Several years ago I had a sudden panic attack on an aeroplane and was unable to fly at all. The panic attack was due to claustrophobic fears and being shut into a “tube” and having no control of being able to open a door for fresh air. This transferred onto going in lifts and underground trains. This all had a huge impact on my life and restricted me severely. I was not able to visit the theatre in the West End and other London attractions including the London Eye or go on holidays abroad. Friends would go to exhibitions, theatres etc and I felt I could not face the journey or sit in a dark theatre or cinema without being able to see a clear exit sign.

Two years ago, my son announced he was to be married in Thailand. It absolutely threw my life into turmoil and I was very depressed and angry that he would expect me to make this long journey. Finally, I thought that this was controlling my life and I really needed to do something as I would only ever travel by car which was ridiculous. I made an appointment with Martin and was quite nervous about being hypnotised. Immediately I sat down on a most comfortable chair I felt completely at ease with Martin talking to me with a calm, reassuring and soothing voice.

Martin took me on a journey that would change my life completely with several sessions on travelling in lifts, the underground and finally flying. I remember after the first session I was able to go in lifts again, even getting stuck in the first one and being in control! At each session of visualisation techniques, positive suggestions and looking for the root cause of my problems, Martin made me feel more positive and pleasantly relaxed. I have a CD of Martin’s which I listen to and it makes me feel relaxed just to hear his soothing calm voice. He is an excellent listener and seems to have all the time in the world for you. Martin will guide you into hypnosis and help you discover your inner resources, so you can resolve for good whatever problems or issues you may have. He has enabled me to become the person I really want to be and to achieve my full potential!

The effect of the therapy for me was life changing. At first I tried several different flights with my daughter and we had the most amazing time on a Mediterranean fly/cruise and the next year a stunning visit to Rome. I also travelled with her to see several West End Musicals which I really love to do and now go to exhibitions, the cinema and many other places I would not visit. The ultimate experience was to be able to attend my son’s wedding, (six flights, visiting Dubai, Bangkok and Koh Samui) and to see parts of the world I would never have been able to see if it were not for Martin. He has brought the world to me and I cannot thank him enough for opening up my own world again and giving me the confidence to know “I CAN DO IT”. I would and have, highly recommended Martin and would not hesitate to see him again if I ever needed to.

I had a fear of being sick, especially at school when others around me were ill, so two years ago my mum and I visited Martin to see if he could help. His sessions made me feel calmer, safe and more in control of myself when these fears appeared. His relaxation CD was very helpful and I used for months afterwards. I would definitely recommend a visit to “Achieving Balance” to anyone who had fears or phobias.

The first time I looked at your website I cried. It made me realise I needed help. Not only was I struggling with weight loss, I was finding life in general quite hard to cope with and felt I was constantly anxious and stressed. I felt like I was not in the right frame of mind to lose weight and in a rut. It took me a long time to build up the courage to come and see you and after my first appointment I felt like a weight had been lifted and so relieved to know that you could help me. It didn’t take too long to get me back on track. All what you said had a massive effect and enabled me to re-focus and sort my life out. My time with you has undoubtedly had a big impact. I am much happier, calmer, confident and over 2 stone lighter! I now have a strengthened relationship with my husband, son, work and food! All of this has given me the push to move house and start my own business which I am thrilled about. I have recommended you to several people for different reasons. I know that whatever the problem, coming to see you will help. My only regret is that I didn’t come a year earlier. I cannot thank you enough for all you done, I hope that I do not need to re-visit, but if i do, I certainly won’t hesitate in booking an appointment.

I first visited Martin a couple of years ago about a work issue that was causing me anxiety. Having always battled with anxiety and bouts of depression, I’d seen a few therapists in the past but not felt that any of them had made a huge difference. After my very first session with Martin, I already felt able to deal with the work issue and had high hopes for my anxiety. I saw Martin regularly to begin with and by using CBT, he has taught me how to look at things in a completely different way and I feel confident that my depression and anxiety is under control. Martin is very easy to talk to and down to earth, I instantly felt at ease with him and have enjoyed every one of my sessions with him.

I am used to solving my own problems. Until one day life just about tore me to shreds and left me totally vulnerable, unable to see any value in the future. I turned to Martin for help, and from the first phone call I liked his approach, the calmness in his manner made me feel comfortable from the start. During our sessions Martin created a safe environment in which I was able to step out of the trauma and slowly rebuild my own sense of “self”. Martin introduced practical therapy techniques in a very natural manner – it was like opening a window you didn’t realize was there and letting in fresh air – and suddenly I was able to visualise new solutions for myself.

I think this was one of the aspects I most appreciated, always being part of the solution, there was never any feeling of being judged at all. When I chose Martin as my therapist it was on the basis of his outstanding academic background and experience: but I found out that the therapist’s personality is just as important a factor, and in my case the calmness and the kindness of his approach meant that I could venture into “dangerous emotional waters” without anxiety or fear. My whole family has felt the benefit of Martin’s work with me, and I am deeply grateful to him for helping me find my way forward.

I wanted to thank you so much for helping me over the past year – I’ve learnt so much about myself and about how to deal with things in a positive way.