Psychologist puts positive spin on fear of spiders

21 Apr 2017

New research by Dr Warren Mansell in the Division of Psychology and Mental Health could give new hope to people who are scared of spiders.

Rather than encouraging arachnophobics to face their fears – which is the approach of many therapists – he says giving them control over how much they approach or avoid what they are afraid of is more likely to help.

Despite decades of research and dozens of studies, psychologists still don’t know whether it is better for the client to control their own approach towards what they fear, or for the therapist to ‘encourage’ and ‘direct’ them.

Warren bases his findings, published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders, on a theory known as Perceptual Control Theory.

He said: “Perceptual Control Theory predicts that it is vital for a client to have control over their experience of important elements of the environment like the sources of threat, because control itself is pivotal for health and well-being.”

Read the article HERE.