Working with fear

Three techniques to try with your child clients

Fear is a state not a fact. We fear different things. Some fears are unreal in that they are anxieties about what might or might not happen such as fear of failure and other fears, authentic , are fears of danger in the moment. Babies are not born with fear; it is learned so it can be unlearned as well.

“You are born with only two fears: fear of falling and fear of loud noise. All the rest is learned. And it's a lot of work!” Richard Bandler

“When we believe something, we act as if it is true.” John Seymour

“All experience is subjective.” Gregory Bateson

“It all depends how we look at things, and not on how they are themselves.” Carl Jung

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.” Dale Carnegie

I find it helpful to explain to children with fear, that it is fear that protects us, stops us dawdling across a busy road in front of traffic, prevents us walking at the very edge of a cliff and makes us use oven gloves rather than picking up a pan straight from the ove…