Review of Phobia Relief
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Review of Phobia Relief
Phobia Relief: From Fear to Freedom by Kalliope Barlis
This book is a helpful guide for people with mild to intense fear of things. The author, Barlis knows a lot about how our brains work and shares practical tips to help us deal with our fears. Right off the bat, Barlis introduces an approach known as NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), a technique used to change how we react to our fears by manipulating our brains or overcoming phobic fears. Barlis has a wealth of knowledge about this as she apprenticed with Dr.Bandler, who has been a practitioner of NLP for many years and was lovely enough to validate the details written by Balis in this book.
The best thing about this book is that it's easy to understand, because Barlis simply explains complicated ideas, so it's easier for the reader to figure out why they're scared and what they can do about it. She also shares real-life case studies and anecdotes that are relatable and help the reader see that they're not alone in their fears. Barlis's emphasis on reframing thoughts and beliefs is particularly impactful, offering readers a fresh perspective from which to confront their fears. I also love that the book has been given some form of credibility by other professionals who know Barlis.
Another thing that makes the book great is, it is split into three sections. The first section delves into the nature of phobias, helping readers understand what phobias are, their purpose, and why they occur. I like that it emphasizes that you can choose the purpose of your fears and provides useful simple exercises for you to work through. The second part zooms into how you can overcome your fear, here Barlis draws attention to practical techniques for overcoming phobias. I particularly enjoyed this part because each chapter written here has exercises that you can practice before you move on to the next chapter and at the end of the part you can do a full review to check in with yourself about how far you've come. The third part of the book is even more informative because Barlis makes use of a transcript from a client as a good example of how NLP works to help us deal with our fears or phobias and it concludes well by encouraging the reader to move to freedom from fear and become happier.
However, the book is not without its shortcomings. While Barlis's writing style is clear and concise, there are moments where the text feels repetitive, especially when reiterating certain techniques or concepts. Additionally, some readers may find that certain sections lack depth, leaving them craving more in-depth analysis or exploration of specific phobias. To make this book better, I would have preferred Barlis to have included some scientific references to back up the effects/results of NLP on her clients or even use research journals and articles other than that of Dr. R Bandler to give more credibility to the book.
As for the editing, the book is commendably free from typographical errors or grammatical mishaps. The fine editing adds to the overall professionalism of the work, enhancing the reading experience for audiences. I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars because only a few errors were identified and with my suggestion on how Barlis could have enhanced the book mentioned above.
Despite these drawbacks, "Phobia Relief" remains a valuable resource for anyone looking to conquer their fears and take back control of their lives. Its practical approach, coupled with Barlis's expertise, makes it a worthwhile read for individuals struggling with phobias of any kind.
Overall, Phobia Relief provides a comprehensive framework for understanding, confronting, and overcoming phobias, offering readers practical tools and empowering insights to reclaim control over their lives. I would recommend this book to anybody it is not only a useful resource but also a fun and engaging read.
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Phobia Relief
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