Phobia Cures
Irrational fears or phobias are often learnt in a single instance and may be described as “one trial learning” This means a person often has had a fearful experience which they now re-experience every time they are in this situation or think of being in this situation. Typical symptoms often include greatly increased anxiety, perspiring, increased metabolism, racing thoughts amongst other feeling. The key to changing the historical response is to change the “emotional charge” that triggers the old behaviour to create new found freedom for the individual.
Since the late 1990s I have used this approach to work with and reduce a wide range of different fears. Phobias include fear of spiders, snakes, heights, bridges, insects, confined spaces, birds, needles, public speaking amongst many others too numerous to mention. Many clients I see have previously attempted numerous other approaches. My personal experience is that “analysing the problem” rarely results in changing the old response because the feeling often remains unaffected by such forms of analysis. Fortunately the Provocative Change Works approach has proved to be highly effective in working with these kinds of problems and I now teach these skills to other therapists all over the world.
BBC Appearances by Nick Kemp for Phobia Cures
In 2006 I was a guest on BBC for 26 consecutive weeks working with a wide range of fears and anxieties live on air. Most of these were improved within an hour using a combination of elements from NLP, Provocative Therapy and Hypnosis. This multi layered combination works better even than stand-alone NLP or Hypnosis. Every week a BBC listener was selected to be a client in the Leeds or Bradford studio. We would first discuss live on the air the problem and how it has affected life to date. After working using my Provocative Change Works set of skills we would both return to the studio and feedback the results. We would seek to test the results of the work whenever possible. During this six month period we would make frequent visits to the Leeds Tropical House which housed all manner of spiders, snakes and flying insects, so the client was able to notice how they no longer had the fear.
One of the most memorable client sessions was with Mary who had a fear of birds for fifty years. After the session this is what she said –
“It was good to see you again last Wednesday, and to be able to demonstrate how your NLP has helped me to deal with my “Bird flapping wings” fear. I can honestly state that following the NLP session, my fear of being near birds has gone. I am now able to walk outdoors, and I notice less and less as time is passing, any presence of birds. What can I say, I am a changed person with a higher level of confidence in dealing with not just birds, but other matters also. I’ve carried this burden throughout my adult life, and you’ve eradicated it with just one short session of NLP. This has been a life changing moment for me, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. No more free, free, because now I am FREE of this fear.”
Many of the BBC sessions can be heard here on this site and my DVD sets “Provocative Change Works™ for Phobias” and “Provocative Change Works for Anxiety” show many of the techniques I use in this process.
More client feedback
“I just wanted to say thanks. I have had 2 sessions… Whilst I don’t think i will ever really like wasps (does anybody?), I am perfectly happy if one comes near me. It really has made a massive difference to me. I have been able to enjoy being out in the garden for the first time I can remember. Even the little things, such as leaving windows open in the house or driving with a window open, no longer scare me. Thanks again, I never imagined that these sessions would make the huge difference they have.
Kind regards”
Gabby
“I feel so much more relaxed. Now I can actually sleep in my own house!”
Emma – fear of spiders
“There’s a massive change! I am now free from any of the past symptoms and finally in control of myself in those situations”
Sam – social anxiety
“Doing 22 stories yesterday was a massive difference! I now feel confident to go up tall buildings with a sense of enjoyment”
Joe – who had an extreme fear of heights for over 15 years
“Back in January I came to see you with… Until yesterday, I hadn’t encountered a frog since my appointment. However, whilst picking flowers in the garden, one of the little creatures jumped out from amongst the pansies about 6 feet away from me. I didn’t have my usual hysterical reaction and turn into a weeping, trembling wreck. I didn’t even move away from it but it outfaced me and eventually I had to go and do something else. Six feet was quite near enough but I am delighted to say that my visits to you paid off and I can now go into the garden with a modicum of confidence.
Thank you so much for your help.
Christine (fear of frogs)
“I want to say Thank You… my husband said it was like going on holiday with a different woman-which is a good thing honestly!
No Fear of what might be waiting for me in the room/toilets/outside pavements etc just a normal fear-free holiday, I didn’t see any on holiday but then I was not looking for them which is what makes us all think I have changed. I just wanted you to know it worked (which you always knew it would).
Thank you again”
Patricia (fear of cockroaches)
“I just wanted to let you know that I went for the blood test this morning, and despite the doctor having to try a couple of times to find a vein, I remained surprisingly calm throughout – I practised the relaxation exercises both last night and first thing this morning and I was amazed at the almost complete lack of anxiety whilst in the waiting room this morning.”
Louise (Who had fear of giving blood)
“Just thought I would drop you a line to say the two sessions I had with you in February re: birds… appears to have worked. I have had two holidays which have been previously ruined with my fear. I have been amazed at the results and was able to tell a fellow traveller who had the same fear how different my holidays have been.
Thank you so much for your help.”
Andrea (Who had fear of birds)