowering experience, one that helps them feel calm, in control, and hopeful again.
Hypnotherapy is recognised by respected organisations like the British Psychological Society and the American Psychological Association. And it’s used in hospitals worldwide for pain relief, trauma treatment, and anxiety management.
At The PHOBIAMAN Clinic, all our therapists are clinical hypnotherapists, trained to the highest standards and with years of experience in treating phobias specifically.
Ready to Overcome Fear and Feel Calm and in Control Again?
If you’re tired of feeling like your fear of spiders is controlling your life—where you go, what you do, even how you sleep—it’s time to make a change.
At The PHOBIAMAN Clinic, we believe real treatment means removing the fear, not managing it. Our goal is to help you feel safe and free, and to do so without ever having to face your phobia head-on.
To find out if our arachnophobia hypnotherapy is right for you, call the PHOBIAMAN Clinic on 0207 193 5194 today.