Due to the very specialized approach that has proved to be most effective when helping people overcome their fear of water, training for those instructors who work with that population requires that not only the instructor candidate be special, but that they be taught the unique skill sets and protocol necessary to ensure that both the SOAP Instructor and participants have a successful experience and outcome.
1) Cognitive Awareness - Trainees will receive an in depth view of fear, anxiety and phobia, specifically within an aquatic environment, so that they are able to identify and respond to specific histories, patterns, behaviors and feelings that are unique to a diverse population of fearful swimmers.
yesterday, just imagine what you will be able to think is possible tomorrow." Jeff Krieger, M.S.
Trainees are taught counseling/coaching strategies that include reflecting, behavior modification, relaxation, and positive imagery and desensitization techniques. These skills, which are used both in and out of the pool, will allow instructors to help their clients understand, manage and overcome their fear and anxiety as it relates to water.
The primary function of a SOAP Instructor is to initiate, facilitate and perpetuate a therapeutic environment in which their clients can learn, develop and practice the skills that are necessary for them to feel comfortable and safe in the pool.
The training will focus on the three SOAP Program components that help fearful swimmers understand, manage and overcome varying degrees of fear surrounding water:
2) Emotional Support - Trainees will learn specific strategies and skills that will allow them to establish an effective rapport with their clients within a short timeline.
Trainees are taught counseling/coaching strategies that include reflecting, behavior modification, relaxation, and positive imagery and desensitization techniques. These skills, which are used both in and out of the pool, will allow instructors to help their clients understand, manage and overcome their fear and anxiety as it relates to water.
3) Aquatic Skill Building - Trainees are taught specific aquatic skills and timeline to apply those skills, in order that their clients can gradually feel more competent and independent in water. These skills are multi-dimensional designed to ensure clients that they will be able to be successful anywhere in the pool at any time.
A SOAP Instructor has the ability and opportunity to change people's lives in a very profound way and in that process, significantly change their own lives as well.
The SOAP Instructor Training Program is available to both individuals and groups. Having the knowledge and expertise to help fearful swimmers overcome their fear is the first step in introducing clients to a whole new world of fitness and recreation. Once an aquatic program adds SOAP to its curriculum, it's opening its doors to children and adults who might never would have considered participating in any of the other aquatic activities that you offer.
If you share a passion for aquatics and for helping people overcome difficult and painful barriers in their lives, then becoming a SOAP Instructor is a powerful way to fuel that spirit.
For additional details regarding the SOAP Instructor Training Program please contact Director Jeff Krieger, 727-741-3088 or
JeffKrieger@WaterPhobias.com
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Hi Jeff:
I hope this letter finds you well. I could not wait to get back from Mexico to tell you about how proud my children are of me. They were standing in the pool talking, when I stood up on a step, put my goggles on and jumped into the water (they couldn't imagine what happened) and then, of course, I swam away. They stood there in shock, they were so excited for me, and for themselves, because I now am able to watch the grandchildren in the pool. They really could not believe it, the only comment was "I wish you would have been able to swim when we were little". I had the best time with the grandkids in the pool with no worries.
I cannot thank you enough for your patience, support, encouragement and expertise in teaching me how to swim. The fear that came with swimming was lack of knowledge of the water. You taught me how to breathe, relax and enjoy the water and I thank you again.
Sincerely,
Bonnie
Helping people overcome their aquatics anxieties, fears and phobias for over 30 years.
(727) 741-3088
Instructor Training
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Jeff will be offering his WaterPhobias LLC Instructor Training Class, October, 16-19 in conjunction with the World Aquatic
Health Conference in Indianapolis. To learn more, click here to download the pdf.