Testimonials
Below are a few of my testimonials, the shorter ones are on a slider so just click the arrows to navigate!

Thanks to all those who have given a testimonial, I know how difficult it must have been to share your deepest feelings. I have kept specific names to a minimum and blacked out company names.

If I were to sum up my experience with Stress Right in one sentence, I would simply say: Paula changed my life. There is no judgment, only understanding. Paula knows when to offer practical advice and when to just be there. She has (very gently) pushed me out of my comfort zone but without ever forcing me to do anything I didn’t want to. She has an incredible knack for finding out very quickly what is bothering you and helping you figure out what to do next. With her help I have become a much more confident and resilient individual and have learned techniques to help me cope when things do get tough. I am a very different person to who I was when I started this.

It is such a huge comfort to know that I always have Paula to fall back on if things get too hard. I was hesitant to start counselling but I’m so glad I did. If you are ever struggling, I cannot recommend Paula enough. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me.


Olivia

Management Professional


A massive thank you.


As my new chapter begins, I can’t help but to look back to where I was 18 months ago, battered and bruised both emotionally and physically, full of fear and trepidation about seeking help. Now, I not only feel proud of myself for taking that first step, but eternally grateful to you for holding my hand for that step and every step that followed. I never realised that I was in a narcissistic relationship, I never realised that I didn’t deserve the bruises and verbal abuse, I never realised that I did have the strength to break free and that I had value. I believed I deserved the way I was being treated because why else would I be being treated this way. You gave me the why’s and wherefores along with the empathy and understanding that I needed. I can now see that my childhood had been the start of my traumatic 30+ years, being told you’re useless repeatedly builds a low expectation in yourself and strips away your confidence. Rushing into a relationship to get away from one tyrant believing it was the right thing for me, only to end up being treated even worse by another. Cut off from friends and family and even the outside world for long periods, I lost the ability to interact with others. When my doctor said that I needed help I was nearly sick at the thought, I knew I couldn’t make any appointments because he would intercept the post and destroy them like he had with other things. If it hadn’t been for my neighbour (another of your success stories) helping me to get the help I needed whilst keeping it secret, I really don’t think that I’d be here today let alone happily looking forward.  We are both extremely grateful to you.


Lyn


Ps If you think this may help someone else, please feel free to use it, just not my full name though.

A good friend and colleague put me in touch with Paula. By the end of our 30 minutes I knew that Paula was going to help me and quite frankly I didn’t care how much it would cost (turns out to be extremely reasonable by the way.)


Going back to who I was a year ago, I was struggling to manage my anxiety and stress levels on a daily basis. My stress bucket was full to the brim, and anything extra tipped me over the edge, whether it was something significant or not at the time. I genuinely felt I could not cope with what was happening in my life - I felt tense all the time, yet lethargic. It was impacting my relationships at home. I was already on sertraline to manage my mood. I did exercise during the week, I have a supportive family, but despite those things in place, everything felt too much, all the time.


With Paula’s help we worked through a lot of things which had impacted my mental health and how I managed stress. I discovered so much about myself and I was able to connect a lot of dots. I could reflect on how I’d managed my stress in previous situations, understanding what I had actually dealt with at the time and what I’d avoided dealing with.


I spent a year working with Paula and I can hand on heart say she has transformed my life. There is no magic wand to remove stress from our lives, but what I do have now is a better understanding of who I am, and tools and techniques to help me manage stressful situations when they come up. I also know how to better protect myself from falling into stressful situations. I have been tested several times since my sessions with Paula came to their natural end and I’m proud of how I’ve handled things and have noticed a huge difference compared to what would have happened a year before.


I have also successfully come off my medication which was something I never contemplated before. I have always valued what they did and never been ashamed about needing medication. However when I realised that I was taking them for a condition I no longer struggled with (postnatal depression) it didn’t make sense to continue with them. I had tried in previous years to wean myself off, which went OK, but because I’d never learned how to manage my stress and anxiety, I’d always reverted to taking them again. I’m now 3 months without medication and like I say, have been tested, but I’m managing well enough on my own. This is all done to Paula’s support and practical advice.


I’ve recommended Paula to so many others, and I know my experience of working with Paula isn’t a one-off. They have all experienced a positive change with Paula and she is helping them as much as she helped me.


Gemma

Legal Professional

I feel that I have been on a transformational journey over the last year and with your help, I have learnt so much about myself and I cant thank you enough. I feel much more self aware and that I have more tools in my toolbox to be able to deal with things. Whereas before I just sank and felt lost in a big black hole, now I feel that when I see the hole opening up, I can save myself from falling by putting into practice the things that I have learnt during our sessions. Thank you Paula - although we see each other less now, it is good to know that you are there if I need you as no doubt I may. I would highly recommend you (and I do). 

Marie

HR Professional

Hi Paula

My wife said that I should write you a testimonial for all you have done for me.(us) As you know talking about my feelings has never been easy for me and you did it's a bloke thing! Well here goes....


Testimonial for Paula


I really am grateful for all your help, guidance and endless listening. You helped me to save my relationship, my job and most importantly

myself. My attempts to end it all have left me with a medical condition that I'll have as a reminder for the rest of my life, a life I am now looking forward to. I have an amazing wife and three incredible kids, but what has surprised me more than anything is the support network that I can now

see that will be there for me should I need it. You opened my eyes and my mind to the value of life and not just what it is for me but how my life is valued by others.

Thank you and I'll be for ever grateful

Mark


I hope that makes sense Paula? obviously delete the top and bottom

bits, had to stop there as I was getting a bit emosh as always!

best regards

Mark x


Paula, somehow saying thank you and sending a bunch of flowers just isn't enough. I will always be eternally grateful for all you have done for me. You've taken me from a very broken lady who wouldn't leave the house and didn't want to survive another hour let alone a day. To a confident 40+ who is looking forward to life and having fun again. I've reconnected with the friends who tried to help me and yet I pushed away. I've come such a long way from that first phone call where I discovered someone who really did understand, your compassion and empathy was

overwhelming. From that moment I knew I would be ok, although the way back was quite challenging and upsetting at times with you there guiding me through I truly believed I would get there. I am now so much stronger and knowing that you are always there is such a comfort. I look forward to our catch-up before Christmas and promise to keep listening to your relaxing recordings.


You are a truly inspirational lady, thank you so much.

Kathy



Hi Paula,
 Just wanted to say a huge thank you for all you’ve done for Rachel. I had a zoom call with her this morning, and I have to say I haven’t seen her looking so calm and so upbeat for many months. She has asked me to send some work to her to get stuck into whilst we are on lockdown which is a great step forward. I was convinced that I was about to lose this valuable member of my staff as nothing seemed to help her until you came along. Whilst I appreciate that she still has a way to go and I can’t even comprehend what she has gone through with a huge loss at an already difficult time for her. I was certain that I had my wellness support buttoned up with MHFA’s and an EAP in place to give the support should anyone need it. And then when you came in to see me and my confidence to bat off everything you put to me became questionable, I so glad I gave you the time to hear you out. I can’t recommend you highly enough and would implore other business owners to engage you, especially to give one to one support where it’s needed. Not only have I got Rachel back on track, but purely from a business perspective, you have saved me a huge amount of time and money trying to replace such an integral and influential employee.
I have a few ideas that I would like to discuss with you as soon as we are all allowed out again and look forward to seeing you then.
Thanks again and stay safe.
Rob 

Testimonial from Tim

Hi Paula, 

I hope that you and your family are keeping well? 

I just wanted to send you an email to give testimony of your service. Let’s be honest, when I first met you I was at proverbial rock bottom. I’ve got to be honest, I was someone who was very naive about the issues of mental health. I didn’t understand it and I didn’t want to talk about it. From our first meeting you made me feel comfortable and secure in letting me talk. Words cannot describe the gratitude I have for what you have done for me. Although I’m not fully out of the woods, I can certainly see to the other side. You have made me feel comfortable in my own skin, and this is something that I hadn’t felt in a while. I dread to think of the position that I might have found myself in, if it wasn’t for you. 
As you have a business background yourself, it was also nice talking to someone that understood the pressures of business, especially the particular sector that I’m in.  

Thank you so much Paula.  

Kindest Regards

Tim

Testimonial from Mollie

I am bubbly bombshell in her early 20’s and I am now in a good place and frame of mind, far different to when I first went to see Paula. I have lived through some very difficult times whilst growing up and became a very different person to the real me. I had been in a very dark place for a number of years and had been self-harming and even tried to end my life a couple of times. Fortunately, my employers understood that I was spiralling out of control through mental ill-health issues and not because I had attitude and disruptive tendencies. Not only did they arranged for me to seek help from Paula, but they also paid for it as part their support for wellness in the workplace.
I had no idea how the process would work or even if I would be able to talk to someone I didn’t know. I needn’t have worried Paula was very empathetic and had me feeling comfortable and safe in no time.
The sessions seemed to fly by and even though I had a few ups and downs, I am now back to my bubbly self. My work colleagues’ friends and family have all seen the differences in me and I can’t thank Paula and my employers enough for the support. I know that should I ever need support or even just a little boost in the future, I can get back in touch with Paula.
Thank you Paula
M

Testimonial from Jess

Dear Paula
I just had to email you to express my gratitude for the help you gave me and in fact the group as a whole. As you are aware I was a mess, I couldn’t sleep, eating was a real chore unless it was a ping meal or takeaway and I couldn’t bear the thought of socialising. My health had definitely declined as was very evident by the state of my skin and hair every day was a BHD. I know I started prior to the official launch of your new venture and even took part in your “guinea pig” group sessions which I never thought I would be able to do, but I must say it was a real eye opener. I was very nervous to start with but as you went around the group I realised that I wasn’t alone and everyone else had the same or very similar issues. As you had said it was quite therapeutic hearing what others had to say and we even started supporting each other, in fact I am still in touch with 3 of them we meet up for coffee and a catch-up on Wednesday mornings. I am now so much more confident, I am dealing with problems rather than letting them fester like before. Blimey, I even like myself, only you will know how big an achievement that is! OMG this is more of me babbling on than a testimonial but I guess that also shows how big a corner I have turned. Thanks again for Karen’s email she really has helped me understand food and its effects on the body, it’s been tough but I am getting there as my doctor can testify to. Looking forward to my MOT check in with you in March. Thanks again you really are amazing.
Jess ……………

Testimonial from Jenny and John

Hi Paula,
I just wanted to say a real big thank you for all you’ve done, I know I wasn’t easy to deal with at the beginning and you were incredibly patient with me. as I said early on you were the only person that I have ever felt comfortable with to be able to open up to. You managed to get me to talk about things that I never even knew were causing me issues. John and I have now moved into the house that I showed you and we are looking forward to are new beginning. I could never of achieved this without your help and just knowing that you’ll be at the end of a Skype or phone is so reassuring.
As you can see I’m using some of my new skills typing this fancy letter to you. Please feel free to use this as a testimonial, I’d like to think that maybe someone else who is suffering could be inspired to give you a call and find themselves again.

Thanks again
Jenny and John

Testimonial from Jackie

I am a 30 something, married with two children. I had been married for 16yrs and I was always known for my bubbly appearance and character, always laughing and having a joke with everyone. Until I settled down and started a family I worked hard in sales for a very successful Marketing and PR company in London. Partying every weekend until I dropped was my release from the stresses of work, chasing targets and deadlines.
 I had a huge group of friends which included a variety of ages and was a good mix of both sexes. My husband (then boyfriend) worked in the finance industry and like me was both successful and loved to party.

 So why am I telling you about me, Paula asked me if I would be brave enough to share my story to possibly help others who are going through what I did. This is taking a lot for me to do this, but I feel that if sharing my experience can save even just one person then it’s worth doing. A few moths ago I was at the darkest moment of my life when I tried to end it. What had changed to bring me to the horrible state of mind that would see my children grow up without a mother. How could a mother even consider it? Well I was as I said not in a good place, I could see no way forward at all. I had been self-harming for some time but even that wasn’t not giving me any mental freedom anymore.

 A chain of events led me this dark place starting with my husband being promoted several times and meaning he was working away more often. Our once very strong relationship was becoming distant with constant arguments over the phone, and sadly when he was home often in front of the children. He was never there to pick up the kids from school and after school activities, even on the odd occasion when he was supposed to, he would either forget or cancel. I had lost my way in life and especially at work. From managing 10 very high-profile accounts in London and surrounding areas, I had none. I had been making too many mistakes and gradually my clients were reassigned by my manager to a new up and coming version of me. Blonde, bubbly, outgoing and more importantly “on it”. Seeing her with my clients, laughing and joking cut me to the core. I had asked for a transfer to one of our other sites, but my boss said no, he said that he didn’t want me to f**k up there as well and needed me where he could keep an eye on me.

Going to work every day with people who had been great friends as well as colleagues but now don’t even say hello or ask how I am was killing me! This isolation had affected my family too! The once successful daughter that my parents had been so proud of was now struggling to keep any type of job, earnings had plummeted with no bonuses or even a chance to get one; and in their eyes I had wrecked my marriage. Mum said I needed to pull myself together as I was always crying and off sick!

The final straw was seeing my husband’s phone light up but there was no alert, he never used to have his phone on silent. I couldn’t help it, but as he was in the shower I took a look, to my utter amazement I discovered that he was arranging to meet someone that weekend, a weekend that he’d told me he had a conference to go to in Birmingham! It said that the hotel was booked and that she couldn’t wait to see him, she said she had packed his favourite underwear! His previous text to her was to reassure her that I didn’t have a clue, and everything would be fine, I was so wrapped up in my own self-pity that he could get away with what ever he wanted! 

So as the children were staying with his parents that weekend I was home alone, no one to talk to or even wanting to talk to. I had decided to end my pain, whether you understand or not for me it was the right thing to do. I went for a walk to a near by river and had taken a lot of tablets and drunk a lot of Vodka, I thought that as it was very dark I wouldn’t be seen or stopped. Fortunately, on my way I passed out and a passing taxi driver saw me and called 999. Luckily after pumping out my stomach and doing what they do best, they nursed me back to health, however, because I’d tried to take my life I was forced into sorting myself out if I ever wanted to see my children again. This is obviously a brief account of the process, but it was like that in a nutshell. I struggled with the counselling, especially at the start and until my doctor explained that the process works best when the person you are seeing you can relate to and you find yourself comfortably telling them about your world without holding back. The first few that I saw I never settled with, I felt that they saw me as an idiot who had everything and threw it away. I was just another patient who was walking through a void and nothing was going to change it.

Through a little bit of luck, I came across Paula at Stress Right and during my first session with her I realised what my doctor had meant, I found myself just pouring it all out, all of the gory details without hesitation. Wow, I still have a long way to go but I really do believe I can get myself back to who I was. Paula has helped me find a part time role with a smaller business and a very understanding boss who says he wants me to grow into the role as and when I’m ready. He said that he sees my potential and understands that I will probably want a bigger challenge at some point in the future, but he wants to help me achieve that! I wish I’d worked for him some years back and as it is at the moment I can’t see me wanting to leave.

I have to say that although Paula isn’t in her words a counsellor in the usual sense of the term, she has been everything I needed. Paula’s stress management is great, but I believe her training as a Samaritan was what drew me in. Talking with her has got me through many ups and downs. She is my go to support shoulder where so many of my previous friends and colleagues failed me in the past not realising that I was sinking into an abyss of isolation. Paula has me rationalising like never before, I can even speak with my ex without wanting to rip his head off. I’m loving the contact I now have with my children and look forward to getting them back at some stage. I can’t thank Paula enough for her understanding, empathy and the kick up the arse she gives me. 

I apologise for some of the gaps that I haven’t touched on, even now some of it is still quite painful but I am definitely getting there. In fact, even just writing this has helped, yes Paula you were right about that as well!

My best advice to anyone who feels that they are sinking in a pool of inability to cope would be to find someone that they can talk to and if you can get help, find your Paula. We are all worth saving so on the flip side if you notice a friend or colleague who seems to be changing, becoming distant or even argumentative out of character, be understanding, be prepared to listen without judging, be a friend not a critic.

Thank you Paula
Jackie T 

Taming your stress is more achievable than you may think, you could just need showing the way!
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