Percy: What are you doing here, Koala? You are up the wrong tree. Have you got lost?
Koala: No, I came to see Rose. She fixes all the animal problems. I think you are next. I have enough gum leaves in my pouch to last me until I get home.
A lovely-looking Possum climbed down a tree as Koala and Percy were speaking and interrupted their conversation.
Rose: Hello you must be Percy.
Percy: Yes, my sister Holly said I should come to see you and talk about my fear of heights. I am embarrassed to tell you what is wrong with me.
Rose: Bye Koala, see you in a fortnight.
Percy: I have never seen a green Koala before. What is wrong with her?
Rose: I cannot tell you what Koala’s problems are, that is between Koala and me. It is confidential.
Percy: Oh no, you use big words like Holly does. That is two more words I have to look up, counsellor and confidential. I don’t want to hear anymore big words; I just want you to unscared me from big heights.
Rose: I am not sure unscared is a word, Percy.
Percy: Well, it is no more stupid than all those words you and Holly use.
Rose: You are a bit of a hothead too, I see.
Percy: Have you been speaking with Holly?
Rose: It is easy to see you are bad tempered. We need to fix that too, Percy. Tell me, Percy, did something happen to make you scared of heights?
Percy: I fell out of a tree when I was a baby, and I have been scared of heights ever since. I do not want other possums find out. I need to fix it, especially now that I am negotiating with the humans to move out of our property.
Rose: We will fix one thing at a time, first we will fix your fear of heights, then you can tell me about the humans on your property because I can help you with that too.
Percy: You can help us with the humans?
Rose: Yes, but first let’s talk about your fear of heights. We will work with one thing at a time. We will not climb further up the tree today. I am going to tell you five things to think about.
- We will talk about how we are going to get you ready to climb up high, you will get right up to the top of this tree by the time we finished our sessions.
Percy: This tree is too high for me to climb all the way up there.
Rose: That is why we are doing this slowly, so that you will get the courage to climb all the way up eventually.
- Slowly does it. When you are ready, you will climb one branch higher every week, until you get to the top.
Rose: Ok? Did you feel safe climbing up this first branch?
Percy: Yes, I felt safe. I felt scared when I go to the second branch.
Rose: I need you to visualize, to imagine.
- I want you to imagine you are climbing the second branch. Tell me what you feel?
Percy: I feel sick in the stomach and my hands feel all clammy and wet and I think I am going to slide off the branch and hurt myself.
Rose: I want you to imagine you feel safe as you put one hand on the second branch and hold it. Do this from time to time, then put one leg on the second branch, and feel safe. Then get on to the second branch imagining that you feel safe. Feel how courageous you are sitting on the second branch.
Then.
- Breathe. If you feel scared, take deep breaths so that you do not feel so anxious. Did you know that taking deep breaths you get more oxygen to your brain? That is good for you. It will make you feel better.
Percy: Does breathing deeply really help calm me down and then I can do things I am scared of?
Rose: Yes, it does. You can breathe deeply in all situations, you feel scared, and it will help calm you down, then you can do what scares you.
Percy: I can’t wait to tell my sister Holly. She will be pleased when she sees I can climb trees to the very top.
Rose: One more thing, Percy.
- Take it easy. You will not achieve it in one day. It will take weeks before you climb to the top. Do it slowly, one branch per week.
Percy: Thank you Rose, I will see you in a fortnight for the next instructions.
Rose: I will look forward to seeing how much you have advanced.
Percy: Bye now, and as my sister Holly always says; whatever you do today, make it safe and fun.
Holly, Percy, and Delece Ford September 2022
