Therapy in the Pool
July 21st, 2009 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Summary
The pool might not seem like the most logical place for a therapy session, but a number of people in California and select locations around the world are finding that for conquering their fear of water, there’s no place like the deep end. A former competitive swimmer has taken a distinctly positive and nurturing approach to acclimating adults with a lifelong fear of water to the swimming pool, an experience described by successful students as unlike less thoughtful attempts and ultimately very powerful. Holding his classes in cities from Toronto to Los Angeles, instructor Paul Lennon’s work encourages therapists, counselors and other mental health professionals to consider the benefits of of this approach.
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6 comments so far
has anyone heard of Watsu (not sure if that’s how to spell it)? some friends tried it on me a few years ago in a pool. it was wonderfully nurturing and relaxing… i thought it would be cool to integrate in the beginning stages of any kind of desensitization therapy for aquaphobia.
Does having a pet lizard cure you of your fear of lizards? How do you face it before you decide to stay a period with your worst fears?
I have a really bad thing for heights. Bungee jumping didnt help one bit. It’s made me need therapy to just be able to go to my parent’s place. They live in a penthouse. I dont know how that helps but if I was afraid of water I think I wouldnt be able to shake of the fear of drowning.
Where did you try watsu erika? Its basically water shiatsu. Its a relaxation technique involving acupressure in warm water. Anyway it definitely works for those with aquaphobia. My niece tried it in Auroville India and it worked.
My son can’t swim. I took him for lessons to an instructor who thought dunking scared five year olds in the deep end on their first lesson would get them past the fear. I took him out the class immediately. He is an adult now and still afraid. I hope he learns someday and finds a similar class to Mr Lennon’s.
oh my goodness Sugarlove no wonder he’s afraid! That’s horrible. What a cruel man.
My mother hates getting splashed. She’s incapable of standing chest high in a pool and putting her face in the water. My dh says she’s too old to learn now. I wish she hadn’t missed out on the fun of swimming and she does too. I’ll show her this and she can see it’s never too late.