I was referred to Di for councelling during a particularly difficult time in my life. I felt like everything was falling apart, I felt incredibly low, and couldn’t see a way forward. I felt trapped in a life full of problems and upset. I was going through an acrimonious divorce from an extremely angry and controlling man. My (previously lovely) teenage daughter developed problems with anger and attention seeking behaviours, and I was in the midst of transferring my son with educational needs to an appropriate secondary school. The first sessions were, I recall, very painfull, sometimes distressing, although I always felt ‘relief’ after each session. After the first few sessions, Di was able to support me through my feelings, occasionally challenge them, and enabled me to see things differently, and change my own thoughts. She gave me strategies to make positive changes in my life and ‘permission’ to say no, clearly, without apologising, and self confidence to dis-engage from people with negative behaviours, be more assertive, focus on what was important, and spend time nurturing my children and their needs, rather than get caught-up in lifes dramas!! I was able to grieve for the marriage that had ended, without bitterness or resentment, and move on, a happy and confident single mum. (Four years later, both children are happy and settled and achieving in the things they want to) I cannot thank Di and praise her skills enough. She is a sensible, warm listener, and gently coached me when I most needed it