Fear of flying is often misunderstood. Many people assume it’s a simple phobia — something similar to a fear of snakes or heights — and that it should respond to the same kinds of strategies. But fear of flying is rarely that straightforward. It’s a complex, multi‑layered experience shaped by anxiety, past events, bodily sensations, and the way our nervous system interprets threat. This is why EMDR can be such a powerful approach. It doesn’t rely on reassurance or statistics; it works directly with the underlying mechanisms that keep the fear in place.
Understanding Fear of Flying
You might assume that fear of flying is a straightforward phobia and is similar to other phobias like fear of snakes or heights, for example. Actually this isn’t the case; there are many factors that can contribute to fear of flying and it can vary greatly from person to person. Fears related to flying may include being confined, not being in control, heights, fear of anxiety symptoms, body sensations and our own coping. Sometimes people will have had a difficult and traumatic experience that flying might trigger. This can happen in ways that are not always obvious. As fear of flying can stem from a range of factors, this means there is unlikely to be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ treatment approach that is effective for everyone.
How EMDR Helps
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is designed to help the brain process experiences that feel stuck or overwhelming. When fear of flying is connected to trauma, panic, or unresolved memories, EMDR can reduce the emotional intensity of those triggers and help the body return to a sense of safety. Rather than trying to “think your way out” of fear, EMDR works with the nervous system itself. It helps you respond differently to the sensations, thoughts, and anticipatory anxiety that flying can evoke. If you’d like to explore EMDR more deeply, you can read more here – EMDR – a guide for clients: .
What EMDR Sessions Involve
EMDR sessions for fear of flying often involve identifying the specific triggers that activate your fear, exploring any past experiences that may be contributing, processing those memories using EMDR techniques, strengthening internal resources for calm and safety, and preparing for future flights using imagery and rehearsal. The aim isn’t to push you into flying before you’re ready. It’s to help your nervous system feel safe enough that flying becomes manageable — and sometimes even enjoyable.
For more on the process of EMDR, see my guide to the 8 Phases of EMDR
Reaching Out for Support
If you’re finding that fear of flying is limiting your life, it can be reassuring to know that support is available and that this is something I work with often. As a clinical psychologist and EMDR practitioner, I’ve supported many people through the layers of anxiety, trauma, and uncertainty that flying can activate. Therapy offers a calm, structured space to understand what’s happening in your body, make sense of the fear, and begin to feel more in control again. If you’re considering reaching out, you’re very welcome to do so — you don’t have to navigate this alone, and you’ve come to a place where these difficulties are understood and treated with care.
If you would like to book in please get in touch.