Whether it’s the dark, creepy crawlies, or even the fear of heights, many children experience certain fears that can sometimes escalate into phobias. While it’s healthy for kids to have some fears for their safety, such as being cautious around traffic or fire, when a fear becomes debilitating—like avoiding an elevator at all costs—it can be time to seek help. Tina Johnson, a 40-year-old reality TV star, is opening up about her son’s struggle with elevator phobia and his progress through an evidence-based method called exposure therapy.
Most phobias often stem from a real-life incident that gradually spirals out of control. This was the case for Tina’s 7-year-old son, Jake, who she revealed “hadn’t stepped into an elevator since he witnessed a scary incident with a superhero at age 5.”
Tina describes exposure therapy as a highly effective treatment for phobias. “We’re currently on day 4 of 7 for Jake’s exposure therapy, and he’s doing amazing. Each day, he encounters a new elevator and earns rewards for his bravery.” According to the Mayo Clinic, exposure therapy is a method that involves “gradual, repeated exposure to the source of your specific phobia, along with the related thoughts and feelings.” For someone like Jake, who is afraid of elevators, this could mean starting with looking at an image of an elevator, then moving on to standing near one, entering it, and eventually taking a ride. A therapist often guides this process.
“Seeing him beam with pride is incredibly rewarding,” Tina shared on her Instagram post. She is also a mother to 9-year-old Lily and 2-year-old Grace, along with her eldest daughter, Mia, who is 12 from a previous relationship. Tina recently posted a video of Jake inside an elevator, encouraging him with, “Day 4 of 7. Brand new elevator. Let’s go, Buddy!!!”
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In summary, Tina Johnson is highlighting her son Jake’s journey to overcome his fear of elevators through exposure therapy. By gradually exposing him to elevators, she’s fostering a sense of achievement and confidence in him while also educating others about effective treatments for phobias.