• Case formulation:
• Conor is a 62 year old British mixed race male who came to you because of anxiety when visiting the dentist or the barber. He reported palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath every time he is due to sit in close proximity to the dentist or his barber. He reported a feeling of suffocation and a fear that something awful might happen like a heart attack. As a result he tends to miss his appointments and he developed severe dental pain and an infection which made his GP refer him to you.
• Conor reports not liking male dentists but he does not mind female professionals .
• Conor uses Zanax if he must visit a dentist and he cannot avoid it but his anxiety is still tormenting him. His GP has refused to prescribe any more tablets and suggested he sees a psychologist instead.
• Conor comes from a working class background and described a good childhood where he was adored by his parents. He always tried to please them by being compliant and looking after his siblings, as they both worked long hours and struggled to make ends meet. He did not talk much about his earlier years.
• Conor is warm but struggles to open up and share difficult feelings with you despite being articulate and insightful. He tends to compliment appropriately and respectfully, and praise you frequently. You notice feeling very warm towards him too and looking forward to your sessions. Despite his progress, his problem remains intact and there are still questionmarks about his childhood.

He recently disclosed having been inappropriately touched by an uncle when he was 6. They were lying on the same bed and he could not leave the room. Conor never talked about this to anyone else