Fear of Snakes

Does the thought of a snake make your heart race?

Maybe it's a photo. A passing mention in conversation. A scene on TV that you have to look away from, or a stick on the path that, for half a second, wasn't a stick.

Fear of snakes, or ophidiophobia, is among the most common phobias there is. If it's yours, you aren't being dramatic, and you aren't alone.

Is it a phobia or just not liking snakes?

Not liking snakes is a preference you can shrug off. A phobia is a reaction that takes over: your body goes into alarm and you can't talk it down. If images or even words can set it off, and if you organise parts of your life around avoiding the possibility, it's more than dislike.

How might it be shaping your life?

•      You skip bushwalks, camping and time outdoors

•      Travel makes you anxious if snakes might be around

•      You hesitate to visit friends or family in rural areas

•      Seeing a snake on TV or online sends you into panic

•      You keep scanning the ground, the grass, the path ahead

•      You feel embarrassed because others don't understand

•      You worry about meeting a snake even when the risk is tiny

Why can't you just reason your way out of it?

Because the fear doesn't start in the thinking part of your brain. It starts in the automatic part, the one that chooses fight, flight or freeze before logic has a chance to speak. You can know a snake is harmless, or a hundred metres away, and still feel the alarm. Arguing with it rarely works, which is why so many people feel frustrated with themselves.

What's a different way to approach it?

BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT®) works on that automatic response directly. It doesn't ask you to relive frightening experiences, and it doesn't spend long picking apart where the fear came from. The aim is to change how your brain reacts, so it stops treating snakes as an immediate threat.

What actually happens in a BWRT® session?

It's gentle and comfortable. You stay fully aware and in control throughout. There's no hypnosis, no real snakes and no need to talk through painful memories. We work on the automatic response itself until a calmer one takes its place.

What could life look like without the fear?

•      Watching nature documentaries without flinching

•      Walking in the bush without constantly scanning the ground

•      Travelling more freely

•      Feeling calm when snakes come up in conversation

•      Worrying less about all the "what ifs"

Can I get help from home?

Yes. Sessions run on Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp or Messenger, so you can have them from home, wherever you live in the world.

How do I take the first step?

Email me or call 0409 254 500 to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation. We can talk about your fear and whether BWRT® could help you.