Course to conquer fear of flying at Birmingham
July 20, 2006A new course is being offered at Birmingham International Airport to help conquer a fear of flying.
Chartered clinical psychologist Elain Iljon Foreman will run a programme courses from the airport, using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help fearful passengers overcome their phobia. Patients will be treated either in individual or group sessions in two-day courses based at the airport.
CBT is a recognised treatment for anxieties and phobias and has lately been hailed as a "miracle cure" for many psychological illnesses.
Around 15 per cent of the population suffer from a fear of flying. Iljon Foreman says that her programme of CBT is effective in 95 per cent of cases.
An initial telephone assessment is carried out to make sure the person is suitable for the treatment, after which Iljon Foreman will teach them techniques to deal with frightening thoughts.
"Once I can understand what my patients are thinking and see how this affects their feelings and behaviour, I can then help them to train themselves to think in a different way," she said.
"Their new behaviour can then lead to a potentially more satisfying way of life and become part of the person's normal pattern of existence."
The second step in the treatment involves taking a flight with Iljon Foreman and attempting to overcome the fear.
For further information or to book, visit www.freedomtofly.biz.
Dates of future courses will be decided by demand and can be scheduled to suit patients.
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