Fear of flying is common, usually occurring from a bad experience. Ivy had Hypnotherapy for fear of flying. I hope you enjoy her story of how the sessions helped her overcome the fear.
Initial Enquiry
Ivy emailed me, enquiring how I could help through hypnotherapy for fear of flying. Her phobia had prevented her from booking a holiday abroad. Consequently, she wants it to stop the negative impact on her life, before embarking on married life. We agreed on a mutual time for the consultation over zoom, to discuss Ivy’s fears and reason for the hypnotherapy.
Consultation
She told me that her fears started as a teenager when she went away with her friends, the return flight was horrendous. Previous family holiday flights had been no problem. Currently Ivy is twenty-six years old.
They’d had a great week away celebrating the end of A-Levels, feeling somewhat tired and a bit delicate. Unfortunately, the return flight was delayed. A few drinks sounded a good idea to end the holiday and pass away the time.
After a few hours, emotions were running high, and the tension started. Once boarded, all the girls were sitting apart from each other, and Ivy felt cramped in her seat between two strangers. The heat was building up around her, she felt the panic and anxiety rising. Claustrophobia set in.
Because the flight was delayed, they had even longer to wait before take-off; she was in such a state by that point, gasping for breath and feeling very unwell. The flight was quite turbulent, meaning the three-hour flight was a nightmare!
The next flight she went on was awful. Her anxiety was high for the week before. Once at the airport she consumed several alcoholic drinks but was still terrified. Couldn’t eat or do anything on the flight, just more alcohol to ‘help’!
The experience has put her off booking a holiday abroad. However, now Ivy and her fiancé George, are getting married next year, she desperately wants to conquer the fear of flying so they can have a honeymoon they want. They’ve booked a short city break to Barcelona in 3weeks time to conquer this fear. However, she needs some support to get through it.
Next Steps
I explained the process and Ivy felt comfortable talking with me, deciding to go ahead with the hypnotherapy for fear of flying. We booked the three, weekly, in person sessions, to end before her Barcelona trip.
First Hypnotherapy Session
During this first session, I explained with neuroscience why we get the fears, and what makes the phobias worse. Alcohol only masks the fear and doesn’t help.
Every time Ivy thought about going on a plane, she had high anxiety and couldn’t go through with booking. Thus, persuading her friends to go away in this country or travel by ferry until now. This all made sense to Ivy, and it was a comfort to know the process would change her perspective.
We went through several coping techniques, ways to reduce and control her anxiety. Relaxation completed the session. I sent Ivy a copy of my relaxation recording to listen to every night. Homework was to practice the techniques and listen to the relaxation.
Middle Hypnotherapy Session
This week started with asking if she has noticed any changes within herself. Ivy had been practicing the techniques, was feeling calmer about the upcoming flight, and was sleeping better than she had in ages. Again, with the neuroscience I explained the positive changes, and what happens when the traumatic experience occurs.
For Hypnotherapy for fear of flying, as well as for other phobias, we use a technique called rewind. The method is safe and controlled, so that you can process the phobic response. As a result, helping you to gain control over the fear. Ivy used both the memories she had experienced, plus a memory which she creates when thinking of flying. People who have never flown in their life can still have a fear of flying. For that reason, the fear can be helped through hypnotherapy.
At the end of the rewinds Ivy felt lighter, and more excited about flying again. We ended the session with another relaxing technique, which can be used at any time of stress.
Again, this week’s homework was to practice the techniques, listen to the relaxation, and have a think about how she would like the flight to be.
Last Hypnotherapy Session
Ivy came in beaming and buzzing with excitement. She had booked her Hen weekend to Malaga with the girl friends, the friends she’d been away with on ‘that flight’. George mentioned to her he’s noticed how calm she’s been, and how engaged she was with planning where to go in Barcelona. Sleeping is still better, waking refreshed and with more energy. So many positives this week.
I recapped on the neuroscience including what and why we do this final stage, reframing how we want to be. Discussing in detail how Ivy would like the day of her flight to go creating that perfect scenario. So that becomes the memory in her bank, rather than the disastrous ones before.
Once we got the perfect story, we discussed what difference this would make to her life moving forward. “It would open up the world to choose from for our honeymoon.”
Time for relaxation to embed the new memory.
At the end of the session, I reminded her of the techniques and the relaxation recording to listen to until after her holiday. I concluded wishing Ivy a happy holiday to Barcelona.
Testimonials
I received a lovely text message from Ivy from Barcelona: “Well, amazing lead up to the flight, some anxiety on take-off / landing but I managed to ground myself so an exceptional result for me … thank you so much.”
“Having just undergone a course of hypnotherapy for fear of flying with Jo, I can hand on heart say she has put me in a much better place, and has made me feel calmer, more confident & helped with my concerns. I couldn’t believe how completely different I was prior to boarding- it was amazing! With her wholly professional approach, blended with a calm and relaxing personality put me at ease within minutes of being in her company. Go and see her you won’t be disappointed.”
Want to Conquer Your Fear of Flying?
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about Ivy’s story.
Find out if I’m the right therapist to help you overcome your fear of flying.
I am a full member of the AfSFH, NCH and CNHC, fully compliant with all their codes and ethics. I have full public liability am qualified, verified, and fully insured through BABTAC, with an enhanced DBS certificate through the NCH.
If you wish to learn more about hypnotherapy for fear of flying, or other phobias, then do get in touch and book your consultation so we can discuss your concerns. You can either visit me in person at my therapy room in Great Addington. Or if you are not local to me, we can have appointments online over Zoom which are just as effective as when I see clients in person.
Please note:
Ivy’s story is based on real events, created from an amalgamation of several of my client’s experiences. Therefore, not intended to reflect on any one actual person’s personal experience.
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