IN BALANCE
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Reviews

Reviews are only shared with client permission.

I hope these reviews give you an understanding of how helpful counselling can be and an idea of what ordinary everyday people seek counselling for.


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Alec's Story

​“It is often said that men can't show their emotions, and I am proof of that as I couldn't show emotion outwardly. I had been conditioned not to show or even acknowledge my emotions. Now it's different. Sandra helped me with low self-confidence, grief, becoming a dad and recognising and feeling emotions that I had spent years shutting down.

There were small voices in my head that told me I wasn't good enough. They would ask ‘Who do you think you are?’, ‘Do you even know yourself?’.

I used to get angry at small things and I was easily frustrated, but ask me to feel an emotion such as hurt, and I couldn't.

I had created a protective shield that stopped the bad getting in, but it also stopped the good getting in too!

With Sandra's guidance, I started to understand why I had been conditioned this way, and I also learned how to release the self-imposed handcuffs I'd placed on myself.

Before working with Sandra I thought paying someone to help with my problems was ludicrous: they were mine! How could someone else help?

Having my son was the critical tipping point. I knew that to be a good role model, I needed to work on myself.

I am a ‘results driven’ person, and because of this, I began to see and feel how the sessions were positively helping me.

​If I had known how much positive change could come from working with Sandra, I would have started years ago.”


​Let's smash the stigma about mental health and counselling!
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Thank you for leaving a review.  As well as helping other to select a counsellor, reviews help break the stigma about counselling and mental health.

Anonymous
Thanks Sandra, I've found your sessions absolutely invaluable and have learned so much about myself.

You have been a lovely counsellor to work with, easy to talk with and open up to in a calming and comforting environment.


Female / Age 25-34 years old
Anonymous
We made the big decided to attend couple councilling last year, from our point of view it was a last option before separation and after only a few sessions we both new it was a brilliant decision. It took quite a few months but it was time well spent, Sandra was fantastic we have both learned so much about ourselves, each other and our marriage. Without her we would certainly not be in the amazing place we are today so we really couldn’t thank and recommend her enough! She brought us back together and gave us great strategies for the future, She made us both feel at ease, her knowledge and perception is amazing, I genuinely don’t think there’s a person/couple out there that would regret going along to the sessions.

Female / Age 35-44 years old
Anonymous
We contacted Sandra after reading so many inspirational and hopeful reviews to seek counselling as a couple.

​Sandra immediately made us feel at ease whilst being professional & caring.  We were able to explore the difficulties in our relationship by being guided by Sandra to acknowledge deeper routed emotional connections which helped us to understand our feelings as individuals and as a couple.

We now feel stronger and more comfortable with each other than we have done for years and I can't really explain how much 'lighter' I feel now that I understand and accept the trauma I have experienced.

A heart felt thank you Sandra for helping us to find each other as a couple again.


Female / Age 45 - 54 years old
Anonymous
I started going to Sandra after suffering for a few years with anxiety & depression.  I never had the urge to hurt myself however I was always feeling sad and down and could not understand why I was feeling that way.

I had isolated myself from all my friends and did not want to do anything, I lost interest in things I loved and enjoyed doing and found myself lying in my bed day after day struggling to get up as I had no energy.

I started going to Sandra in December 2019 and I cannot believe the difference in myself.  Sandra helped find the best approach for me, helping me to understand how to deal with how I felt.  I now feel much more confident about going out and about in public, I have grown as a person, I have managed to build relationships back up with my friends and I am back doing things I love.

I cannot thank Sandra enough on how welcome she made me feel both in her home and on zoom during lockdown and she has helped me grow and learn to love myself for who I am.

Female / Age 16-24 years old

Anonymous
If you're thinking about going to counselling with Sandra, I would 1000% recommend it!

She has equipped me with the skills that allow me to be happy and become myself again.

Thank you x


Female / Age 16 - 24 years old
Anonymous
As a counsellor myself I had previously been in therapy and had already spent a great deal of time on my personal development.

However Sandra facilitated the conditions necessary for me to work at a much deeper emotional level than I have before and she helped me begin the process of healing deep wounds, some of which I was aware of and others I had never allowed myself to go near.

​Sandra is a brilliant and intuitive counsellor who has an abundance of knowledge and experience.  She has helped me to continue the journey of becoming the best version of myself I can be and for that I am eternally grateful.

Female / Age 35-44 years old
Anonymous
Earlier this year I suffered a miscarriage and thought I was ok but really I had just buried all my feelings and emotions until a few months later when it all came out at once!

I had 5 sessions with Sandra and she helped me understand that it was ok for me to be upset and that talking things through was the best thing for me to heal and begin to move on.

After my sessions I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I’m no longer bursting into tears at the thought of it all.

​Thank you Sandra, you have helped me through a very difficult time and I will always appreciate that!

Female / Age 25-34 years old
Anonymous
Hi Sandra, You helped me back in April when I was very low. I am happy to say that Life is treating me better these days.

I have had every type of Scan that the NHS has, and no sign of anything sinister. You may recall that the arrival of my first grandchild is pending,
I am so excited.

I have come along way since I last spoke with you Sandra and just wanted to say thank you for listening. I will let you know when and sex of Baby when it arrives.

​I was so scared to think that I might not see this special moment that it took me a long time to get used to the idea of being a granny, now, it is the best thing possible. Thank you

Female / Age 65-74 years old

Anonymous
I was struggling after going through a traumatic time in my life and I was finding my behaviour had become a bit erratic and I was making silly impulsive decisions.  I decided enough was enough and felt it was time to invest in my mental health.  I had been to see Sandra before in a group setting and I loved the interaction we had together.

She makes me feel safe.  I would like to say she is a friend, but when it comes to her counselling Sandra is objective and professional and I can always count on her to know it is a counsellor/client relationship and I trust her explicitly.

I feel so much relief in the fact I started to attend her sessions.  I have had four sessions now and I am beginning to reap the benefits.  I feel calm and in control and Sandra is giving me coping mechanisms to deal with my emotions and I understand them.

Thank you Sandra, I can't recommend your services enough you are passionate about your job and it shows what you have achieved with me.

Female / Age 45-54 years old
Anonymous
Thank you so much for all your help and support, I would have been in the gutter had I not had my sessions with you.

You are truly a wonderful woman and role model.

Your genuine, mindful, caring and (appropriately) challenging approach paired with your obvious expertise has been the difference of me coping and not coping!

​I'll be forever grateful.

Female / Age 35-44 years old
Marion Gordon​
My adoration goes out to Sandra she has given me my life back with her fantastic help and support I have got through a very difficult time in my life she does great work in a very short space of time thank you Sandra you are fantastic x
​Cathie Horne
I have found that Mindfulness has helped me lead a far more contented life regarding my weight.

​I always had a positive attitude to life but found my weight always brought me down and made me feel unworthy.


Since joining 'In Balance' I have found my real self and hope to continue in a positive way in all areas of my life.

​Julie Cheyne
In balance has helped me immensely! Have I cried-yes several times, but certainly not why I thought I would! Also knowing it is ok to cry was a huge step!

Sandra has encouraged me look at issues from a different perspective which has allowed me to get rid of some unnecessary anger I was feeling.

I am able to focus much better on talking about set subject more slowly and focused without changing subjects or trying to tell several different stories at once!

​I still am on my journey but I know with the support of Sandra I will continue to progress in becoming a much happier, settled, feeling loved wife, mum, auntie and sister!

I would most definitely recommend in balance counselling!
Jenny Traill​
I’d been to many different places and had never found my ‘settled safe place’ where I could really talk.

I can now say I’ve found it with Sandra!

I’m still on my journey with Sandra, but can honestly say she’s really really helped me in many many ways that I can’t explain or put into words.


Her life coaching tips have been a godsend and I would like to thank you very very much Sandra!!!
​

I feel that I will need to re write this next year. But for now. Highly recommend!!!!!
Laura Newman
It’s taken me soooo long to write this review because I really didn’t know what to say! Honestly, I was sceptical about counselling,; I’m one of these people that can give advise but can’t take it. I’m the one who didn’t understand anxiety until it hit me smack bang in the face.
 

I spent a lot longer with Sandra than she and I probably anticipated, I spoke rubbish some weeks and to be honest didn’t really see what I was achieving; one session ( I think week 3) something clicked - I went in broken hearted (nothing had happened that day, I was just having a wobble) and that was it I had taken my first step.
​
Grief had overwhelmed me and led me down an anxious, stressed path and although I’m not fixed she gave me strategies to help me deal with it.

She taught me not to try and keep busy and fight it but accept that some days were gonna be harder than others.

She listened to me and helped me see things from a different perspective.

Like I said I’m not fixed but life is better and a lot clearer and I thank Sandra whole heartedly for that xxx
Anonymous
After trying a few councillors in the past (to no avail) we managed to find Sandra after doing some research over the internet.

And I'm so glad we did!  After my 1st appointment I instantly felt comfortable and safe.  We continued to work together and over time I learnt so much about myself and also learnt new ways to cope when life was getting challenging!  Counselling is hard work but it has also changed me for the better and I cannot thank you enough for your patience and understanding and of course a good few giggles along the way!!!

And it's great to know the door is always open even if its just a one off chat if life starts to get the better of me!

​Thanks again Sandra, you're a star!


Female / Age 35-44 years old

Alec Reid
The value I’ve gained from counselling with Sandra has far surpassed the cost or time.

In short, I messaged Sandra recently with the message ending: I love the person I am now, thank you!

Thanks to work with Sandra I am now able to deal with emotions that I couldn’t comprehend previously.
​

I urge anyone thinking of reaching out to try counselling and give it an honest chance to change your life for the better.
​Lisa Urwin
I have really enjoyed my mindful eating course. So much so I have signed up for another.

Very thought provoking.

​Sandra is very inspiring
​Dorothy Ryce
Sandra was such a friend and helped me though my darkest time after my husband past away xx...

still considered my friend and could call her anytime.. X
Susan Tough​
Sandra has helped me in in the past,, she is amazing at what she does.

I've seen a few councillors through the NHS but I have say I got far more out of the sessions with Sandra..

​100% worth every penny spent.
Click to expand the image and see the review.  These are all screenshots from clients.
Address: 118 High Street, Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, AB30 1BJ
Phone: 07801 446381
Email: in.balance@hotmail.co.uk

In Balance
with Sandra Smith

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