[Update from 10-year old child's mother] Would you pass onto Colin that last week during half term, he managed to have a day at a football camp followed by a sleep over with one of his best friends from his last school. The fact he even managed the day at a new camp with very little worry was fabulous to see. Sleeping over was a massive step for him and he took it in his stride (or at least he pretended he did), he was incredibly proud of himself and buzzing.
[10-year old child] I don’t feel scared to be away from my mum and dad anymore. I can play football and go to school without feeling scared and I don’t feel frightened all the time of panic attacks anymore.
[Mother of 10-year old child] My son has always been a confident, sporty boy who loved the outdoors. Panic attacks began to creep in and eventually snowballed into him being petrified to leave the house or to be left in a room without me in case the panic started. His anxiety was consuming him. We had tried lots of CBT and school were incredibly supportive but he had stopped doing the things he loved without constant fear, playing for his football team, staying at friends houses, visiting his cousins and lots more. When a friend suggested we see Colin, my son was sceptical that anything would ever make him better.
It was clear after the first session that my son's mindset had changed. Colin gave him the confidence to believe he would get better. He looked forward to sessions with Colin and after each one there was a noticeable difference to his levels of anxiety. We simply cannot thank Colin enough for how far we have come since last year. The confident, sociable child is back and he knows that if things change again and the panic and anxiety return that he can get better.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you again for always being there for me with your special blend of kindness, empathy and encouragement.
Colin is such a lovely person and is incredible to work with, he saved me when I was frozen in existence following trauma. I had a heightened level of anxiety and felt unsafe to be alone, scared of myself, due to my situation. Scared of anyone male and new, places and life. But I’m so glad I worked with him, rather than a woman therapist or anyone else, he was the right person to help me at the right time.
He reassured me, in a safe environment. Helped me to move forward, manage situations, giving me techniques to help me to help myself along my journey from trauma to recovery. When I wasn’t strong enough we found a way forward and I learnt how to be with my feelings that came out of no where.
I’m 7 months on from when I started working with him and my life is so different now. I am a completely different person back working. With his amazing help, I am living a full life again, happy and forward thinking. I feel so much stronger and if I ever experience a difficult day, I remember his guidance and it keeps me moving forward.
If you are trying to decide whether he is the right person to help you. Everyone needs a Colin at some point in their life, he helped me recover, find life and myself again and I will always be eternally grateful! I would work with him again if I needed to and highly recommend him.
It is with tears of pure gratitude, that I write to you with no words that are adequate to express our sincere appreciation for your hard and timeless devotion and work to heal my daughter. After twenty years of different types of therapy, feeling lost, like I couldn’t really settle, feeling like two separate people but not really being able to understand why, having relationship difficulties and an eating disorder that I could never really get under control, I was recommended to Colin by a friend. If you are a veteran reading this because you are researching something for yourself but don’t know who, or what, to reach out to, you are in the right place! |
I got in touch with Colin summer 2020 when I was having a really hard time understanding my thoughts and feelings. I started taking antidepressants in the winter of 2020 which was helpful, but then COVID hit and things just seemed to spiral out of control from there. I made contact with Colin when I felt quite desperate. It is difficult to describe the depths of despair I was experiencing, I began to think it would be better to be dead than go on in the state I was in. I rang Colin in this state of desperation, I did not know where to turn. I started working with Colin in February 2014 and I was a wreck, I was always stressed, had anxiety as well as depression. I was fearful every day and could either be as high as a kite or couldn't get out of bed. Through working with Colin over the last 5 months I have completely returned to the bubbly, happy person I was many years ago. I was involved in a potentially life threatening accident which left me very anxious and depressed. This put a tremendous strain on my marriage and relationship with my family. I was diagnosed as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. I was referred to a psychologist called Colin Howard, and I received a treatment called EMDR. The treatment has had a positive outcome for me and my family. I was treated with dignity and respect, Colin is a true gentleman, and is a true expert in his field. |
I am a 53 years old and since the age of 3 or 4 experienced one trauma after the other including sexual abuse, neglect and was orphaned by age of 13. Life has always been an uphill struggle and the feelings of self loathing and failure have continued throughout my whole life. Failed marriages, bankruptcy self imposed ill health both physical and mental. I’d seen therapists and counsellors many times. They tried to help and were good and kind but somehow nothing changed for me. I was often described as aggressive and obstructive....I’m neither. I was diagnosed with complex Post traumatic stress disorder, given antidepressants and left to get on with ruining my life.
Finally, I was introduced to Colin Howard in spring 2018. I was dubious for a while because I didn’t really understand the concept of EMDR. He explained it all to with patience and in simple terms and put me at my ease. I felt complete trust and confidence in Colin from the start.
Our sessions were often gruellingly difficult and exhausting , and at times I felt like a wrung out dish cloth! The next session would be lots of laughter and fun, but which ever way it went I always felt it was worthwhile and that something positive was being accomplished .
It’s been a good few months since I last saw Colin but this morning, out of the blue I had an experience which at one time would have sent me into an absolute meltdown and ruined the whole day. Instead, I chuckled at a memory that Colin and I had created during a session! It felt fantastic to know that I’m now in control of my emotions. I understand them. And I can live with them.
I encourage anyone seeking help with trauma to see Colin Howard. I will always be grateful to him.
