Life is a journey - live it! My journey into therapy began where yet another long-term relationship ended. I was feeling overwhelmed, frightened and was asking myself what I was doing wrong - but not being able to come up with an answer. A friend of mine had been seeing a therapist and she mentioned to me how helpful she found the therapist. That therapist was Carol. What I remember of my early sessions with Carol was how comfortable she tried to make me feel. She would use humour, was gently challenging, etc ... You see therapy was sometimes difficult for me and I recall Carol saying "When it feels hard to attend therapy that it the time when you need to come" - those hard days were hard - but because I trusted Carol I attended my sessions even on those days when it was hard to attend. I stayed in therapy with Carol for over a year and returned on two further occasions. I recall a session where I was crying and Carol asked me "Theresa who told you crying was a shameful thing to do?" All those years later I no longer try to hide when I cry. Instead I now know I am okay when I cry. I am now aware that Carol was using a technique called: "Unconditional Positive Regard." A technique developed by Carl Rogers the founder of Person-Centred Counselling. You see I know this because, I believe in myself at last, I have found my voice, the courage and strength to live my life as I choose. I am now on my third year of training to become a psychotherapist.

Theresa John 46, Croydon

Have you ever had a box containing fifty, ten yard long extension cables, all tangled together, knowing that one day, you will have to sit down and sort them all out? Well, that's what it felt like when I first visited Carol Gordon. I knew what was wrong, where I wanted to get to, but how and where to start? The first step admitting things are not right is the biggest hurdle. After that, with Carol Gordon's expertise, things slowly start to make sense. Being practical and impatient, I wanted to give my muddled box of cables to Carol, with an instruction saying: "Sort this out and give it back to me with all contents neatly arranged and tidy". Not quite as easy as that. Carol, over the following 8 months, showed me how to untangle things, guiding me through the muddle, explaining how I got into that mess in the first place and how to deal with it. At the end of our time together, I believe I came away with two things. Firstly, a far greater understanding of myself and how to move forward, and secondly, the ability to prevent the past repeating itself. Where would I be now, having not met Carol? ... I shudder to think. Thank you Carol.

Anon, Beckenham, Kent

After seeing Jazz’s website, we felt that she was the person to help us through our relationship troubles. Seeing her was our first experience of counselling and I was somewhat nervous. On my first visit she made me feel secure and able to take time to talk through what was going on in my relationship. As we visited Jazz together she gave us the tools to communicate with each other on a different level and understand where each other were coming from. She enabled us to talk openly and frankly in the safe and non-judgemental environment. Thanks Jazz. (C. Hussey) At first I was dubious of talking to a counsellor about my relationship issues but within a couple of sessions, Jazz was able to challenge my negativity and help me to realise the benefits of talking to a trained professional, of which she undoubtedly is. I would highly recommend Jazz’s services to anyone who has any issue which is affecting their relationship. Many thanks to Jazz and we know her support is only a phone call away… Kind regards. (O.Riley)

C.Hussey and O.Riley (A Couple)

I went to see Jazz for a number of months during a particularly difficult period of my life. I found the experience difficult but rewarding. I felt listened to, challenged and supported. Throughout the process, I learned to question a lot of the assumptions about myself and my behaviours. It felt safe to open up and I didn't feel "worked on". It felt dynamic and sincere and I'm grateful for the learning. Thank you Jazz.

Brian

Before I went to see Carol, I was at a very low point in my life. I found it difficult to talk to anyone about how I felt and I started to believe that I could never change and was beyond help. My first session was easier than I expected. I was nervous and not entirely convinced that it would help me. But I soon forgot about those feelings and found it easy to open up. Carol did not patronise me and spoke to me with respect. I never felt judged. Within my first few sessions, I noticed a difference in myself and began to think differently. Carol helped me help myself and help me understand why I felt the way I did. Reaching out for help was the best decision I ever made. It let me see the light at the end of the tunnel and I could not have come through that time in my life without it.

Katie Dunn