Talking Therapies

Phill’s Story

A bit about myself

I’m Phill, 42 years old, and I work as a control operator for an industrial paint company, where I’ve been employed for nearly 27 years. Outside of work, I enjoy attending concerts and live music festivals, and I also run a part-time eBay business.

What led me to seek help

In September, I had an industrial accident at work involving chemicals and glass. I rushed back to work before I was ready, both physically and mentally. About three weeks after returning, I had a breakdown. I would come home from work and break down crying. My wife, who works in care services, encouraged me to see a GP. The GP gave me a month off work, and I decided to reach out to Hull Talking Therapies on my own.

My experience of the sessions

I started with group CBT sessions, which I found quite interesting, and later moved on to one-on-one sessions. This was my first time accessing mental health support. During the sessions, my therapist got me to keep a mood diary, which was a big breakthrough. It helped me realise that I was really sad about what had happened. My therapist also taught me about hypothetical worries, which helped me separate myself from stress about things I couldn’t control. By the third session, I felt better than my old self in many ways.

What life is like now

I finished my sessions about two weeks ago, and my mood has significantly improved. I’ve had time to put the tools I learned into practice, quiet my mind, and get back to physical activities like going to the gym. I feel like I’ve slowly put myself back together with the help of my family and my therapist.

My message to others

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. There’s a stigma that it’s a sign of weakness, but it’s not. Many people struggle and need help. It’s important to take care of yourself, both physically and mentally. The tools provided by Focus and Hull Talking Therapies really work.

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