Your stories

“I feel so alone.” I can’t remember how many times those words crossed my mind whilst at university. More times than I have fingers, that is for sure. I was living in an exciting, new city. I was studying a subject I was passionate about with like-minded people. I was enjoying nights out with new-found friends. They’re just a few things that are sold to us as part and...

Louise Thompson, known for the glamour and glitz of Made in Chelsea, is more than meets the eye. In this honest interview with Happiful, Louise opens up for the first time about her battles with anxiety, depression, codependency and what was a self-destructive drinking streak. Louise, now 27, has been in the public eye for the majority of her adult life. Joining BAFTA-winning reality show Made...

I had two very difficult parents, both of whom had personality disorders. Throughout my childhood, I'd had my confidence stripped away and I eventually got to a place where I felt unable to cope with life. I had help from several counsellors over the years, but it was only when I found Penny that my life began to turn around. Slowly but surely, she unravelled all my misconceptions and...

I have sought many counsellors over the years but, I guess, I was never really 'ready' each time. It was 2014. After separating from my second wife and being thoroughly miserable living on my own in a strange town not knowing anyone, I decided I needed to change my life and the way I looked at things. I had lost all confidence in myself and was at a very low point. I decided I needed help, so...

I was offered counselling through an NE charity and, happily, I took up this opportunity. I saw a fab counsellor called Jenny for pretty much a year. She listened and empathised with me. I find it very hard to trust people and to let people in and it took a long time before I fully opened up in session. This is the only thing I regret about my experience of counselling - I wish I'd opened up...

Most of us, at some point in our lives, will be faced with the daunting sight of a crumpled life. The journey we then have to take is the journey through oneself, which is exciting and scary at the same time. This is the time when I turned to my counsellor, to give me the support, the tools and act as a sounding board through this journey. Thanks to our work, I have grown to know myself better,...

I remember the anxiety and self-doubt I used to experience, before receiving counselling. I used to feel so much concern about what other people thought of me. I spent too much of my time worrying and over-thinking.  "Does so and so really like me or not?...Does my boyfriend really love me?... What have I really got going for me?...." And on and on it went. As I write this, I feel I am...

I've always suffered from bouts of depression and anxiety, but never enough to seek help. That is until I had my son, Thomas, who's now three. After I split up with his father when Thomas was two, I was at an all-time low and worried about my ability to be a good mother. I found my counsellor nine months ago in a small ad, and checked out her website. She specialises in something called...

I am currently having counselling. I found the first few weeks quite difficult and emotionally very exhausting. But, it was also liberating. I was (and still am) going through a delayed grieving process which, amongst other things, I expect is why it was particularly intense. It is still very much 'work in progress' - cliché but an accurate description. My confidence has increased...