Phobia to Freedom
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Stop fear of flying controlling your life. Feel calm from booking to landing, with 4 private online sessions.

  • No exposure therapy. You're never asked to board a plane as part of your sessions.
  • Private and one to one, not a group course. Even if past therapy hasn't helped.
  • Risk nothing. Feel the difference from your first session or get your money back.

Take-off, turbulence, landing, long-haul flights, being trapped in your seat and the dread in the weeks before

Clients reach out when…

  • A holiday, wedding or family visit abroad is booked and the dread has already started
  • They've turned down trips or made excuses for years
  • A new job means flying for work
  • A bumpy flight or a scare has made a manageable fear much worse
  • They're tired of the rest of the family going away without them

Fear of flying starts long before the airport

For most people it isn't just the flight. Clients tell me about:

  • Weeks of dread from the moment the trip is booked
  • Lying awake the night before, picturing everything that could go wrong
  • A racing heart at take-off and every bump of turbulence
  • Feeling trapped in the seat with no way to get off
  • Relying on a drink or tablets just to get through it

What it stops you doing

  • Holidays with family and friends
  • Weddings, reunions and celebrations abroad
  • Work trips and career opportunities
  • Seeing the places you've always wanted to see

Fear of flying is usually about control. You can't see the pilot, you can't get off and every noise feels like a warning. When your mind decides the plane is dangerous, your body reacts automatically. That's why the safety statistics don't help. Each time you avoid a trip, your mind learns you escaped danger and the fear grows a little stronger. Distraction may get you through one flight. It doesn't change the response underneath.

It isn't the plane you're afraid of

For some people it started with a rough flight. For others it was a panic attack that seemed to come from nowhere, on board or even before reaching the airport, and ever since the fear has been of it happening again.

Either way, you don't have a phobia of flying so much as a phobia of the thoughts and feelings you experience on board: not being in control, every bump and noise, and the fear of panicking with no way off. The only thing getting in the way is the "what if" thoughts, and the fear, anxiety and panic in your nervous system.

That is what we work on together. Once those thoughts and feelings are under control, flying can feel normal again: calm, settled and in control.

Phobia Practitioner

You're not being silly and you're not alone

Lewis McDonnell

I know how isolating fear of flying can feel. Everyone else seems to look forward to holidays. For you, the trip is something to survive.

My approach is calm and respectful. I'll never put you on a plane before you're ready. Instead we work on why your mind reacts the way it does, so the fear loses its grip.

View all testimonials
View screenshot testimonials
[Video, 0:04, of an aircraft window view of a runway] TOUCHDOWN DUBAI!!!! 08:01 Had such a nice smooth flight, didn't sleep a wink so feeling pretty shattered but more so cause I didn't feel like I needed to, had loads to keep me occupied etc. Few little niggles but only about the length of time really (when it felt like more time had passed but it hadn't). But handled it all fine and no panic attacks 🙌 felt quite emotional when I got off as I was so proud of myself. Thanks so much for everything 🙌 I'll be in touch if I need anything before I fly home x 08:05 Lewis: Aw wow 😁😁😁🤠 18:27 Message Enlarge screenshot

Anonymous

[Video, 0:04, of an aircraft window view of a runway] TOUCHDOWN DUBAI!!!! 08:01 Had such a nice smooth flight, didn't sleep a wink so feeling pretty shattered but more so cause I didn't feel like I needed to, had loads to keep me occupied etc. Few little niggles but only about the length of time really (when it felt like more time had passed but it hadn't). But handled it all fine and no panic attacks 🙌 felt quite emotional when I got off as I was so proud of myself. Thanks so much for everything 🙌 I'll be in touch if I need anything before I fly home x 08:05 Lewis: Aw wow 😁😁😁🤠 18:27 Message
Client: Guess who made it to Dublin!!! ☘️ so proud of myself!!!! 🍻✈️ 15:52 Lewis: Yeeeehaaaa ☀️☀️🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🏆 17:00 Lewis: Well done!!! How'd the flight go?! 17:01 1 unread message Client: It was absolutely fine!!!! I had to work really hard and stay really zoned in but I got through it without any issues 😁🥳 19:00 Enlarge screenshot

Anonymous

Client: Guess who made it to Dublin!!! ☘️ so proud of myself!!!! 🍻✈️ 15:52 Lewis: Yeeeehaaaa ☀️☀️🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🏆 17:00 Lewis: Well done!!! How'd the flight go?! 17:01 1 unread message Client: It was absolutely fine!!!! I had to work really hard and stay really zoned in but I got through it without any issues 😁🥳 19:00
Testamonial Hi Lewis, Here it is: In a matter of weeks I had a real sense of recovering from the agoraphobia that had been governing my life for many, many, years. After the sessions with Lewis, and using the material from his programme, I took a flight for the first time in thirty years. A few weeks later I travelled with absolute ease through France and Italy. Lewis and his approach is THE powerful antidote to phobic conditions. He isn't just very good at what he does, he is gifted, supportive and hugely positive. To anyone thinking of connecting with Lewis......just do it! Thanks a million, Eric Email Enlarge screenshot

Eric

Testamonial Hi Lewis, Here it is: In a matter of weeks I had a real sense of recovering from the agoraphobia that had been governing my life for many, many, years. After the sessions with Lewis, and using the material from his programme, I took a flight for the first time in thirty years. A few weeks later I travelled with absolute ease through France and Italy. Lewis and his approach is THE powerful antidote to phobic conditions. He isn't just very good at what he does, he is gifted, supportive and hugely positive. To anyone thinking of connecting with Lewis......just do it! Thanks a million, Eric Email
Heyyy!! I did actually type out a message I just didn't press send 😂 Flight was ok, definitely not as positive as the one going out there as there was a woman taken ill (oxygen masks out the lot) but I held it together really well and didn't have a panic attack which was such a huge achievement 🙏 normally something like that would've tipped me over the edge especially cause it was something to do with her breathing which is a trigger for me. I Just remembered all of the things we spoke about and grounded myself at any point I felt uneasy!! 11:05 Enlarge screenshot

Anonymous

Heyyy!! I did actually type out a message I just didn't press send 😂 Flight was ok, definitely not as positive as the one going out there as there was a woman taken ill (oxygen masks out the lot) but I held it together really well and didn't have a panic attack which was such a huge achievement 🙏 normally something like that would've tipped me over the edge especially cause it was something to do with her breathing which is a trigger for me. I Just remembered all of the things we spoke about and grounded myself at any point I felt uneasy!! 11:05
Today Hey Lewis, all went well 👍 survived a crazy concert and was really fine on journey back home. 😄 used planes, lifts , we were on 11th floor, used tram and bus. Went to concert with 18,000 people now anything seems possible! Enlarge screenshot

Anonymous

Today Hey Lewis, all went well 👍 survived a crazy concert and was really fine on journey back home. 😄 used planes, lifts , we were on 11th floor, used tram and bus. Went to concert with 18,000 people now anything seems possible!
28 October 2022 Lewis: [name hidden] - how did your flight go? X 10:04 Client: Hi Lewis It was amazing, I couldn't believe how I felt, just calm . Everyone was up as the flight landed moving around me and there was no panic, no anxiety.....It was almost like it wasn't real. I felt slightly anxious sitting in the middle seat when we first got on the plane but I moved to the aisle seat. Honesty I was in slight shock at the way I was dealing with all the people around me Thank you so much....you're a magician 😊 It was such a relief Still looking forward to the other 2 sessions, think they will make me even stronger able to deal with the phobia Thank you again x 10:54 Lewis: That's really great to hear - It's been such a pleasure working with you so far and I'm proud of you for having all of the realisations along our journey together that have clearly made the difference. Enlarge screenshot

Anonymous

28 October 2022 Lewis: [name hidden] - how did your flight go? X 10:04 Client: Hi Lewis It was amazing, I couldn't believe how I felt, just calm . Everyone was up as the flight landed moving around me and there was no panic, no anxiety.....It was almost like it wasn't real. I felt slightly anxious sitting in the middle seat when we first got on the plane but I moved to the aisle seat. Honesty I was in slight shock at the way I was dealing with all the people around me Thank you so much....you're a magician 😊 It was such a relief Still looking forward to the other 2 sessions, think they will make me even stronger able to deal with the phobia Thank you again x 10:54 Lewis: That's really great to hear - It's been such a pleasure working with you so far and I'm proud of you for having all of the realisations along our journey together that have clearly made the difference.
Testimonial, i found difficult to express how ell this has worked for me in a language that would relate to others. "Lewis Made me feel comfortable from the very beginning he was willing to listen to listen if it was what I required, but also did not probe into things unnecessarily. We worked through learnt behaviors and coping mechanisms and Lewis taught me to acknowledge them for what they were and my mind and body's reaction to them. It is hard to find the words that do justice to how effective this way of working together is. I am now free from unneeded, counterproductive coping mechanisms that I was barely aware of and feel free to move forward with my life in a positive and assertive way. I have also learnt to let go of things that I didn't even realize were bothering me and holding me back." Enlarge screenshot

Anonymous

Testimonial, i found difficult to express how ell this has worked for me in a language that would relate to others. "Lewis Made me feel comfortable from the very beginning he was willing to listen to listen if it was what I required, but also did not probe into things unnecessarily. We worked through learnt behaviors and coping mechanisms and Lewis taught me to acknowledge them for what they were and my mind and body's reaction to them. It is hard to find the words that do justice to how effective this way of working together is. I am now free from unneeded, counterproductive coping mechanisms that I was barely aware of and feel free to move forward with my life in a positive and assertive way. I have also learnt to let go of things that I didn't even realize were bothering me and holding me back."
TODAY Hey Lewis, I hope you are having a great day. I just wanted to send you a message to say thank you soooo much for the session last night. As soon as we finished I felt like a very dark cloud had lifted and I just felt like my old self again. No fear, no anxiety and nothing holding me back. It's like I found my confidence again and the way I had been thinking was completely gone. 🎉🙌 Honestly, I am feeling so good and so exited to continue working with you. I cannot thank you enough and I know we have only touched the surface. THANK YOU 🙏🙏🙏 14:29 Enlarge screenshot

Anonymous

TODAY Hey Lewis, I hope you are having a great day. I just wanted to send you a message to say thank you soooo much for the session last night. As soon as we finished I felt like a very dark cloud had lifted and I just felt like my old self again. No fear, no anxiety and nothing holding me back. It's like I found my confidence again and the way I had been thinking was completely gone. 🎉🙌 Honestly, I am feeling so good and so exited to continue working with you. I cannot thank you enough and I know we have only touched the surface. THANK YOU 🙏🙏🙏 14:29
I feel I must leave a review to let other people know what I have experienced during my sessions with Lewis. I am so elated to have overcome my childhood phobia. Lewis has changed my life and there are no words to describe how fantastic that feels. Lewis is exceptionally talented and professional and he works with you as a team. He is reassuring, calm and kind and is a genuinely nice person. I can highly recommend Lewis. 21:19 Enlarge screenshot

Anonymous

I feel I must leave a review to let other people know what I have experienced during my sessions with Lewis. I am so elated to have overcome my childhood phobia. Lewis has changed my life and there are no words to describe how fantastic that feels. Lewis is exceptionally talented and professional and he works with you as a team. He is reassuring, calm and kind and is a genuinely nice person. I can highly recommend Lewis. 21:19
Definitely got a lot more of the fighting spirit back. Those few conversations with you really helped - appreciate you my friend 11:53 Message Enlarge screenshot

Anonymous

Definitely got a lot more of the fighting spirit back. Those few conversations with you really helped - appreciate you my friend 11:53 Message

Individual experiences. Results vary from person to person.

What does freedom look like to you?

For my clients, freedom is…

  • Booking a holiday without a knot in their stomach
  • Sleeping well the night before a flight
  • Sitting through turbulence and staying calm
  • Enjoying the trip from the moment they leave home
  • Saying yes to the wedding, the work trip or the adventure
  • Feeling in control of their own body again

The Phobia to Freedom Programme

A calm, private alternative to a group fear of flying course, from the comfort of home.

  • 4 private 90-minute sessions with Lewis so that the work is tailored to your fear, not a one-size-fits-all group day
  • Understanding your pattern so that you know what sets off your fear and it stops feeling random
  • Clinical hypnotherapy and NLP to change the automatic panic response, so that take-off, turbulence and landing stop setting off the alarm
  • Mental rehearsal so that you've already felt calm on the flight before you get to the airport
  • Practical tools so that you know what to do in the days before, at the airport and in your seat
  • A 3-hour video course to watch between sessions so that your progress keeps building
  • Everything online so that you never have to travel to a clinic
  • No exposure therapy so that you can start without having to book a flight first

Our guarantee

Feel the difference from your first session or get your money back.

Got a flight coming up? Tell me the date on your free call and we'll plan the sessions around it.

You can feel calm on a plane…

  • Even if you haven't flown in years
  • Even if a bad flight or a panic attack started it
  • Even if past therapy or a group course hasn't helped
  • Even if you've never talked to anyone about it before

FAQs

Do I have to fly during the sessions?

No. Everything happens online from somewhere you feel comfortable. You decide when you're ready to book a flight.

I have a holiday in a few weeks. Is there enough time?

Often, yes, depending on how soon it is. Tell me the date on your free call and we'll plan around it.

How is this different from an airline fear of flying course?

Airline courses are usually a group day ending with a flight. This is private and one to one, tailored to your fear and done from home. There's no flight at the end.

Can I still take medication my GP has prescribed?

Yes. Keep following your GP's advice. The programme works alongside it.

I haven't flown in years. Is it too late?

Not at all. Many people who get in touch have avoided flying for a long time.

How long does the programme take?

The programme is 4 sessions of 90 minutes each.

What if it isn't right for me?

Feel the difference from your first session or get your money back.

Ready to feel calm on your next flight?

  1. Book a time that suits you. It's a relaxed, no-pressure call.

  2. Tell me about your fear of flying. What it stops you doing and where you'd love to go.

  3. Find out if the programme is right for you. Honest advice either way.

Helpful reading while you decide

Fear of flying

Fear of turbulence: why it feels dangerous when it isn't

Turbulence is one of the most common fears for anxious flyers. Here's what's actually happening when it hits — and why it isn't dangerous, even though it can feel that way.

Read article → Fear of flying

5 grounding techniques for a calmer flight

Simple, practical techniques you can use before and during a flight to stay calm.

Read article →

£150 per session. Most people work with me over 4–6 sessions. Your first consultation is free.

Imagine looking forward to the holiday, not dreading the flight

You don't have to keep planning your life around the trips you avoid. Your freedom starts with one conversation.

Talk to Lewis about your fear of flying

This does not submit an enquiry or confirm a booking. Choose a time and complete your booking on Calendly.

Privacy policy

Results may vary from person to person. Phobia to Freedom provides hypnotherapy and NLP. It is not a substitute for medical care. If you have health concerns about flying, please speak to your GP.