LETTING THE PEOPLE WE HAVE HELPED DO THE TALKING...
"Cognitive Behavioral Therapy became my friend, an exploration into a new world if possibilities, challenging negative thought patterns, problem solving became easier, my hope and self esteem improved."
"Reeling in self-doubt, anxiety, loss of confidence, heart pounding out of my chest and an almost permanent heady fog, I was referred to Shona Irvine who helped lift my dark cloud of depression and those overwhelming unhelpful self-destructive thoughts.
Professional yet relatable, trust was easy to establish as Shona never judged but gently encouraged me to explore issues which I somehow had managed to bury, deny, excuse yet somehow allow it to consume every thought to the point where even basic every day functions became insurmountable creating anxiety. Sounds were magnified, i was constantly on edge...a frightening lonely time.
Shonas experience and knowledge coupled with her kind engaging personality created a safe private confidential environment for change to happen. She helped cut a clear path through the maze of doubt, fear and misery I was experiencing and together we explored new coping strategies, and achievable goals.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy became my friend, an exploration into a new world if possibilities, challenging negative thought patterns, problem solving became easier, my hope and self esteem improved.
Shona helped me find coping strategies that I knew existed yet lack of self worth at that time and my emotional blindness prevented me from utilizing.
Shonas skills extend beyond CBT and any one type of therapeutic intervention making her an ideal choice for anyone ready and willing to address the debilitating and miserable feelings of anxiety and depression."
"After thinking about doing CBT for a few years I finally decided to go for it. I am so glad I built up the courage to contact Shona. I am now able to look forward to social events instead of worrying and my everyday anxiety is much better.
Shona was so easy to talk to and made me feel at ease."
"I cannot recommend Shona highly enough. She offered a safe and welcoming space for me to speak openly and without judgement."
"Through CBT she gave me the tools and skills I needed to find better ways to cope with worries and issues that I had been facing.
I now feel confident in my self and my abilities, to deal with any difficult situations or negative thinking patterns that may arise in the future. She is wonderful at what she does – so compassionate and skilled. Understood my needs and really listened to me! Shona was empathetic, caring, open and I think genuinely happy for me to have made such progress.
Saying thank you doesn’t feel like enough!"
...it saved me
"I contacted Shona after I was suffering from anxiety after a bad experience on holiday. Immediately I felt like I could open up to her, and felt relaxed.
"She allowed me help myself with CBT, by thinking more rationally and understanding why I felt the way I did. I cannot recommend Shona and CBT enough, it saved me. "
Changed my way of thinking...
"Working with Shona has been a real pleasure through what could've otherwise have been a downward spiral. She put me completely at ease from day 1 and I was able to discuss and work through things I likely otherwise wouldn't have felt comfortable with.
Our sessions coming to an end was bitter sweet as she is a delight to get along with, however our work together has provided me with many tools I can remind myself of going forward that help change my way of thinking and reaction to events when required."
I feel much more in control...
"I can’t thank Shona enough, I’ve been given the tools to move on to the next stage in my life, and I feel much more in control."
"She is patient and compassionate while being proactive and constructively challenging when she needs to be."
"Shona has a very practical approach to managing issues. She is realistically and reassuring positive and gives easy to understand examples and practices.
She is patient and compassionate while being proactive and constructively challenging when she needs to be. I found this combination of empathy and testing thought perceptions immensely helpful.
If you are considering therapy for the first time and have had a bad experience, I’d highly recommend Shona."
EMDR was very effective for me...
“I was initially apprehensive to try EMDR as I struggled to see how it would work. I noticed small improvements in the frequency and intensity of my panic attacks from the first session. I would urge anybody with doubts to lean into it and give it a go. EMDR was very effective for me and I’m so glad Shona suggested it!
Thanks again for all your help. I’ve had some opportunities to test some techniques recently and am pleased to report that they continue to work well. I feel like I’m in a good place, and I have you to thank for that!
Very best wishes."
I now feel confident with any situation that I face...
I kept putting off contacting anyone about the anxiety problems that I had been having for a couple of years. I'm glad that Shona was recommended to me by a work colleague whose daughter was seeing Shona. I felt very comfortable and relaxed talking to Shona about the problems I had been having.
Shona was full of advice on how to deal with the problems that I was facing and I now feel confident with any situation that I face. I have also overcome my fear of heights and public speaking thanks to the sessions that I had.
Hopefully, I won't need to go back to see Shona but won't hesitate to call her in the future if need more help. I will be recommending Shona to friends and family who I think need a bit of therapy. "
I can only describe EMDR as being like magic...
"I can't thank Shona enough for her help and support. I'd had therapy previously with different therapists for anxiety which I've struggled with for years, however, I never quite managed to unblock all of the trauma that was there.
Shona listened to me, was caring and compassionate and applied a mixture of tools/solutions such as providing me with an awareness of physiology and how the brain/body works and connections to our emotions, along with some practical CBT tips, relaxation and the icing on the cake was the EMDR therapy.
I can only describe EMDR as being like magic. My panic attacks are no more and I've been able to engage in activities that I couldn't do before. Thank you so much, Shona, you have really helped me and changed my life."
...allowed me to start enjoying life again...
"From the moment that I began to work with Shona, she put me at ease with the process of undergoing therapy. She was knowledgeable and listened diligently to my issues before starting to work thoroughly to address them.
Shona has without a doubt helped me to make a recovery and allowed me to start enjoying life again and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone who is considering starting therapy."
It has had a tremendous effect on my self-confidence...
"I was prescribed 20 sessions to overcome my increasing anxiety and panic attacks that had suddenly started in 2021.
Thanks to Shona I was able to learn techniques to use when panicking but also learn to be aware of my feelings and my reaction to situations. This was my most important outcome. It has had a tremendous effect on my self-confidence which in turn helps me to stay calm and handle tricky situations that can arise.
Shona was always very pleasant, friendly and a good listener. She always offers solutions clear to understand and is always willing to clarify."