Managing Fear of Heights Course
Our Managing Fear of Heights Course is a powerful, highly practical two-day programme designed to help you understand, manage, and overcome a fear of heights (acrophobia).
Delivered by David, a psychologist, coach, and therapist with more than 30 years’ worth of experience supporting people with anxiety (including overcoming his own fear of heights), alongside Chris, a hugely experienced mountaineer, outdoor instructor, and expedition leader, this course combines proven psychological techniques with carefully managed real-world outdoor experiences.
Who Is It For?
Our Managing Fear of Heights Course is suitable for anyone whose fears are holding them back.
For some people, that may be a reluctance to use an escalator, climb a ladder, or cross a bridge. For others, it’s the ambition to enjoy hill walking, scrambling, climbing, or mountain adventures without anxiety taking over.
It doesn’t matter where you’re starting from; the course focuses on understanding why a fear of heights exists, recognising that it’s a completely normal response, and learning how to manage the irrational elements while respecting the healthy fear that helps to keep us safe.
Managing Fear of Heights – Course Overview
“He who fears he shall suffer, already suffers what he fears.” Michel de Montaigne
On the morning of day one, we introduce the psychological concepts. We explain why people have a fear of heights and the psychological constructs of fear & anxiety. We unpick some of the triggers for your fear of heights and give you a toolkit for managing that fear.
After lunch, through a very carefully graduated series of exercises, we use your newly learned personal psychological toolkit to build your confidence in mastering your fear. Everything we do is challenge by choice. Whilst you will be encouraged to keep developing and refining your personal toolkit for your fear of heights, you will never be forced.
We return to the hotel for a cuppa and a chat about what we achieved.
On day two, equipped with your newfound skills in managing fear and brimming with confidence, we develop these skills slowly. Increasing the stimulus at a rate appropriate to you.
For those who want the Psychological explanation – we treat fear of heights with a blend of very careful exposure therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Managing Fear of Heights – Course Format
The two days are not rigid, but a normal course generally follows the below:
- 9 am, Introductions
- Why a fear of heights is normal
- How do you treat a fear of heights
- Recognising the triggers
- Practical psychological models around fear & managing it
- Lunch (BYO)
- Move to nearby outdoor location
- Carefully graded exposure to develop your toolkit
- Return to hotel & debrief for day one
- Normally finishing the practical parts of day one at around 5 pm
- 9 am meet & refresh of appropriate techniques
- Incremental exposure to heights & reassessment – are the techniques working?
- Lunch (BYO)
- Final challenges & cementing the knowledge.
- Action planning and what to do if…
- Depart, normally around 3:30 pm.
Why Choose Beyond the Edge?
Unlike many fear-of-heights courses, our programme combines psychological expertise with decades of professional outdoor experience.
You’ll benefit from:
- A psychologist with over 30 years’ experience treating anxiety
- A highly experienced mountaineer and outdoor instructor
- Challenge-by-choice learning with no pressure to do anything you don’t want
- Carefully selected Peak District locations that allow gradual progression
- Small group sizes for personalised coaching
- A supportive, friendly environment where everyone progresses at their own pace
Rather than simply exposing you to heights, we help you understand why your brain reacts the way it does and provide you with practical tools that you can continue using long after the course has finished.
Do I Need Any Previous Outdoor Experience?
No. The course is suitable for complete beginners and requires no previous climbing or mountaineering experience. The focus is on managing your response to heights rather than developing technical outdoor skills.
Course Details
- Location: Peak District
- Cost: £240
- Duration: 2 Days
- Ratio: 2:8
- Level: Introduction
More Information
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Course Dates
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Bespoke Dates and Locations
Alongside our scheduled courses, we also offer bespoke Fear of Heights Courses for individuals, organisations, and workplaces.
These can be delivered at your own location or incorporated into wider wellbeing leadership, organisations, and workplaces.
If you’d like a private course or would like us to tailor the programme to your requirements, simply contact the Beyond the Edge team to discuss suitable dates and options.
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Meeting Point
The Fear of Heights course will meet at 9am in the Anglers Rest, Bamford (S33 0DY) in the Hope valley.
Tea, coffee and the legendary biscuit tin are available from about 8:45.
Bamford has ample free parking, good bus and train links to Sheffield and a good train link to Manchester. It is a 1km walk from Bamford train station to the Anglers.
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Equipment Required
Please bring yourself, outdoor clothing, lunch a notebook and an open mind.
All technical & safety equipment is provided.
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Accommodation Options
This Beyond the Edge fear of heights course is non-residential to allow you to select between a thermarest or 5 star hotel as you require.
There are lots of accommodation options in the Hope Valley. A variety of these are listed on our Accommodation page.
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FAQs
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Can a Fear of Heights Really Be Treated?
Yes. Fear of heights (acrophobia) responds very well to evidence-based psychological approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and carefully managed exposure therapy.
Our course combines both techniques with practical outdoor coaching, allowing you to develop confidence gradually in a safe, supportive environment.
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How Do I Book a Fear of Heights Course?
The best way to book on a Managing Fear of Heights course is via this webpage. Choose the date from the options on the above and then submit your booking and request an invoice or pay. If your course is under six weeks away, you must pay the full amount.
For bespoke Fear of Heights courses get in touch first so we can check diaries and if required give you a quote. Get in touch by either calling the office on 01142 631 155 or emailing us.
Our bespoke course rates are on our website here.
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Does the Course Include Accommodation?
Not usually! We prefer to let you choose where you will be most comfortable. This may be in a tent or in a luxury hotel. In the Peak District, we work out of the Anglers Rest, Bamford (S33 0DY) in the Hope Valley.
There are lots of accommodation options in the valley, a selection of which are listed on our accommodation page.
For bespoke Fear of Heights courses or other bespoke events, we can arrange whatever you desire from a bivouac under the stars to a spa hotel.
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Who Is This Fear of Heights Course Suitable For?
The course is suitable for anyone whose fear of heights limits their everyday life or stops them from enjoying outdoor activities.
Whether you’re anxious on ladders, bridges, and balconies or want to gain confidence for hill walking, scrambling, or climbing, the course is designed to help you progress at your own pace.
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How Much Does the Fear of Heights Course Cost?
The two-day course costs £240 per person. Bespoke courses for individuals, workplaces, and organisations are also available; please contact us for a tailored quotation.
