Ardingly psychology students’ arachnophobia cured through hypnosis!

The Psychology students visited London Zoo to attend a phobia workshop. They learnt about the 'who', 'what' and 'whys' of developing phobias before taking part in a shortened version of the zoo's famous 'Friendly Spider programme' – a treatment shown to be 90% effective at curing arachnophobia. Students learnt about typical therapies for phobias including cognitive behavioural therapy, flooding and systematic desensitisation before experiencing a hypnosis session designed to induce a state of consciousness responsive to suggestion. After just one 15 minute session, many of our arachnophobes were able to hold and stroke Rosie the tarantula!