When Gary (not his real name) started counselling, he was dealing with the recent unexpected death of his partner; feeling socially isolated, experiencing suicidal thoughts and having difficulty managing his schizophrenia.

Over the course of the sessions Gary and his counsellor developed a strong therapeutic bond, enabling Gary to explore the impact that losing his partner so unexpectedly had had on him as a person, and his wider life. Issues and relationships from the past were also explored.

Gary worked hard to build trust with the counsellor, and to explore and challenge his anxiety. Despite this anxiety, Gary also pushed himself to regularly attend a local church, which led to him feeling less isolated.

Gary is currently trying out different community groups to find the right one for him, including the Springboard Café run by Sheffield Mind. 

Gary’s counsellor says it has been a real privilege to be a part of Gary’s journey.