"Generalised Anxiety."

I had been struggling with anxiety for half my life. The anxiety was only getting worse as I got older and took over my life. We aren’t talking about just excessive worrying here, this was constant and made me physically ill. I’d tell myself horror stories that I believed to be fact until proven otherwise, every single day!

I finally took advice and reached out to Walsall Talking Therapies for help. I almost didn’t attend my first appointment, nervous and sceptical. How could chatting to a stranger help me overcome this? Sounds too easy. However, I took the leap of faith and met the most understanding, patient person I could have possibly hoped for to support me. Joe took time to get to know me, how I tick, and rolled with it. He helped me to understand the logic behind the way I was thinking and, as a result, behaving.

Once I had a better understanding it got a little easier and Joe supported me with techniques to change this, to challenge myself. He adapted the therapy to meet my needs and the way that my mind makes links to help me understand. Today we both decided that I had come so far I am ready to be discharged. Something I never thought possible.

Along this journey I have learnt so much and my days are no longer plagued by anxiety, I am finally living again. I can not recommend CBT or other therapies enough. Joe has been my comfort blanket for around 6 months and I’m proud to say that I am well enough, and armed with enough tools, to keep going without the sessions now. 

Thank you so much Joe. For taking the time to get to know me, for teaching me skills in a way that I would understand, for being my cheer leader and my coach. I got this!