Client Testimonials
Martyn, Lincolnshire
I was in a grey old place in my mind, a confusing, a challenging, a very unpleasant place at times and upon reflection, the dreams, the nightmares and the flashbacks were taking complete control of me. Family had noticed. Friends had noticed. Colleagues were concerned. But not me. I couldn’t understand and constantly made excuses; oh, I’m very tired, I have a lot on my mind and yet somehow, I continued to function in a very stressful work environment but struggled to function away from work. I didn’t understand why. I didn’t seem to have much if any control with sudden overreaction to the most innocent of an occurrence. I felt emotionally drained.
And then I was blessed with meeting Dr. Zoe. With patience, with care and with a lot of empathy during all our online sessions, my life began to change. Slowly and gently, my problems, my issues were unlocked, sometimes emotionally painfully but always with support and guidance and genuine care. Followed by the building process of learning how to manage the flashbacks and the nightmares and how to try to prevent the sudden explosive outbursts of anger and emotion for no apparent reason.
A context appeared, a reason appeared, along with understanding that I had genuine reasons for being how I had become, why I was reacting in the manner that I was.
Now, I experience the very odd bad dream, but I have been given the ability and the knowledge, by Zoe, to deal with this. The same with the odd flashback. My job remains extremely stressful at many times, but I am emotionally in such a better place and so much more able to deal with the stress.
I feel that thank you is insufficient but it is the best which I can do; thank you Zoe for all your help, your guidance, your empathy and understanding and your professional skill.
Anonymous
When I was referred for treatment with Liz I was in a very bad way. Despite having lived with anxiety and depression for twenty years, and having been treated with counselling, CBT and almost every antidepressant available over the years, I felt I had reached rock bottom. I was having suicidal thoughts on a daily basis, could barely function day to day and I had shut myself off from the world almost entirely. Immediately upon meeting Liz, I felt reassured and at ease. She completely ‘got me’ and noticed very subtle behaviours and body language that indicated to her how something made me feel. The EMDR treatment was tough and for me it wasn’t a quick fix, and I almost began to think it was never going to have any effect on my mood…and then it did!! Towards the end of my treatment my mood and confidence improved really dramatically, enabling me to take the next steps to get back out into the world again. I will really miss my sessions with Liz but not because I’m not ready to end my treatment but because she became a lovely confidante for me to share my warts and all life experiences with. At many stages throughout my EMDR treatment I didn’t believe I would ever get better, but with Liz’s help I have done it. I really don’t know where I’d be now if I had not been referred in for treatment, so I’m incredibly grateful to have received this treatment from such an intuitive, responsive and generous therapist. Thank you so much.
Anonymous
Liz was my EMDR therapist and I am very thankful for her patience, understanding, kindness and empathy. Liz explained the process of EMDR and was always really attuned to my needs and present in my sessions.
Liz was really empathic in reading my reactions and always ensured I was safe. There was a really nice gentle engagement into and at the end of the EMDR sessions.
After many decades of living with trauma and being unable to verbalise this, EMDR was the key to helping me live a healthier life. Although it’s still early days I feel the EMDR has already enabled a better sleep pattern, improved mood and reduced the physical effects of trauma and anxiety. I am less inclined to always meet other people’s needs before my own and have developed a greater sense of joy in things around me.
Starting EMDR was scary at the beginning because It was unknown to me and how it worked. However I would encourage anyone who has experienced trauma to give it a go and stick with it. The beauty of this therapy is not being re-traumatized by having to go into details verbally.
Paramedic
I’ve been a Paramedic for 20 years and have always thought of myself as pretty resilient. Over a six month period I attended an unprecedented number of traumatic incidents which resulted in a diagnosis of PTSD. I had heard of colleagues who had been for counselling and ended up consoling the counsellor after opening up about jobs they had been to. Warily, I went to see Dr Kingston with that in mind but need not have been worried. I was able to discuss these incidents in a safe and confidential environment.
I had been experiencing flashbacks which were reprocessed by using EMDR which, whilst unpleasant, were short lived and easily filed away. Debs explained the scientific process in a layman terms which helped me by understanding the theory behind the science.
During one of the incidents I had attended I’d been assaulted, this was more difficult to process as it linked back to a previous assault, something I hadn’t connected at the time. With Debs guidance, EMDR light bar and a lot of patience we finally put that one back in its box. For those of you in the emergency services you’ll understand the significance of that statement.
I can’t recommend Dr Kingston highly enough. She has a calm, slightly crazy approach, but she gets it. Her knowledge in her field is second to none but more importantly she empathises without patronising. A genuine thank you for literally saving my life.
Work Related Stress and Trauma
I sought help from Dr. Deborah Kingston during a very distressing period in my life. I had been exposed to significant trauma in my job over a number of years and was suffering and struggling to cope to the extent that it was having a negative and debilitating impact on my every area of my life. Deborah was recommended by a friend and although it took a huge amount of courage for me to make the first appointment, it was the best decision I made. I was diagnosed with PTSD which really helped me to make sense of my symptoms. Deborah has so much knowledge and skills, whilst attending regular sessions she provided me with a confidential and trusting environment where I was able to talk about my feelings and experiences which i had never been able to do before. I received treatment that enabled me to deal with some of those difficult experiences. Deborah provided me with valuable guidance and advice on what I needed to do to recover and get better, how to make important changes which then enabled me to make decisions regarding my future so that I could also then reconnect with important relationships in my life Therapy is and was not always an easy process but seeing Deborah gave me my life back where I am now able to live a happy, joyful life again. I would encourage anyone who is suffering from mental health problems to reach out and get help from Dr. Deborah Kinsgston.
THANK YOU Deborah.
Royal Marine
I left the Royal Marines in 2019 and on leaving began to struggle with my mental health. Although I assumed the transition was going to be relatively easy it became apparent really quite quickly it was not. I eventually found the strength to admit I was suffering and decided to seek professional help.
Initially I was referred to a Consultant Psychotherapist who made a diagnosis of PTSD.
Unfortunately I believe my initial treatment was somewhat perfunctory; I really didn’t feel as though the treatment was working and, therefore- I was referred to Dr. Kingston. Being former military, Deborah immediately empathised and I was reassured that there really was some hope of a more optimistic outlook.
It was during these sessions that Deborah introduced me to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Clearly- speaking from an unqualified laymen in such a field I can only comment on the results for me personally: the results were tangible, rapid and effective. Admittedly, although the sessions were sometimes extremely uncomfortable, I was reassured that they seemed to be of enormous benefit. The act of reprocessing difficult memories, which sat in my conscious and subconscious memory, assembling them into some kind of order and then “storing” them was an incredibly effective treatment that has undoubtedly changed my life.
Dr. Kingston was incredibly supportive throughout the sessions; always careful about the care and preservation of my mental state, ever considerate of how far to push, when to push a little further and indeed when to retract. I cannot thank her enough for her incredibly sensitive approach; she manages to find an incredible balance of empathy, understanding and professionalism clearly borne out of an innate passion for her field of study.
To conclude (as a veteran) I would wholeheartedly endorse EMDR as a force for good in such a sensitive and unfortunately prevalent subject. We not only have a duty to care for our veterans after their selfless service; but moreover- we are morally obligated to do so.
EMDR Client
My mum found me another therapist! I knew I wasn’t doing well but why would this therapy be any different from the others? Having to get ready to go meet another stranger who may or may not help was exhausting. But it was better than I had imagined and oh how I wish I could go back and tell a younger me how much this was going to help me.
So why was this time any different? It was still a room where I was sat across from a stranger and it still involved me talking about all the things which I had hidden in the depths of my brain. However, this time she actually understood what I was going through. After fighting her and trying to prevent her getting in to any part of my brain, especially the very traumatised parts, she gave me a sense of safety and I no longer saw her as a threat. She never compared me to a textbook or made to follow a specific concrete plan. I would destroy the plan EVERY week and have it remade and tailored to my needs. I could swear, go silent, and literally hide in the chair without fear of any judgment or backlash. Finally I was getting an answer to how I had felt for many years, and I had never been able to put any words to how I was feeling and now we had a common language which I could understand. Don’t get me wrong it was a painful process that definitely tested me and our therapeutic relationship which we built throughout the process.
Being introduced to EMDR was extremely weird to begin with but actually ended up being one of the key features of my recovery. This weird hammerhead shark looking light bar was going to bounce back and forwards helping me to unlock all the feelings I had buried so deep. It may have been emotionally painful, but I was able to stop whenever I wanted. The entire process has enabled me to finally see that light at the end of the tunnel which I thought was a load of rubbish and didn’t exist. I am now able to live the rest of my life being free from my past and I’m not allowing it or anyone else to hold me back anymore. I’m bossing my life, and this is all thanks to the treatment I received from Dr Kingston.
KS
Training Testimonials
Understanding Mental Health, Trauma, PTSD, Complex PTSD and how best to treat
For me this was an excellent day. Debs is a great teacher making things interesting and real.
Making the connection between the high number of clients with conditions such as fibromyalgia and previous trauma really connected the 2 and made me understand why people are not in control of their pain.
Understanding the level of therapy that can be provided made me realise how many people would benefit from this being available via the NHS.
I have never really understood the different levels of treatment / therapy. There are a large amount of our workforce that will not be referred by work and cannot afford private so will continue to experience lapses in their mental health due to poor service provision.
Tracey
I found the training informative and engaging, the active approach in getting people involved really was attuned to my way of learning and has given me more confidence. I found that the energy Dr Kingston brought to the training was contagious and had a positive influence on me. I would most certainly engage in any training provided in the future. She made talking about trauma interesting and gave great tools to help people navigate it safely.
Emily
I found the day thoroughly enjoyable and informative. I was able to link prior knowledge to new learning and deepen my understanding. I particularly enjoyed the activity points which really illustrated the point of movement. Debs’ animated delivery was engaging and certainly kept my interest. Lots to mull over and consolidate. I found it difficult to read some of the power point slides and the handouts. It would be helpful if I could have a copy emailed to me so I could go through these please. A very enjoyable day with input from 2 knowledgeable trauma specialists which I really appreciate being able to attend.
Thank you.
Beverley
Thank you, Dr Kingston, on a very insightful and interesting training day. It was very well presented, and I was thoroughly engaged throughout the whole day. It was well presented and it has raised my awareness on the impact of trauma on individuals and the support for their recovery.
There were lots of opportunities to ask questions and have discussions. I would love to hear more.
Laura
