Overcoming Fear of Spiders

I've decided that my fear of spiders is irrational. As a rational being, I am taking it upon myself to overcome this fear. This is coming after a 2-day stretch where I have had to kill 4 large spiders in my basement (yes Lindsay, I didn't tell you about a fourth spider).Lucky for me WikiHow.com has a 6-step program for people like me. For your enjoyment, I have inserted my initial reactions to the proposed steps taken directly from the site in parentheses and italics.

1. Expose yourself and face your fears (I don't get how exposing myself to a spider is going to help anyone -AG) - You must face your fear to overcome it. When there is a spider around, don't automatically smash it. Take time to examine the spider, but at a distance that if it is life-threatening, you have time to do your justice to it.
2. Accept and understand that spiders are a natural part of this world - Know that spiders are everywhere, and unavoidable. You will never fully escape the presence of spiders (Two words: Nuclear Holocaust - AG).
3. Educate yourself on Spiders - Know which spiders native to your region of the world are harmful and know what they look like. There are very few spiders in some countries that are actually deadly. Other areas of the world have more risky varieties. For those that may be harmful, there is almost always a cure at your local hospital. (This step is not helpful for a few reasons: 1) I have a hard time taking advice from anyone who cannot put a coherent thought together and 2) "almost always a cure" isn't reassuring - AG)
   
4. Learn to overcome your fearful behavior - Spiders don't hate you because you hate them. (How the hell do you know? -AG) Even though you may daily stomp away at these pests, it isn't every day that they come plunging at you meat-hungry. Don't over-react.
5. Start the process of overcoming your fear - Have someone you trust and feel safe with buy some toy spiders and some pictures. To truly overcome your fear, you have to learn how to deal with spiders in your presence. Starting with something small like a toy or picture helps a lot. Sit near the person you trust and have them slowly and quietly take out the toy or picture and try to sit still for a couple of seconds. Each day when you feel comfortable, try to increase your time spent with the toy spider or picture. When you feel safe or comfortable enough, try touching the toy or picture. Again as time goes by when you feel even more comfortable, increase your time spent having contact with the toy or picture. (Too easy - AG)
6. When you see a spider on the wall, stand far away from it and keep looking at it 'till you stop feeling scared. Then, slowly move a little closer and stand for some time. Keep doing it till you are next to or very close to the spider. Keep in mind that it will not harm you. Then try to scare the spider away. Keep chasing it out of the window, room or whatever it is on/in. When you have done that you will feel that you are not scared of spiders anymore.

Since Steps 1 and 6 are almost identical, I think I will start there. I've never been able to touch a spider and maybe that's something I can work up towards. Then I could grab it by its leg an fling it at someone else in the room that is afraid of spiders, thus inspiring them to overcome their fear and the circle of life continues.