Karen gives thanks to TALKWORKS

Karen was experiencing anxiety and stress when accessed TALKWORKS. She worked closely with a therapist and member of our employment support team to improve her overall wellbeing and develop coping strategies to help her to feel better:

"I was under pressure to meet tight deadlines at work, applying for jobs as my department was closing and had the final assignment to write for a course I had been studying for a year. When I received some devastating family news, I began struggling to cope. I wasn’t sleeping well, I cried for no apparent reason and felt like I was in a constant state of anxiety.

"I was sitting on a bus going home after a particularly stressful day at work and my smart watch alerted me that my heart rate was extremely high. I panicked, started having other symptoms and thought I was having a heart attack.   

"I visited my GP who arranged tests to rule out any health conditions, then put me on antidepressants. Although these are effective for some people, I hated the effect they had on me and decided to find another way forward.

"The once confident me was fast disappearing and I had a low opinion of myself and poor body image. I was becoming reclusive, always at home and avoiding contact with friends. I started a new job, where I was able to work from home, and threw myself into the training and learning the role. I started making changes to my house and garden in the hope that it would make me feel better and as an excuse to not go out.

"My GP referred me to TALKWORKS and during an initial chat with my therapist Chris, we talked about the issues I was having and what I wanted to achieve. It became clear, I wasn’t making time for myself. I was always busy and felt guilty if I wasn’t at work or working through my ‘to do’ list. It was like I needed permission to take time out to do things purely for pleasure.

"Chris didn’t tell me what to do, he helped me work out what I wanted to do. Once I had identified my goals, knowing I was going to be speaking to Chris again encouraged me to make the first step to achieve them.

"I wanted to go to dance classes, but my lack of confidence was holding me back. After a few chats with Chris, I felt inspired to attend my first class. Waiting to go into the hall, I was doubting myself and looking for a reason to leave. Remembering the conversations I had with Chris was the motivation I needed, and I walked into class and loved every minute. Chris also arranged for me to speak to Sue, an employment advisor. Thanks to all the useful information Sue sent me, I signed up for a course I have now completed, my CV has been updated, and I’m enrolled on another course about becoming self-employed.

"Thanks to TALKWORKS, I feel better about myself and no longer feel guilty if I want to take time out of my busy schedule to read a book, watch a film or sit and do nothing but relax. My stress and anxiety has reduced and I feel better able to cope when things get tough. It's not a miracle cure and you have to put the effort in but CBT provides you with the tools to change your thoughts and behaviours to improve your wellbeing.

I can’t recommend TALKWORKS enough, we worked at my pace and ended the sessions when I felt ready. It is reassuring to know that I can contact TALKWORKS again if I need to. However, prior to my last session, we talked about coping strategies for the future, and I made a list of what would be helpful and unhelpful, so I feel equipped to deal with it should I feel that way again."

If you are feeling low, experiencing anxiety, stress or difficulties with sleep, you can talk to TALKWORKS. Our team of therapists and employment specialists are here to work with you to give you the tools to get back to feeling like yourself again. TALKWORKS is available to adults, age 18+, living in Devon (excluding Plymouth) free of charge through the NHS. You can self-refer to our service through our online self-referral form, or you can speak to one of our friendly administrators by calling 0300 555 3344. Alternatively, you can book an appointment with your GP and they can make a referral on your behalf.