Words from people who have walked this path
Every testimonial below is shared with full permission and deep gratitude. These are real experiences from real people who trusted me with something profoundly personal.
"Although I have only known Lexi for a short period of time, I have been struck by her warm, empathetic manner and ability to grasp the essence of (often complex and longstanding) family situations and illness history. She is able to understand issues from multiple perspectives (parent/carer, sufferer, clinician) and provide a fresh approach and suggestions in a situation which may have previously felt very stuck."
"I've struggled with Binge Eating Disorder since I was 18, and I have experienced feelings of anxiety and depression, on and off, alongside this. I started seeing Lex about a year ago and have had sessions frequently. I'm really pleased with the progress I've made thanks to Lex. She really understands what I am going through, and this specialist knowledge has helped me no end. Lex is warm and kind, and I have never felt judged. This allows me to talk openly and get to the bottom of issues. Lex's experience means she is able to tell me about techniques that can help and we have explored these together. No matter how down I feel, I always leave a session feeling better, as Lex always helps me to challenge my negative thoughts. I would highly recommend Lex to anyone looking for a counsellor. I still have work to do, but my confidence is increasing and I can finally see a way out."
"I have attended the Carers Group at YCED for approximately two years, since my son was diagnosed with anorexia. The group has been an essential source of support for several reasons. Firstly, to have a child with an eating disorder such as anorexia is a nightmare. One is always aware that this is a serious and potentially deadly illness. It also has huge ramifications on your daily home life because eating meals is such a fundamental part of life. Shopping and catering become a battlefield and the sufferer's moods are hard to manage and regulate. It is also very stigmatising to have a visibly anorexic child. All in all it is a hugely stressful experience for families. For me the group has been helpful in several ways. Firstly, to discover that we are not alone with these problems and other families share the same difficulties. Other families are at different stages of illness and treatment and we discover common ground, but also hope for the future too. I felt at first to blame for my son's illness, but now feel less so having heard from other families. There is huge value in being able to share these experiences with others who are living under the same strange regime. The second thing of value is that the group is usually facilitated by both a therapist (Alexia) and a member of the YCED team. Between them they are able to offer practical advice about services and help in managing our family members in a way that doesn't make things worse. They bring a wealth of experience from all perspectives of dealing with eating disorders. I think the YCED model of a Carers Group which is open to any friend or family member is an essential part of an Eating Disorder service and I have no doubt it has helped us recover as a family."
"Lexy has been working with my son for a number of months after he developed a phobia of getting into school and had begun suffering with panic attacks. From the first session his mindset started to shift and he is settling into school far more happily now. Lexy offered reviews with my son's consent so that I could keep up to date with his progress and I valued very much that I was kept in the loop. We have learned a lot as a family so she has had a brilliant impact on all of us, but especially my son. I would recommend Lexy to anyone."
"I have been working with Lexy for the last 3 months. I have been struggling with my self-esteem and low mood and I finally got around to doing something about it. I contacted Lexy and saw her by the end of the same week. I didn't know what to expect but she has helped me through the (initially daunting) counselling process to feel far more accepting of myself because I am learning how to look at myself less critically and from a less judgemental point of view."
"Alexia and a colleague ran some Empowering Families workshops for 12 of us which was aimed at teaching us to recognise anorexic behaviours in our loved ones, and how to cope with having our house polluted by such a devastating disease. At the time, I was feeling hopeless and frightened that I would never get my daughter back. I learned skills to help her and I also learned how to accept myself when I was constantly frustrated by not knowing what to do or what to say. It was hard to learn to see things from a different perspective but totally worth doing. I feel my anxiety now has reduced very much and I am better able to forgive myself when I don't have the answers. I'm very grateful to have attended the workshops."
"My daughter has had a troubled relationship with her body and with stress for some time. Having sought help through both school and CAMHs we were getting nowhere. I was given Alexia's name and as soon as I made contact Alexia committed herself to helping my daughter. She is professional and so friendly my daughter settled in really well and won't miss a session now! Alexia has helped so much and we are very pleased we were lucky enough to find her."
"I have been struggling with emotional eating for most of my life. Some of the sessions with Lex are at times challenging although I feel that my relationship with food is better than it has been in a long time. I know that there is a long way to go but I know there is hope whilst I continue to work with Lex."
"After struggling with eating issues for many years, I had begun to think that all hope was lost when it came to recovery, but that was until I met Lexy. She has worked alongside me, encouraged me and at times been the light guiding me through recovery. She is kind, personable and genuinely cares about helping people through dark times. I truly believe that I wouldn't have come this far without her support. She is relatable and inspiring and I couldn't recommend her enough for anyone looking to reach out for support whether it be for eating issues or any other struggles."
"Without Alexia I do not know where I would be now. I was reluctant to seek help. With Alexia I finally managed to share the troubles I was going through. She understood me, did not judge me and my confidence has increased so much having met her."
"I completed five sessions with Lex knowing that I was in a much better place mentally, yet wondering what she did that helped me so much. Looking back I realised that I was made to feel at ease so quickly that it felt as if I was talking to a friend who was allowing me to organise my thoughts and feelings to mentally move forward with my life. Lex is personable, caring and was genuinely concerned with helping me. I cannot speak highly enough of Lex and the help she has given me."
You do not need to know where to begin
The first session is simply a chance to meet, ask questions, and see how it feels. There is no commitment and no pressure to continue if it does not feel right.
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