Treating Fear of Flying

What is this webinar about?

This introductory workshop assumes no prior knowledge of this condition which is common in practice.

Fear of flying is a very common fear, affecting up to 40% of individuals, and is characterized by intense and persistent fear during, or in anticipation of, airplane flights. Exposure is an effective treatment for fear of flying, typically preceded by the development of a fear ladder or exposure hierarchy.
Clients sometimes find it difficult to develop appropriate exposure tasks or identify manageable ‘steps’ between behavioural experiments.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective approach for treating fear of flying (FOF), a common issue affecting millions of adults in the UK and Ireland and a significant proportion of people in industrialized countries generally. Various CBT techniques, such as systematic desensitization, flooding, desensitization, cognitive challenge and relaxation, have been shown to reduce flying-related anxiety after treatment. These methods typically combine psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, and some form of exposure therapy. More recently, virtual reality has emerged as a promising tool for treating fear of flying, offering positive results in case studies and clinical trials. This technology allows individuals to face their fears in a controlled, realistic environment, making it an innovative addition to traditional CBT methods.

This workshop will examine practical techniques in the context of a clear treatment protocol to help therapists work with clients who have a fear of flying and achieve swift and sustainable improvements.

This workshop will examine practical techniques in the context of a clear treatment protocol to help therapists work with clients who have a fear of flying and achieve swift and sustainable improvements.

Intelligent Podcast System

All delegates will get a copy of all slides and specialist worksheets for use with clients in this area, designed by Professor McGhee. In addition, all delegates will get free access for 7 days to our unique Notebook LM Intelligent Podcast audio which will summarise the entire workshop - and related materials - presented as an engaging two-person conversation.

Who is leading this webinar?

Professor Patrick McGhee is a CBT therapist, psychologist and UK National Teaching Fellow. Educated at the universities of Glasgow and Oxford, he has completed CPD programmes at Harvard Business School and Ashridge. In 2017 he was a Visiting Fellow/Scholar at the universities of Cornell, Yale and MIT in the USA. He has taught, researched or practised in psychology and therapy for 30 years. His first post was a Research Fellow in Psychiatry and Psychology at St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London. He is the author of Thinking Psychologically (Palgrave), The Ultimate CBT Handbook 2025 and co-editor of Accounting for Relationships (Methuen). He is an occasional columnist for the Guardian, the BBC and the Times Higher. He currently works in private practice in Greater Manchester. He has full accreditation from the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies which is regulated by the Professional Standards Authority.

Resources

All delegates will get a copy of all slides, case studies and specialist worksheets for use with clients in this area, designed by Professor McGhee.  

Certificates

All attendees will receive a certificate in pdf format confirming 2 hours skills CPD.  There is no extra charge for this and replacements are free should you lose it.