Jen* (53), Mum and Carer

Jen sought therapy as she felt disconnected from herself, struggling with her identity after dedicating much of her life to caring for others. As a mother, wife, and full-time carer, she realized she had lost touch with her true self, leading to feelings of entrapment, loneliness, low self-worth, and resentment.

Therapeutic Journey:

Together, we embarked on a journey to reconnect Jen with her authentic self. Through our sessions, Jen rediscovered her essence and explored the depths of who she is and who she aspires to become. She courageously explored new avenues to fulfill her own needs and released the weight of responsibility and guilt that had weighed her down.

Empowerment and Growth:

Jen learned transformative strategies to liberate herself from others’ expectations and embraced a life guided by her own values and desires, not constrained by external expectations or judgements. With new coping skills, boundaries, and a nurturing self-care routine, Jen now thrives.

Achievements and Outlook:

Today, Jen radiates vitality and resilience. She has welcomed enriching friendships and pursued new passions that nourish her soul. Her journey is a testament to the power of self-discovery and self-compassion, inspiring those around her to embrace their own paths to fulfillment.

Inspiration:

Jen’s transformation exemplifies the profound impact of therapeutic exploration and personal empowerment. Her story reminds us that through introspection and courage, we can rewrite our narratives and cultivate lives filled with authenticity, joy, and purpose.

Aaliyah* (23), Student

Aaliyah sought support as she had been struggling with anxiety, difficulty relaxing, low moods, inability to focus, and disrupted sleep patterns. She wanted to return to study, after taking a mental health break. She also wanted guidance on how to address this trauma in her personal relationships, by learning to open up more.

Therapeutic Journey:

Together, Aaliyah and I embarked on a journey of healing and self-discovery. We focused on processing her unresolved trauma and collaboratively devised a comprehensive plan for her path forward.

Empowerment and Growth:

Through our sessions, Aaliyah cultivated new skills in self-regulation, drawing from mindfulness practices, inner child work, and dialectical behavioral therapy techniques. She found new techniques that worked for her; empowering her to stay grounded in the present moment and to lean on other resources to achieve her academic goals.

Emotional Reconnection and Self-Acceptance:

Aaliyah bravely confronted feelings of shame and a belief that vulnerability equates to weakness - barriers that had hindered her ability to form genuine emotional connections throughout her life. By addressing these obstacles with compassion and acceptance, Aaliyah experienced personal growth. She discovered her capacity for resilience and realised that vulnerability could be a source of great strength.

Inspiration:

Aaliyah's journey exemplifies the transformative power of therapy and self-discovery. She has not only reclaimed her path to academic success but also embarked on a journey of personal healing and emotional empowerment. Aaliyah's story serves as a testament to the possibility of post-traumatic growth and underscores the empowering realisation that she controls her own healing journey and future.

Yuki* (34), Healthcare Worker

Yuki approached me feeling physically and emotionally depleted, overwhelmed by anxiety, and burdened by extreme people-pleasing tendencies, h per-independence, and perfectionism. Her journey toward healing involved learning to assert herself, slow down, and prioritise her own well-being over constant concern for others.

Challenges Faced:

Balancing a demanding post-graduate degree, long work hours, and familial responsibilities as the eldest daughter, Yuki sought change amidst feelings of guilt and a longing for a safe, non-judgmental space to express herself freely.

Therapeutic Exploration:

In our sessions, Yuki confronted her lifelong role as the responsible eldest daughter, discovering how this upbringing shaped her tendencies toward stress and anxiety. She uncovered deep-seated fears of disappointing others and a reluctance to trust others enough to seek support.

Personal Growth and Empowerment:

Through introspection into her relationships, behaviors, and core beliefs, Yuki unearthed a pervasive belief of not being "good enough." Her journey toward healing involved embracing new strategies to assert her needs, recognising people-pleasing behaviors as forms of self-neglect, and simplifying her life.

Rediscovering Values and Self-Acceptance:

Yuki embarked on a transformative path of simplification, challenging old beliefs, and realigning with her core values. This journey empowered her to reclaim her worth and recognise that self-care is not selfish but essential for her well-being.

Inspiration:

Yuki's therapeutic journey exemplifies the profound impact of self-discovery and healing. She has emerged with renewed strength, clarity, and a deepened understanding of her own needs and boundaries. Yuki's story serves as an inspiration to all who struggle with eldest daughter syndrome (parentification), hyper-independence, anxiety, perfectionism and extreme people pleasing.

John* (41), Dad and Nurse

John embarked on a journey of healing after leaving an abusive and toxic relationship. He had been struggling with separating his own moods and emotions from other people’s. He was sensitive, anxious and felt judged by others, and felt a sense of over-responsibility for the reactions, moods, emotions and thoughts of other people.

Therapeutic Journey:

Through our therapeutic work together, John confronted deep-seated emotional wounds stemming from verbal abuse, emotional manipulation, and coercive control. One of John's major struggles was an overwhelming sense of responsibility for the emotions of others, a burden he sought to shed.

Empowerment and Growth:

Together, we explored the origins of this burden and devised strategies to facilitate healing. Through introspection and therapeutic techniques such as inner child work, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and self-compassion work, John unearthed new realisations. He discovered that his behaviors were learned responses and protective mechanisms developed over time.

Personal Growth and Change:

John's journey was one of self-discovery and transformation. He came to understand that his tendency to prioritise others' emotions was a form of self-abandonment, seeking safety and identity outside of himself. As he engaged in the therapeutic process, John gradually reclaimed his sense of self-worth and learned to distinguish his own emotions from those of others.

Inspiration:

By the end of our sessions, John emerged with a renewed sense of self-assurance and empowerment. He embraced the journey of reconnecting with himself, reevaluating his relationships, and prioritising self-care. Breaking free from codependent patterns, John cultivated a deeper understanding of his own emotions and developed the confidence to navigate life with greater autonomy.