Coulrophobia, or Fear of Clowns

Michele Norris of National Public Radio (NPR) in a segment for All Things Considered titled, Clowns Teach People Not To Be Afraid Of ... Clowns interviewed Paul Carpenter about a rarely spoken about phobia, coulrophobia. Coulrophobia is a fear of clowns. Mr. Carpenter is Popol the clown in John Lawson's Circus. Ms. Norris lays the foundation of the interview with the first revealing question to Paul Carpenter,"Now, do I understand this right? Coulrophobia is the third most common phobia in all of Britain?"

Mr. Carpenter explains that yes indeed in Britain according to a Nation Newspaper Poll, Coulrophobia is number three on the phobia list behind, spiders and needles. The heart of the interview goes on to discuss the "therapy" that the clowns of John Lawson's Circus are using in hopes of helping people overcome their fear of Clowns. For Circus Clowns in Circuses similar to John Lawson's Circus this might be a economic necessity rather than a strictly therapeutic endeavor. John Lawson's Circus is like a lot of traveling circuses, a small circus. This non-animal circus, like most small circuses, visits towns and villages that the larger circuses that the large circus bypasses. Drawing an audience is done the old fashioned way, using the circus clowns to attract people into the big tent for the show. If, however,there is a prevalence of coulrophobia lurking among the populace, Clowns would not be the best spokespeople when the circus comes to town.

The NPR Host, Michele Norris gets to the heart of Clown Therapy as run by Paul Carpenter and the clowns of John Lawson's Circus by asking, "So how do you do that? How do you help people get over that fear? " To which Mr. Carpenter answers, "Well, if anyone wants to come for some clown therapy -we're also calling it clownseling - we invite them to the big top during the day when it's quiet and they meet me and our other clown, but they meet us in our normal, everyday guises, not in makeup or anything. And then we take them into the circus ring, and they watch us as we slowly transform ourselves into our clown personalities.

We put on our makeup very slowly, and then we put on our costumes. And if that goes well and they haven't run for the door, we then try and get them interacting with us in the circus ring. We go through a few clown routines, getting them involved. And if that goes well, our ultimate aim is to get the person themselves dressed up in costume and makeup, and then we help them find their own inner clown."

Mr. Carpenter and his fellow Clownselors approach Coulrophobia with tried and true truisms, "until you walk a mile in someone's shoes........", and if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" are applicable in their approach. By showing the person behind the clown face, clown therapy starts with basic human interaction, which enforces in the phobic's mind that a clown is a person in costume. Relieving the anxiety by pitting on their clown makeup in front of their fearful audiences unmasks the mystery of the clown.

Helping people to find, "their own inner clown" as Mr. Carpenter puts it is not only a good idea for those afflicted with Coulrophobia may also be a beneficial approach to a number of fears. The clown is not only the mysterious white face in makeup, the clown has served many roles throughout the history of civilization. The character of the clown has offered great writers the freedom, in restrictive times, to give voice to points of view through his antics and lines. It is the jester, the precursor to the clown who was permitted the leeway of poking fun at the outlandishness and repression of Royal dictates. By once again revealing the humanity behind the clown makeup, Mr. Carpenter and his fellow clowns from John Lawson's Circus are advancing the traditional role of the clown.

Those around the world who will never cross paths with John Lawson's Circus can follow Mr. Carpenter's advice and find your inner clown with Mehron Clown Makeup, the Professional Clown Makeup used by Clowns throughout the world. You can conquer your Coulrophobia with a personal collection of Professional Clown Makeup which will help you find your inner clown.