Apps combat phobias and anxiety
bbc.co.ukFor those who go straight-to-comments on HN (myself included):
Users first play a series of games with cartoon spiders, which start out as cute and harmless-looking but gradually become more realistic. One early task involves helping a spider hide in a slipper while someone is using a vacuum cleaner.
You're also missing a spider in a top hat.
NICE (the UK "death panel") has guidance for computerised CBT. It's interesting reading.
It's surprising how effective a short bit of work can be to overcome quite deeply entrenched phobias.