Overcome Your Fear of Flying
- Sarah Magnoni
- Mar 15
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 24
A guest blog with Kayley Robsham
I asked a few professionals what they would tell my clients who suffer from a fear of flying if they were to come to them. This week, I'm excited to introduce you to Kayley Robsham, a trauma-informed certified Spiritual Hypnotherapist. She is sharing her expertise on how to help ease your fears before and during your next flight. You deserve to see the world fear-free!
Hello! My name is Kayley Robsham! I used to experience severe plane anxiety. I’m a trauma-informed certified Spiritual Hypnotherapist, Business Mentor, and Death Doula, and I am trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS). I work primarily with ADHD entrepreneurs, high achievers, and women.
How does hypnosis work to address the subconscious patterns behind the fear of flying?
Fear of flying isn’t always about the plane itself; sometimes, it is. Everyone has different sub-personalities or “parts” of themselves that hold onto unresolved fears and past experiences held in the subconscious mind and body. Hypnosis is simply the tool that allows you to go into a relaxed state (called trance) where you can safely explore these parts of you that store fear, anxiety, and worry, or even past experiences related to flying. In a 1:1 hypnosis session, I actually talk back and forth to my clients while in this relaxed state to process these deep-rooted emotions to reconnect with these parts so they can have closure around why they are experiencing the fear in the first place.
How does the combination of visualization and hypnosis help rewire the fear response?
Actually, not everyone can visualize their hypnosis experience. Our imagination communicates through sensations and sound, too, and some people experience all three. A percentage of the population experiences aphantasia, where they see words instead of pictures and colors. Nonetheless, if you see a hypnotherapist/hypnotist, you can let them know how you are processing the session if you aren’t having a visual experience and know there is nothing wrong with you.
So how do we rewire the fear response in hypnosis?
In hypnosis, we first create a safe space, also called a safe haven, where you feel comfortable getting to know your inner landscape. We reduce the fear response so we can work with the subconscious in a safe, resourced way. I help you relax your nervous system, and your thoughts begin to slow down, following your breath.
We then take our time connecting to your inner protector, the part of you that is worried and says, “The plane is dangerous! How do we know if we are safe?” This part of you is responsible for preventing worst-case scenarios and keeping you alive, so while it doesn’t feel good in our system, it is effectively doing its job.
Then, we connect to your inner Self, which is curious, wise, and often feels more spiritual and open. It isn’t controlled by fear. This part leads your system and creates safety for all of your parts.
To effectively rewire your reaction, we dialogue between these two parts. Rather than forcing the protector part to go away, we ask it what it needs and also explore the origin of the fear connected to it. The root cause could be a childhood experience, a memory of turbulence, a family member, loss of control, or fear of dying (or something else!).
When we dialogue with this protector, it can loosen its grip a bit, kind of like an operating system update for your subconscious: Giving it space to connect with the Self part (regulation) and creating a newfound sense of safety. This space allows the subconscious story to effectively release, and now there is space to rewire.
Once we’ve addressed the root cause, we introduce new beliefs and sensations of safety. The subconscious mind is very open in hypnosis, meaning we can rewire new empowering associations (of your choice) with flying, like ease, calm, and trust, and even excitement for some people.
At the end of the session, we go through a subconscious rehearsal. The mind doesn’t differentiate between real and imagined experiences, which builds confidence before the actual flight.
Can you describe a self-hypnosis technique that travelers can use before and during flights?
Here is a quick self-hypnosis activity for a calm and relaxed flight:
Close your eyes or soften your gaze, and just start to notice your breath.
In your mind, invite a color that represents deep relaxation for you.
Maybe it’s a soft blue, a warm golden light, or a gentle lavender hue.
Imagine this color surrounding you like a warm, comforting energy, soothing, protective, and peaceful. With each inhale, breathe in this calming color. Feel it filling your lungs, flowing through your body, softening any tension.
Place your hand on your chest or somewhere in your body where you’d like to feel support.
You can say, “I am safe. I am supported. I am loved.”
When you’re ready, you can bring your awareness back to your body and distract yourself with something your “self” would like to do: maybe read a book, journal, or watch a movie.
You can extend this color to the pilots, the crew, and the whole plane. I personally love wrapping my plane in blue.
You can do this while waiting at the gate, during takeoff and landing, or anytime you feel a wave of anxiety.
Please do not use self-hypnosis or hypnosis to replace mental health support, and do not engage in hypnosis when operating any kind of machinery.
What makes hypnotherapy particularly effective for flight anxiety compared to other approaches?
Hypnosis is highly effective for flight anxiety and fear because it works directly with the subconscious mind, where fear, beliefs, and emotions are stored.
Traditional talk therapy relies on conscious reasoning; hypnosis bypasses mental resistance and rewires deep-seated fears at the root. It helps regulate the nervous system, strengthens the mind-body connection, and teaches the brain to respond to flying with confidence rather than panic.
Many people use medication or alcohol to manage flight anxiety (no judgment whatsoever). These are often used to cope and mask symptoms rather than resolving the root cause for a long-term solution. With practice, self-hypnosis is a great place to start and can make each flight feel more natural and enjoyable.
What misconceptions do people have about hypnotherapy for phobias like flight anxiety?
The most important thing when choosing hypnosis as a healing modality is finding a practitioner you trust 100%. A great hypnotherapist will help you feel safe, understood, and fully in control of your experience and won’t rush the process.
If you’re considering hypnosis for fear of flying, here are a few common misconceptions to clear up:
"Hypnosis is mind control." Hypnosis actually helps you regain control over automatic fear responses by working with your subconscious ‘parts’, not bypassing them. You’re always in charge. This is the opposite of your high school hypnotist who plays tricks on people who are highly suggestible. You are fully awake, conscious, and in control the entire time.
"One session will instantly ‘cure’ my fear.” There are different types of hypnosis. A hypnotherapist who is trained in IFS/Parts work may get you faster results than one who uses a hypnosis script. One session may be enough for you, or you may need a few more. Subconscious change is a process. The goal isn’t a quick fix but a lasting transformation. Typically, hypnosis is not a year-long process and only takes a few sessions, compared to talk therapy, which can last for years.
"I have to relive traumatic memories for it to work." We can rewire fear without forcing you to go into the past memory directly. Hypnosis works through relaxation and emotional processing (sometimes crying, anger and uncomfortable emotions), not re-traumatization. Discomfort with vulnerability doesn’t always mean danger in healing, and a hypnotherapist should help you discern what that feels like for you.
Hypnosis isn’t about ‘fixing’ you; it's about helping you trust yourself again and identifying when you lost that trust.
If you're curious about how hypnosis can help you feel free and safe in the air, or any other topic, I’d love to connect.
This is not a substitute for medical advice or mental health treatment, nor is it intended to diagnose or cure any condition. It’s a powerful tool for spiritual self-discovery, emotional release, and rewiring limiting patterns at the root. If you have an intense fear of flying, letting go is a crucial component of working with a practitioner 1:1. If you’re only listening to an audio track, many people may not experience a full release portion, similar to recording audio over an old cassette player. The original tape is still there. A hypnosis audio can be an effective coping mechanism, but I encourage people to see a therapist or hypnotherapist trained in IFS to effectively rewire the fear response.
Want to work with Kayley? You can find her at any of the below links:
Instagram: @kayleyrobsham and @receivewithkayley
TikTok: @receivewithkayley
Email: support@kayleyrobsham.com
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