Overcoming Dental Fear and Phobia: The Power of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy
Are you someone who feels anxious, tense, or overwhelmed at the thought of visiting the dentist? You’re certainly not alone.
Dental fear is incredibly common — and for many people, it can make routine appointments feel like a huge emotional hurdle.
Imagine being able to approach dental visits with a greater sense of ease and steadiness.For some, this might mean feeling more in control; for others, it might simply mean the experience feels more manageable than before.
In this article, we’ll explore dental fear, why it shows up, and how Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy can offer a supportive space for individuals who want to feel calmer and more resourceful when thinking about dental appointments.
We’ll also look at how the “Rewind and Reframe” technique is used within simple phobia sessions.
Understanding Dental Fear and Phobia
Dental fear or phobia goes beyond a simple dislike of dental procedures.
It often involves strong emotional responses triggered by:
past experiences
fear of pain
the sound or sensation of dental equipment
fear of losing control
concerns about medical or needle-related sensations
These feelings can sometimes lead to avoiding appointments altogether, which many people find frustrating.
Understanding the fear — and how the brain responds to perceived threat — is often the first step toward approaching dental visits differently.
Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy: A Gentle, Future-Focused Approach
Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) is based on the idea that individuals already have the resources within them to move toward the changes they want to see.
Unlike therapies that involve revisiting the past, SFH focuses on:
your goals
how you’d like to feel
what is already going well
small, manageable steps forward
A typical session includes a relaxed, future-focused conversation followed by guided imagery and trance work, which many people describe as calming, grounding, and mentally clarifying.
How Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy Supports Individuals with Dental Fear
1. Encouraging a Calmer Internal State
Many clients describe the relaxation element of SFH as helping them connect with a clearer, more balanced mindset. This can make it easier to think about dental appointments without feeling overwhelmed.
2. Exploring New Thought Patterns
SFH encourages individuals to notice helpful thoughts, strengths, and previous examples of coping. This future-focused thinking can feel empowering.
3. Using Positive Visualisation
During trance, clients often find it easier to mentally rehearse how they want to feel — for example, sitting in the waiting room feeling grounded and steady.
4. Shifting Attention Toward Preferred Outcomes
By focusing on how you’d like things to be, SFH helps build familiarity with more supportive perspectives and internal responses.
The Rewind and Reframe Technique
The Rewind and Reframe technique is sometimes used within simple phobia sessions.
The Rewind Phase
In a relaxed state, individuals are guided to view the feared situation from a comfortable, detached position — not reliving it, but observing it safely from a distance.
The Reframe Phase
From this calmer perspective, individuals explore new ways of thinking about the situation, creating more helpful associations and imagined outcomes.
Many clients describe this technique as helping them relate differently to previously intense memories or thoughts around dental visits.
A Supportive Path, Not a Medical Treatment
Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy does not treat dental phobia or anxiety in a medical sense, nor does it replace dental care or psychological treatment.
However, many people find it offers:
a gentle space to explore fears
a calmer mindset
increased confidence in their ability to cope
a way to imagine approaching appointments differently
My practice room is based in Upper Heyford near Bicester, and I also work online for those who prefer remote sessions.
Imagining a Different Experience
Picture yourself walking into a dental clinic feeling steadier, clearer, and more in control.
For many people, even a small shift in how they feel can make a noticeable difference.
If you’re curious about whether Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy could offer supportive space for you, I offer a relaxed initial consultation where we can explore your goals and see whether the approach feels right for you.
Wondering whether Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy could offer a calm and supportive space for navigating dental or dentist-related fears?
The next step is booking a FREE 45 Minute Initial Consultation / Hypnotherapy Discovery Session (no half-measures here).
In-person at my Oxfordshire Therapy Room (Upper Heyford, near Bicester or Online via Zoom).
The first step to setting yourself free and living the life you want.
It's perfectly normal to feel a bit apprehensive when reaching out to a therapist for more information. Taking this step is a powerful choice, and I want you to know that it's absolutely okay to feel that way. I’m here to provide support and guidance every step of the way.
My name is Andy Selway (he/him) and I am a fully qualified Clinical Solution Focused Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist. I run HeadFirst Hypnotherapy®, based in Upper Heyford (near Bicester), Oxfordshire.
I assist people in regaining control of their lives by retraining their brains to overcome limiting thought patterns, master their emotions, and cultivate resilient behaviors for a brighter and more positive future.. I know… It’s awesome!
In a nutshell, I ‘get you out of your own way’. Because, let’s face it, a lot of us are.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy taps into the power of your subconscious mind so you can move forward towards the life you’ve always wanted to live. It’s a quick, practical way to address thought patterns, emotions and behaviours that are holding you back in life.
I’m a member of the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and National Council for Hypnotherapy.
Hypnotherapy sessions can be done either in my garden therapy room in Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire (Near Bicester). Ideally situated, it also serves individuals in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, and Warwickshire and I also work online nationwide via Zoom.