The Client's Journey

Every journey through therapy is unique.

The words shared here reflect individual experiences of counselling and psychotherapy.
Each journey is different and each person’s path unfolds in their own way.

Here are reflections shared by clients about their own experiences of therapy, in their words ….

Client 1  Journey 

“I knew I needed help but wasn’t 100% sure if counselling was the right road to take. I had experienced counselling a couple of times in my life which had been really helpful, but my current difficulties felt different. I was in 2 minds- should I soldier on or should I try counselling again.

I decided to contact Redcar counselling as I thought what have I got to lose? The assessment meeting helped me identify what the issues were and to be honest I felt a huge amount of relief after unburdening myself of the feelings I had been carrying – I felt totally validated and accepted and that it’s ok to prioritise my own well-being and mental health.

Joy was so easy to talk to- no judgement from her- just acceptance of my feelings and experience. And without really noticing I became stronger, less stressed and developed a clear pathway forward. Never feeling pressured, just gently held and sometimes guided.

I saw Joy for 2 years, she helped me through a very difficult time in my life. The lasting impact from the counselling for me has been I am a lot better at recognising my own needs, am better at looking after my own well-being and realising that the sense of belonging comes from within, as do many other things.

If you are unsure as to whether to start therapy my advice would be give it a go! And ask yourself what you have to lose”.

Client 2 Journey

“I come from a position of we don’t talk about or have mental problems we just get on with it. I have known I am in a bad place for a long time, first the excuse was when life gets easier, I will be able to bury and move on..

Some time later nothing is getting easier and my mind was getting harder to deal.  In true manly fashion, I take to you tube, google and pod casts to try and solve this by myself, without even knowing what I even have going on inside, this leads to me not really getting better only yoyoing and causing massive pressure on the relationship.

What it felt like to take the first step?  Firstly exciting, booked the appointment I felt like I had taken a step up from the bottom that I felt I had got to.

Then the appointment, I didn’t know anything about what might be said, what if I say nothing.  This couldn’t of been more wrong, I felt at ease straight away, I didn’t hide anything or keep things in and it felt so good, it was like I was getting things out of me

I am still very early into this journey, but the progress I have seen already has been amazing, no I’m not fixed but I do see I can be happy again.  I am still on a roller-coaster here with ups and downs I still have problems in my life that make days hard, but I have noticed I have an awareness of my actions and I can try and stop my head from spiralling.

What might I say to some one who is unsure about starting therapy?  What have you got to lose by trying.  The hardest bit is admitting you have a problem and its not something you can fix on your own”. 

These reflections are shared with consent and focus on personal experience of therapy.