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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Agoraphobia treatment - is it possible to organise doctor's consultation at home?

    Related Topics
    Anxiety Mental Health Phobia
    My 17 yr old daughter has severe agoraphobia and will not leave the house for anything. How can I get someone to help by doing initial consultations at home till she becomes able to attend at a clinic?
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    Jill Kite

    Social Worker

    I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker specialising in Perinatal and Womens Health Counselling, and Family/Couples counselling. I treat mood disorders such as anxiety … View Profile

    Treatment for anxiety and agoraphobia will involve graded exposure to feared situations. You may be able to involve a home visiting GP to provide initial support and appropriate antidepressant medication, but the next step will need to be to plan to attend therapy in a setting outside the home if progress with this disabling condition is to be made .

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    Leo Martyn

    Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Social Worker

    Leo Martyn is an experienced counsellor and psychotherapist who has been engaged in private practice for many years. He has also worked in a number … View Profile

    I'm sorry to hear about your 17 year old daughter's struggle with agoraphobia. It is an often overlooked condition and not very well understood by most health professionals. While the gold standard treatment for agoraphobia is considered by psychology to be graded exposure within cognitive therapy, evidence exists that where issues present from earlier, pre-cognitive stages that exposure may not offer a complete treatment approach.

    I would suggest that a home visit from a suitably qualified and willing therapist may be appropriate in the early stages, with an aim to be working toward having your daughter attend their practice which would be an exposure treatment approach in itself. Online therapy sessions may also be supportive in early treatment where it is acutely anxiety provoking to leave the house. Medication may or may not be supportive in helping manage the anxiety and thus, assist the effectiveness of therapy. That would be a conversation to have with an understanding and informed medical professional.

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  • Anonymous

    Yes..the trick is finding that health professional who will do the home visit in rural queensland. I can see my daughter just gradually disappear as no one is willing to help

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    Samantha Spafford

    Psychologist

    My approach is both warm and practical. Firstly we will work together to explore and understand your situation and any challenges that you face. Then … View Profile

    Hi, I am a registered psychologist with a specific interest in helping people in rural and remote Australia. I grew up in the outback myself and now I am dedicated to helping people access appropriate services by delivering Online Psychology Sessions.

    I have also trained and worked in the UK, delivering CBT for agoraphobia and have achieved some very good results. Unfortunately my service is not yet goverment funded however my fee is very competitive compared to other psychologists and I am always willing to discuss options. Please contact me on sam@positiveminworks.com.au if you would like further information.

    Best wishes

    Sam

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