"Our sessions provided me with much needed reassurance"

hen we last spoke you asked if I might be able to provide some feedback. Sorry it has taken a while but I hope this is useful.

From our first session it was a relief to speak to you as someone who understood what I was experiencing. It is a very confusing illness and it is easy to doubt oneself and the steps taken as there often isn't an immediate obvious change.

Our sessions provided me with regular much needed reassurance and guidance. I felt I had someone on my side, helping me keep going, providing safety and support as I changed my approach, when there was risk of failure, loss and more discomfort at stake. Your suggestions worked for me and improved my quality of life but more importantly I had your help on the journey.

Simple things like 'look after yourself', 'take breaks', 'change activity types', 'be positive, reward yourself' 'check energy level after exercise', 'allow for recovery', 'do I have the energy to do this', 'listen to your body', 'find positive re-enforcement for change' as well as practical suggestions to set alarms, look at diet and rest before and after activity, all helped and were useful when repeated between sessions.

More involved conversations about tackling my feelings when I needed to say no to people, identifying and addressing fears, being okay with setbacks and not letting the frustration dominate were all things we discussed that were barriers to my recovery and helped me to think in a more long term manner about my situation and illness. This developed into being able to plan in things I want to do, a direction and destinations.

Thank you for the support, calmness and encouragement to do the right things and navigate my way to a place where I am able to manage my illness. I would not have been able to make the progress I have without your help. Thank you.