Choosing someone to talk to can feel a bit daunting. To help you decide if I am the right person for you, please read some of the comments my clients have made about me and my service. These testimonials are produced with the consent of the individuals who wrote them.
"I decided to seek counselling after a very traumatic breakup with my partner. I wanted to understand my feelings, not just to be able to move forward, but to be able to use this difficult experience to grow. I found Alex's website, liked it, and we arranged a meeting within days. Immediately I met Alex, I knew she was the right person for me. I found it easy to be open and honest with her about my thoughts and feelings, and she was able to help me unravel emotions that had been influencing me all my life. Finally I understood what was going on! With Alex by my side, I have been able to become free from the inner rules and regulations I set down for myself, and have embraced a brave new world - my world, on my own terms. Thank you Alex" S, (f), 50
"I was referred to Alex for severe anxiety problems that were affecting me both at home and at work. I was apprehensive about whether counselling could help me because my symptoms had no obvious cause. However, I immediately felt at ease with Alex thanks to her kind, caring and patient manner and ended up pouring out everything to her. Her understanding and the message that this wasn't the unsolveable rarity that I so feared helped me immediately. Subsequent sessions quickly got to the long-running, multiple issues that collectively had knocked me out of my usually well-balanced mental state. I learnt about what anxiety really is, how to recognise my symptoms before they took over, how to keep things more in perspective, and numerous mental tools that could be used several times a day to really make a difference. Exercises in relaxation were probably most beneficial of all and mentally I went from such a bad place to a prolonged good place in a very brief period of time. Using what I had learnt I even managed to dig myself out of a mini-relapse during a period when I wasn't having counselling." B, (m), 36
"I had five sessions of counselling through a referral to Alex, which were a huge support through a very difficult time. Alex is extremely professional, offered appointment times to suit me, in a very calming, relaxing environment. Alex is very insightful and was able to help me to rapidly see the situation from the outside looking in, and to help me find a way to resolve the problem. Alex also provided techniques to use in between sessions to continue the momentum of the sessions, which enabled me to make significant progress in the relatively short period of counselling with Alex. Alex has also provided recommendations for further support and organisations that could help me in the future." T, (f), 35
"When I originally made contact I felt I was looking for answers. It took surprisingly little time for Alex to change that and soon I realised that it was not the answers that were missing but the right questions. Alex acted as a facilitator for the changes I wanted to make and I found the whole experience constructive, practical and useful, as opposed to humiliating and embarrassing as I had secretly feared it might be. My situation revolved around a changing 'phase' to life – so whilst I have made some adjustments to my own behaviour it is my thought process that has changed forever and I don't believe I was getting there on my own!'" D, (m), 55
"I was referred to Time To Change after being involved in an incident at work. I was somewhat apprehensive about going to counselling, as as opening up to people I don't know is something that does not really come naturally to me, but on meeting Alex, I found her to be friendly and approachable. I found the first session quite difficult, but after that I started to quite enjoy the counselling, thanks to Alex's professional and knowledgeable expertise in her field. I would not hesitate to recommend Alex to anyone who may consider counselling for any issue." S (m), 35
"I was referred to Alex for severe anxiety problems that were affecting me both at home and at work. I was apprehensive about whether counselling could help me because my symptoms had no obvious cause. However, I immediately felt at ease with Alex thanks to her kind, caring and patient manner and ended up pouring out everything to her. Her understanding and the message that this wasn't the unsolveable rarity that I so feared helped me immediately. Subsequent sessions quickly got to the long-running, multiple issues that collectively had knocked me out of my usually well-balanced mental state. I learnt about what anxiety really is, how to recognise my symptoms before they took over, how to keep things more in perspective, and numerous mental tools that could be used several times a day to really make a difference. Exercises in relaxation were probably most beneficial of all and mentally I went from such a bad place to a prolonged good place in a very brief period of time. Using what I had learnt I even managed to dig myself out of a mini-relapse during a period when I wasn't having counselling." B, (m), 36
"I had five sessions of counselling through a referral to Alex, which were a huge support through a very difficult time. Alex is extremely professional, offered appointment times to suit me, in a very calming, relaxing environment. Alex is very insightful and was able to help me to rapidly see the situation from the outside looking in, and to help me find a way to resolve the problem. Alex also provided techniques to use in between sessions to continue the momentum of the sessions, which enabled me to make significant progress in the relatively short period of counselling with Alex. Alex has also provided recommendations for further support and organisations that could help me in the future." T, (f), 35
“I was referred to TIME TO CHANGE for face to face counselling. At the time I was suffering with anxiety and felt a little apprehensive however on my first visit at the centre, I was highly surprised how welcomed I felt on arrival. This initial welcome made me feel more relaxed for the introduction to my counsellor. My first session and ongoing sessions focused on my feelings and how I was doing. After a few sessions I became inspired and it had given me the opportunity to open up about things in my present and past that may have prevented me from complete self fulfillment. I am now moving forward in my life, participating in positive things and I can truly say is was MY TIME FOR CHANGE and I thank you for this.” R (f), 34
“I decided enough was enough and wanted to change me, well not me literally but my thought process. I tended to worry/panic/try to please everybody else rather than put myself first. I worried what people thought of me and after a period of time I had really had enough. I found Alex through the internet and loved the website and the logo – time to change – and that is what I wanted to do. At first I thought Alex must think “what have I here?” but again that was my thought process. We got to the bottom of why I started to think the way I did. I have begun to think better and do really feel a happier person. At times I do have very mini ‘old me’ thoughts but talk myself through them and feel good that I now can. My aim was to be able to think differently and I sure am. Thanks Alex, I would highly recommend you.” J (f), 34
"I was referred to Time to Change and I was given an appointment very soon after, which was great as it fitted around my work hours. I found Alex very helpful and insightful. She was easy to talk to and is on completely neutral territory, and helped me to look at things in a different light. To say the least my life has completely changed for the better from what it was before my counselling. Very recommended." C (f), 42
"I was sceptical about therapy, but after years of encountering the same problem in social situations, I decided something had to be done about it. After a series of sessions with Alex, I discovered the root cause and learned how to deal with it. Without Alex's help, I don't think I would ever have come to this level of self understanding. There's no miracle cure, but the positive results are obvious to me and others." G (m), 50
"Alex is a true professional, in that she is reliable and flexible. Appointments are easy to make and the first appointment was available within a few days. She has a lovely steady, calming manner and makes you feel at ease. I found it amazing when she would summarise what I had said ... I wanted to shout "yes, that's it, you've got it!" To find someone who could make sense of the mess in my head was such a relief. She has an ability to interpret what you are saying with such accuracy, sensitivity and gentleness. Following my sessions with Alex, I feel like a different person - sometimes you need a guide in life who isn't emotionally connected to you - I feel that I have said goodbye to some past demons and can move ahead with my life more confidently and happier in my own skin. I would definitely recommend Alex to anyone who is considering counselling."
C (f) 30
"I had several sessions with Alex over a six-month period and they have had such a positive impact on my life. After several years of suffering with depression and a series of emotional problems I am a different, more positive person now. I deal with situations in a much more balanced manner and can now do things in a social environment that I never dreamed were possible. I cannot express how grateful I am for all her support during our sessions on what was a very difficult, emotional time. I would recommend her sessions to anyone."
D, (f), 40
"I have and would again recommend Time to Change to anyone in need of support. Sessions with Alex Pledger have helped me to work through some personal issues in a safe place. Thanks to this I am gaining confidence and feeling emotionally stronger and more able to cope with the pressure and stresses of life." E, (f), 35
"I was sceptical about trying counselling. I looked around on the Internet for a while, reading about other peoples experiences, I decided to look for a counsellor and approach them with an open mind. I saw Alex's website and the name was the first thing that struck me. "Time to Change" that fitted perfectly with my main goal, it was time for me to change. I got in touch with Alex and quickly had an initial assessment in the diary. I was nervous at first and during the first meeting I immediately felt at ease. Alex is very professional and clearly good at what she does. I soon booked an appointment for the following week. Since then I have appreciated Alex's professionalism, reliability and responsiveness should I need an appointment quickly. It has been a life changing few months for me, mostly for the better and that's thanks to Alex. Alex works with you to ensure you are getting what you want from the sessions, she has helped me turn my life around. I felt like I was in the doldrums but now I am a much happier, more positive and open person. While I appreciate it is Alex's job, I am grateful for how she has worked with me and turned my life around. If you are looking for a counsellor I would highy recommend Alex." R, (m), 30
>"I came to Alex looking for help with a history of long term depression and substance mis-use. The integrative approach Alex uses really appealed to me as I had found previous counselling, such as CBT, of limited use. Working with Alex has allowed me to explore the root cause of my behaviours in a safe space and allowed me to make gradual but significant changes which I can truly say have transformed my life" R, (f), 40
"Alex is a fantastic counsellor, very flexible, which is important to me as I work shifts, my initial appointment was arranged shortly after making initial contact, which was also important as there was no long wait for an appointment. I noticed that I started to feel a lot better within a few sessions, each session I felt I have grown from strength to strength and have continued on this positive path. Within a few months I feel like a totally different person, certainly not the same person who sat in the chair across from Alex just a few months ago. From first meeting Alex I felt very comfortable and relaxed, she put me at ease, is supportive and helpful and our sessions flowed at a steady pace. The centre is also very relaxing too. Counselling helps you to see things in a very different light. I'd definitely recommend speaking to Alex if you are feeling down or depressed, have low self esteem, have relationship issues, feel that you have very little confidence or feel that you are stuck in a rut and need a change of direction. It's a telephone number that I've kept and know that she is only a phone call away should I ever be in a position where I need to talk again." J, (f), 35
"I found Alex very professional throughout the time I attended for counselling, which was for a period of about 9 months. Due to the nature of my work, at times I had to rearrange appointments last minute where Alex was always very flexible. During the sessions themselves Alex was always punctual, good at listening and at gently probing to identify underlying issues. I would not hesitate to recommend Time 2 Change to anyone, even though I realise that making that initial contact is the most difficult thing to do." T, (f), 34
For further details including fees and terms and conditions, please contact Alex Pledger on alex at time-to-change.me.uk or 07779 004292.
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