Aquaphobia (fear of water) is a common phobia. Its symptom presentation/severity varies from person to person.
This fear is impacting the daily lives and activities of those living with it.
Aquaphobia develops due to various reasons (e.g. traumatic water-related experience, witnessing someone else’s traumatic experience with water, fear of the unknown).
Common symptoms of Aqua Phobia:
- intense anxiety
- panic attacks
- rapid heartbeat
- shortness of breath
- sweating, trembling
- strong resistance to exposing oneself to water.
How Potentia Life Helps?
At Potentia we offer a combined protocol of 5 psychological sessions and 5 progressive exposure sessions with a specialized coach
1st session – Mental Health: evaluation of personal challenges, possible trauma, and emotional of personal challenges status.
2nd session – Mental Health: first EMDR* session – past unsuccessful experiences with the water or related traumas.
3rd session – Specialized Coach: establish the baseline and assessment of level of comfort with water. Water safety guidance. Understanding body’s reaction to water. Basics of breathing and gentle exposure of being relaxed in the water.
4th session – Specialized Coach: starting the first level of exposure and the learning process: breathing technique in the water, floating positions with support. All with personalized and gentle steps.
5th session – EMDR*: past unsuccessful experiences or traumas related to water (subconscious: meaning attached to water) and blocking beliefs. CBT** for unhelpful thoughts regarding ability to swim and cognitive restructuring for helpful thoughts.
6th session – Specialized Coach: continued the progressive exposure with the helpful thoughts (Swimming coach is informed about the helpful thoughts by the mental coach).
7th session – Mental Health: continued cognitive restructuring & future rehearsal (variation of EMDR): preparation of the subconscious mind for helping individuals advance in facing their fear.
8th session – Specialized Coach: continued exposure either in the pool or in the sea (depending on the individual).
9th session – Specialized Coach: continued exposure and learning with feedback on the progress.
10th session – Mental Health: concluding the future rehearsal on the final goal of the client, evaluation of progress and need for maintaining mental health sessions (if yes, with what frequency; outside the package).
Continue as desired as desired with a Specialized Coach outside the package to improve the level of swimming. The program must be completed within 2 months from the start; goal of the program is to conquer the fear not to become a professional swimmer; proceeding with regular exposure sessions for conquering fear is recommended (can be provided by Potentia).
EMDR- Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy*
CBT- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy**
Total investment for aquaphobia program:
$ 1350