"Saving child me"

I have just finished 16 weeks of talking psychotherapy with Autumn after nearly having a mental breakdown due to some very acute life stresses. Autumn helped show me that even though I have reacted with anger throughout my life, that anger was protecting me from feeling everything else I feel. I was a man on the brink when my therapy started, but having someone I could actually be fully honest with, who actually saw me beneath all the years of conditioning and masking, has changed my life.

As cliche as that sounds, it is genuinely my experience. Where before, I would ruminate on every setback and negative thought, I can now seek out, find, and hold onto each positive, self-affirming thing i can, and that mindset change has been the biggest hurdle for me. I have released the anchor to my past and trauma, and am now actively reaching for the future. I have met myself fully for the first time, and actually, I love the guy staring back at me from the mirror. At 44 years old, to say that for the first time, is an incredible feeling.

Everyone's journey is different, but therapy has helped show me my path, and the choices to make to help me stay on track. I am standing here today, as my authentic self for the first time ever, and it is down the the amazing support I found at Inclusion Thurrock. From the very first phone call, through each friendly receptionist, to my hour a week with Autumn, you have exceeded my expectaions and I will be forever grateful and appreciative of all your help. Thank you.