Testimonials for Therapy & Counselling in Sydney

Are you considering psychotherapy or counselling in Sydney?

We understand that seeking support and guidance is a deeply personal journey, here are some testimonials from previous therapy clients who were happy to share their experiences.

I began to feel terribly homesick after a friend from home had visited, even though I’d been an expat living in Sydney for a few years.

I was quite depressed and teary-eyed, as well as unmotivated at work. I was unsettled and unhappy. It was suggested that I try counselling in Sydney.

I’m much more settled now. I have a greater awareness of the issues that were making me react so dramatically. Its easier to function day-to-day and be happy.

Having thrown myself into this process wholeheartedly, I have managed to make genuine changes to myself as a person and to my lifestyle. I have turned from someone that procrastinated over so many things into someone who can take action and make positive changes, even when it doesn’t feel possible.

Therapy is the most worthwhile thing I’ve done for myself. I’m now really happy in Australia!

– LB 31, Consultant
Sydney

Life for me was always fast-paced - I worked hard and partied hard. I always thought that I was in control…until I began having panic attacks. It was a real shock.

I came across your website and your words about ‘life being otherwise good’ resonated with me - because aside from the anxiety, my life was pretty good. Knowing that you were experienced in dealing with anxiety and that you would understand, helped me to decide to give therapy with you a try.

The journey was longer than I expected but worthwhile. There were times I wanted to quit but you’ve got to stick with it. it’s a bit like a good relationship, not necessarily easy but definitely worth it!

The panic attacks are long gone and these days I feel calm.

I also feel empowered. I’ve changed things that I wanted to change and I achieved the goals that I had set for myself - like getting my permanent residency in Australia. I’m not at risk of being sent back to the UK if I lose my job and don’t find another one straight away. I should have done it years ago - somehow it’s symbolic that I finally got it done. I’m far more settled and secure.

I feel positive and in control!

– SL 41, Marketing
Eastern Suburbs, Sydney

When I first came to see you for counselling in Sydney I wanted that quick fix. I so desperately wanted to feel better…But, the truth is I never really believed there would be a long-term solution.

I suffered from long-term depression mixed with anxiety. I had childhood-based issues that I’d had enough of — they were causing problems in my life and my relationships. I’d tried to combat them before with a couple of counsellors, but you are the one who gave me a sense of hope to create change.

I’m not drinking so much, I’m on a bit of a health kick and the desire to go shopping isn’t there. I feel good about my life, and no longer feel that sense of numbness that used to be so familiar. I know I’ll still have downs along with the ups, but I feel so much more confident that I can cope and take charge of my life. Thank you, Jacqui!

– JS 30, Journalist, Eastern Suburbs
Sydney

I was feeling like things weren’t as good as they should be. I wasn’t coping well with life and it was impacting on my family.

I had angry reactions and would find myself feeling really upset and hard done by – just in a foul mood, snappy and thinking it was everyone’s fault. These reactions felt misplaced. I would be triggered by small things like plans changing and people not doing as they’d said they would.

I wanted to sort out what was going on. I’d thought about it a lot and had my own theories but I wanted to work with somebody to help process it.

Initially, it was hard to trust that it was helping — I needed a spreadsheet!

I didn’t realise it at the time – what I was processing and learning – until a few sessions afterwards. All of a sudden progress started kicking in. It helped when we looked at the physicality of my reactions and I learnt to notice in the moment, what I was experiencing. Improvements happened in increments. I noticed more and more and the process just flowed from there.

Things going wrong can still be annoying and that’s life but It’s not long and drawn-out now and doesn’t have to ruin a whole weekend! If I do start feeling that physical anger or anxiety, I recognise it. I can acknowledge it and say to myself ‘I’m having one of those moments’ and I can talk myself out of it.

I can turn my mood around much faster. I just cope better now!

– AB, 35, Business Owner & Mother of two
Surry Hills

Initially coming to see you for counselling in Sydney was an act of desperation –  I was willing to try anything at that point. A lot of things had happened…I’d been in hospital which was a first, I was living by myself, and had been struggling with a difficult relationship.

I was feeling out of control and fearing that it would get worse. I needed help to stop it getting worse. Moving on from that initial time of high anxiety, therapy with you became a positive way of dealing with things, in a safe environment.

Now I see everything in a whole different light. Back then I couldn’t see a way through it all.

You kind of need to go with it, like being in a river that keeps moving. In there you’re addressing issues from the past as well as outside influences while getting stronger in yourself. And I was learning new skills to help myself.

I wouldn’t have thought I could do it. But I did become able to trust the process. I didn’t know how it would be but it was the one solid thing at the time.

I’m glad I stuck with it and I would definitely recommend it. You need to get to a point where you go into it wholeheartedly otherwise you wouldn’t get as much out.

It’s not to say that l don’t get anxious at all now but it’s different. Now it’s like there’s some automatic distance between me and what’s going on. I can still get upset but I have the ability to step away even if just a tiny bit so that it doesn’t affect me the way it used to.

Overall it’s something I’m very thankful that I’ve done. I’m thankful too that I was lucky to find the right person first time round. So thank you to you, Jacqui.

– SN, 29 Lawyer
North Sydney

I’d had a good experience with a counsellor when I was working overseas.

This time I was at the point of experiencing anxiety, and sometimes panic attacks of some degree, everyday.

My GP referred me to someone but I knew she wasn’t for me straight away. She told me I was psychologically sound – what does that mean anyway, when I knew I wasn’t where I wanted to be, and that I wanted to get the anxiety under control, and to stop expecting it and fearing it.

I no longer have the fears of being overwhelmed by anxiety or going crazy. I have the tools and am now able to manage stress, or other emotions as they arise.

If there was a list of criteria for a person to perfectly fill the role of counsellor, Jacqui you match those criteria.

I feel good and confident. I’m not dancing around the streets but I have a real contentment now, and I’m positive about the future. I no longer worry about the small stuff. What was all the worry for? Thankfully I can now stop myself from spiralling out of control.

I’m closer, more open with my friends and family.

Thank you Jacqui. I’m so glad I found you.

I’m in a different place now, a really good place. I worked hard to get here, but I often remember words you’ve said that have come to my mind and helped me.

– KH, Financial Industry
Eastern Suburbs, Sydney

It was a rare moment in life when I felt I wasn’t in control, didn’t have the answers and couldn’t see a path forward to having meaningful relationships with loved ones.

The quality of interactions with my children was really poor and made me feel worse about my situation and myself. I felt stuck. It was like a constant black cloud, thinking about myself and my existence. I couldn’t see my future, it was bleak and black.

It’s scary to think about those times again, how shit-house I felt. I had a sense of not knowing myself. I was in a big hole and couldn’t see the way out.

I had no motivation, poor health, I wasn’t exercising. Every aspect of life was impacted by how I was feeling. I was probably drinking too much, adding fuel to the fire.

Previously I’d somehow been able to manage situations. To papier mâché over things, to make them look the way I needed them to look. But now I disliked myself and had real disdain for where I’d gotten to.

Before going to therapy I couldn’t have believed I needed to get help. I would have seen getting help as failure. Now my biggest regret is not having done it earlier. If I’d got help in my twenties, I would have understood the things I did much more, would have enjoyed life more.

Now having done therapy, the way I approach the world is different. I got over the scepticism of needing help and let myself be open to it and started to get some tools. It doesn’t happen over night but it was simple things, like I was able to engage in healthy behaviours, to have open discussions, to be real and engage transparently in relationships. To be open about it with my kids.

It’s hard to think about how bad it was before therapy. And I don’t know how I would have managed without it, probably I would have had a proper breakdown, really damaging myself or others.

It has opened up for me the ability to experience things without the immediate need to deal with them, racing through the world transacting. I can find inner calm or have the tools to find it again, to be more thoughtful and honest about the way I move through the world.

I’m hugely grateful that I’ve been brave enough to do the work and patient enough to stick with it. If I hadn’t I would probably be unhappy, lonely, an alcoholic.

Jacqui, the credit you can take is knowing when to be forthright with me, or when to just talk about what’s going on, to not be prescriptive, to make it safe for me and use the right tools at the right time.

Had it been a step-by-step program with stages to achieve to get to black belt or something, I would have done that but I think I would be disappointed. Because when I found myself in old patterns, I would have wondered why I wasn’t successful. I know it’s not about getting to the end. I’m better equipped with the work we’ve done, having evolved and changed. I can utilise it and build on it.

It’s had a huge impact on my life and it’s actually exciting that there’s still more work to do. I’m looking forward to more growth, I don’t feel embarrassed, I’m interested to see where I can get to.

– AW, Senior Executive
Sydney