"I Feel Like a New Version of Me": Ross's Anxiety Freedom Program Story
Anyone sitting on the fence about anxiety therapy has the same question: will it actually work for me?
That is why I sat down with Ross, a client who had just finished the Anxiety Freedom Program. He agreed to share, honestly and in detail, what he went through, what he tried before, and what changed. I asked him straight away to confirm he was not an actor. His reply made me laugh: anyone who has seen him act will know he is definitely not one.
You can watch the full interview here. Here is the story in his own words, with a few thoughts from me along the way.
Learn about Fast Award-Winning Anxiety Therapy In Newcastle & Online Here
Where Ross Was Before Working With Me
Ross had struggled with anxiety and stress for a long time, but lockdown made it far worse. Alongside it, he was dealing with oral thrush that he felt the NHS was not treating well. The two problems fed each other.
He described a mix of anger, frustration and low mood. He thinks of himself as a naturally positive person, yet he found even the good days hard to get through. He had real mood swings, and he would reach a point of simply breaking down. What worried him most was the effect it was having on the people he loved. He was desperate for a resolution.
If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. Anxiety rarely stays in one corner of your life. It leaks into your mood, your health, your relationships and your work.
Why NHS Techniques Did Not Work for Him
Ross gave the NHS a fair go. He spent a few months with them, mostly by phone because of lockdown restrictions. The suggestions were basic breathing techniques, writing down negative thoughts, and picturing an image to push the negativity away.
His verdict was honest. The breathing was fine but did not really relax him. The other techniques had no real positive effect. As an adult, he found the approach slightly patronising, as if the message was simply to try not to think about the nasty thoughts and he would be fine.
This is a story I hear often. It is not a criticism of the people delivering that care. It is a reminder that "just don't think about it" is not a strategy, and that many people need something deeper and more personal.
Why He Chose Private Anxiety Therapy
Ross told me private anxiety therapy felt like the only way forward. He was hesitant but open, and he was also honest about the cost. He had been out of work for a while and money was tight, so this was a big decision.
He looked for therapists in the North East. What stood out about our approach was openness. There was a free consultation, videos like this one, and detailed testimonials from real clients. That transparency gave him enough confidence to have a conversation and see how it went. As he put it, as soon as he had that first call he knew he wanted to work with me.
If you are weighing up the investment, I would always encourage you to take your time, speak to someone you trust, and make the decision that is right for you. Ross spoke to his mum before committing, and she kindly offered some support when she saw the state he was in. Afterwards, he said he does not regret a single penny.
What the Sessions Were Like
Ross said the thing he noticed first was feeling put at ease. Everything was explained, and he left the first session feeling like he had real tools he could use straight away.
He noticed early results, which he knew might sound like what everyone says. What helped was learning to stop himself reacting instantly to negative thoughts, and then work through them logically instead of letting them spiral. As the weeks went on, he learned different techniques for different situations and felt himself becoming more relaxed. He could feel a progression, and the benefits snowballed in a positive way.
This is exactly how the Anxiety Freedom Program is designed. It combines three pillars: clinical hypnotherapy, NLP and nutritional coaching. Each one supports the others, and most clients see their anxiety transform within four to six weeks.
The Food Connection
Ross was also dealing with candida, so we looked closely at his diet alongside the anxiety work. As part of the program we run a full food and wellness test to see whether anything is triggering anxiety symptoms.
People are often nervous about this. The fear is that they will have to cut out everything they love. Ross's experience was the opposite. Once he understood what was causing him problems, it opened things up instead of closing them down.
He now enjoys avocado and prawns, and he discovered sugar-free chocolate flavoured with coconut, blueberries and acai that he described as phenomenal. He and his mum started baking and trying new foods together. He also said his fitness improved so much that he feels healthier and faster than ever. The mind and body are one. When one improves, the other follows.
How Ross Feels Now
This was my favourite part of the interview. Ross was clear that he still experiences stress and anxiety, because everyone does. The difference is what happens next.
In his words, it still comes at him several times a day, but he no longer lets it fester. He does not overthink it, and it does not ruin his day. He picks the right technique for the thought in front of him and lets it go.
He explained the difference from his earlier experience like this: the message he had heard before was not to think about the thoughts, whereas our work acknowledges that they are there, analyses them, and then dispels them. He is not sweeping anything under the carpet.
People close to him noticed too. Some told him he seemed like his old self again. Ross's reply was that he actually feels like a new version of himself, and a much better one, because the old version was just keeping it all bottled up.
That is something I say to clients often. Many people tell me they just want to be the old them. But when you learn to handle anxiety properly, you become someone new: the person you were, plus all the extra skills and experience.
Taking It Into His Life and Work
Ross works as a tennis coach, mostly with children in wheelchairs, and also coaches basketball, where able-bodied and disabled players play side by side. He uses a wheelchair himself, and he used to feel anxious in crowds.
He told me the techniques have fed straight into his coaching. He was always a positive coach, but now he uses certain phrasings that add an extra layer of positive reinforcement. He is also looking forward to getting out more and doing things he could not do before, including feeling comfortable in crowds.
Ross's Advice If You Are on the Fence
I asked him what he would say to someone who thinks they need to resolve their anxiety but is not sure it will work. His advice was simple.
If anxiety is affecting your life to the point where you feel you might break down, or you avoid things because you expect something negative to happen, book your free anxiety consultation and talk it through. Look at the other testimonials too. He wishes he could prove he is a real person who is not being paid to say any of this, and he is as certain as he can be that you will not regret it.
Ready to See if It Can Work for You?
Ross's story is one of many. If you have tried the standard routes and they have not worked, there is another way, and it starts with a conversation.
Book your free anxiety consultation with me at Newcastle Hypnotherapy. We will talk through what you are dealing with, and I will tell you honestly whether I can help. You can see me in person at our clinic in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, or work with me online.
Thank you again to Ross for being so open and generous with his story.
Mark Morley is an NLP Master Practitioner and clinical hypnotherapist, and owner of the award-winning Newcastle Hypnotherapy.
Useful Mental Health & Anxiety Articles
10 Questions to Ask Before Starting Anxiety Therapy in Newcastle
Mark A Morley, The Anxiety Therapist In Newcastle
Anxiety and Alcohol: Why "Hangxiety" Happens and What It's Really Telling You
How Long Is the NHS Waiting List for Anxiety Treatment? What the Latest Figures Show
