Background  

Jane, a 48-year-old woman, presented with an intense phobia of fish. Her anxiety was so severe that even hearing or reading the word “fish” would trigger an extreme emotional response. The phobia had developed due to past trauma and had a significant impact on Jane’s daily life and her family’s well-being. She avoided any locations where fish might be present, including certain shops, restaurants, and even bodies of water. Additionally, her family had to take precautions to shield her from any visual or verbal references to fish, especially on television or in public settings. 

Initial Presentation 

When Jane began therapy, her phobia was deeply entrenched and had been part of her life for many years. She described feeling helpless when confronted with images or mentions of fish, and the anxiety would take over, making it impossible for her to function in certain environments. This phobia not only limited her own experiences but also affected her family, who had to be vigilant in avoiding situations that could provoke her anxiety. 

Therapeutic Approach 

The treatment plan for Jane’s phobia involved a blend of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), With elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and graded exposure. EMDR was used to process and desensitise the traumatic memories associated with fish, while CBT helped challenge and reframe her perceptions. This integrated approach was chosen due to the trauma attached to the nature of her phobia. Jane’s XRT therapist worked on one target memory with associated feeder memories as part of the 8-phase protocol and guided by the Adaptive Information Processing model (AIP).  The graded exposure allowed Jane to gradually confront her fear in a controlled manner, starting with mild triggers, such as viewing pictures or scenes of fish, and progressing to more challenging scenes/situations. 

Throughout her 4 sessions, Jane learned relaxation techniques and cognitive strategies to manage her anxiety when faced with stimuli related to fish. Her therapist supported her through the various stages of exposure, ensuring that she felt in control throughout the process. 

Progress and Outcome 

Three months after completing the intervention, Jane reported significant improvement. She shared that she had been able to use the relaxation techniques, and the cognitive strategies discussed during therapy to feel more comfortable around images and videos of fish. Jane no longer needed to worry about visual representations of fish on television or in other settings, as she could now manage her anxiety effectively. 

Her family also noticed a considerable change. They no longer had to shield her from fish-related content, and they were impressed by her ability to handle situations that once caused her severe distress. This shift not only improved Jane’s quality of life but also relieved the burden on her family, allowing them to enjoy more freedom in their daily activities. The therapy allowed her to process past trauma while learning practical techniques to manage her fear. Jane’s case highlights the importance of addressing both the emotional/somatic and cognitive aspects of phobias, especially when they are rooted in trauma. 

Jane described her experience with the Immersive scenes in our studio as accessible and appropriate for her needs. Although the initial stages of exposure caused some anxiety, she understood that this was part of the therapeutic process. The treatment has had generalisable impact across several areas of Jane’s life. For example, Jane was able to visit a pet store post treatment and be near the fish section to observe fish in the tanks for sale. Overall, Jane expressed satisfaction with the treatment and the profound impact it has had on her life. 

*** when referring to our clients, we use the names Jane and John, these are not their real names, we do this to protect their identity and privacy.