My Counselling Journey – Ruth’s Story
I had about 6 months of counselling with Bath Mind. Throughout this time, I felt, safe. believed, relaxed, at ease and excepted. I actually looked forward to my weekly counselling because I knew I could go in feeling stressed but come out feeling relaxed. Having had it all explained to me, I knew I could just let go of my feelings, as I was understood and knew l was in a safe place.
Understanding Myself and Moving Forward
What really helped was, that I was given “Explanations”, as well as “Diagnosis”, to explain and understand, why I have been the way that I am, all of these years and given ways to help cope and given research results, for example, Neural Pathways (patterns of thinking) which can actually be changed.
Difficult to do but was I given the strength to try and therefore, move forward. I was given a light in a dark place. So, I could try to have the life, I should have had many, many years ago.
A Supportive and Compassionate Counsellor
What I really liked about my counselling was the fact that I could bring anything to the table and work through it with my counsellor, who was obviously well trained, sympathetic, empathetic, friendly, helpful, encouraging, explanatory, funny, went above and beyond, and had a real interest in my welfare. They even gave me ways to make sure I could be amongst other people so as not to be on my own. I was then introduced to the wellbeing team, so the help did not end when the counselling did.
Life After Counselling
Friends have mentioned that they have seen a big change in me. They say I seem more relaxed and willing to communicate and converse.
I can now spot an intrusive thought. I just thought these were thoughts and other negative thoughts were true and normal, and this was how I was living my life. I did not understand the negative thoughts were due to the negative neural pathways. You can start to change these pathways and start to build new positive pathways.
A Message of Gratitude
I can not stress enough how much Bath Mind counsellors and the Wellbeing team are so critically needed, and more of them too, to go around, as so many people need their help. They need to be shown support, admiration and respect. These people are clever, kind, caring people and I do not know what I would have done or where I would be without them. Thank you so much Bath Mind.
Thank you so much to Ruth* for sharing this personal experience of accessing our Counselling and Wellbeing services. If you’d like to share your own lived experience of mental health through a blog, please email communications@bathmind.org.uk.
*Name has been changed to protect anonymity
Posted on: 24th June 2025