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  1. Is counselling for me?
  2. Client stories

Client stories







Everyone's reasons for going to counselling are different, as are their experiences with it. However, it can be useful to know how they found their time at an assessment or how they felt about their experience when their counselling came to an end.

These accounts have been anonymised, we never share information provided to us without consent. The following quotes have been taken from end of assessment and end of counselling feedback forms and have been kept anonymous. Some statements have been edited for clarity.

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Claire

"I found it very helpful to be able to talk and not be judged, or worried what their reaction would be with what I had said and not having to hold back."

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Published: 18th November, 2016

Updated: 21st November, 2016

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Stephen

"The whole service is great, reception to counsellor, Shaz at reception is an asset to the charity. Above and beyond her role and so pleasant."

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Published: 18th November, 2016

Updated: 23rd March, 2017

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Angela

"I look forward to my counselling sessions. I feel they will help me tremendously not just with coping with my illness, but also coping with my future life and life history."

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Published: 18th November, 2016

Updated: 22nd October, 2018

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Wilfred

"Since having counselling, I am more confident. I am able to deal with panic attacks more effectively and I am now more assertive. I felt supported throughout my counselling and my counsellor always respected the pace I wanted to work at. All staff I interacted with were attentive to my needs."

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"Since having counselling, I am more confident. I am able to deal with panic attacks more effectively and I am now more assertive. I felt supported throughout my counselling and my counsellor always respected the pace I wanted to work at. All staff I interacted with were attentive to my needs."

Published: 24th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Brad

"Since completing my counselling, I now have a better understanding of why some seemingly random emotions occur, which means I am more confident about them not getting in the way of me doing things. It means I understand myself more. As for my counsellor, I felt safe to be upset even though I don't normally reveal much to people. I felt able to talk about distressing things without feeling judged."

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"Since completing my counselling, I now have a better understanding of why some seemingly random emotions occur, which means I am more confident about them not getting in the way of me doing things. It means I understand myself more. Counselling has led to a positive cycle of things and has let me begin to work through my problems positively.

As for my counsellor, I felt safe to be upset even though I don't normally reveal much to people. I felt able to talk about distressing things without feeling like I would be judged."

Published: 24th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Kevin

"At my assessment for counselling, I immediately felt at ease. Any concerns I had prior to the consultation about how it would go were immediately dispelled."

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"At my assessment for counselling, I immediately felt at ease. Any concerns I had prior to the consultation about how it would go were immediately dispelled." 

Published: 24th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Jenny

"Counselling has taught me to be kinder to myself, I am now able to be more positive. I have learnt how to praise and appreciate myself. My counsellor was supportive, practical, and useful. I didn't feel once like it was a 'one size fits all' process. The venue itself felt clean, comfortable and safe."

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"Counselling has taught me to be kinder to myself, I am now able to be more positive. I have learnt how to praise and appreciate myself. My counsellor was supportive, practical, and useful. I didn't feel once like it was a 'one size fits all' process. The venue itself felt clean, comfortable and safe."

Published: 24th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Malek

"My initial assessment was not too overwhelming, it felt light and informal which immediately put my anxieties at ease."

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"My initial assessment was not too overwhelming, it felt light and informal which immediately put my anxieties at ease."

Published: 24th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Sarah

"After finishing counselling, I am happy to say that my life is no longer controlled by negative emotions and I am now going to university! With every point I brought up with my counsellor, I was taught how to understand it and deal with it. I felt understood. I found the admin team to be extremely friendly, caring, and helpful"

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"After finishing counselling, I am happy to say that my life is no longer controlled by negative emotions and I am now going to university! With every point I brought up with my counsellor, I was taught how to understand it and deal with it. I felt understood.

I found the admin team to be extremely friendly, caring, and helpful"

Published: 24th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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James

"I have a better understanding of what my body is doing, especially in times of stress. I have the tools o help me cope when I am stressed. I can now look at situations in a more positive light and I have begun to alter my negative thought pattern. My counsellor has been great. They are knowledgeable, they listen, they understand me, and they were always patient if I was slow to answer. All my communication with the administrative staff was positive, friendly, and informative."

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"I have a better understanding of what my body is doing, especially in times of stress. I have the tools o help me cope when I am stressed. I can now look at situations in a more positive light and I have begun to alter my negative thought pattern.

My counsellor has been great. They are knowledgeable, they listen, they understand me, and they were always patient if I was slow to answer.

All my communication with the administrative staff was positive, friendly, and informative."

Published: 24th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Annabel

"I have learnt to not take things so much to heart in terms of the things people say and do. I'm arguing less with my partner and my family. I found the staff at Nottingham Counselling Service easy to talk to, friendly, helpful, and understanding."

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"I have learnt to not take things so much to heart in terms of the things people say and do. I'm arguing less with my partner and my family.
I found the staff at Nottingham Counselling Service easy to talk to, friendly, helpful, and understanding."

Published: 25th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Julie

"My counsellor was someone I could relate to. They always made me feel understood, valued, and listened to. I found them to be wise and compassionate with a very natural and honest approach. I have now come off anti-depressants, I now drink less. I have less anxiety and self-hatred."

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"My counsellor was someone I could relate to. They always made me feel understood, valued, and listened to. I found them to be wise and compassionate with a very natural and honest approach.
I have now come off anti-depressants, I now drink less. I have less anxiety and self-hatred."

Published: 25th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Brenda

"Counselling has taught me to look at positives, not negatives. I feel I have the tools to cope with problems. I have a better understanding of how my partner reacts to situations. I've also learnt to let go (occasionally) and let others take charge."

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"Counselling has taught me to look at positives, not negatives. I feel I have the tools to cope with problems. I have a better understanding of how my partner reacts to situations. I've also learnt to let go (occasionally) and let others take charge."

Published: 25th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Abbi

"I've really progressed with the management of my illness and treatment, as well as developing personally. I've learnt how to manage stress when I can't eat or sleep. I'm much happier now I'm talking to someone else. "

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"I've really progressed with the management of my illness and treatment, as well as developing personally. I've learnt how to manage stress when I can't eat or sleep. I'm much happier now I'm talking to someone else. "

Published: 25th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Kaylynn

"Couples counselling means that my partner and I have improved our communication. We have a better mutual understanding."

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"Couples counselling means that my partner and I have improved our communication. We have a better mutual understanding."

Published: 25th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Laney

“Firstly my counsellor gave me hope, and worked with me very closely on my self-belief giving me a positive attitude to help me move on with my life. I am now working part-time, the first time in about 20 years. I am also in a relationship and my relationship with my daughter is going from strength to strength.”

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“Firstly my counsellor gave me hope, and worked with me very closely on my self-belief giving me a positive attitude to help me move on with my life. I am now working part-time, the first time in about 20 years. I am also in a relationship and my relationship with my daughter is going from strength to strength.”

Published: 25th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Natalie

“My counsellor was very nice and understanding. She picked up on so much about me and it made me feel very safe and comfortable. I feel like I have had a taste of what’s to come and look forward to talking to a counsellor and moving forward with my life”.

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“My counsellor was very nice and understanding. She picked up on so much about me and it made me feel very safe and comfortable. I feel like I have had a taste of what’s to come and look forward to talking to a counsellor and moving forward with my life”.

Published: 25th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Katie

"With the help of my counsellor, I feel more confident. The service helped me become stronger and I have regained my ability to concentrate. My counsellor really listened, which I needed desperately as I felt there was no one else I could talk to about such confidential issues. It was a great support to me. I found the admin staff to be lovely. Having a happy face and a smile from reception on my arrival made me feel better even when I couldn't smile myself."

Expand

"With the help of my counsellor, I feel more confident. The service helped me become stronger and I have regained my ability to concentrate. My counsellor really listened, which I needed desperately as I felt there was no one else I could talk to about such confidential issues. It was a great support to me.

I found the admin staff to be lovely. Having a happy face and a smile from reception on my arrival made me feel better even when I couldn't smile myself."

Published: 25th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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Tim

"I am more confident and I feel as if a weight has been lifted. I am more optimistic and counselling gave me some desperately needed time to think about myself. I am now able to map out and understand my problems rather than feeling overwhelmed by them. I am more motivated and far, far less stressed. My counsellor was understanding, patient, and kind. They asked poignant questions at the right time and helped me look at things differently."

Expand

"I am more confident and I feel as if a weight has been lifted. I am more optimistic and counselling gave me some desperately needed time to think about myself. I am now able to map out and understand my problems rather than feeling overwhelmed by them. I am more motivated and far, far less stressed.

My counsellor was understanding, patient, and kind. They asked poignant questions at the right time and helped me look at things differently. They helped me relieve the tension and pressure I had felt for almost a year.

The administrative staff were well organised and provided help whenever I needed it. They kept everything simple and effective."

Published: 25th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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David

"I am now able to deal with what life throws at me without panicking or thinking the worst of it. My relationships with family and work colleagues have improved dramatically. I've found I'm sleeping better and I am now more optimistic about my future. I was fully supported throughout my counselling. I wasn't made to feel patronised. My counsellor was very intuitive to what I needed. I was treated like an adult and I was supported in finding own solutions to my issues. I was empowered."

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"I am now able to deal with what life throws at me without panicking or thinking the worst of it. My relationships with family and work colleagues have improved dramatically. I've found I'm sleeping better and I am now more optimistic about my future.

I was fully supported throughout my counselling. I wasn't made to feel patronised. My counsellor was very intuitive to what I needed. I was treated like an adult and I was supported in finding own solutions to my issues. The counselling offered at Nottingham Counselling Service is very empowering."

Published: 25th November, 2016

Updated: 20th December, 2016

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