When Mark came to NCNW, he describes feeling completely lost.

He had already experienced counselling before and was referred to NCNW’s mental health service when that previous support ended. Despite having taken steps to seek help in the past, Mark still felt unsure of his direction and struggled to find a sense of stability in his life.

Before starting counselling at NCNW, Mark felt disconnected and uncertain, unsure how to move forward or make sense of what he was feeling. Like many people, he found it difficult to articulate exactly what was wrong, only knowing that something did not feel right.

Mark’s first experience with counselling at NCNW was positive, but it was not without its challenges. Initially, the match with his allocated counsellor did not feel right. This can be a difficult and discouraging moment for anyone seeking support. However, a change of counsellor became a significant turning point in Mark’s journey.

With a counsellor he felt more comfortable with, Mark began to open up. He describes the support he received as excellent, and for the first time in a while, he felt genuinely listened to. This sense of connection allowed him to explore his thoughts and feelings more honestly.

Over time, counselling helped Mark begin accepting some of the things in his life that he could not change. While progress felt gradual, he noticed steady improvement in his mindset and outlook. Learning to let go of unrealistic expectations of himself became an important part of his healing process.

Reflecting on his experience, Mark describes counselling as very helpful. His advice to others considering counselling is simple but powerful: find a counsellor you can truly connect with. He would definitely recommend NCNW’s mental health services to others.