"Ealing IAPT CBT, I valued every session"

I have dealt ( in hindsight, very badly) with a General Anxiety Disorder/control issues for as far back as I can remember. I always I thought I hid  it rather well until my husband made me aware that I most certainly wasn't :-)

Post surgery in Dec 2016,my mental health issues had escalated completely out of control,and serious concerns had arisen by Christmas. A productive if somewhat teary,snot riddled visit to my GP took place shortly after ( who was shocked to see me in this condition,& where I was gently told off that I had not attended & confided in her at a much earlier point to discuss & access support that was available) with my ever supportive, but by now seriously concerned husband, I was referred to & accepted into the IAPT service for CBT.

Karen conducted a very comprehensive telephone screening, and I was seen very quickly thereafter. I've always maintained a degree of wariness around this type of service. Although acutely aware that my mental health & therefore my life was deteriorating in front of my eyes,I was still skeptical at how this could help me turn things around and was still determined that I could manage alone;somehow. Clearly, that was never going to happen given the constant state of anxiety I found myself in by Feb 2017 :-)

Karen got to know me as an individual. She coaxed out of me what I needed to talk about. I have never been one to confide in anyone, but I found myself trusting Karen immediately.  I was prepared to engage, and to work hard in order to gain the maximum out of these sessions, and that is  key  for this type of therapy. I personally believe that you must want to do this,( & understand that it is not a magic wand;you have to put the work into it) or don't bother. Karen gave me so many alternative ways to manage my GAD, she understood that I come from a very practical, organised, 'must have a plan for everything & a Plan B just in case' background, so her therapy sessions were tailored to my personality type which I was very impressed by. The homework is not onerous,& it certainly did help. My Worry Tree paperwork is now very well thumbed and a little grubby round the edges from use :-)

It worked, and I still use it. Karen challenged a lot of my long held perceptions in many areas. She presented me with counter arguments which really made me have to stop and think about the 'custom & practice' defaults I always went to. I needed to be far more honest with myself, & as importantly, with my  husband and to a lesser extent, our sons.

I still struggle at times;I am not perfect, Karen has made me see that perfection in all areas of my life,but particularly as a mother is not required :-)  I try not to allow old habits to engage. I try to grab the  negatives, and quickly use the different strategies Karen has taught  me. I won't go into detail but Karen has helped save me & everything I hold dear in my life. She has got me to see & understand that perfection from me is not required. I now try to not look at worst case scenarios for everything. 

Karen is a highly skilled, experienced therapist who gives 100% to every session you have with her. No half hearted measures, fully engaged throughout the entire session, & genuinely committed to helping you with all the tools she possesses in her arsenal. I can honestly say, I cannot thank her enough for all her efforts with me.

What I understand is CBT will only work if YOU are attending because you honestly want to make long term changes in your life; that you may have to experience some discomfort at challenging/altering/letting go of long held beliefs;that you believe this therapy is of value to you. 

I valued every session I had with Karen. I went from being very anxious to looking forward to each session. I  talked about things I have never discussed with anyone else.  Quite an  achievement on Karen's part :-) 

I would wholeheartedly recommend this service to anyone who feels they would benefit from it.