Overcoming Phobias Testimonials and Reviews
Anxiety and Phobias
My apologies for the delay in sending this.
I had been avoiding operation for 12 years that was affecting my quality of life. I have avoided other operations in the past where the consequences of not having it were really serious. I had a serious car accident and need to have the surgery but refused it because of the fear. I was only 14 and my mum was so upset I eventually agreed but on the morning of the operation, I physically couldn’t get into the car. I was lucky and my injury’s healed. But this operation at the latter part of last year had become unavoidable, I was unable to eat solid food anymore and had lost nearly 4 stone in 3-4 months. I spent hundreds of pounds with a “healer” to try to avoid the operation, needless to say, it didn’t help. So my last hope was hypnosis and I wasn’t hopeful but I was desperate.
I contacted Alan after looking up a lot of information online. As soon as I spoke to Alan I felt this little bit of hope, but I wasn’t convinced all the same. Alan made everything simple and he was honest, I told him my operation was less than 2 weeks away, he told me straight this would normally take 3 sessions but he got me in to see him ASAP and do his very best.
On the day of meeting Alan for the session, I was very nervous but when he brought me into the room I was at ease almost instantly. During the session, I got really emotional about halfway through, really unexpectedly. After the session, Alan explained how this was a good thing and that I was releasing a lot of the fear I was holding onto.
After the session, Alan stayed in touch and even contacted me the day after the operation to see how it went and sent me further free audio to help me relax.
I was still really nervous going for the operation that day but I did everything Alan told me to do. I listened to the initial recording several times a day as I had left it so late and could only have one session. But I faced it, something I thought I would never be able to do and in the past had avoided with serious health risks.
I have no idea how to thank you, Alan, nearly 6 months later and I am still in disbelief that I did it.
I suffer from anxiety and past panic attacks and it with full faith I plan to return to Alan to address this as believe with Alan’s help I will be able to live my best life. Alan, thank you…for your professionalism, your kindness and for using your talents to truly help people in their hour of need.
Alan feel free to edit this if you need to and thank you so much again
Mandy
PHOBIA OF TRAVEL
“ Dear Alan,
I hope you are well. We have just returned from our holiday to France and I am writing to let you know how we got on.
Firstly we travelled by HSS to Stranraer and we brought the relaxation CD with us. Michael for the first time actually got up and walked around the ferry.
It was wonderful to see him so happy and relaxed. We stayed in England two nights and then took the channel tunnel to France.
We also travelled a lot by car and I have to admit he handled the whole journey remarkably well.
So we thank you very much for all you did for him.”
PHOBIA OF DEATH
“Dear Alan
thank you for giving me the strength to cope with life .
A phobia controls your life. Every minute of every day it dominates every thought and move you make and I was no exception.
When I first came to see you I was a mess. I had no appetite, I was tired all the time and my whole body would ache and shake uncontrollably. I just couldn’t cope.
From my first visit to you my physical health and mental state began to improve. Each day was better than the previous one and it was such a natural progression that it wasn’t a shock to my system.
Today I now feel well, younger than ever and content.
Ne……” (phobia of death)
PHOBIA OF DENTISTS
“ Dear Alan,
after getting hypnotherapy for the fear of dentists I am pleased to tell you that it has been a complete success.
I visited my dentist and was able to get a nerve out of my tooth without shaking an inch. I even refused the relaxing gas.
I felt wonderful and so much at ease when I was on the dentist’s chair. I can’t thank you enough,
Julie ….
Ps I am also starting my training as a dental nurse! “
PHOBIA OF NEEDLES
“Alan
I just wanted to thank you for helping me to overcome my phobia.
It has greatly improved the quality of my life.
All the best for the future.
Justine…..” (Fear of needles)
PHOBIA OF CANCER
“Dear Alan,
Thank you for all your help, could not have made it without you.
I will never forget. May your God bless you and your family and keep you in good health always so you can keep up the good work.
Yours faithfully M…”
(This was a cancer sufferer who had a phobia of it returning)
PHOBIA OF SPIDERS
Dear Alan,
I just wanted to write and thank you for all your help over the past weeks.
Your help, support and patience were very much appreciated. I was initially sceptical as to what hypnosis involved and if it could actually help. I am delighted with the results and feel much more relaxed about everything, not least my fear of spiders.
The hypnosis and my new ability to relax have gone a long way to help me on many levels and long may it continue. You made a totally new and quite daunting experience very easy, and your friendliness and caring attitude towards my totally “irrational” fears was also very much appreciated.
I really don’t know what I would have done without you.
Thanks again Sara..
PS I feel absolutely wonderful to get my life back again.
PHOBIA OF SWIMMING
To Alan,
Thank you so much, I Eileen K…. From Li…..
Can now stand up in the swimming pool, swim the full length no bother.
I am still listening to your CD when I am in bed every night.
I now love going to swim all thanks to you…..
Eileen.
PHOBIA OF WATER / SWIMMING
“Dear Alan,
A couple of months ago I went to see if you could help me overcome my fear of water.
I would like to thank you for changing my life. I have now overcome my phobia and can swim after only 2 sessions of hypnosis. It’s like a dream come true, without you I could never have done it. I only wish I had gone to you years ago.
I hope this will give hope to someone else who has the same phobia as I had. I am going on holidays and now I will be able to join my friends swimming.
I still can’t believe it, for me it’s better than winning the lottery. Will send you a postcard.
Thank you Alan. Jean…..”
PHOBIA OF ENCLOSED SPACES
” As you know I am a member of the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade and part of my regular training incorporates the training in a B.A Pod which consists of crawl ways, tunnels and going through barrels.
However after ten years in this service, I became conscious of the closed-in surroundings and suddenly found myself having panic attacks to which I used every excuse I could find, in case I would be found out, as I know I would have been automatically dismissed from the Service.
I would not have been able to complete my training, and, I would have been assumed unfit for fire service duties. But after a course with you I found that I could relax and I became more self-motivated, and I was no longer tense as I had been previously.
I would like to take this opportunity to reassure any other N.I.F.B personnel who like myself find themselves in the same situation to do not hesitate to contact you and complete the course. As I can assure them that it does work and they will benefit from it as being a more relaxed, more calm than before and have an outlook as previously they had.
So once again I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your assistance and I will always be in your debt as you saved not only my job but my livelihood as well.
I am sir, yours gratefully.
Name withheld…..”
PHOBIA OF SWIMMING / WATER
”Hiya Alan,
I’m just under that wave! 12-foot end means nothing any more.
Life does begin at “40”, for some of us, in the water.
Many thanks from Pat….”
PHOBIA OF NEEDLES
Thank You
Hi Alan, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your help.
I had a very severe phobia of needles and I needed my blood taken in early January. I contacted you and you told me to listen to your session, which I did and thank god I did it.
I got my bloods done and the results are good.
So thank you soooooo much. I will listen to the CD every time I need to go to get bloods done, hopefully not to often.
Cera
PHOBIA OF NERVOUS TIC
Better late than never!
I wanted to thank you very much for the help that you gave me for my nervous twitch, it was making my life difficult and made it difficulty for me to go into new situations or even study at school because of the teasing from other children.
You were my last resort and glad to say that after a few sessions it disappeared, giving me a much better quality of life!
Thanks again 🙂 did I mention that this was 20 years ago, but as I say better late than never.
Michael
PHOBIA OF DENTISTS / DOCTORS / NEEDLES
Dear Alan,
I just wanted to drop you a wee line to thank you for all you have done for Bethany. 2 months ago she was terrified of needles, and would not let either the dentist work on her teeth or permit the practice nurse to give her, her due vaccination for tetanus.
It distressed her as she is 15 and she understood that if she did not get the work done on her teeth she was going to loose them before she was much older, It distressed me too as her mum, watching the terror take over her life.
We had been watching dancing on ice on telly, and saw how one of the contestants got hypnotherapy for confidence.
Bethany suggested she would be game to try it and hence the phone call to you. I thank the Lord above for the gifts and abilities that he gives us and at the moment am mightily impressed at your gift that you have exercised on Bethany.
Not only has she been able to attend the dentist and get her gum frozen prior to treatment, she didn’t even flinch nor bat an eyelid in doing so. On her way into the dentist she asked me to make an appointment at the doctors for her tetanus shot, which she got just on Thursday.
The nurse that gave it to her could not believe the transformation, as she had tried for 40 minutes to coax her into getting the tetanus injection.
Bethany used her Ipod with your CD on it just to regulate her breathing. She has since asked me if she can get her ears pierced.
This is really big for her, she’s always admired her 3 sister’s earrings, and was always a bit ‘down’ because she couldn’t wear them.
Now that she has overcome the phobia of needles I’m worried in case she gets a tattoo!!!
Thank you once again Alan for guiding my daughter through a troublesome time.
May the Lord bless you and give you health to carry on exercising your gift and knowledge.
Highest regards, Karen
Castlewellan
PHOBIA OF NEEDLES
Hi Alan
Cera D here from Omagh just wanted to let you that I had to get steroid injections into my feet on Wednesday.
As you can imagine I was not looking forward to that because of my phobia of needles. I took your CD with me and would you believe it I got it done, yippee.
Alan there was no way I would have been able to do that without your help so a huge thank you.
Many thanks Cera D
PHOBIA OF MICE
“Hi Alan,
A few months ago you treated me for my fear of mice that had made me leave my home.
I just wanted to let you know that I am now back home full time and enjoying my life again… my phobia has yet to put to the test thank god but I feel confident that there is nothing I can’t handle!
I wanted to say thank you for all your help. I really do think your sessions helped to get my life back.
Thanks again Karen M…….”
PHOBIA OF ROLLER COASTERS
“Hi Alan
Last year I attended you to help me relax and get over my fear of roller coasters as I was going to Florida on holidays.
WELL I am just back form that holiday to Florida and I can tell you that I have been on all the roller coasters in Orlando not only once but several times, ok the first few time I still had some issues, but what a RESULT!!!!!!
My stammer also getting better some good days and some not so good days. (didn’t come for this)
Alan I can’t thank you enough!!!!
Thank you again, Alistair G………………”
PHOBIA OF BEING ALONE WITH SOMEONE
” I was afraid of people, especially being alone with someone.
The fear that they would touch me in an intimate way was overpowering. I also would have been quite happy not to have left my home.
Thankfully after seeing Alan these feelings have gone away. I am more confident with people and do not have feelings of fear any more.
Also I am braver within myself and can communicate happily with people. I am so glad I went to see Alan. I would recommend anyone to seek help with Hypnosis.
I have got my life back. Mary…….”
PHOBIA OF PEOPLE EATING
“Hi Alan,
I had a terrible phobia of people eating noisily around me.
After coming to see you my phobia has dramatically reduced and is now almost completely gone, its only a matter of time.
Coming up to Christmas will be a big test for me. Normally I would be panicking about it but now I’m actually looking forward to the Christmas dinners!. Anyway I can always do the auto hypnosis that you taught me.
My confidence is a lot better and although I can still hear them doing it, it really doesn’t bother me the way it used to.
I am delighted with the results………..Nigel”
PHOBIA OF INJECTIONS
“THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING ME………..E
Dear Alan ,
Just a wee note to thank you for helping E… achieve over 8 injections with R…. over the last 2 weeks . It has been amazing!.
She still has more treatment to get but is no longer scared. R…. is such a wonderful dentist and thank you for recommending him.
God works through so many people. F…………………….”
PHOBIA OF BEING STARED AT
” There are certain turning points in everyone’s life, and one of mine occurred when I was fortunate to meet Alan Gilchrist.
For 40+ years I had always felt acutely self-conscious when out in public, walking about town, meetings and socialising at parties and other gatherings.
I always felt that everyone was watching and judging my every move, as if all “eyes” were on me. I had read numerous books, downloaded lots of reading material an this issue, even got Hypnotised by someone else a few years ago. But the problem remained.
I had had enough and I decided I would have to do something about it. My life was becoming so restricted. I wasn’t getting any younger and the problem wasn’t getting any better! So I ” Googled” the problem.
It seemed I may scopophobia, and I contacted Alan and one week later I was in his company. I explained my feelings and he assured me he could help me.
I took 4 sessions of Fast Track Hypnosis, and I can honestly say, after the first one, I was literally “bouncing ” up the Lisburn Road, feeling like I had a massive weight lifted off me!
I was relaxed, calm, focused on here and now, and the whole Hypnosis experience was phenomenal ! Each session made me believe I could overcome my issue, boost my self belief and confidence, and my self worth.
Now I enjoy life, I am more relaxed, self assured and believe in myself.
My only regret is that I didn’t contact Alan many years ago!
So if anyone reading this has a similar problem or any issue at all – just do it – book that session with Alan NOW!!
Thank you so much Alan and take care…….Nigel….”
PHOBIA OF SPIDERS
” My partner and I had made the decision to travel to Australia and get married whilst there. Unfortunately I was considering not going due to my dreaded fear of spiders!
After attending Alan’s Belfast clinic for 3 – 4 sessions my life completely changed. I was no longer scanning rooms for creatures, I do not break into ” cold sweats” at the sight of them. I am a more calmer, more controlled person.
I will never like spiders but I can remain calm and deal with the situation much more effectively.
I was able to go to Oz – get married and have a fabulous time! Thanks Alan………Toni……………”
PHOBIA OF INJECTIONS / NEEDLES/ BLOOD
” My problem is quite an unusual one , although one that had been with me for as long as I can remember. It is a mixture of the fear of needles/injections etc, along with the sight of blood or any kind of gory event.
As I got older it now seems to me to be the “pain” aspect of a situation. Its almost like I take on whatever “pain” I’m seeing and imagine , or feel it within myself – this then causes me to feel terribly week and results in me fainting.
Seeking the help of Hypnotherapy was really a last option for me , as I had tried seeking help from doctors and they were unable to help.
My phobia had taken over me for so long, it was now an automatic reaction if I came in contact with any injection, blood or any type of pain.
It even occurred whilst on a night out at the cinema. The scenes of a particular film were just too graphic , I felt myself get incredibly sick , cold and hot flushes and before I knew it , I had fainted.
Quite public scenes like this one , were becoming more and more common – I knew I had to do something about it.
My 1st Hypnosis session was incredibly effective. I felt relaxed to an amazing degree, that when I “woke up” I felt so free of stress and tension , almost light headed, I couldn’t help but smile.
Throughout the other sessions I learned to completely relax my whole self at a much quicker rate. Different breathing exercises and positive thinking helped me face and conquer my phobia.
I’ve recently attended the dentist to get my 1st filling , I endured an injection to numb the area and was able to get through it without fainting – as you can imagine I was over the moon. I’ve never known myself not to faint in that kind of scenario.
I’m now planning to re-watch that film I fainted at whilst at the cinema. I feel confident I can get through the whole film this time. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Alan for all his help and advice.
I really feel I’ve come so far and although it will take ongoing work on myself to conquer many other problems that should arise, I now feel confident and positive to conquer them successfully……… Cathy…………..”
PHOBIA OF GOING OUT
” I went to see Alan as a last resort. My lack of confidence in myself was affecting my life terribly.
Finding it difficult to leave the house , even didn’t like big crowds or having attention in any way.
Alan changed my life.
Sounds dramatic but I can’t explain any more.
Give it a go ! Thank you Alan………… Dr. G……….”
PHOBIA OF VOMITING
” My name is Lindsay and I’m a 28 year old mummy to 2 young girls. Suddenly and inexplicably I started suffering from anxiety around 4 years ago.
I’ve always been an outgoing, confident and independent person so to start suffering from this was very confusing, not to mention frustrating.
I carried on and around 8/10 months ago I started to slide into a deep depression and my anxiety got so bad I would have panic attacks. They started gradually but at my worst point I was suffering from up to ten a day, they would come on out of nowhere. I would wake up at 2am having one, or whilst walking own the street.
They were linked to emetophobia (my fear of vomiting). I wouldn’t eat in public, I would have an attack every time I ate or drank anything from fear of getting food poisoning, every time I went to the toilet in case I had caught a tummy bug, every time I had to leave the house, or for absolutely no reason at all.
The attacks themselves were getting worse too, I would completely lose control and not be able to do anything about it, and the more I fought it the worse they got. I was desperate.
It was affecting every single aspect of my life. I decided to look into hypnotherapy as a friend mentioned it in passing, and a quick Google led me to Alan’s website.
I saw that panic attacks were mentioned and became intrigued. I emailed him and set up an appointment, what did I have to lose?
I was sceptical. Very sceptical. But I was at the point where I’d have tried absolutely anything to help myself. I arrived at the hotel where he is based in my area and took the stairs up to the floor he was on. I didn’t take the lift in case I had a panic attack. I sat outside the room waiting- nauseous, sweating, shaking, fighting an attack as best I could.
When the door opened I was met with a man who was warm, welcoming and just lovely. He talked to me about what my life was like and the history of my issues. We started the session and within minutes I was so totally relaxed. It was amazing!
After the session ended, I left with a huge grin on my face. I took the stairs down and practically floated down the street to my car. I felt like I could do anything! I followed Alan’s instructions to the letter. That evening I had a bit of a wobble whilst putting my girls to bed but I kept a handle on it. I listened to my CD at least once a day. If I ever felt myself getting panicky I would listen to it and it would almost immediately calm me down.
I don’t know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t what transpired.
From that first appointment, I have not had a single severe panic attack.
I had 2 minor events but I was completely able to control it and it passed quickly.
It was like he flicked a switch. I had my fourth and final session today and hugged Alan as I was leaving. When I think about the difference his program has made to my life I almost can’t believe it, my only regret is not doing it months ago.
If anyone is reading this and is sceptical, wondering whether to try it, if its worth the money, or for whatever reason hasn’t taken the plunge, I can only urge you to contact Alan. He has changed my life. I am a better mother, a better wife, I’ve lost weight, I’ve started my own business, and I enjoy life.
I’m not dreading getting up in the morning any more. I’m able to eat a full meal. I can meet up with friends without thinking twice.
What I’m trying to say is there is hope. Thank you Alan “