Russell’s Real Lives

Russell Hemmings Real Lives

From phobia to best of friends


Catching up with old clients is one of my favourite things to do, so when Maha, a lady I had treated for a severe phobia of dogs called to ask if I wanted to meet a very special friend of hers, I was intrigued…

As a child Maha had been badly bitten by a stray dog and this had understandably caused her to go into a phobia panic any time she encountered one of our canine friends. Ironically, Maha had always dreamed that someday she might have her own adorable puppy to care for, but this increasingly seemed like an unlikely prospect as the older she got the worse her phobia became.

When she came to see me, just the thought that she might be confronted by a dog was overwhelming for her, but I reassured her that using a combination of Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy and exposure therapy I was confident that I could completely cure her. At first she seemed unconvinced that could ever happen, but after just a few sessions she was utterly amazed when I suggested that it was time to test out whether the phobia therapy had worked.

Of course we needed a dog to complete the picture and I had a friend who owned a very gentle and loving pooch called Max for her to try out her new found ‘dog confidence’. It was such an amazing moment when Mara was able to walk straight up to Max and stroke him without flinching. She was completely astonished that she felt none of the old feelings of panic and was so thrilled that she had finally out her fears behind her…

Maha had asked to meet at the park and it was my turn to be amazed when I saw her coming towards me with a gorgeous little dog on a lead. Milo was his name and Maha had got him from a rescue centre. The pair of them clearly adored each other and it was very moving to see. We spent a wonderful hour catching up and I had the chance to get to know Milo, which was a real treat. It was gratifying to know that Maha’s dream had turned into a reality and that I had helped her to achieve it. It’s those precious moment that make me appreciate how rewarding my job is, so thank you Maha and Milo!

Russell helped Maha with her fear of dogs and he can help you too. Please call to discover how.

Russell Hemmings is a world renowned life coach and hypnotherapist working with clients on a range of issues from his bases in Dubai and the UK.

Back to Russell’s Real Lives