JEFF, 26

I had been angry for years without really knowing what the cause of it was. I was getting into fights and arguing with people all the time. I was beginning to lose friends. Counselling really helped me. I learned all sorts of things to do to stop myself getting angry, but best of all I was able to get to the root of why I was angry. Counselling has changed me and its made me a better person. 

way I wanted it to be. My eating disorder affected so many things in my life – meals out with friends, family dinner every evening. My whole life revolved around food, from the moment I woke until I slept again that night. My life has completely changed since contacting the counselling service last January. Words can’t even express how much Mary has helped me. Every time I attended her, it was like I was watching myself sitting there talking with her about my eating disorder, nearly asking myself – ‘who am I? I don’t want to be this person.’

Life has only just begun for me. I feel like a whole new person – with a great relationship with food. The help I received from counselling has made my life so happy. I only wish I’d contacted them sooner.

On paper I should have been very happy. A loving husband, 2 beautiful children, a lovely home…but in reality I could no longer connect. I felt numb, unable to enjoy anything going on around me. I couldn’t see any way forward and was just so tired of fighting with my thoughts, food, and constantly trying to keep everyone around

me happy. I found it hard to let anyone in, but it was a relief to no longer be fighting on my own, and to start believing in myself, especially when I thought I had created this big problem, and it was all my fault. Admitting, accepting, recognising, trying to change……seemed impossible. I almost needed to be this way, since it was like an old friend; someone I felt safe with…I couldn’t say out loud that I was anorexic, as I felt like a fraud……I thought I’m not skinny enough to be…I haven’t even managed to do that right. I needed to be like this to feel I had some control in my life but in fact it left me with even less. The counselling I recieved helped me realise I am a valuable person, capable of so much, accomplished so much. It was hard work, really hard, but not any harder than what it was like before. Since letting Eva help me and ‘hold my hand’ through this journey, I have changed so much. I don’t feel like the same person. I am much stronger, quicker to believe in myself, done things I only dreamed of before, put family relationships in order, and no longer let my life be dictated by someone else. I have started to value my own opinions, beliefs and morals. Don’t struggle on your own any longer, its not your fault, it can be ‘fixed’, and you are worth it. I found the counsellor so understanding, empathetic, and just always seemed to know the exact thing to say. I’m so glad I took the step to make that call. My heart was in my mouth, but it was the best decision I ever made.

 GERARD, 52

I suffered from panic attacks I took them mostly while driving on the motorway. I believed I was going to cause an awful accident. Through counselling I realised that the panic attacks were due to my irrational and negative fears. The counselling showed me a more positive attitude was needed and to challenge my negative thinking. As a result of the counselling I am back driving on the motorway and have overcome my fears.