I spend the weekend away at an activity centre, climbing, abseiling and zooming down zip-wires. I love getting out and having an adventure with the family. Some people find a fear of heights means that they are unable to even think about going up high, for others it can be a fear od spiders or even snakes. 

After the Redditch Standard published a story about a snake who escaped into a car engine I received many calls and emails asking for help. I went to see the snake itself and talk to a reporter at the Redditch Standard all about how we learn our fears and phobias. This is in fact great news because...this means that we can unlearn them too! No one needs to live with any fear of phobia. Withe the right help and support you can let it go. Hypnotherapy works really well in turning round the way that you feel and letting you move on with your life.

The Story first appeard in the Redditch Standard on Friday 7th August and was written by reporter Beth Wright who you can see was happy to handle the snakes herself!

FEAR of snakes, known as ophidiophobia, or ophiophobia, is the second most common phobia in the world, affecting nearly one third of adults.

“I’ve had five calls this week alone from clients who want help with their snake phobias,” said Mark, who works out of his practice in Winyates.

“Normally at this time of year it’s a fear of flying as everyone is off on holiday. Then in September and October, come the spider calls.”

Mark explained how the only two fears we are born with are falling and a fear of loud noises.

“Everything else we have learnt,” he added. “And so these fears can be un-learnt. Most often they originate from a memory or something that has been passed on from our parents at a young age.”

Elliot Guy, the owner of the 11ft python that made a bid for freedom last week, agrees.

“My first encounter with a snake was when I was ten-years-old in Germany.” he said. “Back then it looked huge but in reality it must have only been around 4ft long.

“I just froze but for me, the encounter piqued my curiosity and my fascination with them has continued ever since then.

“I think the fear comes from when people don’t understand snakes.”

Mark agrees, adding he at first pinpoints what triggers the fear and then works on relaxation techniques.

“It’s very rewarding to help people conquer their greatest fears,” he said.

If you would like Mark to help you with a phobia, email [email protected] or call 07980 233160.

You never know what will happen each week as a Hypnotherapist. Who will walk through the door and what will they be looking for help with? I also get the chance to do things that not everyone gets to do in a normal working week.

This week I visited the offices of the Redditch Standard in the town centre to talk all about fears and phobias after a story about a snake that escaped appeared on the front page of last weeks paper.  http://redditchstandard.co.uk/news/python-makes-a-speedy-getaway-12385/

After the story about how the snake had escaped and ended up in a car engine appeared, I found that I had more calls than usual asking for help with snake phobias. I hadn't yet seen the story on the Monday morning when I was perplexed to find a much larger number of enquiries than usual from people looking for help with their snake phobias and fears. Once I saw the story for myself of course, I realised why there were more than normal! At this time of year I hear from more people with a fear of flying, as it's holiday season than any other phobia. In September and October it is more people with a fear of spiders as they start to come into people's houses, but generally there isn't a snake season!

I visited the offices of the Redditch Standard later in the week to meet with Elliot Guy and some of his snakes and reporter Beth Wright to explain all about how we can overcome any fear or phobia. A snake phobia is no different to a fear of flying, spiders, driving, public speaking or any other fear that people come and see me for help with.

We learn all of our fears and phobias, ususally as children. This is is of course really good news because it means that if you learnt it...then you can unlearn it too!

Just to prove how I practice what I preach here is a picture of Elliot Guy, Beth Wright and myself with some snakes in the office..

You can read more about fears and phobias and how you can overcome them here: How to end a Snake Phobia or any other Fear

You can contact me if you would like help with any fear or phobias at [email protected] or call me on 07980 233160