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Home / Latest News / 2008 / 5 / 13 /

Arachnophobes can beat fear of creepy crawlies at Bristol Zoo Gardens

 

Beat your fear of arachnids at Bristol ZooBristol Zoo Gardens will be holding another of its successful 'spider phobia' courses next month.

 

There are still places available on the 'Living with spiders' course, which aims to help arachnophobes banish their fear of eight legged beasts.

 

The course will be held on June 5 at Bristol Zoo Gardens. Experts will help people with extreme arachnophobia overcome their fear of the creepy crawlies through a combination of education, discussion, relaxation and hypnotherapy.

 

Mary Ison, a local counsellor, hypnotherapist and phobia expert, will conduct the session, which also includes hypnosis and an optional meeting with spiders.

 

The courses are run by Bristol Zoo Garden's education department.

Simon Garrett, head of education at the Zoo, said: "Many people find spiders fascinating, but for others they are simply terrifying and can seriously affect their lives. Our culture does nothing to dispel the myths, with spider television programmes often accompanied by sinister music and gothic lighting.

"At Bristol Zoo Gardens we have responded to the demand for people wanting to get over their fear of spiders by offering courses to help them do so.

"On our spider phobia courses, the emphasis is on changing the balance of control, from spiders being in control of people's lives, to people being in control of themselves and their environment.

"These highly sucessful seminars are small and personal, with participants enjoying a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. They includes a variety of approaches, since different people benefit from different 'therapies', and nobody is asked to do anything that they don't want to do."

The session will be held on Thursday, June 5, from 6pm until 9.30pm, at the Zoo. It costs £85 per person, including refreshments, and places are limited to nine people so please book early to avoid disappointment.

 

For more information please visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk/learning/courses.

To book a place on the course, call Bristol Zoo Garden's bookings line on 974 7369, or email education@bristolzoo.org.uk.