CBT for Depression

I have just had my final session of CBT. When I started I felt awful. If I am honest, I did feel a bit suicidal on occasions. I felt hopeless and I just felt I was never, ever going to be right again. I had lost my appetite and had no motivation to do anything.  

I have been committed to therapy from the start and have practiced all the techniques and strategies that we covered in the sessions. Not only have I recovered from my depression, I actually feel like a different person. I have enjoyed the therapy. I have even caught up on modern technology e.g. listening to podcasts and using a smartphone.  My family have seen a big difference in me, which is lovely to hear. Sarah is easy to talk to and I found that whatever issue I came up with, she always had a suggestion for how we could work on this.

I feel so much better. Life seems lighter and easier. I am over the moon and so grateful. I am determined to carry on with all that I have learned in the sessions with Sarah. 

(Female, aged 73, virtual sessions)

CBT and EMDR for low self-esteem and social anxiety

I was feeling overwhelmed and had lost any ability to focus both professionally, and in my personal life. I was not thinking or behaving as I normally would and was catastrophising, with an inability to focus on anything. I had been experiencing some difficult life events and felt unable to cope, which triggered feelings of low self-esteem.  I had been signed off work. 

I had arranged to meet Sarah for a in person face to face session but to due COVID-19 social distancing we decided to have sessions via Zoom. I found it was still really engaging and supportive. 

It emerged through our sessions that I had social anxiety due to a past trauma in a difficult relationship, and that my social anxiety and low self-esteem were contributing to my overall sense of stress and being overwhelmed. 

Through sessions with Sarah involving both CBT and EMDR I have found that my social anxiety has gone, and my sense of self esteem and confidence has improved dramatically. I don’t just feel like I’m back to being myself again, I feel like I am an improved version of myself, equipped with a toolkit of creative resources I can use. Learning how to control the focus of my attention has been particularly impactful in my professional life.  Releasing the past trauma through EMDR has had a positive and life-changing impact on my self-esteem.

The person I was when I first spoke to Sarah is so different to the person I am now, and the journey has been an incredibly positive one. I now find myself excited for the future and embracing new challenges. 

(Virtual sessions, female aged 41, July 2020)

CBT for OCD – fear of acting on an impulse to injure myself

My mood has gradually got better over the 4 CBT sessions with Sarah. She used a type of CBT called Metacognitive Therapy (MCT). In the past I had general counselling, although this was good at the time, it was more of a short term fix. I think CBT suits me better. I like the fact that Sarah gave me techniques and skills to work on throughout my day. I was really impressed how quickly the CBT acted upon my behaviour when I changed my attitude to my thoughts.  I no longer have the fear that I might injure myself.

It worked really well having the sessions virtually, as I didn’t have to travel and could fit it in easily with my life.

(Male, aged 20, July 2020, virtual sessions)

Remote CBT sessions to treat depression - a testimonial

I went to my GP and was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. My employer provided me with 12 sessions. I had counselling when I was younger, but this didn't work so I didn’t expect CBT to work. But I was hopeful that it would. Due to COVID-19, we had all of our sessions online, which would not have been my original choice. However, it worked really well.

Working with Sarah I learned some valuable skills. After 12 sessions my depression scores have gone from severe to mild. My anxiety level is normal. I am impressed with how quickly and how well it has worked.

I felt I could trust Sarah. Although there was an age difference between us, I felt she understood me and was able to help me. I am definitely glad I gave Symmetry CBT a try.

(Male, aged 18, June 2020)

What is remote therapy?

Remote therapy is any kind of therapy where the therapist and the client are not present in the same physical space. In the past, this has most regularly been over the telephone. However, in recent years, with improvements in online connections, this is increasingly resulting in therapy delivered by online video software.

Sarah offers online therapy using two online solutions. Both have secure end-to-end encryption, are GDPR compliant and are designed with the delivery of telehealth in mind.

The first is called Zoom and you will have seen this in action if you have watched any TV News in the past few days as this is the platform used by the UK Government for their remote press briefings.

The second is called VSee and this platform is used by over 1000 telemedicine companies worldwide as well as being the video platform used by NASA for communicating with the International Space Station.

Both of these platforms have associated apps available from the usual app stores for your devices.

Sarah makes use of both because if one has problems, then it is easy to swiftly change over to the other and to continue with the therapy session. Similarly, Sarah has routers from two different high-speed internet providers to ensure that if one is having problems, it is possible to change over to the other.

If you are looking for therapy during these difficult times, please feel free to make contact with Sarah on 07817 223669 to discuss availability.