Agoraphobia Treatment

Therapy for Agoraphobia in Tampa and the Surrounding Bay Area

Do you worry about not being able to get help or escape in public places? Have you started avoiding things like public transportation, standing in lines, or entering crowded environments? If any of this feels familiar, you might be struggling with agoraphobia. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 1% of adults in the U.S. experience this condition. Fortunately, therapy for agoraphobia in Tampa is available and effective. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), along with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), is considered the leading treatment approach.

Treatment for agoraphobia is available in the Tampa Bay Area! At Anxiety Center of Tampa, our therapists are experienced in using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is a key part of treating anxiety disorders like agoraphobia. ERP is essential in reducing avoidance behaviors—the very behaviors that often provide short-term relief but keep the cycle of anxiety going.

If anxiety has left you feeling stuck at home, avoiding certain places or situations may seem helpful in the moment, but it often makes things harder over time. That’s why successful treatment involves gradually confronting those feared situations in a structured, supportive way.

Our therapists will work closely with you to identify your specific triggers and build a personalized exposure hierarchy. These guided exercises are designed to help you re-engage with the world, one step at a time. Contact us today and begin moving toward a more functional, independent life.

About Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder marked by the fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult or help might not be available, such as being alone outside the home, in crowds, or in open spaces. This fear can become so intense that people avoid these situations altogether, especially if they’ve experienced a panic attack in the past.

Over time, individuals with agoraphobia may come to rely on others to handle daily activities, reinforcing feelings of helplessness and isolation. Effective therapy for agoraphobia in Tampa often involves gradual exposure to feared situations in a structured way. It’s also important to recognize that panic disorder and agoraphobia are not the same—some people experience panic disorder without agoraphobia, and vice versa.

Agoraphobia Counseling in Tampa and the Surrounding Bay Area

 Symptoms of Agoraphobia

According to the DSM-V, the diagnostic criteria for agoraphobia is as follows:

  1. Marked fear or anxiety about two (or more) of the following five situations:

    A. Using public transportation (ex. cars, buses, trains, ships, planes).

    B. Being in open spaces (ex. parking lots, marketplace, bridges).

    C. Being in enclosed spaces (ex. stores, movie theaters, offices).

    D. Standing in line or being in a crowd.

    E. Being outside of the home alone.

The individual fears or avoids these situations because of thoughts that escape might be difficult or help might not be available in the event of developing panic-like symptoms or other incapacitating or embarrassing symptoms (ex. fear of falling or incontinence).

  1. The agoraphobic situations almost always provoke fear or anxiety.

  2. The agoraphobic situations are actively avoided, require the presence of a companion, or are endured with intense fear or anxiety.

  3. The fear or anxiety is of out proportion to the actual danger posed by the agoraphobic situations and the sociocultural context.

  4. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is persistent, typically lasting for 6 months of more.

Begin Agoraphobia Counseling in Tampa, FL

Our anxiety therapists at Anxiety Center of Tampa are specialized in providing treatment for anxiety disorders. All the clients seen at our practice have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Therefore, beginning treatment with us gives you the opportunity to start the evidence-based care necessary for managing anxiety. While many therapists can provide CBT, only a few in the Tampa Bay Area are trained to provide the crucial ERP component, which is essential for effective agoraphobia counseling in Tampa.

Treatment is highly individualized at our practice. Your schedule, session length, and frequency are all considered when creating your treatment plan. At your intake session, you and your therapist will discuss your needs and any obstacles to care to set you up for success.

Call Anxiety Center of Tampa at 813-773-5807 for more information or to schedule your appointment today. You can also contact us via email through our contact page.

Here are the easy steps so that you can get your life back on track:

  • Contact us to set up an intake session.

  • Meet our anxiety therapists.

  • Learn how to cope with anxiety and live a meaningful life!