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09.02.2025
Clinicians - Are You Ready to Face Your Own Fears?
Elizabeth DuPont Spencer, LCSW-C
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September 2, 2025
Clinicians - Are You Ready to Face Your Own Fears?
Authored by: Elizabeth DuPont Spencer, LCSW-C
I hope you had a great summer with time for relaxation and adventure. It is so important for clinicians to take time away from work to recharge, whatever time of year that works best for your life and your practice.
This summer I had the opportunity to use my CBT skills in my own life, and the results made me proud to be a CBT therapist, so I want to share my experience with you.
My Trip to Iceland & Facing Anxiety
My husband and I took a trip to beautiful Iceland, and on one of our final days we took a day trip to Drangey Island.
Fear of heights:
Any of you have fear of heights? If you have heard me speak you have heard me talk about my own anxiety starting with a panic attack in high school.
None of my anxiety has limited my life thanks to early education that took the fear out of intense symptoms. However, anxiety has tried many times to scare me about new situations or situations in which I have been many times – anxiety is very cunning!
The Challenge of Drangey Island
Climb preparation:
I didn’t realize in our planning how intense the climb on Drangey would be. Honestly, I was just focused on seeing puffins!
Initial reaction:
When we got off the boat with 10 other people and a father and son guide, I first looked up the almost sheer face of the 180-meter rock. My reaction was: “I can’t do it.”
During the climb:
We climbed holding ropes tied to pegs pounded into the rocks. Thousands of seabirds flew and called around us. My anxiety was a 9 out of 10 from the first steps. My heart pounded, knees shook, and thoughts raced:
- “What if I miss one of the rungs on the ladder?”
- “What if I stumble and hurtle over the edge into the ocean below?”
CBT in Action
Pushing through anxiety:
My hands sweat as I write this, remembering my terror. Your body screams at you to stop. But I kept going because of all of you, the clinicians I teach and the clients I work with.
Lesson:
Back down from anxiety, and it will have you.
Reaching the top:
I collapsed to the ground to steady myself. We spent 90 minutes on top of this huge island rock, so high it felt like we could touch the clouds.
Gradually, my anxiety faded.
I didn’t focus on “what-if” thinking, didn’t add anxious thoughts, and didn’t try to distract myself. I looked over the edge, and even tried to get my anxiety back up, but it was impossible.
The climb down:
- Pure joy.
- No anxiety.
- I could finally relish the beautiful scenery and enjoy the puffins.
- This was my victory moment!
Takeaway & Reflection
Ongoing journey with anxiety:
I know anxiety isn’t done with me. It surprises me now and again. And that’s okay, because I climbed Drangey Island, something I had never even known to be anxious about before our trip.
Back to work:
I’m home and ready to help clinicians and clients break the spell of anxiety. Send me your success stories. Join me in being proud to be a CBT therapist, #CBTworks.
This blog first appeared on Anxietytraining.com.
Elizabeth DuPont Spencer, LCSW-C
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