In this episode of Scaling Therapy Practice, host James Marland welcomes special guest Stefani M Cohen, LCSW, who has written a book on overcoming the fear of dogs. Stefani, a licensed clinical social worker, discovered a surprising number of people, especially children, are afraid of dogs. She shares how she turned her passion for helping people conquer their fear into a book that could reach a broader audience.

Stefani's journey to writing the book started when her daughter expressed a sudden fear of dogs. After successfully helping her daughter overcome her fear through exposure therapy, Stefani realized she could help others as well. She began using her therapy dog, Mugsy, to assist clients in overcoming their fear of dogs, and her practice started to grow. Stefani's desire to help more people and share her expertise led her to write the book.

Writing the book wasn't without its challenges. Stefani found herself facing numerous decisions about the content, format, and publishing process. She decided on hybrid publishing and collaborated with a publisher that gave her book a personal touch. While the writing process had its ups and downs, Stefani's determination and willingness to try new things kept her moving forward.

Stefani highlights the importance of teaching kids how to read dog behavior and understand when a dog is happy, scared, or overexcited. This knowledge empowers kids to feel safer around dogs, reducing their fear and promoting positive interactions.

Stefani emphasizes the significant benefits of overcoming the fear of dogs, including the positive impact on mental health and relationships. The human-animal bond can be a transformative experience, promoting personal growth and overall well-being.

Stefani's advice to aspiring authors and therapists is to overcome any doubts and take action. She encourages them to start writing and not wait for the perfect moment. Embrace the "just do it" mindset and share your valuable insights with the world.

Stefani advises embracing a growth mindset, learning from failures, and not taking rejection personally. Instead of doubling down on unsuccessful efforts, read the data and make adjustments accordingly. It's essential to detach yourself from the outcomes and focus on continual improvement.