Testimonials | Patsy Johnson Counselling

From Clients:

I've seen Patsy for counselling, on and off, for about two years.

Patsy’s kindness, empathy and ability to truly listen helped me work through my grief and begin to understand more about myself, including the importance of setting boundaries and looking after my own wellbeing.

Her gentle kindness and non-judgemental way make me feel totally safe and held.

Now I feel lighter and freer and know I can return if I choose to.

After losing my husband, I went to see Patsy during one of the most difficult times in my life. I had never experienced counselling before and was unsure what to expect, but Patsy immediately put me at ease and created a safe, supportive environment where I felt comfortable talking openly.

I will always be grateful for the support Patsy gave me and would highly recommend Patsy to anyone facing bereavement or other life challenges.

My sessions with Patsy have made a positive and lasting impact on my wellbeing and outlook. She provided a calming environment to help me speak freely and openly. I would highly recommend Patsy to anyone seeking a skilled, empathetic, and professional counsellor.

I found my sessions with Patsy extremely helpful. I was struggling with various issues and she made me feel at ease and never judged. With her help, I was able to make great progress and I'm really glad I went to see her.

George

My husband and I were on the brink of splitting up but wanted to try counselling to see if it would help, with neither of us expecting it to change things between us. We saw Patsy individually for one session each which was really useful, as neither of us had done anything like this before. This gave us an insight into working with a counsellor and allowed us both to be completely honest about what’s been happening without fear of judgement from the other. We then saw her together for three sessions and Patsy has helped us realise that we do have a future together. We didn’t communicate very well at all beforehand but now have adopted new techniques for opening up conversations between us. Our family life is so much better and we’ve learned that it’s vital to work on our relationship, otherwise it will stagnate and potentially fail. We really appreciate Patsy’s support, helping two people who aren’t used to talking about their feelings open up more, and realise that they have a future together.

Couple, together for 20 years

Patsy provided a safe and containing space for me to explore what I needed to about my early experiences and how this was negatively impacting on my current life.

She is kind, understanding and very insightful. I feel stronger, clearer and at peace.

A huge thank you Patsy. I would thoroughly recommend her.

-CE

At my lowest point, feeling that I had no where to go and no one that would understand, I feel fortunate that I was directed to Patsy. From there I felt an ease to be open, discuss, learn and feel my way back to a position where I could be honest and move forward from a position of hopelessness and loss, to find myself and my identity as an individual. Moving forward positively and enjoying my journey now.

-A Male 50 - Registered Nurse

Just over a year ago I lost my husband to a short-term illness. I was completely traumatised and had no idea how to cope with all the different emotions and anxieties I was feeling. I had become a complete shadow of myself. I had always been a strong-minded person, very career driven and never thought that counselling would be something I would need. However, I realised this time around that this was not something I could just fix within myself and that I really did need help. I really did not know what to expect and I can honestly say that Patsy has not disappointed. I have found her to be a great listener, who has taught me that it is fine to cry and let my emotions out. I have learnt new ways of thinking and looking at situations. I have also learnt a lot about myself too which has helped me both in my personal and professional day to day life. I cannot recommend Patsy highly enough.

-AH - Professional Career

I came to see Patsy at a difficult time in my life, I felt lost and couldn't explain why I was feeling the way I did or see a way to navigate it.

Patsy helped me to explore the experiences that had led me to where I was, going right back to my childhood and to realise that I could view myself differently. Patsy helped me develop coping strategies but most of all self-awareness.

I am still continuing my journey but the positive changes in my life have been incredible. Patsy is a skilled counsellor with vast experience, nothing shocks her and she is always ready to listen free of judgement.

- Anonymous

“I approached Patsy on a couple of occasions due to a mixture of reasons involving a chronic family situation that occasionally has acute flare-ups and a difficulty dealing with a long-term relationship and eventually a breakdown of the same.

On both occasions I felt a sense of hopelessness, depression, unable to cope with my emotions and feeling of being lost without seeing the way forward.

My sessions were sometimes very hard, some had me crying a lot, but what I clearly recall is that no matter how hard the subject matter had been, I left every session with a feeling that I am finally unpicking that puzzle called life, step by step.

Patsy is patient and compassionate while being proactive and constructively challenging when she needs to be. Patsy doesn't solve your problems, but she assists you in understanding yourself, your feelings and their origins, always incredibly articulately, and guides you through the process of discovery, both of yourself and finding your own lasting solution. I simply cannot recommend Patsy highly enough.”

"After experiencing a traumatic event and some big life changes Patsy’s sessions provided the perfect place to work through what had happened. Thanks to her ability to listen, ask the right questions and offer insights I have been able to better process some events that, if left unchecked, threatened to really get in the way of my everyday life.

Thanks to Patsy’s continuing support I’m confident that no matter what happens in my week I’ll have a time I can share it, make sense of my reaction to it, and won’t be tackling things on my own. This makes a huge difference to my life. Despite some emotionally charged memories surfacing during our sessions I genuinely look forward to them. They are often very cathartic and I usually come away having learned something useful about myself, and feeling a weight has been set down.

Each week I get to speak with someone who obviously has decades of experience and expertise, and who’s only aim is to provide non-judgemental support, understanding and guidance. I highly recommend her approach; whether you’ve experienced a big trauma recently or simply want to notice and let go of some unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with better ones. Patsy is warm, patient and encouraging and creates an excellent environment for me to switch up my thinking and grow.

- Anon

"Patsy has been my counsellor since 2019. During this time she has walked along side me on my journey to find my place on my path of healing. Patsy has a wealth of experience which has brought a richness to our therapeutic relationship. She has genuine empathy and patience. Patsy is never judgemental and holds me in a safe space especially in my distress.

The difference this has made to me is huge. I have felt a shift in how I see myself, and Patsy gently reminds me of my strengths, my ability to deal with my problems resiliently and to remember my achievements. During lockdown our sessions have been via a video platform. Despite this the quality of my counselling has not lessened. I still feel the power of her presence.

In terms of value for money, Patsy's rate for her service is reasonable and for me affordable. It does not reflect her vast talent and experience which is priceless.

Bless you Patsy."

- Pam

"I just wanted to say thank you again for everything. When I came to you a big part of me was lost, sad about the past and doubtful about the future. You helped me find that part of myself that I wanted to get back and now I am stronger than ever and living every single day with the biggest smile on my face.

I learnt a lot about myself during my time with you and I think about our sessions often. I always felt safe and reassured after talking with you, especially during my lowest points. "

- Laura

"Thank you for all you've done for me, your professionalism, warmth and caring attitude helped me so much. Yes I shed floods of tears but I had to and you allowed me to unlock my emotions and let it all out."

- N

"The seeds of resilience, self-belief and self-acceptance were planted and watered in the hours we spent together. I just want to thank you so much for every word you gave me in those sessions and for the journey of healing and self-discovery you enabled me to take. You have to know that the work you do and have done is so utterly life changing for the people like me that you see."

- M

"My wife and I came to see you some 6 or 7 years ago for counselling regarding our marriage... unfortunately the marriage counselling did not work, or perhaps it did, we just realised that our marriage was broken and unfixable. However, I continued to see you for myself as I had issues from childhood and my marriage that you helped me to accept, address and more importantly move on from.

I would like to thank you for helping me and guiding me through a period of my life when I wasn't in the best of places and I can't thank you enough for that. I am now in a really good place mentally and always think about certain things you brought to my attention. Since I last saw you, I have been through a divorce, had some time out for myself and then started dating. I have met a wonderful lady with amazing qualities, bought a house and got remarried."

- Paul

"Patsy helped me to realise that I was okay and what had gone on in my past need not affect my future. She made me feel at ease and created a safe environment to explore my issues."

"Patsy was recommended to me through a friend as I'd been struggling to get through an extremely tough period in my life. Making that first appointment was a little scary, yet it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made! Patsy's caring and understanding manner immediately put me at ease and I felt comfortable talking to her about everything. Thank you Patsy for helping me to get my life back on track!"

- Naomi

"After reading several self help books I felt that I had all the information I could take so why was I so down, what was missing? I felt stuck. I contacted Patsy and am delighted that I did. At last I have moved forward in my life with Patsy’s help. She is professional, warm and very patient''

"Patsy has helped me to be able to experience life in a more boundaried and richer way. Without her I may still be struggling with issues that I was burdened with for years. I remain very grateful to her for the work we did together."

"I had reached a point in my life where I seriously needed to talk to somebody because I was finding life unbearable, but knew that I would never do anything that would endanger my life. Patsy helped me to turn my life around and made me see that I did have a future. Her warmth and empathy enabled me to see that I did have options in life and gave me back the belief in myself."

"During my sessions with Patsy I felt at ease and knew that I would not be judged. Using her counselling skills Patsy enabled me to explore and understand my feelings and thoughts which has helped me a great deal."

From Supervisee

"I would say that supervision is excellent with useful insights and encouragement when the work is difficult, including relevant recommendations with regard to reading material or worksheets that may benefit the client and increase my knowledge. A collaborative, productive and creative partnership.

- Supervisee

"I saw Patsy for about 3 years, following a childhood trauma. I have seen many counsellors before Patsy and she was by far the best and has helped me considerably. She listened without judgement and offered excellent practical advice alongside the more academic approach from books and other research materials. I now feel far more equipped to cope with the internal chatter and any triggers which arise. If you are considering counselling, i can't recommend Patsy highly enough and it will be worth every penny and every tear!"