Overcoming the Fear of Flying

This year’s air tragedies in the Ukraine and Africa, and the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 can bring out some people’s worst fears.

The fear of flying is a very common phobia and it can be reassuring to remember that, despite recent events, statistically speaking, it is still considered to be the safest form of travel.

Government figures show far fewer deaths or serious injuries being linked to air travel than motorcycling, cycling, or driving.

Statistics from the Department of Transport state that there is a far greater chance of being killed by simply crossing the road than being a passenger on a plane.[i]

It is estimated that around 10 million people in the UK have a phobia[ii] and a common one is flying – with some people avoiding plane travel altogether, so missing out on holidays abroad, reunions, and even work opportunities.

Hypnotherapy practitioner Maral Kojayan MA, HPD, says, “As therapists, we see a substantial number of people who are afraid of getting onto a plane. But after three sessions with us, we find that the majority feel safe and secure when flying – with many actually enjoying the whole experience.”

Ms Kojayan uses simple and effective techniques, which includes hypnosis, to help a person overcome a phobia. Hypnosis is simply the use of a trance state, which is a completely natural feeling and something that we all experience regularly on a day-to-day basis.

“Using hypnotherapy to overcome a phobia is a straightforward procedure because we effectively work with the client to help them remove the fears from their minds so that we can then help them to find reassurance in themselves.

“In terms of flying, this generally means they can feel calm, confident, and relaxed on future flights.

More than 72 million people passed through Heathrow airport last year with 35 million going through Gatwick.[iii]  

The methods used are Solution Focused, “very effective in helping people in achieving their goals of going abroad without worrying about the flight out or, indeed, the flight back.”

Ms Kojayan works in the context of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, which helps people in a range of areas from overcoming phobias through to improving sleep patterns, reducing anger, assisting with weight management, easing general anxiety and stopping smoking.

For More information Contact Maral Kojayan at Clarity Flow Hypnotherapy
t: 07855883967
e: [email protected]

[i] Transport statistics for Great Britain 2013. Department of Transport. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/transport-statistics-great-britain-2013
[ii] http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Phobias/Pages/Introduction.aspx
[iii] Civil Aviation Authority (press office)