A psychologist, a pilot, and a 737 cockpit aim to give nervous fliers the confidence to fly in 2020.

Corrie Ackland, M.Psych(Clin)                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/1/20

Sydney Phobia Clinic

0434 879 440

corrie@sydneyphobiaclinic.com.au

A psychologist, a pilot, and a 737 cockpit aim to give nervous fliers the confidence to fly in 2020.

As airlines release their sale fares and travel becomes both more necessary as well as more accessible, for some people the main barrier to travel is not financial, but psychological.

Sydney, NSW: Sydney Phobia Clinic in partnership with Flight Experience Sydney are offering a course to help aspiring travellers- from the slightly apprehensive through to the severely anxious- meet their flying goals in the new year, and just in time for the next major holiday period.

While approximately 10% of the population has a clinically severe and diagnosable phobia of flying (termed Aviophobia), approximately 40% of the population have a sub-clinical level of anxiety that still significantly affects their freedom and enjoyment of flying. Many people avoid flying altogether, interfering with their work responsibilities or keeping them separated from their families. Most often fears are related to the safety of flying however Clinical Psychologist and Director of Sydney Phobia Clinic, Corrie Ackland, explains that many other phobias are exacerbated by flying including fears of heights, claustrophobia, and concerns for panicking, germs, and getting sick.

Ms Ackland is also the Head Psychologist for Flight Experience Global and is leading a revamping of the Fear of Flying course. On the upcoming course, she says “flying is now more important than ever however very few people understand why and how a plane is so safe”. “Many fearful fliers know that the worst thing to do is to avoid flying and those that continue to fly, especially frequent fliers, may be frustrated that they do not see their anxiety improve”. Ms Ackland also explains that often fliers’ subtle behaviours developed as coping strategies may actually be the very things that maintain their fears. The Fear of Flying course addresses gaps in people’s aviation knowledge as well as thinking errors, and also examines the flying behaviour, all topped off with a flight in a certified 737 flight simulator!

The dates for the first Fear of Flying course for 2020 have been released for March, to coincide with the April/Easter school holidays. More information can be found at https://www.sydneyphobiaclinic.com.au/fear-of-flying-group-course

ENDS

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