Testimonials

“Following quite a severe mental ‘breakdown’, Joy’s work, help and CBT techniques enabled me to successfully tread a road to recovery. Joy helped me regain control in my life, return to work and achieve a sense of normality far sooner than doctors predicted. Thanks to Joy and CBT techniques, I am now living and, perhaps more importantly, enjoying life again!”

Male aged 38

“I came to Joy about a year ago after finding myself at the lowest point in my life. Despite being objectively 'successful' (successful career, loving relationship, good support network) I found that I was unable to recognise or appreciate any of this and felt increasingly depressed and unable to see a way forward. Joy was great at listening and helping me identify patterns of behaviour that were leading to depression, and then provide practical actions and techniques to work my way out of it. My perspective on life has fundamentally shifted, and Joy has given me skills that will stick with me that I can apply to navigate life's challenges. I am forever grateful to her for helping me to appreciate life again.”

Female – aged 31

“When I started with Joy I thought I would never be able to go to university and I found it really difficult to leave the house and see my friends. Through the techniques Joy has taught me I now understand my anxiety a lot more and am able to manage it much more successfully. Now I am at university and loving it!”

Female – aged 18

“This was my first introduction to CBT and I was nervous about finally admitting that I needed help with my social anxiety. From our first meeting, Joy made me feel at ease and over the weeks I began to really look forward to our sessions. Her compassion, depth of understanding and advice all helped me put valuable skills to practice. Quite quickly I began to see significant changes in my mood, my confidence and how much more relaxed I was day to day. I can't thank Joy enough for her help.”

Female – aged 34

“I started seeing Joy soon after being diagnosed with a life changing health condition which had left me feeling extremely anxious and depressed.

To begin with, I just wanted to talk about my feelings around what had happened and Joy gave me the space and support to do this.

I was new to CBT but now feel I have been on a journey which taught me a lot about myself and given me a deeper understanding of how and why I think like I do. And it has given me the “tools” and confidence to change this.

Joy is very knowledgeable and experienced and explains things really well. She is easy to work with, positive, supportive and full of empathy but she will also ask searching questions and challenge appropriately, which is something that I found particularly helpful.

Working with Joy helped me in making some major life decisions and in coming to terms with what has happened to me. My anxiety has reduced, my self- awareness and confidence have improved and I feel more positive. CBT has also given me a ‹toolkit› that I can return to and that I’m sure will continue to help in the future.”

Female – aged 60 (long term debilitating health condition)

“I am delighted that, after several sessions with Joy, my anxiety has reduced and I have been able to overcome my worst phobias.”

Female - aged 55

“I was referred via my insurance company after I was involved in a serious road traffic accident with my work colleagues. For three years I avoided everything, changed my job and only did absolutely necessary journeys. I was also an anxious passenger.

Joy explained about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how it was affecting me, and outlined how we would work together to help me get over my fears using properly researched techniques.

By the end of the treatment, I had driven past the accident spot with no problems, local trips were easy, and I was going on motorways again, something I never imagined I would do. More importantly I became a much better passenger and can cope with other people driving me around.

I feel like I've been in a dark tunnel for three years, and now I have started to see the light. My wife and family feel they have got me back from a very dark place.

I wish the insurance company had arranged this sooner.”

Male - aged 35

“My therapy sessions to address my anxiety problems have been successful, rewarding and enriching thanks to Joy. Joy was recommended to me and I warmed up to her immediately. Thanks to her knowledge, compassion, kindness, she understood my needs and she guided me through materials and exercises which have helped me considerably. I am in a far better place now. I can thoroughly recommend her.”

Female - aged 67

“As someone who has experienced episodes of generalised anxiety over the years, I finally decided to invest in the help of a CBT practitioner. Joy put me at ease straight away and equipped me with the ideas and framework for implementing a programme of practical strategies designed to address my periodic anxiety and low mood. Joy's approach was never jargon heavy and focused on encouraging a reflective and proactive approach to those situations and feelings we in the anxious community recognise only to well. Her experience, considered guidance and insightful observation, coupled with my own desire for self sufficiency in the treatment of my anxiety, has moved me on towards a more positive future.”

Male - aged 55

“My therapy sessions to address my anxiety problems have been successful, rewarding and enriching thanks to Joy. Joy was recommended to me and I warmed up to her immediately. Thanks to her knowledge, compassion, kindness, she understood my needs and she guided me through materials and exercises which have helped me considerably. I am in a far better place at present. I can thoroughly recommend this lady.”

Female - aged 65

“Joy seemed to very rapidly ‘get’ me and my difficulties. She helped me in making links to the past to better understand why I am like I am, but then quickly moved on to the more productive and practical aspects of the here and now, what we can do to fix things today and for the future. Joy has helped me to view my life differently, feel more positive about myself, take responsibility for my own "stuff" but not for other people's, to believe in myself once again. I feel that I am developing tools that will help me in dealing with whatever life throws my way in the future, always a work in progress but overall very empowering.”

Male - aged 53

“I came to Joy about six months ago, having been diagnosed with depression. From the age of about six I lost my self confidence and self esteem. This affected my childhood and the whole of my adult life to date, with missed opportunities, endless anxiety and ever increasing bouts of depression. I am now 55. I've never given up on myself though, trying to find the answer. Joy, via CBT was my answer. When I met her I was virtually a recluse, had few friends, trapped in a job I hated and with a mind that was bringing me down. She's enabled me to break free of what kept me trapped in a downward spiral, to deal with my demons, and to gain control of my life. I have a new job that I love, I'm meeting people again, and am well on the road to the life I love. The answers were in me all the time, but she helped me to find them, and for that I can't thank her enough.”

Female - aged 55

“I thought I was the only person who was anxious. I had been like this for most of my life. Greenacre CBT helped me realise that this was not unusual and I could deal with it. I now go out without thinking about it – a year ago all I could do was go down my drive.”

Female - aged 60

“I decided earlier in the year that it was time to change my life. Joy's compassionate manner and the techniques she suggested have helped me understand and address my anxiety. Relationships with family, friends and work colleagues have consequently all greatly improved; I hadn't realised I was unhappy until I started being happy. I will continue my practice until the end of my days.”

Male - aged 45

“My therapy sessions to address my anxiety problems have been successful, rewarding and enriching thanks to Joy. Joy was recommended to me and I warmed up to her immediately. Thanks to her knowledge, compassion, kindness, she understood my needs and she guided me through materials and exercises which have helped me considerably. I am in a far better place at present. I can thoroughly recommend this lady.”

Female - aged 65

“As someone who has experienced episodes of generalised anxiety over the years, I finally decided to invest in the help of a CBT practitioner. Joy put me at ease straight away and equipped me with the ideas and framework for implementing a programme of practical strategies designed to address my periodic anxiety and low mood. Joy's approach was never jargon heavy and focused on encouraging a reflective and proactive approach to those situations and feelings we in the anxious community recognise only to well. Her experience, considered guidance and insightful observation, coupled with my own desire for self sufficiency in the treatment of my anxiety, has moved me on towards a more positive future.”

Male - aged 55

“Following the diagnosis of a lifelong, chronic illness, I came to see Joy because I was becoming reluctant to leave my house and had locked myself away from most of my friends. I was off work and spending most of my time in my own company and I was generally feeling anxious and unwell. As soon as I started talking to Joy, I began to see for myself that I was going to be ok and that the feelings I was experiencing were normal. Joy was reassuring and friendly throughout and although the sessions uncovered more than I had anticipated they would, I felt confident that I would get through the emotional trauma of what I was reliving.

Joy signposted me to various resources throughout the time I met with her, including mindfulness options, online materials around anxiety and social aspects of life and also some useful, supporting books.

I'm feeling much calmer in myself and I am back to socialising and being out and about. I am now in the process of taking myself out of my comfort zone and embarking on a fresh venture which will involve me mixing with lots of adults (known and unknown) in social settings which is something I never thought I would bring myself to do. Thank you Joy for changing my life for the better!”

Female - aged 50