New book on fear of flying

[Barb-SAN]

I just got an email from Amazon.com announcing this new book (published in June 2008, no customer reviews yet): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1855755807/ref=pe_5050_9664900_pe_snp_807

[bellevueace]

Theres so many books on fear of flying i cant see what a new one can add. They all cover the same ground giving you the real facts about aviation, tools to control the anxiety, how the pilots plot the route etc. While all these no doubt help the one thing a person needs is the determination to overcome the fear. I have an auntie who has a fear of flying and no amount of books or courses could ever help her as she really dosent have the desire to overcome the phobia even though it has held her back on numerous occasions.

[StPeteMark]

I just got an email from Amazon.com announcing this new book (published in June 2008, no customer reviews yet): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1855755807/ref=pe_5050_9664900_pe_snp_807If you clicked on Elaine's name, you'll see she's one of the authors of,
Overcoming Anxiety For Dummies, UK Edition, published last year. For Lucas, he authored several chapters in
Psychological Perspectives on Fear of Flying ($130), published in 2003.

While these books may be of value and helpful, I always cringe when I see "PhD" , "clinical research" , and other high-brow mumbo jumbo terms, as FOF credentials ... knowing that the authors probably have never personally experienced and overcome FOF. I guess I still have some leftover paranoia from that PhD dude who signed on to this site for awhile a few years ago.

Keeping it simple helps me. I hope the new book can help a lot of people!
.

[Barb-SAN]

If you scroll down the page a bit further on the Amazon link, you can see more detailed information about the two authors. Occasionally we have folks posting here who are looking for local FoF treatment programs in Europe and the UK. Both of these authors are clinical psychologists specializing in treating fear of flying.

I'd be curious to know if anyone (especially MathFox ;)) has heard of them, and their work. "Lucas Van Gerwen is a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and a professional pilot. As a European registered aviation psychologist, he is Director of the VALK Foundation, a collaborative venture between the University of Leiden, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Transavia airline and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to help people overcome their fear of flying. He has worked in this field for more than twenty years."

[aerobat]

Here's the editorial review with bios of the authors:

Product Description
Research indicates about 35 of every 100 people develop a fear of flying at some point in their life. Almost everyone knows someone who has it. If you've ever mentioned to others that you aren't comfortable with air travel, you've probably already discovered just how common is the fear of flying.

Fear of flying is a condition that merits proper attention, and which we are increasingly in a better position to deal with, particularly thanks to clinical research. We now know that fear of flying is similar to other phobias, and that it cannot be dismissed simply as fear of the unknown, and that telling someone to "pull yourself together" just isn't likely to be an effective way to deal with the problem.

Gaining your freedom to expand your enjoyment of life is the purpose of this book. The book covers a number of areas, including valuable information about flying and everything to do with flying safety. It also covers the nature of anxiety, frequently asked questions, and of course the self-help strategies that you can employ. In addition, it deals with professional therapeutic help, and what you can expect of such treatment.

By reading this book you will be less anxious about stepping into an aircraft and that you will experience the flight in a positive way, as an enjoyable and interesting event, which takes you to where you want to be in your life. In their clinical practice, we have seen thousands of people who have successfully overcome their fear, and it is likely that you can do so too!

About the Author
Elaine Iljon Foreman is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist who specializes in the treatment of fear of flying and other anxiety related problems. She holds an Honours Degree from Durham University, a Masters Degree from Aberdeen University, and is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. Her highly specialized Freedom to FlyTM treatment program for fear of flying, is based on over twenty years of clinical experience, and on her ongoing research and development of cog-nitive behavior therapy. Elaine has carried out her research in conjunction with NHS service provision, as Consultant Clinical Psychologist, specializing in Cognitive Behavior Therapy. She has researched the treatment of anxiety at Middlesex Hospital Medical School London, and at Aberdeen University, and has created a brief, intensive therapy course for the fear of flying based on cognitive behavioral techniques. Lectures and workshops are given on an ongoing basis to both professional and self help audiences. As well as being an invited expert on radio and TV programs, and having published extensively in the field, her research results have been presented at international conferences in Europe, North America, the Far East and Australia.

Lucas Van Gerwen is a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and a professional pilot. As a European registered aviation psychologist, he is Director of the VALK Foundation, a collaborative venture between the University of Leiden, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Transavia airline and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to help people overcome their fear of flying. He has worked in this field for more than twenty years. The main goals of the VALK Foundation are: to help prevent a fear of flying, to provide a facility for helping those affected overcome their fears and to work with other organizations to develop their own programs. Together with the University of Leiden, he con-ducts research into fear of flying, passenger behavior, psychological problems among passengers, and for this he received his PhD. He is the one of the organizers and founding father of the International World Conferences on Fear of Flying. Dr. van Gerwen is the author of several books on the topic of fear of flying and has published numerous papers in scientific journals on the assessment and treatment treatment of the problem.

Lucas van Gerwen is one of the organizers of the international FoF symposium sponsored by the Valk Foundation. I am sure that the book integrates the newest data emerging from both research and clinical experience, and is likely to be very helpful. :)

[Barb-SAN]

I am sure that the book integrates the newest data emerging from both research and clinical experience, and is likely to be very helpful. :)

Well, I'll order the book and find out. Compared to the hourly rate for psychotherapy, $19.95 is a bargain, and I find I learn something new from every book I read on FoF (and I do have quite a collection now...:rolleyes:).

I do agree with bellevueace that the first step is having a desire to overcome FoF. Once someone is committed to change, then the books, psychotherapy, message boards, etc. can all help to illuminate the path. We each still need to do our own work. It can happen more quickly with some guidance from those who have already gotten over their FoF, or from the therapists who work with those clients every day, and can see first hand which tools are most effective. :)