Fear of Flying
Don’t Let Your Fears Keep You Grounded!
It is estimated that one out of every five Americans are afraid to fly. If you are afraid to fly, you can overcome this fear and become a comfortable traveler.
Imagine how great your life could be if you looked forward to vacations, rather than dreading the anticipated flight. How many of you have passed up promotions and job opportunities because of your terror of flying?
Dr. Marty Seif is one of the nation’s most experienced specialists in the treatment of flying phobias. Twelve years ago, Dr. Seif created Freedom to Fly, the preeminent airport-based group program for fearful fliers. Freedom to Fly is run through the Anxiety and Phobia Treatment Center at White Plains Hospital. Freedom to Fly has helped many hundreds of people overcome their fears of flying.
Dr. Seif also provides individual treatment, tailored specifically for you, to help you overcome your fears of flying.
Fear of Flying is a term that describes a variety of phobias. Many people who describe themselves as "afraid to fly" are claustrophobic, and don't like the idea of being enclosed in the airplane. Others fear heights, turbulence, the idea of crashing, terrorists, flying over water, or traveling long distances.
Watch
Martin N Seif — January 08, 2009 — Interview with Dr. Martin Seif about fears of flying
New York Times - July 24, 2007 - Freedom To Fly Program
Listen
News Report 1
News Report 2
News Report 3
WERS - You Are Here
Read
Will Fear of Flying Hit New Heights?
By DAN CHILDS - ABC News Medical Unit
Aug. 6, 2008
A spate of highly publicized emergency aircraft landings in the past three weeks may be enough to elevate apprehension in some travelers who fear flying, psychological experts say. Read More >>
Anxiety center helps travelers beat fear of flying
Ken Valenti -
The Journal News
November 23, 2009
Phobias are bullies, and the fear of flying is a tough one. This is what I learned when I talked to Dr. Martin Seif, a psychologist, and two people who had not flown in years before taking a class in overcoming their fears. Justin Tolbert of Yonkers had flown a lot as a kid, but had been unnerved nine years ago by a severely turbulent flight home from college in Atlanta. After that, he made his trips back and forth to school "on Greyhound, driving, Amtrak, you name it," the 27-year-old said. Read More >>
For Fear of Flying, Therapy Takes to the Skies
By TIM MURPHY - New York Times
Published: July 24, 2007
For most of the 100 or so sleepy-eyed people boarding the U.S. Airways shuttle to Logan Airport in Boston from La Guardia in New York on a recent hazy Saturday morning, the 35-minute flight could not have been a bigger nonevent. But that was not the case for about 20 passengers clustered nervously near the gate. Many clutched puzzle books and bags of sour candy as though they held talismans. Some made nervous jokes, others sobbed quietly. Read More >>
You’re Grounded! (But you don’t have to be)
healthytravelblog
July 10th, 2009
An estimated 20% of adults have a fear of flying (aka aviophobia, aviatophobia and aerophobia), and the recent news regarding devastating airline crashes is causing more people to question the safety of air travel. Is it safe to fly? Is there a safer way to travel? Should I just stay home and avoid the risk altogether? Read More >>
One Size Does not Fit All
Letter to the Editor - New York Times
Published: October 1, 2006
Your article about nervous fliers portrays the medical management of post-9/11 flight fright. But anti-anxiety medication by itself cannot overcome the fear of flying for the majority of flight phobics. Read More >>
Typologies for the Fear of Flying:
Implications for Flight Personnel and Therapists
By Ronald M. Doctor, Ph.D. and Martin Seif, Ph.D.
The purpose of this presentation is to provide a clinical picture of fearful fliers so that in-cabin personnel, therapists and airline staff can better help them to understand and manage their fears. Read More >>
Comments from formerly fearful fliers
Here is what formerly fearful fliers say:
Just want to wish you "Happy holidays"! Twenty plus flights under my belt since I took the course! We are flying to MD next week...then FLA in February, and Puerto Rico in the Spring. Thank you! --Jessica
I flew up and back to Boston this weekend. Prior to this, I suffered terribly from claustrophobia and could not fly for five years. I had sought treatment for my claustrophobia through different therapists and cognitive therapy organizations. I would like to commend Dr. Martin Seif, who…helped me understand my claustrophobia and how to deal with it. --Dorothy
I feel as if I am in paradise. Perfect weather and beautiful views. It took 20 years to return to Hawaii. I handled the flight well and look forward to the return flight. Thank you for making this possible. Aloha. --Laurie
"I attended your flying classes a couple of years ago. I had been deeply phobic for many years, and I was certain that I would never be able to travel by air. Today I fly on a regular basis. It is one of the greatest triumphs of my life.--Richard"