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You don’t need confidence to fly — here’s what you actually need
What you’ll explore in this article: Why waiting to feel confident before flying can keep you stuck, and what actually helps you get on the plane. It is very common to believe that confidence needs to come before action. That in order to get on a plane, you need to feel ready, calm, or certain. So you wait. You try to build confidence first, hoping that once you feel different, flying will become easier. For many people, that moment does not arrive. Or if it does, it does not

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
May 182 min read


The moment most people struggle with on a flight (and how to handle it)
Why do certain moments during a flight trigger anxiety more than others, and how to respond when they do. Not all parts of a flight feel the same. Many people with a fear of flying can identify a specific moment where their anxiety increases sharply. It might be when boarding the plane, when the doors close, during takeoff, or at the first sign of turbulence. There is often a clear shift. Before that moment, things might feel manageable. You might feel uncertain, but still re

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
May 112 min read


Fear of flying isn’t about flying — it’s about control
What you’ll explore in this article: Why fear of flying is often less about the plane itself, and more about control, uncertainty, and your relationship with both. People often assume that fear of flying is about planes. That it is about safety, or a lack of understanding about how flying works, or a concern that something might go wrong. And while those thoughts can absolutely be part of the experience, they are rarely the whole picture. When you look more closely, there is

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
May 42 min read


Why trying to calm down on a flight makes anxiety worse
What you’ll explore in this article: Why the instinct to calm yourself down during a flight can actually keep anxiety going, and what it might look like to respond differently. When anxiety shows up on a flight, the response is usually immediate. You notice the feeling building and something in you says, “I need to calm down.” It is a very natural reaction. No one enjoys feeling anxious, especially in an environment where you cannot easily leave, and the instinct to reduce th

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
Apr 273 min read


Why turbulence feels dangerous (and why it isn’t)
What you’ll explore in this article: Why turbulence triggers such a powerful fear response, why that feeling can be so convincing, and how to begin responding to it differently. Turbulence is one of the most common reasons people feel afraid of flying. Even people who feel relatively calm during a flight can notice a sudden shift the moment the plane starts to move in a way they weren’t expecting. One minute, things feel manageable. Then the aircraft jolts slightly, or drops

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
Apr 224 min read


Why every plane incident feels like proof you were right to be scared
An ACT-based perspective on flying anxiety, media bias, and how to care for yourself today ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This post discusses a recent aviation incident involving fatalities. Please read at your own pace, and come back when you feel ready. By Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist Last night, an Air Canada regional flight arriving into New York's LaGuardia Airport collided with a fire truck on the runway. Lives were lost. The investigation is ongoing and details are sti

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
Mar 235 min read


EMDR: What it is, how it works, and why it can help with fear of flying
"Fear of Flying: How EMDR Can Help You Soar" Fear of flying can creep into your life in surprising ways. Some people experience a single frightening flight and suddenly find themselves getting tense even at the thought of an airport. Others have never had a “bad flight” at all, yet still feel their stomach tighten when they picture take-off. Fear of flying affects people in various ways. For some, it’s a flutter of nerves before take-off. For others, it can be so overwhelming

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
Dec 3, 20255 min read


Breaking down the barriers to fly with confidence
Flying can be an extraordinary experience, offering stunning views and a sense of adventure. However, for many people, the thought of...

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
Jul 14, 20253 min read


Coping strategies for nervous flyers
Flying can bring joy and excitement, but for many, it can also trigger a wave of anxiety. Nervous flyers often encounter stress when...

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
Jul 1, 20254 min read


Understanding and overcoming travel anxiety
Travelling can be one of the most exciting experiences in life, but for many people, it also brings along a heavy burden - travel...

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
Jun 5, 20254 min read


Overcoming flight anxiety: Lessons from Jennifer Aniston
What can Jennifer Aniston’s fear of flying teach us about anxiety? Discover how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people manage

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
Apr 28, 20254 min read


Overcoming your fear of flying: a step-by-step guide
Want to feel calm and in control when you fly? This practical guide gives you simple steps to build confidence and reduce flight anxiety.

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
Apr 23, 20254 min read


What is fear of flying?
Fear of flying affects more people than you might think. Learn what causes it, how it shows up, and how to begin moving past it.

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
Feb 13, 20254 min read


Does online therapy work as well as face to face therapy?
Not sure if online therapy is effective? This post explores the pros, cons, and research so you can decide what works best for you.

Dr Kristy Potter, Clinical Psychologist
Jan 27, 20256 min read
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