Social Phobia/Anxiety successfully helped with The Thrive Programme™

“When i first came to Stevie I felt pretty hopeless at getting rid of my social anxiety…I was also feeling semi-depressed and suffering stress related symptoms (unbeknownst to me at the time). Anyways I had just graduated from Uni…. and lived a pretty normal life but i relied on Alcohol waaay to much to socialize. Anytime i bumped into anyone randomly I would go bright red, stammer and feel really shit about it. It prevented me from doing what i wanted which was to play in my band, play sports, and basically live a normal life without being anxious.

I tried many things; two crap self-help books come to mind and was prescribed beta blockers….and prob anti-depressants if i waited any longer. but when i tried the books it just didn’t stick and felt like too much effort.  I tried willpower where i just willed myself not to guess what others thought of me, which worked, for like a day.

Anyways i never told anyone about this, including my family, they just thought i was semi-shy. I also could put on quite a brave front to the point where my mates probably believed i was indeed semi confident… but each time felt like a battle, I wasn’t learning to be confident. Last but not least i started having a couple of “black moods” and even had this weird thing where i kept waking up as soon as i drifted over to sleep (you know that feeling you get when you wake up cause u think you are falling, try having that every time you drift over!).

I’ll not lie i felt hopeless, alone, scared basically like shit!

Then i went to meet Stevie, stumbled upon his website as i thought hypnotherapy may be a last resort…. turns out he didn’t give me any hypnotherapy…. he put me on the THRIVE programme.
He presented me with a book and over 6 sessions we went over the book which teaches you how to manage your thinking, explains why you feel these things and how to get rid of them YOURSELF! In writing this probably sounds like any other self-help book but it’s really not.

I believe it gives you the tools to deal with any situation and do what you want. To top it off Stephen was a great guy, very dead on, easy going and put me at ease.

It took me a little longer to grasp it but when i did I felt fantastic. I can honestly say I haven’t felt depressed at all, with the exception of one time.. but i knew why and was able to get rid of it immediately! Socially I’m a lot better, i can talk to people, be confident, play music, play sports and live my life… I’m still learning but i know with time I will have lowered it significantly. I also feel like I’ve covered all bases, I couldn’t relapse into the way I was before because i would know why i did so.
The way i look at the programme is quite simple. It’s like keeping fit for your mind. Stevie was my personal trainer until I could do it all by myself!

I really think they should teach this shit in schools because I know there will be so many people out there unable to deal with things because they don’t know how….this gives you the tools on how to!
I’m a religious guy too and it did indeed challenge my faith (as you learn that you are in control and not anyone else) but i came out with an equally strong faith….but I’m still in control!
THRIVE!

….oh aye I’m getting a Tattoo! (Before I would have died of guilt)
Cheers Stevie lad, was a pleasure!”

Anon.