Behaviourists: Can You Help?

[Skruffy n Flea]

hello

i really don't know if this is the right place to ask or whether i'm even able to ask or whether it's even doable!

can a behaviourist help a human overcome a fear of dogs!??!

here's the story about what happened recently...

so, same person, but some 20 or so years ago, a neighbour owned a german shep that rushed her and pushed her to the ground, i believe on a number of occasions. her family were never dog-oriented peeps and so she has grown up without dogs and has, from that young age, maintained a fear of german sheps. the recent attack has reinforced that fear but her fear now incorporates jogging!

since the attack she is seeing a therapist but that will only go part of the way --- she will still have a fear of dogs, in particular, the german shep!

i hope someone can help or give me some advice as to what my friend can do...

thanks

[Erny]

I really think that is for your friend's therapist to advise, not a canine behaviourist. There are numerous things that can be suggested, but we don't know your friend nor are we experts of the human mind. What we might think of doing might be too much for your friend and in opposition to what your friend's therapist, who would know her better, would suggest.

Edited November 7, 2010 by Erny

[Skruffy n Flea]

i get your points erny and thanks

she very much needs the therapy but i also think she would, at the appropriate time, heal further by being introduced to dogs under controlled conditions, hence a dog behaviourist --- it kinda makes sense to me...

idk actually, just putting it out there

[Erny]

i get your points erny and thanks

And I'm sorry SnF. I feel as though I am just "raining on your parade" so to speak, as I've been contrary to each of your thoughts in your two related threads.

[Skruffy n Flea]

i get your points erny and thanks

And I'm sorry SnF. I feel as though I am just "raining on your parade" so to speak, as I've been contrary to each of your thoughts in your two related threads.

nah, no biggy erny; it makes for interesting discussion and generally we learn a little bit more about stuff

[Aidan]

Clinical psychologists have well established, heavily researched methods for dealing with phobias and post-traumatic stress. Assuming she is seeing a clinical psychologist who uses these methods (and the Australian Psychological Society now has a mandate that therapists use only evidence-based methods) then, if she follows through with treatment, they will get to that point sooner or later. I'm not certain of the legalities, but it could actually be an offence to offer this service if you are not an APS registered psychologist, depending on the context.

[Jigsaw]

I would recommend she seek out a clinical psychologist who is familiar with dealing with this type of trauma and phobias. It needs to be handled sensitively and in a manner that she finds non-threatening and able to cope with.

[Skruffy n Flea]

thanks for the replies --- i'll past that along to my friend :rolleyes: