Fear and Phobia

Fear and phobia can significantly impact a child’s well-being, manifesting as extreme reactions to specific situations, objects, or even the thought of certain events. These intense feelings can interfere with a child’s daily life, affecting school performance, social interactions, and family dynamics. Shiva Movafaghian, with her extensive qualifications as a psychotherapist, certified play therapist, and certified life coach, is uniquely equipped to help children overcome these debilitating emotions. Her 15+ years of experience in child and youth mental health enable her to create tailored, empathetic, and effective treatment plans that address each child’s unique needs.

At the heart of Shiva’s approach to treating fear and phobia is play therapy, a specialized method that allows children to express and process their fears in a safe and supportive environment. Play therapy is particularly effective for children who may not yet have the language skills to articulate their anxiety. Through carefully guided play sessions, children can project their fears onto toys, stories, or creative art activities. This externalization helps make overwhelming emotions more manageable. By observing how children engage with these elements, Shiva gains crucial insights into the root causes of their phobias. Her sessions are structured to gently expose children to their fears in a controlled and comforting way, gradually desensitizing them and helping them build confidence.

Shiva also uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which has proven to be one of the most effective treatments for phobias. CBT helps children challenge and change the distorted thoughts that fuel their fears. Shiva teaches children how to recognize these negative thought patterns and replace them with more realistic and positive perspectives. For instance, if a child has an intense fear of dogs, Shiva might guide them in understanding that not all dogs are dangerous and that some are gentle and friendly. By using role-playing, storytelling, and thought-mapping exercises, she helps children gain a sense of control over their fears. These CBT techniques are introduced in a child-friendly and engaging way, ensuring that the sessions remain interactive and meaningful.

A unique aspect of Shiva’s work is her use of solution-focused therapy. This approach focuses on the child’s strengths and highlights past successes in overcoming fears. By emphasizing what the child can do, rather than what they cannot, Shiva fosters a sense of empowerment and self-efficacy. Children learn to visualize a future where their phobia no longer holds them back, setting achievable goals to make this vision a reality. Shiva’s warm and encouraging demeanor helps children feel safe to explore and challenge their fears, making the therapeutic process less intimidating and more hopeful.

Shiva’s extensive knowledge of neuroscience and brain plasticity further enhances her approach to treating fear and phobia. She incorporates methods that leverage the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire itself. One such method is exposure therapy, a gradual and controlled process of confronting fears in manageable steps. For example, if a child is afraid of heights, Shiva might begin by showing pictures of high places before progressing to visiting a tall building. Throughout this process, she uses mindfulness techniques to help the child stay calm and grounded. These practices, which include deep breathing, guided visualization, and progressive relaxation, reduce the physiological symptoms of fear, such as a racing heart or sweaty palms. By calming the nervous system, these exercises make it easier for the child to face and overcome their phobia.

Recognizing that fear and phobia can also affect the entire family, Shiva places a strong emphasis on parental involvement. She works closely with parents, offering guidance and practical strategies to reinforce therapeutic progress at home. Parents learn how to respond supportively when their child encounters a fear trigger, how to set appropriate boundaries, and how to create an environment that encourages bravery and resilience. Shiva’s parent workshops provide additional resources, such as techniques for modeling calm behavior and ways to celebrate small victories.

In cases where phobias are particularly disruptive or persistent, Shiva collaborates with schools and educators to ensure a holistic and consistent approach. By providing teachers with strategies to support the child in a school setting, she creates a unified support system that extends beyond therapy. This collaboration is especially important for school-related phobias, such as fear of public speaking or separation anxiety.

Through her compassionate and scientifically grounded methods, Shiva Movafaghian has helped many children successfully conquer their fears and phobias. Her holistic approach not only alleviates the child’s immediate distress but also builds lasting skills that empower them to handle future challenges with confidence and courage.