Therapy for Specific Phobias in Redondo Beach, CA || Catherine Alvarado, LMFT

Therapy for Phobias and Fears

available online or in person in redondo beach, CA

Does fear make everyday life feel harder than it should?


Phobias can trigger intense responses to everyday situations like flying, driving, medical or dental visits, or eating. These fears may lead to avoidance, panic, or a sense of being out of control. I blend EMDR with holistic strategies to gently reduce fear, increase confidence, and support a sense of calm in situations that once felt overwhelming.

Phobias can show up in many areas of daily life, including:

  • Flying or driving – Fear of transportation or losing control while traveling

  • Medical or dental visits – Anxiety triggered by appointments, procedures, or environments

  • Eating and swallowing – Fears around choking, vomiting, or the act of eating itself

  • Social situations – Discomfort or panic in public settings or group environments

  • Animals – Fear responses to specific animals like dogs, cats, or insects

 Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to face what frightens you one step at a time.

How therapy works

Learn how to overcome fears that hold you back.

Phobias can make everyday life feel overwhelming—whether it’s sitting through a dentist appointment, getting on a plane, or simply sharing a meal. These fears are often misunderstood, but their impact is very real. For some, it’s the fear of choking or vomiting; for others, it’s driving across a bridge or being in a crowded room. When fear takes over, it can shrink the world around you and make even small moments feel out of reach.

Therapy offers a gentle space to explore what’s underneath the fear and begin building trust in your ability to move through it. With a combination of EMDR and body-based tools, you can start to feel more grounded, more confident, and more in control—one step at a time.

Therapy for phobias and fears can help you...

  • Gently face what feels overwhelming, at a pace that feels safe and supported

  • Process memories or past experiences that may be fueling the fear

  • Learn calming techniques to manage anxiety in the body and mind

  • Use mindfulness and breathwork to stay present during triggering moments

  • Build confidence to engage in activities and situations that once felt off-limits

  • Feel more grounded by addressing both the emotional and physical sides of fear

FAQs || Catherine Alvarado, LMFT

Frequently asked questions

FAQs

  • Therapy can support a wide range of fears—like flying, driving, medical or dental visits, eating, choking, vomiting, or social situations. Whether the fear is tied to a specific event or feels hard to explain, there’s space to explore it without judgment.

  • Not at all. Therapy moves at your pace. We’ll start by building trust, safety, and regulation skills before exploring any fear more directly. Nothing is forced, and your comfort always comes first.

  • I use a blend of EMDR and holistic, body-based techniques to help reduce the emotional charge around phobias. The goal is to feel more in control and less overwhelmed—physically and emotionally.

  • Yes—many people find that therapy helps reduce avoidance, lessen anxiety, and make everyday situations more manageable. Even small shifts can create meaningful freedom over time.