These are some of my clients testimonials...
This anonymous testimonial follows a long extremely helpful psychoeducative course with non-directive counselling from Dr Dawn Sant for a long standing enduring complex situation. I had been emotionally abused, badly neglected in an unkind cruel and selfish way for many years and had witnessed/been the recipient of in-family violence and repeated emotional abuse in a situation from which it was impossible to walk away. Dawnās office is in a very comfortable, helpful relaxing setting. Sheās a very good listener, clearly well qualified and identified route causes and solutions, analysing my situation thoroughly and logically in an unrushed way. She concentrated on topics relating to my situation. These were written by her on large, often pre prepared wall charts which I was able to photograph for personal use/reference after each session and for long term use. I thoroughly recommend using her services. Google insists on compulsory identification so solely for that reason I didnāt give a public review but my score would have been 5/5 star.
"When I spoke to Dawn for the first time, I was prepared to fight harder than I had ever done to save my relationship. By the second time, I had no relationship left to fight for. Thatās when I learnt the most valuable lesson of my life; that I would always be fighting for the wrong things until I put all my effort into living my truth. Every week I sat on Dawnās couch and felt sorry for myself, for how much I felt taken advantage of and resentful of other people never being as kind as I was. Every week she helped me chip away at this hard ego exterior to get to the crux of what I really wanted and needed from myself. I quit my job, went on holiday, moved to a different city and started my life all over again. Difference was this time I knew I couldnāt make myself smaller or less complicated to be loved.
Dawn helped me understand my reactions to everything, to reorganise them and to step back from the mess I always made in my head. I learnt about projections and conflict resolution, negative core beliefs and the damage I could do to my relationships if I lived in my ego rather than my truth. Now, not every day is perfect and not every reaction I have is well thought out and proportionate; but I live in the knowledge that I have the tools to cope with every situation that used to break me. Iām proud of the work weāve done together and relax more each day knowing if I need Dawn, sheās there. Most importantly though, Iām finally there for myself. Thank you isnāt even close to being enough. If you put a real effort into this process, I promise you it will change your life."
"Youāre a star in my world and I always carry your kind words with me. I love that you were patient with me and my niggling questions, the enlightenment your answers brought to my everyday living, and the improvements I was able to put in motion for a better way of living for me and my family. Forever in your debt and sunshine."
I suffered a sequence of life events. I was badly effected by menopausal depression, my husband developed a mental illness and left me in the week that my mother died. I was burgled in my home as I slept. My husband admitted to an affair and I had to contemplate a divorce. All in the space of six months. Sometimes I felt like I was in a bad soap opera and wanted to simply die ā but for my two young sons.
Dawn literally saved my life. She has helped me make sense of every knock back. Find the focus to successfully complete a course of study. See and shape a future. Helped me understand the motivation of others and their effect on me. More importantly Iāve realised my own strength and empowerment through her support. My only regret is not having met her earlier.
āI found Dawn when I was at my lowest point. Iād previously tried counselling, CBT and even hypnosis over a number of years without success. I had one failed marriage and my long term relationship was on the rocks. I knew I had an issue with communication, self belief and anger. Dawn enabled me to see things clearly, understand my strengths and weaknesses, my pressure points and triggers. She taught me the difference between good anger and destructive anger but also how to voice my concerns in an appropriate manner. She guided me through the process, step by step encouraging me look inside myself for the drivers of my issues. I never felt rushed nor under a time constraint.
Dawn is extremely approachable and allows you work at your own pace in a very relaxed environment. She has changed how I look at life, she has enabled me to save/grow my relationship and also how to manage myself. I would highly recommend Dawn and I will continue my contact with her throughout my life as challenges arise as I believe she is now an invaluable part as learning/development of yourself never stopsā
I contacted Dr Dawn because I had been diagnosed with depression and had been seeking help for a number of years. I had a number of brief interventions by āvolunteerā counsellors as well as a course of CBT. Dr Dawn helped me by using different techniques to help me to share my thoughts and feelings. When I first started working with Dr Dawn it was evident that I was unable to identify and share my feelings. The very first piece of work, and perhaps the most important, was to help me to understand the difference between feelings and emotions and to give me the tools to recognise the way I felt and the ability to share them. Working with Dr Dawn has resulted in a significant improvement in my emotional wellbeing. My GP initially diagnosed me with and treated me for depression, through work with Dr Dawn it has been identified that I am suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) co-morbid with depression. The diagnosis of PTSD changed the focus of my work with Dr Dawn and as such has enabled me to focus on identifying the signs and creating strategies to manage PTSD. The things I liked about the way Dr Dawn worked with me was that she was open to work with me in ways that I needed, she was able to adapt her therapeutic approach to encompass a range of therapeutic ideas:
I found working with Dr Dawn challenging at times, rewarding at others but always safe and supportive. I would recommend Dr Dawn to anyone who may be struggling with their own emotional wellbeing.
- Art therapy
- CBT
- Anger management
- Stress management
- Play therapy
- Teaching
- Person centred therapy (journal, first aid box)