A phobia is a strong, persistent, and irrational fear elicited by a specific stimulus or situation. About one out of ten people suffer a severe fear of specific objects, activities, or settings. However, phobias can be easily overcome through quick and effective help (i.e., coaching, counseling, or therapy).
The list of phobias is virtually endless. It includes abnormal fear of death or dying, dentists, bridges, heights, closed spaces, open spaces, crowds, animals, public speaking, among many others.
Other common phobias are fear of commitment, fear of intimacy, fear of success, as well as fear of failure, and fear of change.
About 25 million Americans have a fear of flying. Some victims simply grit their teeth and cope as best they can. Others are so phobic they can't force themselves to get on an airplane.
Many people experience a fear of public speaking, from feelings of anxiety and panic just prior to the event, to full anxiety throughout the speaking experience. These people will want to call Dr. Luann, who used to have the fear of public speaking and is now a past president of the National Speakers Association of Northern California.
A 25 year old woman tried hypnotism, counseling, and biofeedback but was still bothered by fear of public speaking; and, after help from Dr. Luann, wrote:
"I wanted to thank you for all your guidance in helping me to overcome my fear of public speaking. In just the few sessions that we had, I was able to "delete" most of my public speaking fears and speak more confidently in groups of others. I feel that I have made significant progress with your program and would highly recommend it." — RA
If you are already a speaker and want an executive coach for presentation and content, I recommend Patricia Fripp.
Some people are so fearful of public places, animals or things encountered outside the home, that they suffer extreme stress whenever they leave and become "homebound" prisoners, never able to leave their houses at all.
Whatever the kind of phobia, the feelings experienced have a restrictive, debilitating effect on your freedom to function, and certainly on your ability to enjoy life fully. One of the major laments of phobia victims is that they have lost control of their lives, due their inability to control their abnormal feelings of fear.
But, since most phobias are programmed in by experience, imagination, or instruction, they can be deprogrammed. The DELETE Technique can help you quickly and easily control phobic feelings and responses—even cancel them out completely!
Dear Dr. Luann
"I have wonderful news for you. I'm in control of the directions of my thoughts!!!
Say it loud, I'M THE CAPTAIN OF MY MIND. The following is my recovery poem of the week:"
"To have a hold on us… misery must be mentally reentered daily, and the doorway we
provide is our preoccupation with what happened. There is very little that can hurt
you once you learn how to release your mind from what you have unconsciously picked up
during your life." Hugh Prather"
"My dear Dr. Friend, the above words describe how the "Delete" process worked for me. I'm
changing the prerecorded scripts of my mind. I like my new frame of mind… it's more
positive. I'm just so happy to have specific corrective steps. I eagerly await our next
appointment. I thank God for you!!!"
Sincerely Grateful,
Vanessa N.
P.S. I JUST HAD TO SAY IT LOUD AGAIN. "I AM IN CONTROL OF MY THOUGHTS!!!!!!!"
"Have you ever wished you could push a 'delete' button on unwanted fears and feelings?
There's a new mind technique that effectively does that, though it works at far deeper
levels than simply sweeping away negative thoughts. Called DELETE Techniques, it's
offered by San Diego therapist Dr. Luann Linquist, who combines sharp intuition with
more than 30 years psychotherapy in offering a fast-track system for dealing with
emotional issues. We decided to test the technique on my long standing fear of elevators.
Communicating by telephone and internet, and with her laser-like intuition guiding my
thoughts, Dr. Linquist helped me reach a state where my own 'mind's eye' could see the
origins of the claustrophobic feeling encountered in elevators, and work on solutions.
It was true alchemy in action. Bodily tension dissolved with every thought we cleared.
The fear was gone in one session."
By Mary O'Malley
"I had developed an irrational fear of the ocean. With DELETE, I discovered my fears symbolized so much more than I realized. I now feel stronger, less afraid and more aware of my abilities. I am very grateful to have gone through this experience." — J. Mickle