"CBT with SHSCT - put at ease"

I attended CBT with Fiona over several months through the Southern Health and Social Care Trust in Newry.

From the very outset, Fiona put me at ease and reassured me that my therapy was for me, and that we would work together wherever it took us.

Fiona was a very warm, friendly and kind person and someone who I trusted easily. I had always found it difficult to relate to and trust new people but I found Fiona so easy to talk to and open up about difficult times and memories from my past.

Her easygoing and funny personality made me feel comfortable in sharing painful moments.

She was able to link causes with effects and suggested a variety of coping strategies for me to try out and see which worked best.

I could see that she was truly caring and an expert in her field.

As someone who was sceptical about the benefits of therapy and who didn’t talk about their feelings, I can honestly say that it has helped me think about things differently. My thoughts, feelings and actions have changed for the better and Fiona has helped make me a better and stronger person.

I will be forever grateful to her.

And to any NHS or SHSCT senior management that read this I say to them that your people are your greatest asset. All frontline staff are entitled to the respect, pay and conditions they so deserve.

Finally, if anyone is struggling and thinks that they will not be listened to, not helped or that therapy, particularly CBT is not for them. Drop the preconceptions and go.

You just might meet a Fiona.