Give Anxious Clients the Tools They Need to Master Their Fear of the Phone

Fear of talking on the phone, or telephobia, is a common source of anxiety for a growing number of people. A survey of office workers in the United Kingdom found that 40% of Baby Boomers and a full 76% of Millennials regularly experience call-related anxiety.¹

The Fear of the Phone Hypnosis Script from The Script Collection was put together to help clients experience less phone-related stress.

The script opens with a pre-talk that assures the client their fear is common and well-grounded. The limitations of telephonic communications are extolled, and the common markings of telephobia, such as self-consciousness and feelings of dread, are covered.

The client is reminded that phone calls continue to be a necessary and, in some cases, superior form of communication, despite the advent of newer technology. Telephobia is framed as a non-solution that creates more hassles and rarely solves problems.

The client is assured they possess the ability to talk on the phone without fear. They are reminded that when they feel relaxed, their brain functions more effectively, which makes it easier to talk and respond during phone calls. The goal of the session is explained as a way for them to "re-establish the proper relationship" with their phone so that it becomes a tool for effective communication instead of a source of anxiety.

The induction opens by asking the client to breathe deeply and relax. They are guided to focus on breathing and allow deeper feelings of calmness to flow through their body with every inhalation.

The client is led to imagine relaxation as a color. It flows around their body and imbues deeply serene feelings to all it touches. While surrounded by this color, the client pictures a pathway appearing in front of them. They follow the unfolding walkway, and notice enjoyable sensations along the route, including the smell of freshly cut grass, the sight of blooming spring flowers, and the feel of a gentle breeze.

Now, examples of personal mastery are explained. The client learns that professional swimmers hold floats between their feet to isolate lower body movement when they're working to improve arm movement and control. The isolation allows the muscle growth and motor skills in their arms to develop at a faster pace. The client is guided to think of phone calls in the same way. Losing the visual elements of conversations can help them become "more proficient and more confident" in their communication.

The client is assured that when they discover all the ways in which they are naturally skilled at communication, they will connect with people readily and enjoy flowing conversations over the phone.

They are reminded that human beings are social creatures with a natural desire to communicate. People talked for thousands of years before the phone was invented. Telephonic communication is framed as just another way that people express their core desire to connect with each other. An embedded command instructs the client to allow themselves to "calmly and comfortably connect" over the phone.

Now, the client is guided to picture at a point in the next few days, feeling a calm steadiness when a phone rings. They watch themselves answer the call with unflappable assurance. An embedded command anchors the feeling of calm relaxation to this scenario and the script continues.

Add the Fear of the Phone Hypnosis Script to your script library today.

Fear of the Phone is also available as an MP3 download.

Note:

1. https://theconversation.com/phone-call-anxiety-why-so-many-of-us-have-it-and-how-to-get-over-it-155798