When I was 13 years old I experienced something that was unexplainable.  It was a moment of horror that seemed to come from nowhere. It was like a physical illness but the symptoms were fear and terror.  I had an intense worry that I was possessed by the devil because the feelings were so indescribably powerful and inescapable.  What was worse is that I felt unable to speak of what was going on. I was worried I would be locked away or worse.  It was shortly after that I heard a term I had never before - panic attack.   

This began a life of questioning. How did this happen to me? What is it and where did it come from? As I grew, so did my curiosity. This brought me to many places including working in writing and production in film and television.  

I became fascinated with the idea of character development. How did the character we are reading about or watching get to where they are? What in their backstory got them to where they are in the story?  

Over time the desire to know more about people grew more focused.  I began going to therapy when I was 22.  I have been going for the better part of the past 30 years.  What began as a quest to understand where my panic and depression came from, continued as a part of life - just like exercising or eating well.  It is in the curiosity, unpicking and discovering a better understanding of how I experienced myself  in the world, that pushed me towards making a shift in my life and doing my Masters of Science in Psychotherapy and Counselling.   

Part of the work may be getting to the bottom of issues, but often it is just being able to sit with another and allow you to explore the way you think about the world. I often find that in gently disrupting one’s system of thinking, doors can open to gain a deeper understanding of what may be troubling.