Dear Reverend, My older sister is terrified of bugs. She won't even say the word "spider." I have teased her about it for years, but I'm starting to actually feel bad for her. She's a grown woman, and I wish she could get over her fear. Is there anything I can do to help her? Millie Peede (woman, 26) Dear Millie Peede, Are we related? Because I have a sister just like yours. Once upon a time, a moth got into her apartment, and she locked herself in the bathroom until my mother and I could go over and remove the intruder. She has gotten much better since then — with no help from me, to be honest — but I do have a few tips. The first thing you need to do is stop making fun of her fear. Lots of people get bugged out by creepy-crawlies, but your sister may be suffering from a real phobia. It's important that she knows you truly empathize with her anxieties. Even though she doesn't like to talk about bugs, if she's willing, it may be helpful to try to figure out when her fear started. Perhaps there was a traumatic experience in her childhood, such as getting stung by a bee, that triggered it. You can't solve a problem until you figure out the cause. If her fears are based on misconceived notions about bugs, perhaps she could use some education to dispel the myths. Talk to her about the good things insects do and how, for the most part, they can't cause her any harm. A little exposure therapy could also be worth a shot. Look at pictures of bugs or watch some short videos. Help her learn breathing and relaxation techniques to calm herself down when an ant gets her amped up. If none of those ideas flies with your sister, you might suggest she seek out a professional therapist to help her work out the bugs. Offer to help her find the right person, and even go to a session with her. Your support can really go a long way. Whatever you do, respect your sister's boundaries. If you push her limits, you'll become a pest and make matters worse. Good luck and God bless, The Reverend…