Special Courses for Phobic Drivers
Mike Weatherstone
SAC (Dip) in CBT, CThA, Reg. SFT
Mike is an insured and qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.
Combined with his ex-police driving background, vast driving experience of over 40
+ years of all types of vehicles, including wide-load HGVs, Mike is uniquely qualified
to assist with any fears and phobias you may have. He has achieved some remarkable
successes in this area and has been a guest speaker on the subject on BBC Radio and
has recently been consulted by a production company for Channel 4 TV.
Many drivers find they can develop a fear of driving in general or a particular aspect
of it, often for no discernable reason. For example, a fear of driving on motorways
or dual-carriageways, over bridges or through tunnels. Others will go to great lengths
to avoid a right turn, or driving at night. These may seem irrational fears, but
are all too real to the sufferer.
What are the causes of driving related fears & phobias?
These are usually caused by one of the following:
A) Trauma - for example, a bad accident or near miss, which completely shatters a
driver’s confidence.
B) A defect in driving technique, causing actual or perceived danger
C) Psychological fear or phobia
A & B are generally fairly straightforward to fix. Both can be dramatically altered
by correction of driving technique - in the case of A by eliminating whatever caused
the accident if it was due to the client’s own error, or teaching defensive driving
techniques if someone else’s, and B, by again correcting technique. All of these
boost confidence and help to eliminate fear.
C is different entirely, the causes of which can be many and varied. It may be that
the root is never discovered and there is little profit to be gained by endlessly
probing for it. Although well worth some exploratory research into possible causes,
we find it is generally far more effective to move on to dealing with the problem
- the future being far more important than the past. This is where CBT combined
with a sound practical experience of advanced driving techniques, can really help
to boost confidence. Confidence is King in this context.
What is CBT?
CBT, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, is the combination of cognitive (the way we
think) and behavioural (what we do) therapies. It is designed to achieve two main
objectives - to change the way we perceive things to be more positive, and to alter
behaviour to create a more beneficial outcome. As driving (and indeed many other)
phobias are all to do with how we perceive things, CBT can be very powerful and effective
in changing our thoughts. In particular, CBT aims to change the way clients perceive
the “phobic trigger”, to view it differently, and therefore no longer be afraid.
CBT is widely recognised by the NHS in general, and GPs in particular, as one of
the key therapies able to help with psychological difficulties - the reason being
that any results are easily documented and measured. CBT, and another similar therapy,
SFT (Solution Focused Therapy), are both designed to change the client’s perception
or outlook. They can help with anger and stress management, relationship problems,
obsessive compulsive disorders, and of course fears and phobias.
How will it help me?
CBT will help to re-structure (or re-program - a horrible term but appropriate in
this context) your thinking by a combination of techniques, all designed to carefully
change the way you see things. This is done by very gradually, step-by-step helping
you to face and overcome your fear. You will NOT be pushed, bullied or intimidated
at any time, rather encouraged to WANT to go a little further, repeating your achievements
until, when thoroughly comfortable with each stage, we move on to the next - baby
steps if you like.
It should be said that sometimes fears and phobias can be the manifestation of a
serious underlying medical condition - for example severe depression, alcoholism
or drug abuse, traumatic stress disorder and so on - for which a doctor or other
specialist is, or should be, supervising, and which it may be inappropriate for Drivexcel
to become involved in. We would always discuss any potential conflict with you before
becoming actively involved.
How long will it take?
Difficult to say at this stage - sometimes remarkable progress can be achieved with
just one session, sometimes a number are needed. We are very, very conscious that
we should not replace your fear with a dependence on us - in other words, you can
drive perfectly well, but only with us alongside you. Clearly that is not a practical
option and for that reason, in the nicest possible way, the less we see of you, the
better!
A full day “on-the-road” equips you with everything you need to overcome the problem
yourself and is sufficient for most sufferers.
Alternatively, we can provide remote one hour counselling sessions with Mike by ‘phone,
Skype or email over a period of time. This is very useful for sufferers living a
long way away, or even in other countries - we have many enquiries from outside the
UK - where an “on-the-road” course is impractical.
At Drivexcel we can’t guarantee to eliminate the condition, although we often can,
but we do promise to treat the sufferer with understanding and complete confidentiality.
Tel: (01508) 488181 Email: info@drivexcel.co.uk
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