Fear of Phobias

By Tara Dickherber, M.Ed, LPC
Senior Certified Practitioner, Rapid Resolution Therapy 

Prior to my training, and continued training, in Rapid Resolution Therapy, I was seriously afraid of phobias. Well actually as a therapist it frightened me to have a client come to see me who had any type of phobia. Why you may ask? Because I had no clue what to do with a phobia, how to lessen that fear for the individual, let alone clear that phobia out! 

Now however, I have a much deeper understanding of the complicated human mind, and when someone mentions they have a "phobia" I just dive right in and clear it out.  My first experience since learning how to clear phobias as an RRT therapist was with a client who had a deep fear of driving on large highways. (I tried to find an actual phobia name for fear of driving on a highway, but I couldn't find one.)  She could drive around her small town and go to work and the grocery store, etc. But to drive into the city or even come see me, it meant having to drive on a large highway system and thus she had to have someone bring her to her RRT appointments. So in her second session we tackled that with great success. She even drove home feeling completely calm and confident! 

Since then I have helped two more clients clear their fear of flying (Pteromerhanophobia). The first client had numerous flights scheduled throughout this year and had to take prescription medications just to get on the plane. When she completed her first flight after our session she immediately e-mailed me to say she had just had her first amazing, medication-free flight! The second client that approached me with this phobia noted she didn't take medications during the flight but had panic attacks at take-off and landing. Again, I cleared it up! She noted that the flight she had after that session was much better and felt that what we had done was successful. 

The most recent client I worked with had Ophidiophobia - fear of snakes. Unfortunately for this client she has had a den of snakes under her deck. Prior to coming in to see me she had a professional come out five times to remove five different snakes. She told me that even looking at pictures of snakes made her skin crawl, and she became panic stricken. She had actually been avoiding her backyard because of those snakes. When we were done she pulled out her smart phone, pulled up pictures of snakes and had no emotional or physiological reaction!

To sum it all up, my fear of phobias (Phobophobia) has cleared its self up! Another Rapid Resolution Therapy success!

Be well, Be happy - Tara

Tara S. Dickherber, M.Ed, LPC

573-754-0348

1360 S 5th St., Suite 394, St. Charles, MO 63301

www.mylifecoachtara.com

How RRT Cleared My Client's Height Phobias

By Gayle Skovran, LCSW-RCertified Practitioner, Rapid Resolution Therapy 

Yes, yes. Amazing!

Phobias and RRT had been fairly new to me as I had only treated one patient with a phobia with only fair success and then a break in treatment.

When having an inquiry from a middle aged man for RRT to clear his height phobia, I hesitated and then remembered that I do not offer guarantees and that he called requesting treatment, which is what I do. With much support, encouragement, and some RRT "story" sharing from my fellow CP's, the results were amazing!

Robert came into my office hesitant and apprehensive. Within minutes.....we connected! He described a life filled with missed events, missed fun, and now the opportunity to retire, sell his house, and move to his wife's dream apartment on the fifteenth floor of a high-rise building, overlooking beautiful woods.

He had stayed away from windows at his work for many, many years often having to use different hallways and entry ways to get to different parts of his office. He had missed hikes in the mountains with his wife, changed vacation plans, giving up his love of adventure (low height, flat land adventure!).

Bridges had been avoided making transportation very challenging. After many stories explaining anxiety sensations and the disassembly process, Robert was amazed at his ability to calm himself!

I cleared some trauma "ghosts" (he had been held and dangled out of a window by a neighbor he was fond of) while keeping him present and imagining the beauty of the view from a local bridge.

Changing identity was so powerful for him that the whole thing was "done" in 45 minutes! How exciting! I always know when things are "done" when the patient begins to look different- sometimes as if they could be their own sister or cousin. Their face changes, affect changes, and appearance changes. Then my energy changes and I am fueled by their change!

Robert's parting comments were "Gayle, you are terrific," and "I cannot wait to go home and have that apartment where I can stand on our balcony, looking high over those beautiful trees, feeling the sun on my face."

What a charge for me! 

Gayle Skovron, LCSW-R, has been in practice for over 20 years working with all ages including young children. A graduate of Fordham University, Gayle is trained and certified in several modalities of psychotherapy including Rapid Resolution Therapy. RRT has had an incredible impact on her life both professionally and personally. Gayle has offices in both New York and Connecticut and can be reached by email at gskovron@gmail.com or by phone at 914-450-2413. For more information please visit Westchestertherapists.com.