About phobias
A phobia is an intense, persistent fear of a specific object or situation (flying, animals, heights, blood…) that leads to avoidance. Gradual exposure therapy is highly effective and often requires a limited number of sessions.
Therapist is the everyday word for a professional who offers talking therapy: depending on the country it can be a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a licensed counsellor, a marriage and family therapist or a clinical social worker. Profiles show each therapist’s actual title, training and registration.
Getting mental health care in Austria
Public health system · Soziale Krankenversicherung (ÖGK, BVAEB, SVS)
Psychotherapy is covered either fully through contracted places (Psychotherapie auf Krankenschein) or via a partial reimbursement when you see a non-contracted therapist; fully funded places are scarce. Since 2026 the ÖGK also covers clinical-psychological treatment as a benefit in kind, organised through the psyhelp service point. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Federal Ministry of Health, Psychotherapeutenliste (Psychotherapiegesetz 2024). Practising psychotherapy in Austria requires entry in the ministry's public list of psychotherapists. Check that the person appears in the list and note their registered method. Search the official register
- Federal Ministry of Health, lists of clinical psychologists and health psychologists (Psychologengesetz 2013). Clinical psychologists and health psychologists must be entered in the ministry's professional lists; working without registration is an administrative offence. Insurance reimbursement requires the psychologist to be on the ministry list.
Insurance and coverage
Statutory health insurance pays for psychotherapy through contracted providers or a partial reimbursement for non-contracted ones, and for clinical-psychological treatment if the psychologist is on the ministry list.
Urgent help in Austria
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Emergencias
- 142 · TelefonSeelsorge – Notruf 142
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: oesterreich.gv.at, psychotherapie.ehealth.gv.at, usp.gv.at, usp.gv.at
Signs to look out for
Fear is normal in dangerous situations. A phobia is an intense, persistent fear of something specific, such as flying, heights, animals, needles, blood or enclosed spaces, that is out of proportion to the real risk. It becomes a problem when you go out of your way to avoid it, feel panic when facing it, or when avoidance limits your work, travel, health care or relationships.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Specific phobias respond very well to cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) with gradual exposure, in which you face the feared situation step by step with support. Exposure can be done in real life, through imagination or, in some cases, with virtual reality. Some phobias can improve with relatively short, intensive treatment. Psychologists and clinical psychologists usually lead this work.
When to seek urgent help
Phobias are rarely emergencies, but a fear of needles, doctors or hospitals should not stop you from getting necessary care; tell health staff so they can help. Contact your local emergency services if fear prevents you from seeking urgent treatment, or if intense panic comes with chest pain or symptoms you have not had before. Seek urgent help for any thoughts of self-harm.
What you can do in the meantime
Avoidance keeps fear alive, so small, planned steps towards what you fear can help, for example looking at pictures before approaching the real thing. Practise slow breathing to manage physical symptoms. Learn reliable facts about the real risk. Ask a supportive person to accompany you, and acknowledge each step forward. If fear is very intense, it is better to do this with a professional.
What does a therapist do?
A therapist helps you talk through what is worrying you and find practical ways to feel and cope better. In sessions they listen, ask questions, help you notice patterns in your thoughts, emotions and relationships, and agree goals with you. Depending on their training they may use cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, systemic, psychodynamic or other evidence-based approaches, with individuals, couples, families or groups.
When to see a therapist
It makes sense to look for a therapist when stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship problems, a difficult change or the effects of past experiences start to weigh on your daily life, or when you simply want space to understand yourself better. If symptoms are severe, you may need medication or there are signs of a medical cause, involve your doctor or a psychiatrist as well.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Austria cover psychological care?
Psychotherapy is covered either fully through contracted places (Psychotherapie auf Krankenschein) or via a partial reimbursement when you see a non-contracted therapist; fully funded places are scarce. Since 2026 the ÖGK also covers clinical-psychological treatment as a benefit in kind, organised through the psyhelp service point.
How do I check that a therapist is licensed in Austria?
Federal Ministry of Health, Psychotherapeutenliste (Psychotherapiegesetz 2024): Practising psychotherapy in Austria requires entry in the ministry's public list of psychotherapists. Check that the person appears in the list and note their registered method.