So I thought it would be nice to include some of the longer testimonials here in the resource area so that you can get a true picture of my clients’ experience of working with me, in full and unedited!
Joanna came to me with long-term M.E/Chronic Fatigure Syndrome and as you may know, I recovered from the same condition, so in our first conversation, we both already knew each other really well. I say this because the longer I have worked with clients, the more you see that illnesses have, broadly speaking, themes. Because I myself experienced M.E/CFS, I already know the theme for M.E/CFS, and I know the type. I can find another “me”/ M.E in any crowd!
What’s the theme for M.E/CFS you ask?
Theme: Over-responsibility. And especially emotional over-responsibility at a young age.
So when Joanna and I first spoke we had a long conversation about all the things we’d both tried but hadn’t worked for us – and we had the exact same list! The good news, though, was that my approach was different. The thing about alot of the approaches we’d both tried, is that they are non-specific to the emotional theme of M.E. The Lightening Process and CBT are both specific but the problem is not the theory – it’s the approach/application that didn’t work for many people.
CBT was a big failure for me – in fact they created almost a bigger problem for me. During my sessions they kept pointing out that the reason I was tired all the time was because “I did too much” this became a limitation for me when I recovered because both my family and me, were scared every time I pushed myself to succeed. My CBT sessions didn’t help nor cure me, but what they did give me was a very strong fear of my ability to cope with hard-work and success again. I have had to do alot of personal work to remove that! A health and success coach with this kind of fear was not going to work! It was a very deep limitation they indoctrinated me with in my sessions and to this day, whenever I tell my mum I’m busy she always still says to me, “be careful you’re not doing too much.” And I have to lovingly tell her that it wasn’t “doing too much” that made me ill. The CBT people had it wrong. It was over-responsibility that was the problem.
Anyway, here is Joanna’s full testimonial of our work together. She’s now fully recovered and going from strength to strength in her work and I am so pleased to have been able to help another person recover from M.E/CFS.
“Having lived with ME/CFS since diagnosis in 2004 I have struggled to maintain any kind of normality in my personal, social and working life. I had tried the Lightning Process, CBT, NLP, pacing, acupuncture and gave up my job but nothing provided me with a sustainable solution to my illness. I was on a rollercoaster of wellness followed by crashes which would have me in bed for weeks and months. I had no social life as I would always crash just before a event, so I stopped planning outings as I was having to ‘save myself ‘ to ensure I could fulfill daily tasks.
After coming across Sharon through her Plymouth Women in Business Talk I found the initial conversation we had so enlightening, so much so that I knew I wanted to work with her. To be honest I was concerned about the cost of a course but realised that it was an investment in myself and that I deserved it in fact I believe that was my first step in recovery. I was concerned about sessions via the internet as I know I struggle using the computer. I really appreciated being able to have my first 2 sessions ‘face to face’ after which I was shocked how well I took to online meetings!
I found my sessions with Sharon engaging and fulfilling. She is so knowledgeable and is able to relate theory to practice readily. I enjoyed how we were able to focus on my daily experiences and provide solutions. The steps to building up the practice were very helpful and a logical process. I began to respond quickly, actually after that initial conversation. As my positivity, joy and knowledge grew so my health improved to the point that I was able to say “I no longer have ME”. This was highlighted when I was able to successfully deal with an incredibly stressful challenge that normally would have had me crashing and bed bound.
With Sharon’s help I have completely adapted how I live my life in small but powerful ways. I have created healthy habits and developed a structure that works for me which is both manageable and achievable to ensure that I maintain my new found wellness.
I would happily recommend you to others living with ME/CFS.
Thank you, Sharon for giving me the opportunity to get my life back.”
Joanna S
Self-Employed Artist, Cornwall