Fear of stepfathers (vitricophobia)

Vitricophobia is a fear of your stepfather. It might show up as tension when he is in the room, avoiding visits home, or a sense of unease that is hard to put into words.

About this phobia

The name comes from the Latin vitricus, meaning stepfather, and it is a rare term found mainly on phobia lists. Feelings about a stepparent are often bound up with family change, loyalty to a parent, or the stress of a new household. Similar list terms exist for stepmothers and other relatives.

What it feels like

• Feeling on edge or watchful when your stepfather is around
• Making excuses to avoid family meals or visits
• Difficulty speaking openly or relaxing at home

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

Common questions

What should I do if I am scared of my stepfather?

Fear in a family setting can have many causes, from adjusting to a new household to more serious experiences. If the fear is linked to past or present mistreatment, please talk to a GP, a specialist counsellor or another trusted person who can help you feel safe.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

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