I am also a beginning rider and was very frightened of the clips for the first 2 months. Practice, practice and practice - is my advice. Tell yourself to clip out on one side and when you see that you need to stop, unclip long before you get to the light/stop sign, etc. Some people suggested to me to get your bike in a stable position - having someone hold it or somehow balancing yourself in a door frame and just practicing.

I have finally gotten the hang of it, but it took some time for me. Good luck! If you keep at it, it will be natural very quickly.