"Overwhelmed"

Almost 5 years ago, I was in an abusive relationship where my partner used to physically and mentally abuse me. I saw no way out of it until I finally broke free after ending up in hospital with two broken ribs and a black eye. I used my friends and family as my support system to help me overcome the darker days however I had no idea that this was infact, not enough.

Two years later I finally found someone who made me smile again and I thought I was happy. The relationship was wracked with arguments that stemmed from my insecurities and fears and also, my new partners ex. Work and family life were stressful too and I felt as though my walls were closing in and I had no support system this time.I finally sought the help of my doctor who prescribed me anti-depressants and recommended using Ealing IAPT Counselling service. I never trusted in therapy or counselling as there is a huge stigma attached to the issue of mental health and in particular, medicine and therapy.I was appointed Stella as my counsellor. She was INCREDIBLE! Unfortunately she is retiring but I am so so grateful I was lucky enough to be her patient before she did leave. She made sessions light-hearted and made my problems (which to me seemed monumental) more manageable. We worked and talked through problems which I didn't even realise had a root cause and over the 6 months that I have been on the medication and used the Ealing IAPT service, my dosage has been reduced and my mental-health tests have come have staggeringly better than they were before. For anyone who doesn't believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel, or have faith in counselling as a treatment option, I was the same. It has worked for me and in such a way that it felt natural; I felt so much more comfortable being honest with aspects of my life and making changes that will carry me through.

Stella has changed my life in a way that I will always be thankful to her. I am now the happy and positive person I was 5 years ago; I didn't ever think that would happen for me. IAPT is one of the best services that the NHS offer and in a personal sense, it saved me.