I started to see Jo in Feb 2016 after a relative spotted her advert in a local magazine and thought I should ring her to see if she could help me with my anxiety issues. I’m so glad I did! Now, six months later, I feel I am so much better equipped to deal with my anxiety, and finally feel like I am in control of my life again.
Under Jo’s expertise and uplifting, easygoing manner, I have found that my self-esteem and confidence has increased immensely, and that I generally feel so much more positive about life and, importantly, myself. I am more able to put things into context and into perspective. With her focus on the future me, rather than the past me, I have proudly overcome some big obstacles – I gave a speech in front of a big crowd of people (something unthinkable a year ago), I have driven to places where I haven’t been before and where once I would have been scared and anxious of driving to, I got through my first job interview in years (and got offered the job), I am learning to speak up for myself, I feel happier, and generally feel I can cope with life and life’s challenges much better. I am also dealing with the grief of losing a best friend a lot better than I would have previously.
Jo’s techniques are really good – I have made constant use of ‘rewind’, have a much better understanding of the cycle of anxiety and how the brain works, how to recognise and control my negative forecasting of the future, and, when needed, recognising how my breathing grounds me and makes me focus on the here and now. I also love being up on the couch, and have drifted off to Jo’s lovely melodic tones several times! Even the location of Jo’s studio is calming and peaceful! Jo herself is very understanding, patient and leaves no stone unturned. Charming, positive and honest also spring to mind.
I am still a work in progress, but want to say thank you so much Jo, you have helped me come a long way. I shall always remember the chimp and the ball-bearing!