“I have a very deep-seated fear of flying. It stems from being on a very turbulent flight about fifteen years ago, when I was 6 months pregnant.
I did not fly at all after that for about 8 years but then for the sake of occasional family holidays I would fly short haul – but only with diazepam from the doctor, and I would clutch the seat in front on takeoff and be very tense for the duration of the flight.
I saw Michael for some help because it was likely that I would have to make several short flights for work.
For my first session with Michael we tried some visualisation techniques. To be honest this had minimal effect on my next flight to Dublin; I am not great at visualisation so this was probably not the most effective type of therapy for me. Michael tailored our next session so that it was more in line with my world-view, and the way I process information.
The ‘anchoring’ technique in particular really gave me something I could relate to and use and sure enough I noticed an improvement on my next flight. I was still nervous on take off but focused on my breathing and ‘anchor’ and for once I did not grab the seat in front and actually once up in the air I relaxed and read my book which is a first! I was also less anxious in the lead-up to the flight.
I can’t say I’m ‘cured’ but I’m happy that the tension and anxiety has been greatly reduced. I don’t baulk now at the thought of flying, knowing that I can cope.”