Anon thanks TALKWORKS for helping them to feel happier
Anon contacted TALKWORKS after struggling with stress and anxiety which was having an impact on their mood. In their testimonial below, they share how starting therapy helped them to make positive changes which enabled them to feel happier.
"I first reached out to TALKWORKS when I was dealing with anxiety and low mood. I couldn’t leave the house without a lot of stress and was struggling with low self esteem. A friend suggested that I look into local therapy options, but I didn’t believe I could find something accessible and affordable. Thankfully, TALKWORKS exists.
"From the beginning, every interaction I had with the team was positive. Everyone was kind, professional and easy to talk to, which made the whole process feel much less intimidating. I actually had sessions with two different therapists during my time with the service, and both were great in their own ways. That said, I made more progress with my second therapist, Caroline, mainly because I was able to spend more consistent time working with her.
"I’ve always leant more towards talking therapy rather than structured CBT and Caroline really struck a good balance between the two. She gave me the space to talk openly and feel heard, but she also gently introduced practical exercises that I could apply in my day-to-day life. I appreciated that she never pushed too hard. Her approach was thoughtful and encouraging, which made it easier to actually follow through with changes.
"Caroline was excellent. She listened carefully, validated how I was feeling and had a calm, kind way of guiding conversations in a more constructive direction when needed. It never felt forced, just supportive and natural.
"Over time, I noticed positive shifts in how I was managing things. My thought patterns were easier to spot before they spiralled. I could change the way I felt and my low mood lifted. My self esteem has improved a lot - I have noticed a big shift in my feelings about how valid I am.
"One thing that still amazes me is that this service is free. It’s such a valuable resource. It’s very much needed, and from my experience, it’s doing a really good job. I’ve already recommended TALKWORKS to others, and I wouldn’t hesitate to do so again. It made a real difference for me."
If you are experiencing low mood, stress or anxious thoughts, you don’t need to go through this by yourself. TALKWORKS is a free and confidential NHS Talking Therapies service, here to help you to get back to feeling like yourself again. If you are an adult, age 18+, living in Devon (outside Plymouth which is covered by Plymouth Options) you can self-refer to TALKWORKS. Simply fill out our online self-referral form or call the team on 0300 555 3344 (phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am - 4:45pm).