She really wanted to get into the class room and start her studies, but as was normal, we entertained our students in the lounge with a cup of tea or coffee and a chat before starting.

She sat in one of the large, deep and comfortable chairs and looked relaxed.

However, lying at the side of the chair, out of Pauline's view, was our pet dog. We had taken the poor thing in as it had been abandoned by some passing Gypsies and although it looked a little ragged still, it had a very soft nature and would not harm a fly. Unfortunately, Pauline did not know that!

A few moments later, she became aware that there was a dog by her side and jumped up screaming and terrified. Trembling, she asked for the dog to be removed and stood frozen to the spot.

The other students on my Hypnotherapy course looked shocked and surprised. They had come for hypnotherapy training, and not to be frightened out of their skins and the dog was equally shocked.

I apologized profusely to her and asked if she would be willing for me to help her overcome her fears. She agreed.

Bearing in mind that she had never met me before, I considered her brave to put herself in my hands, and even braver when I asked her to accompany me to one of the bedrooms (the quietest place I could think of).

I asked her if she knew what started her fears and she explained that some years previously, she had witnessed her brother being attacked by a dog and some time later her 6 year old son was the object of an attacking dog.

However, to save her son from serious injury, she intervened and allowed the dog to maul at her instead, giving her son time to escape.

As you can imagine, I had a great respect for her bravery and asked her if she would be willing for me to try out a new therapy I had just put together. She agreed.

For the first time, I used my brand new Fear Elimination Therapy with her.

At the beginning of my Fear Elimination Therapy, she described the original incident with tears flowing from her eyes and obviously in great distress.

Exactly seven minutes later (I had asked one of the students to time me) she was able to talk about her original experiences without any signs of distress.

I took her back into the lounge and the dog was still lying at the side of the chair. Pauline sat in the chair and placed her hand on the dog's head, patting and fondling it and remained there until we left for the lecture room.

One month later, Pauline returned to attend my hypnotherapy course and receive further hypnotherapy training, and I asked her how she felt about dogs. She said she had no problems with them.

I then asked her if she would be kind enough to describe the initial experience she had that caused her so much distress the previous month. She looked puzzled and shocked everyone by saying,

"I cannot remember. I know there was something, but I just cannot remember what happened!"

I must admit that I had not expected that answer, but since then, it has been repeated many, many times after my Fear Elimination Therapy and my students reported also many occasions when a client literally forgot what had caused their irrational fear.

Can you blame me for feeling proud for having put together such an effective therapy?