Your stories

Your Stories

Here is your feedback

Bedfordshire Talking Therapies has helped many people improve their quality of life by supporting them through their journey to feeling better.

Here is a small sample of feedback from clients who have completed therapy. (Client and therapist names removed for confidentiality reasons).

The comments below were received in January 2025

'Having tried counselling in the past, I was hesitant about reaching out. I realise now that I just needed the right counsellor. My therapist gave me a safe space which in turn made me able to communicate even on my very low days. When all other support services turned me away (and there were many), she listened to me, and that's all i really needed, just someone to listen. I cannot express my gratitude enough. With the help of talking therapies I am ready to move onto the next chapter of my life. I will forever be grateful. Thank you'

'I feel my mind is much clearer. I am able to take charge of needs to be done and not feel so worried about the little things in life. Thank you so much for giving me the confidence to take control of my priorities and not stress or worry about things happening around me.'

'Overall was a good experience. I felt like he really cared and was diligent in his efforts to help me.'

'I really enjoy talking with my therapist and listen her advices. Thank you so much for sharing with me your talent and experience and offer me help. Really appreciate that :)'

'My therapist was amazing. I cannot thank her enough for all of her help. She tailored the support to my needs and took the time to listen to all my concerns. '

'My therapist is an asset to your service and he has helped me without judgement. I will miss the sessions especially my therapist'

'I would first like to thank my therapist for helping me overcome my fears and anxieties. I now have a better understanding of what worries me and how to deal with situations. I will continue to keep challenging myself, all I keep saying to myself is what's the worst that can happen? and if the worst happens, I'll deal with it then. Thanks again to my therapist for helping me change my mindset.'

'My therapist was very good! She was very easy to speak to and did a great job during every one of our sessions. I enjoyed the behavioural activation approach. It helps to organise your life and to slowly try to strike the right balance so you can improve your mental and physical health. I guess one bit of critical feedback would be that it is guided self help so the aim of this form of therapy isn't to address the underlying cause of someone's mental health problems. I have come out of it feeling like I can use the 'outside-in' approach to get necessary and routine things done which will absolutely improve my mental health. There are just some days where it is difficult for me, but I wouldn't expect my whole life experience/brain to change after just a few sessions. Thank you so much for your support!'

'I loved my therapist! She was so lovely and I would recommend her to anyone! She was thoughtful and pushed you to be better. I will miss having therapy with her! Thank you for the help! '

'My therapist was amazing. I'm sad our sessions have come to an end. My sessions with her definitely helped the most.'

'The sessions I had were really useful in helping me to process what has happened to me in the past and more recently. Special thanks to my therapist who was absolutely brilliant, he is a very intuitive person. He can never fully know the impact our sessions have had on my life. I will always be grateful for the therapy I've had and to my therapist. Thank you. '

'I was accepted onto the service very promptly, and was seen by a CBT therapist. We met each week and discussed anything I needed to say, as well as the home tasks. I was very happy with my therapist. She was eager, a great listener and very calm. I really felt that I made progress with her, and valued our time together greatly. I greatly appreciate the tools and worksheets provided, as I can continue to use them in the future on my own. They give me a good foundation to work with. '

'It has been helpful to speak to someone outside family who listened. Helped me to understand and deal with things in a different way.'

'Thank you for all the help. You have been amazing and I feel confident about the future. I don't know where I would be without you!'

'I am happy to have the opportunity to receive support from my therapist, she knows how to listen to you and win your confidence. Also, she chose the "professional" translator. And I want to thank my interpreter also for making me comfortable to be able to describe exactly the depth of my feelings. For those of us going through such unpleasant moments, it is very important to ask for and find a qualified person who knows how can to help you. One big thank you for your support. '

'My interpreter has been great. Made me feel comfortable with opening up and sharing everything. Thank you.'

'The group counselling session provided a valuable experience, beginning with a short video on empathy and listening which, upon reflection, aligned with one of the intentions of group therapy, relating to others with similar reasons for attending. After the check-in, people sharing a topic was a good starting point for identifying common themes to process; however, not everyone's topic was discussed due to time constraints. Efforts were made to address these in the following session. I began to challenge my anxiety by tackling worries about things beyond my control, practising patience, and accepting the uncertainty of the future. In hindsight, there were moments where I should have challenged behaviours within the group, such as the assumption that someone older automatically has more life experience. Our therapist facilitated a meaningful discussion about supporting someone who had shared personal experiences, emphasising the importance of truly listening and understanding within the group dynamic. A quieter participant's limited contributions made it harder to build a connection, but recognising their attendance as an achievement highlighted their progress. Reflecting after the session reinforced the importance of counselling and has led me to consider one-to-one therapy for more tailored support.'

'My experience with my therapist has been great i believe he has helped me a lot getting through these sessions made me feel comfortable and the tasks and the things we spoke about were very helpful, i appreciate the help given it was my first experience and it was amazing help thank you very much '

'Really good and helpful especially the online content and worksheets'

'My therapist was amazing. She is a good listener and effective commutator. She guided me well through the therapy. She explained all processes clearly and sought feedback to ensure understanding. She was kind, caring and empathetic. Thank you. '

'Firstly, I've recommended your service to a few due to it's sufficiency. Meaning when I initially self referred, it was only a short could of days to I received a call back to arrange a telephone consultation. The consultation wait time was only days and within two weeks was put upon your CBT programme. Despite my own personal issues, was also able to restart the course as had missed one session and was due to miss another. The team are extremely understanding in regards to my circumstance at the time. Both teams I attended on the programme, were kind, respectful, listened, and informative to the topic as well as further information. The time spent was week appreciated and those within the groups won were patients were also kind and patient and interacted very well within the sessions. I learnt a lot and it helped being with others whom were experiencing similar of not the same things as myself. '

'Some helpful ideas to use and practice going forwards. '

The comments below were received in December 2024

'My therapist was amazing and really helped me understand my worries and how to deal with them I made a decision on not taking my therapy calls anymore as I feel I have made the right decision in my situation to take off some of the stress I was under and to see how I go. Thank you . I really appreciate your guidance and support '

'I felt that my therapist really listened to me and helped me enormously. She helped me see that I needed to take time out from my difficult family situation and not to feel so guilty. The tools she gave me helped me to truly enjoy Xmas this year. I want to say a big thanks to her. She has encouraged and supported me to make changes which have reduced my anxiety. She is a star!'

'I'm really grateful for the safe space to speak honestly where my feelings are validated and then shown strategies for coping and changing my thought process. '

'I feel like my feelings are validated before being given practical advice which really helps. '

'Really appreciated and helpful. My therapist has been absolutely wonderful and I am so grateful that the service has been available. It has really helped me to sort my own feelings and grief around my circumstances.'

'I found my therapist to be a great listener and very understanding of my issues. He was always respectful and encouraging and understood when I was struggling to help myself. I received some useful tools to help me self manage my anxiety and was reassured that I can always come back to the service should I need to .'

'My therapist been kind and patient and helped me think differently and challenge . I hope when I am in that zone again feeling heath anxiety I will be able to rationalise and put the things in practice. I have done over the last few weeks but not currently been at a high scale . It has helped and my therapist has been a positive influence and realistic. Thank you .'

'I was quite apprehensive about going to begin with but my therapist really settled me in and really helped me to relax.'

'I felt this was a very valuable service, it has helped me to reflect and evaluate situations.'

'My therapist was fantastic! So kind, so lovely! Always listened and was always so empathic. She paid amazing attention to detail. Understood what was important to me and supported positive changes that hopefully will help forever. Thank you.'

'My therapist was amazing and made me feel human and not awkward because i'm different. She did help me allot with the handwashing and to use alternatives. I'm very grateful. Therapy has been amazing and great . It's helped me out tremendously.
I have finally opened the door and can step outside and breathe and feel very comfortable in my skin. My therapist has given me all the tools to accommodate my situation and the world and any situation I may face. I use the tools to calm myself when situations are hypothetical. I am not afraid to show my stimming behaviours in public now. Thank you so much I am very grateful for this therapy.'

'I was glad and grateful for the therapist in taking time to listen and chat about my daily and ongoing issues. '

'My therapist was wonderfully supportive and created a really safe environment for me to be vulnerable and open with her. At times she called me further forward which was welcomed and I felt encouraged me to make life long changes going forward. '

'This service has been so valuable for myself, it has let me explore what I've kept guarded for a long time. My therapists understood when I've needed more time to process especially if it was deep rooted. I've grown in myself since starting this process and will continue to do so. The therapists have been amazing. '

'I have thoroughly enjoyed talking therapy'

'My therapist has been a phenomenal support in an incredibly difficult time. Helping me navigate my thoughts and behaviours, processing challenging experiences and providing me with a safe space to reflect whilst being incredibly encouraging to break old patterns. Thank you for compassion! '

'My therapist was so understanding and supportive, I felt like she really understood what I had been through, and what I needed to help me. She signposted me to some useful resources and outside help. '

'I was not expecting this, however this came to be a very positive experience. I learned some worthwhile lessons which I believe can be taken into everyday life. I would highly recommend. Thank you.'

'I struggled with paperwork at start, but the methods my therapist helped me put in place have given me a marked improvement. She was brilliant!'

'More helpful than I anticipated'

'The service was invaluable and has given me strategies and techniques which are and will help me to manage my anxiety. I wish I had completed CBT years ago. The therapist was excellent and very supportive and encouraging. She explained everything clearly going at an appropriate pace through activities and checked for my understanding at all times. Thank you so much. '

'I've learned a lot from our PTSD group sessions held by our therapist. She's really patient and nice listening to everyone's opinions and guide us to do lots of reflective thinking about PTSD. I'm really happy with the sessions and it helps me to look into my PTSD and anxiety from a new different perspective. Thank you for offering the help!

The comments below were received in November 2024.

'My therapist was brilliant. Every session was meticulously structured, so I always knew what to expect. I'm genuinely amazed at my progress, going from moderately depressed to no longer being depressed.'

'At first hard to see where you are going therefore takes time to build confidence and gain the belief that it is helping. Later on you begin to see the light and the relief is palpable.'

'Found it extremely helpful and feel like I know myself better'

'Above all, for such a personal, and at times delicate, experience, I felt cared for by the therapist.. Cannot speak too highly of her.'

'I can't thank my therapist enough for his patience, calm and steady manner throughout my sessions. He's helped me develop a number of skills which I will now use going forward. His sessions were always very insightful, providing me with a deep understanding of perspectives.'

'My therapist was wonderful. She is kind, helpful, knowledgeable, organised, listens and understanding. Treasure her please. A sidenote and not relevant and I wanted to say each week but didn't, I really liked her hairstyles each week too.'

'I received an emotional support that I needed. Also I know different techniques how to mange my mood. I received support in my job searches. I am very content. Thank you.'

'I would like to express my gratitude to you who is transforming my life through the weekly sessions. I received full attention with empathy, and no judgement at all times during the sessions. This enabled me to quickly trust you and the system. The guidance and approach made a real difference in my life. The tools that were provided on each session were practical, understandable which with I approach situations in life easier, and put those in an other, healthier perspective. Thank you for the professionalism, patience and encouragement. You gave me a greater sense of confidence, clarity which for I am truly grateful.'

'Always felt considered and listened to, looked forward to appointments.'

'My therapist is such a great therapist and she help me a lots. Thank you so much.'

'Highly skilled and very supportive therapist. I am very grateful for all his support. I managed to heal traumas from my childhood and also from my recent years.'

'For many years I had been experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which had taken over nearly every aspect of my life. It severely affected my work and relationships. ”I was experiencing constant nightmares and flashbacks, I couldn't sleep, and I rarely left the house unless absolutely necessary. I was on edge all the time, struggling with intense emotions and physical symptoms, and felt drained, irritable, and completely withdrawn. At my lowest point, I had been signed off work for months and felt completely isolated. I decided to refer to therapy and shortly after I began EMDR therapy. My therapist created a safe, patient, non-judgmental, and empowering space for me to process my traumas. His professionalism and passion for his work are remarkable, and I felt fully supported and informed every step of the way. He explained the rationale behind every aspect of the process and ensured I was comfortable and confident, which made a huge difference in my willingness to engage with therapy. I am finally present in my life and no longer stuck in the past or trying to control the future. I've gained awareness of blind spots like obsessive-compulsive behaviours and now feel in control of my life and my future. I was able to return to work and my relationships are healthier and more authentic. Most importantly, I've been able to heal deeply painful parts of myself that I never thought I could, and for the first time in years, I'm genuinely excited about what my future holds. Before therapy, I was simply surviving day by day. Now, I feel like I can truly live and thrive. I will forever be grateful for the profound impact my therapist has had on my healing journey.'

'My therapist has been a really approachable individual, she listened and gave me the support necessary to help going forward. Thankyou'

'My therapist has always been kind, patient and supportive'

'Before I started my session with my therapist I was not in a great place .He has taught my so much about myself and I am so thankful for that'

'Sessions with my therapist were all very good. She supported me, gave excellent advice and challenged behaviours I had developed over years that had manifested themselves in a lot of the problems I was having. She enabled me to move forward with more confidence and the techniques she went through with me whilst difficult to do at first did help me. I gained confidence from our sessions and I am grateful for her experience and style of how she managed and supported me. Really grateful. I feel I can move forward more with increased confidence to tackle the issues, some of which still lay ahead, with a more logical head on my shoulders. Thank you and thank you.'

'It gave me a greater understanding of how to manage day to day life'

'My therapist was so lovely and caring. She was very good at listening to my problems/thoughts and situations. She really helped me a lot and I am now confident on how to tackle my anxiety. '

'Very helpful therapy' knowledgeable facilitators who were skillful and caring'

'My therapist has been absolutely wonderful throughout. She gave me so much confidence not only in her obvious skill and ability, but in my own ability to put into practice the techniques she gave me and therefore to heal and improve my life. I can't thank her, or the service as a whole, enough, but please know that you have my gratitude for what you've done for me. Thank you! '