Here's some encouragement, InkyUndine, in the form of a true report about my nephew. He was certified in late 2010, and his open waters were in a fresh water spring in Utah where there are no fish. Last summer he went on his first real dive in our local reservoir where there were lots of crawfish and a few fish. He has your phobia. He was a little apprehensive on his first dive, but on the second he seemed to have become comfortable being a part of the underwater world, and sought out animals to see and get close to. He is very much looking forward to his first ocean dive in the Florida Keys. I think a big part of the fear some people have is of the unknown and unfamiliar. I am going to predict that you will enjoy seeing all the pretty fish very much, and that within a couple of dives will be seeking them out, no dreading their presence. I have found that true of as few others I know as well. Let me know after the fact if I was right or not.
DivemasterDennis
DivemasterDennis