As a kid, I was often terrified of the dark, but then I was one of those kids who felt the presence of the dead. I lived in a house that was genuinely haunted when I was in high school, and I had the entire attic for my bedroom and a television room.
Now, the dark is my friend. I feel that I'm safer in the dark, because I know my house better than anyone who might break into it. I also have a house alarm system and an aggressive, barking dog. Even when I was somewhat older, college age, I enjoyed walking in the woods late at night. It was mysterious and spooky, and I loved it.
I think there are reasons for being afraid of the dark. It represents the unknown, unknown dangers, or cover for those who might want to harm us. But even more so, I think there is a connection between the dark of night and fear of death. Berg called 3 a.m. "the hour of the wolf", that time when we wake up terrified of our mortality.
Imagine yourself as a predatory wolf. This is why I enjoyed the woods at night. I imagined myself as a wolf, running and chasing its prey. In you house, imagine that you are the monster and nothing can hurt you. You have the advantage. If all else fails, have some soft, comforting music playing and have a small night light.