flying phobia: treatment in process

today i had a session with a client who was referred after a very frightening flying experience. She had previously been a very confident international flyer, having flown many many times. after a particulalry turbulant flight with screaming crying and hand holding she has developed a phobic fear of flying.

Some twelve months after the flight she found herself crying and panic just thinking about flying again. Seeing a plan sent her into a panic, imagining flying made her cry and talking about the incident she ended up sobbing.

So we launched into a fairly standard CBT-type program for trauma based avoidance. we began by developing some strong anxiety management skills. She trained herself in relaxation techniques for a few weeks. we talked through the incident every session but then put those techniques into practice.Each week has "homework" that involves taking on a carefully graded challenge.

Well today we past the six session mark and she has made great progress. She has sat for a long day at the international terminal and can easily speak through the incident without tears. We planned a trip to melbourne early next year and she will be scanning the net for bargains. only a few months again she couldn't read about flying without tears.

a bit of good news.