"I never once felt under pressure"

I had my first appointment with Amanda. I was very nervous and my stomach was is knots. I’ve waited so long for the appointment and felt it could be life changing for me so it was in my head I had to remember to get everything out, which heightened my anxiety going into the meeting.

At 54 and my life spiralling, losing everything and everyone in my world over the years I felt this is my last hope. So everything rides on this appointment in order to get me the help and support I need. Amanda immediately put me at ease. Very professional and empathetic, she contracted with me and told me what to expect. She has no judgement, which I felt straight away and I felt we really connected. At last, someone ‘gets me’. She listened and challenged appropriately, I never once felt under pressure to come up with immediate answers.

When I digressed because I wanted to share my story, she allowed me the time but brought it back, without cutting me off.

She shared a couple of her experiences with me that were so similar to mine which showed a deeper understanding of my situation. Which made me feel like I wasn’t alone and I was talking with someone who was not just textbook. She has life experience and that made me even more at ease.

Amanda assured me that on my second appointment we should be able to reach some sort of conclusion and finally get me the help I have needed for so many years.

She signposted me to a couple of agencies to support me and set me some goals.

I felt she really cared without crossing professional boundaries.

Hopefully this can be the start of a new chapter in my life, a happier and calmer and more successful one.