Testimonials
I had been suffering from dissociative seizures for about 2 years. I had seen various neurologists to try and stop them occurring. After many months, x-rays, mri scans etc, they eventually diagnosed severe migraine and told me I had developed a functional movement disorder that made me twitch down the right side of my body. At its worst the seizures were happening every day for hours at a time, the longest being 13 hours. I followed all the medical treatments and medications they prescribed, with limited success. At one meeting with my consultant, I asked his view of hypnotherapy, combined with CBT, and he was very supportive and encouraged me to try it.
So, on a personal recommendation from a friend, I went to see Mike Ward. I didn't know what to expect, but we just sat and chatted so he could find out all the facts of why I was seeing him. After that I saw Mike weekly and after only 2 therapy sessions, I was seeing a huge improvement in my condition. I have now stopped taking all medications, and I am happy to tell you that my seizures have almost stopped completely. I have had one light seizure in the past 3 months - a massive improvement. Mike helped me to regain control of my life with positive thinking, relaxation techniques, neuro-linguistic training and CBT.
I would recommened anyone, no matter what your situation is, to talk to Mike and see if he can help you too.
Working with Mike has made a transformative difference at a professional and personal level. He has helped me to gain control and increase my personal impact in the workplace, with a step-change in outcomes. That professional control has also helped my personal state of mind, bringing calm, greater happiness and improved relationships with family and friends. I am delighted with the impact and will be working again with Mike in the future. Dc 06/14
_______________________________________________________________________
I was around two months away from my A levels and I found myself under an enormous amout of exam stress and pressure to perform, as these results determined whether or not I got into university. I spoke to Mike and I instantly felt more positive, he has a way with words that just make you feel easier about things. Instead of feeling the exam stress I felt driven and ready to take my exams on. He allowed me to picture myself in the examination room, which really helped with my preparation. I listened to his hypnosis CD every night, specifically tailored for exam stress. This not only structured a positive frame of mind, but it also helped me to get to sleep and rest. I think Mike played a big part in helping me to achieve the mindset required to pass my exams. Which I did and am at university now !!! I highly recommend Mike, if you have exam stress or anxiety get in touch with him. 06/14
_______________________________________________________________________
The doctors gave me a list of therapists and I chose to see Mike. The first day I met him I was in a bad and dark place,mentally,physically and emotionally with depression. After the first session I remember for the first time in months I was able to actually smile. With every session I found myself having a clearer mind, more focussed and just generally returning to my old self. Mike was able to develop my visions and the way I was thinking and he managed to turn me around back to my old happy self. He pit most things into a context I could respond to and understand clearly. Having therapy sessions with Mike is one of the best things I have ever done, and I would like to say a massive thankyou for everything he has done for me. If I new how good he was I would have see him a lot sooner than I did. 06/14
_______________________________________________________________________
I spoke to Mike on the phone as I had very bad nerves for my driving test. Because of my nerves I could not think straight and I was shaking. I had a word with Mike and we spoke about only thinking about passing. On the following Monday I had my second attempt at the driving test and I went with a clear mind and passed! Mike was a great help and I would like to thank him for his phone call, it was very helpfull and I did everything that we talked about and it worked! Amazing how what you think affects how you do. 02/14
I first came to see Mike suffering from yet another bout of depression and anxiety. This time my symptoms were severe. I had had enough, and didn't know what to do. After a thorough history, Mike also identified symptoms suggestive of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by my Doctor. Mike spent some time focusing on treating the PTSD. As a result not only did these symptoms begin to resolve but also my depression lifted. Looking back, it is likely that the real reason why I had never fully recovered from depression previously was due to underlying PTSD. Now, I can look forward to the future, positive in the knowledge that I can not only lead a life without depression, but optimistic that I can go on to fulfil my full potential in every sphere of life. 09/2013
I am a 18 year old male who on the surface looked like any other lad, enjoying life but after a difficult year with various health related issues,and going through a very messy break in a relationship, any sort of confidence I once had was destroyed. Towards the end of the year I started experiencing panic attacks out of no where. I would experience several panic attacks a day which consisted of a rapid heart beat, along with a tight chest and feeling dizzy. Before going to Mike these attacks would really scare me. It was if I honestly thought I was going to faint or even die! It was very hard to explain to family members as I knew they wouldn't know what I was going through, as it wasn't physical.
However when my family noticed my personality changing for the worst, they cottoned on that something wasn't right. That was when we looked for help.
We came across Mikes brilliant website online and we made the call for the first meeting. It got to the stage where I didn't trust anyone, I was even scared to see Mike by myself as I thought he may try to hurt me (yes thats how bad everything got). As soon as I met Mike he made me feel so relaxed. His outgoing and friendly nature made me feel so at ease from the start. What was good about Mike is that he got to know me in the first sessions, although at first I was very sceptical to talk about my problems. This was great, as after getting to know me he knew what course of treatment to offer me. I had personal issues with my pulse, it become a habit for me to check my pulse to see that it wasn't too fast. My daily life would be on constant hold too see if my pulse was normal, if it was slightly high for some reason this would more often or not trigger a panic attack.
After a few sessions of relaxation and hypnotherapy my panic attacks started to calm down, so with this I started to stop practising the specific techniques Mike had given to me. This foolish decision resulted in my panic attacks returning with some velocity. Of course I started becoming quite sceptical about Mikes work, and after talking to him about it and him giving me a lot of help to get back on track along side some real dedication to practicing at home, there was a very noticeable shift and change.
I was getting a lot more confidence back, and my bubbly talkative personality was becoming a lot more visible.
It wasn't an easy process, Mike can't snap his fingers and everything will be better, but what Mike did do was go deep into therapy with me to help find what the real problem was.
It was good that he was questioning my train of thought, as it helped re-wrire the way my brain thought.
As the panics started to die down eventually, I really wanted to get over a huge personal phobia of mine, flying. It had been 7 years since I had got on a plane due to sheer panic of crashing and dying. It was so bad that family holidays were arranged around me, not being able to fly. We drove to Italy as I just wouldn't get on a plane. I wanted to get over this as I had booked my first holiday abroad with my friends. I wanted to make sure after paying £400 I was going to turn up and get on the plane.
After telling Mike all of this he devised a specific routine to help me in the build up to my holiday. In the space of 3 sessions over 6 weeks Mike had made me feel like I could actually get on the plane, and I would be ok.
6 weeks later, I got myself on that plane. Whilst obviously being nervous, Mikes strategies and techniques helped me deal with everything, and I know next time I can get on a plane without any anxiety.
What was very good about Mike is that you could tell he wanted to help.I also always felt as if I could make contact at any time to tell him anything what was happening or going on, he was incredibly approachable and I never felt as if I was pestering him.
It's a cliche but Mike really did change my life, no longer do I suffer with any panics, I can just get on with my life living in normality.
If you are contemplating or in two minds what to do, arrange to see Mike and I can promise you will look back on it as one of the best decisions
you have made.
J. 08/13
Mike, thank you so much for all your support, its been a pleasure meeting you, trusting you to work with and learning so much, which has helped me to move forward positively. I want happiness and contentment within and working with you I know that I can achieve that. Good luck with all that you do. D August 2013.
I had heard through colleagues about the type of work Mike provides and also that he has a very high sucess rate, especially with anxiety and panic. I had not been having a good time and decided to go and see him. He certainly knows his 'stuff' and in the first session I was already on my way, thinking differently, the session was great as it just felt like a conversation. I have got to say that after 3 sessions I just had a completey different, healthier view, feeling more relaxed and calm. Im also not sure what else Mike provided, though what I do know is that when I returned back to work, and since then I have been outperforming all my targets. Just a massive thanks wow Im still buzzing ! B.T
I believe all of my sessions have really helped and changed me. When I first started I was really self conscious and my confidence was at its lowest. I used to cover myself up with thick baggy clothes and my thinking was very negative. From my sessions these helped me realise that my negative thoughts, were just purely thoughts and not reality. I also learned how to replace them with more positive thinking. I am happier, more relaxed, not obsessing over how I look or comparing myself to others anymore. I also used these sessions to overcome my fear, of heights, escalators and have been calm when a dog has come up to me and walked past me. I feel like I am a new man, I believe I am a more confident person, involving myself more and making new friends. With all these improvements, I am loving life and worrying less.
Dan age 16.
I have had 8 truly beneficial sessions with Mike. I have been to therapy before and found it has dragged on and on with the therapist not really helping, or making suggestions that didn't relate to me at all. One counsellor seemed to actively encourage me to cry more and dwell on how terrible everything was. But Mike is a breath of fresh air! He worked with me, he really listened and understood who I was and what I wanted. He helped me work through the difficult issues, but was quick to never let me relive them. He gave me great tools to take away and use and by the end of my sessions I knew I was ready to leave.
He works as your equal and he is easy to talk with. Mike has a wealth of knowledge and skills and he is fascinating to listen to. I can actually say I thoroughly enjoyed my sessions. Mike is a truly likeable man and an excellent Therapist, I can't recommend him highly enough.
LG
My sessions have given me the confidence in what I want to achieve and do.
BH.
Fantastic progress in such a short time frame of 4 sessions, my anxiety and panic has completely gone
DD
I feel more confident now and am back in control of my life, thanks Mike
KT
My life has changed for the better, Im now taking care of myself and able to explore and enjoy things again
J.
If it wasn't for my therapy sessions and the support from Mike, I wouldn't be here, I feel confident and ready to walk back into the world, thank you so much.
TH
I am back to the person I want to be, no longer am i trapped in my thoughts
JW
Learning how to deal with my anxious feelings, learning that It was actually how and what I was saying to myself repeatedly that was creating the anxiety. I feel so relieved and calm now.
PT.
I was lucky enough to be offered a Gastric band operation a couple of years ago to help me with my long term battle with my weight.
It was amazing; it was like I had my life back again, I was doing things that I hadn't been able to do for years. I had lost loads of weight and was feeling great.
As time passed, I was more confident with my band and tried a few of the things that I had not been able to eat before. I found that chocolate was just as amazing as I had remembered it and best of all, it would pass through the band easily. I was craving this sugar rush much more than I had done before my operation and as a result I began to put back the weight that I had lost.
I was really struggling and felt I was letting myself down.
I mentioned this to Mike at a meeting we were both attending and he immediately said that I should come and see him as he felt sure that he would be able to help.
Well, anyone that knows me will tell you that I am the world's greatest cynic.
I will argue that red is blue and never be persuaded otherwise [mind you I am colour blind so I am allowed] but that is how difficult I am to convince about anything.
Anyway, Mike was so sure he could help; I thought I would just humour him and go along.
We had a very informal chat, I didn't feel that I was having any kind of 'treatment', we talked about the kinds of things that I enjoyed and what I hoped to achieve in the future. Mike asked about the things that I dislike eating and suggested that I put them in a box along with chocolate. I have to say that I was not at all convinced this was going to work but you know what they say,'nothing ventured nothing gained'.
I left Mike feeling very positive and more tuned into staying focused on my weight loss plan, and I have to say that I did not want any chocolate. It was not long before I realised just how effective this session had been, I not only no longer fancied chocolate, just the smell of it was enough to put me off.
It has been about six months since I took Mike up on his offer of help and I can say hand on heart that I am a believer. I am back on track with my weight and have not been able to eat chocolate since. I am assured that my aversion can be reversed when I am ready so all is not lost, but for the time being I am grateful for the support. In fact I am thinking about reopening my box and putting a few more tempting goodies in there.
I have no hesitation in recommending Mike to anyone. If it worked for me there is hope for everyone. I have always felt that mind over matter was a load of tosh but now I am living proof that is not the case.
I am very grateful to Mike and am confident that he will have a great future.
David
At a time of a massive life transition, Mike supported me and helped me to explore my choices available.From that I was able to see things more clearly and make the right decision. Looking back, my decisions were right. I would like to give a genuine heartfelt thank you to Mike for his unique skill in opening out my patterns of thinking.