"A totally different perspective on my diagnosis"

After having lived with Anxiety and OCD as my 'norm' for most of my life, I didn't really think there was anything I could do to change my innate thoughts and behaviours. However, having a baby triggered a desperate need to do so! 

I was referred into IAPT by my GP, and sat on the waiting list for a while. However, it was completely worth the wait. The initial PWP I saw was fantastic, she managed to verbalise everything I felt and normalise it for me. She identified areas to work on and subsequently we did some hard but rewarding work around exposure therapy. She also referred me for CBT without me having to ask. 

Having previously had CBT a few years before, I must admit that I was cynical as to whether this would be effective, however this was not something I needed to worry about! My therapist was amazing, she was caring, empathic and 'human'. I opened up to her about things that I have never discussed with anyone, and she never once made me feel guilty or like I was making a fuss. She helped me see why I thought and behaved the way I did. She kept me focused, and made sure that I was accountable for my part in the therapy. I can honestly say she has given me a totally different perspective on my diagnosis and left me with some brilliant strategies to manage it. She really is a huge credit to her profession and to the service.