Ep 16. Fear of Flying

The show Private Practice season 3 episode 16 is named Fear of Flying and it revolves around the characters of the show facing their fears, particularly when it comes to flying.

Addison, one of the main characters, is dealing with her own fear of flying as she has to take a flight to visit her sick brother in New York. Her colleagues at the Oceanside Wellness Group, a medical practice in Los Angeles that the show centers around, offer her various strategies to manage her anxiety and fear, such as deep breathing exercises and distraction techniques.

Meanwhile, Naomi, Addison's best friend and colleague, is also grappling with her fear of flying. Unlike Addison, however, Naomi actually has to fly frequently as part of her job as a consultant. She has to take a flight to San Francisco for a client meeting, and she is understandably nervous about it. Throughout the episode, Naomi tries out different coping mechanisms, such as taking Xanax and listening to music, to try and quell her fears.

Other characters on the show are also dealing with their own anxieties related to flying. Violet, a therapist at Oceanside Wellness Group, has to counsel a patient who is deathly afraid of planes and tries to cancel her trip due to her fear. Sam, another of Addison's colleagues, is trying to figure out what is causing his daughter's anxiety around flying.

As the episode progresses, we see the characters confront their fears in different ways. Some find success through medication and therapy, while others find comfort in the support of their loved ones. The episode also touches upon the idea that fears can often be irrational and difficult to overcome, but that it is important to face them in order to grow and move forward.

Overall, Private Practice season 3 episode 16 offers a poignant exploration of the different fears that people can have related to flying, while also emphasising the importance of vulnerability and support in overcoming those fears.