Annette Ansell – Psychotherapist

The overall results from my sessions with Annette are remarkable. I've moved from the middle of my professional peer group at work to become the outstanding performer of the year. I work for a board member in a FTSE 100, and they have said the change in me is 'astonishing'. They have never seen anyone achieve the performance I've managed in such a short space of time and deliver such world-class results. I've made changes at home that improved my relationship, and I’m back in the gym!

Annette created the space for me to hear my own voice and explore my own thoughts, free from what others might want me to think, feel, or do. I was able to connect more deeply with my own personal purpose, and from that place of strength, I started to make small, safe changes over time. Annette used the humanality profiling tool which helped me flex my style to meet the different preferences of friends and colleagues and helped me work through some conflicting situations.

I worked with Annette on my personal development. I'd been getting consistent feedback about my behaviour at work, which was holding me back; I wasn't giving my best contribution, and I needed to unlock whatever it was that wasn’t working. Annette's style (working in partnership) with me helped me be honest and frank from the first session. I was able to see my own limiting mindsets and behaviours with a fresh perspective and this created the conditions for deep personal and professional change.

Having seen Annette for some time, I am getting better at being in touch with what I want and not giving in to my family all the time. Annette has been an incredible support when I felt lost and lonely, and somehow managed to get me back in touch with myself! I feel ready to fly solo now and to keep building on this trajectory.

The contrast between the little me that started seeing Annette and the big Me that I am now is stark. I was disappointed, disillusioned and depressed, always pleasing others. I felt exhausted and guilty all the time; I thought I was being mean and selfish, not wanting to do everything for everyone else, but it was not coming back for me. I now know I’d rather put up with the short-term discomfort (when others are disappointed) than live with the long-term resentment and exhaustion.

When I first saw Annette, I was completely ignorant about what kind of man I’d married. I thought it was me. When, after listening to my long, sorry story, Annette said, "Sian, it’s not you!” I burst into tears; I can’t describe that sense of relief, even though in the back of my head, I wasn’t so sure. The YouTube videos and books she recommended have saved my life, literally. I feel more aware and empowered now. I’m still a work in progress, but I know I’m on the right path.

Where to start?! When I first met Annette, I had no idea about so many things, and I was a mess! I didn’t know about rights, power and responsibility. I didn’t know I had been people pleasing for decades! I didn’t know that boundaries were so important!! I didn’t know how to voice my needs; I didn’t believe my needs were important!! It has been a massive journey, to say the least. I can’t thank Annette enough for her guidance and support. She has helped me through some very hard times.

How can I express my gratitude for the relationship Annette and I have built together over the years, as I have been training to become a therapist myself? I can only reflect on how much more unconditional love I have for myself; I am so much more self-compassionate now.

I’m so much more aware and feel empowered by going to see Annette. I’m still a work in progress, but I know I’m on the right path for me now. I know now that I’d rather put up with short-term discomfort than (that others are disappointed that I don’t say yes), than live with long-term resentment and exhaustion. I’m getting better at being in touch with what I want and not saying, “yes” to everyone and everything.