Facing anxiety and moving on

I was referred to Young Gloucestershire through the NHS mental health referral service and assigned a counsellor pretty quickly. This was in
2021, following the January-April lock down. I had received counselling through another service with the NHS, but had only been allotted 5
sessions, which I felt didn’t cover all the things I was struggling with.

I suffered with anxiety and feelings of depression throughout 2020 and following on into 2021, as many people did during Covid.

I had my first session with Young Gloucestershire in person in the Docks, which was quite a nerve-wracking experience after spending so
much time in lock down. I also used to get very anxious about walking through the office with lots of people, so following my first session my counsellor agreed on a schedule that worked better for me with sessions over the phone instead. We eventually built up to sessions in
person again, and I was so grateful for the help I received from her in helping me get comfortable being out and about again.

My counselor was beyond kind and helpful, and I truly felt seen and heard. I’d experienced a lot of anxiety surrounding family issues, as well as being furloughed from my job and being isolated at home while my partner was still able to work. Young Gloucestershire helped me to get my confidence back, as well as cope with the intrusive thoughts I was having and learn new ways to cope with my anxieties.

Since then I’ve learnt so much more about myself. I’ve also had CBT, which helped a lot with managing other areas of my mental health. I
feel so much better and more equipped to handle whatever comes my way now.

Sitting here at work in 2025 I am planning on starting my own business in the future, which if you’d told me in 2020 I’d have never thought possible!

I encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out and talk to someone, because even though it might seem like a scary thought at first it’s so worth it in the long run.

Thank you!