I purposefully left some time between completing the sessions with Claire to writing this review.  I wanted to be able to experience and feel the changes within me, become accustomed to the new me, so I could give a full and honest review.

I experienced trauma as a child.  The trauma itself and then all the associated feelings and emotions cemented and shaped me as an adult. It impacted how and what I thought about myself, my behaviours and how I reacted instinctively to specific situations.  I had a tricky time too when I was a teenager, I was bullied and treated unkindly by people I cared about.  As an adult, I still believed and felt those cruel jibes and had hardwired feelings of inadequacy, shame, shyness.  I felt I was unable to speak my truth and didn’t feel good enough or worthy.  I never felt able to confidently speak up in meetings or ask questions, my face would turn bright red and my thought processes would stutter and stall.  I would feel so conspicuous when I was out and about, I believed that people passing by would be looking at me, thinking negative and unkind thoughts. 

I tried numerous times to take control and look after myself, I believed: Eat healthier + Exercise = Lose weight = Feel better = Fix all the crap inside and be the best version of me.  Unfortunately, I had an All or Nothing outlook and had very high expectations of myself.  This wasn’t sustainable which led to self sabotage and bingeing, which reinforced my feelings of inadequacy and shame.

I had CBT sessions which were helpful as I learned to recognise when I reacted negatively to certain triggers and what I could then do to try bring myself back to "neutral".  BUT I didn't want to feel this way in the first place!  It was hard work to take control of my body's knee jerk reactions and talk myself down.  I felt that I was fundamentally a bit broken and unable to be fixed.  

Then I saw Claire’s post on Facebook one day and was intrigued, what she said resonated deeply with me and I made contact to find out more. After we had a chat, I decided I had nothing to lose and everything to gain so I signed up in January. We had regular sessions over the space of a few months and sometimes I had a wee bit of homework to do but nothing excessive.

Claire is such a beautiful soul. She made me feel so comfortable, relaxed and at ease in our sessions. She has such calmness and insight and empathy. I don’t think I have ever been so honest and shared so much.  I think I pretty much bared my soul and that was OK. It was a safe space and there was no judgement, just acknowledgment, love and understanding.   

To be honest, I did have a tiny bit of trepidation during the sessions and I did wonder, “Will this really work?!” 

Well, it’s now been 6 months since our sessions ended.   I feel the difference within me.  My friends and loved ones see the difference within me. It’s actually quite remarkable.  I feel calmer in general, the most content I have ever been and I feel set free from all the thoughts/beliefs that kept me contained for all these years.  I can freely and confidently speak up in meetings and in groups without going bright red and stammering.  I go about my day with my head held high, feeling good and feeling confident without any negative thoughts about what people might see or think about me, it just doesn’t enter into my head anymore.  I have a 1-1 Personal Trainer now, I am losing weight steadily and sensibly and it feels different now. It’s my journey, not just a quick fix and I know I am going to get there, slowly and surely.  I no longer feel the need to emotionally binge eat and there is no more self sabotage! 

I am so grateful to Claire for bringing this therapy to me and helping me start to be the best version of me.  I know that sounds cheesy but that is how it feels!