Testimonials

I Recommend Sue as an Anxiety Therapist

Sue Waugh came into my life about 18 months or so ago when, in my desperation to do something about my severe anxiety disorder, I came across this wonderful website and therapist section. The disorder manifested about 10 years ago and since then I had been hospitalized twice and on countless medications, to no avail. Previous therapy hadn’t helped – either there was no connection or the therapist scared me half to death! Sue gave me hope when I thought there was none and I trusted her. Sue has overcome anxiety herself and promised me I would recover, too. Her manner is non-judgmental but firm, which is exactly what I needed. You, too, have to put the effort into your own recovery because no one can do that for you. But with Sue there to support you, you will find you can do it. Over time the anxiety will fade away…something I would never have believed when the first thing I thought about when I woke up and the last thing I thought about when I went to sleep was anxiety. With Sue’s help, I am now coming off my last medication and feeling well again.

One of my anxiety triggers was leaving my comfort zone. Now, I recently joined my husband on a business trip and flew thousands of miles. I can’t lie – I was very nervous on the journey but over the past few months have now travelled more and more, started joining various groups and being more active, doing voluntary work, and taking the emphasis off myself and my anxiety seems to have gone.

I am no longer having regular sessions with Sue any more but we are in touch as friends and if I feel myself slipping or have a problem I need some support with, I know she is there for me.

I can a zillion percent recommend Sue as a therapist and I promise she will help you feel better.

Regards,
S.N., UK

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

First off, let me say Thank You, Thank You, and Thank You. I know it is only by the grace of God that I found Sue. I read the information and started implementing the self-help work on my own. After a few weeks it was clear to me that I needed more help to uncover the underlying factors that attributed to my anxiety. It was hard to admit and accept but I knew that I was impeding my own recovery.

Having spoken to a therapist locally with no results but the continued offer of medication, I was reluctant and unsure what, if any help counselling would be. I called in and was set up with my initial appointment with Sue Waugh. Sue was exactly the personality that I needed. It was a relief to know that she knew exactly what I was experiencing and reassuring to know that she had experienced and conquered anxiety. If anyone had the answers, it had to be her.

It has been several months. I look back now and don’t even recognize the person I was. I have grown more in the last several months than I could ever imagine. My road was not easy. It was challenging, hard, and sometimes even scary. For anyone reading this, if you really want to be done with an anxiety disorder, completely, then please look into counselling here. If you commit to the work, it will be the best investment you ever made. You will be free.

Sue… there will always be a special place in my heart for you. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow with your help.

A.S., USA

Sue Waugh Gave Me back my life!

Sue Tavener Waugh is a strong, matter of fact person paired with kindness, patience and compassion. These valuable characteristics offered a safe haven for me at the highest anxiety period of my life.

Sue was able provide necessary tools to calm me and set me straight which allowed healing to begin. Essentially, Sue gave me back my life! Without her, I would still be struggling with everyday living and life. Sue is simply wonderful and I feel blessed to have her in my life.

T.B., Canada

Susan, You Have Changed My Life in the Most Positive Way

I sought the help from Susan Tavener-Waugh. What a wonderful, caring person. From the very beginning Susan was supportive and really listened to me. Her help and understanding of what I was going through was simply the best. Even though I still have some work to do, I am making real progress thanks to Susan. I feel like I am getting my life back on track as I can now understand anxiety and am learning to manage it. After each session with Susan I feel like I have been hugged by an angel. Thank you Susan so very much. You have changed my life in the most positive way.

Your work and dedication is so much appreciated. God Bless.

Regards
Eve M., Australia

FREE AT LAST! Sue, I'll always be grateful to you

Dear Sue

. One year ago, I found your company through an employee at work, and tonight I finished my last session with Sue Waugh. I chose Sue from other anxiety counsellors, simply because I watched an amazing transformation when one of the women I work with went from being anxious and depressed to a vibrant, confident young woman. Sue had been her counsellor.

I met with Sue on a monthly basis and with each session she handed me the tools that helped me turn my life around. I've never felt so free and excited about life as I do now. The Lord sent me a lifeline when He sent me Sue as a counsellor and coach and I've told everyone I've met about you. I'll always be grateful to you.

Sincerely,
Celia B., USA

There Is No Better Anxiety Counselling Than With Sue Waugh,

For my husband and I know that for us and all our family and friends we have referred, there is no better assistance, guidance and support than counselling with Sue Waugh.

I'm seriously not exaggerating when I say that Sue saved our lives, our marriage, and our sanity.

Very briefly, our story is that I suffered varying degrees of anxiety for most of my life. However, it became unmanageable following a number of very challenging life stressors coming together over a short period of time (including the sudden death of my mother). I was at the stage where my GP wanted to put me on strong medication immediately to assist with what he said was severely high anxiety. I didn't want to go on medication - I wanted to understand my condition and why I had reached the point I had. I wanted to learn once and for all how to successfully handle my life and my life challenges. I had had a large number of anxiety counselling sessions during my life but I had never had any sessions with somebody who had gone through anxiety themselves. I decided that if I was really serious about making permanent positive change, I needed guidance from a professional who had personally experienced what I was going through.

I commenced weekly counselling with Sue Waugh which progressed to fortnightly and monthly sessions as I learned so much about anxiety and why I was like I was. Through Sue, I learnt so much about myself, about anxiety, and about life. Through Sue’s guidance, I built an amazing toolbox of stress management skills and tools that I would be able to use throughout the rest of my life. My life improved in leaps and bounds from our first meeting.

About a year after starting counselling with Sue, when I was well advanced and living a hugely better life, my husband went through a number of really difficult life stressors and ended up severely depressed. This was so out of character for my husband who had never been through any anxiety nor depression episodes in his life.

After seeing how much better I was thanks to Sue's counselling, my husband also requested counselling with Sue.

To cut a very long story short - we are the happiest, healthiest - physically and mentally - that we have ever been. We want to formally thank Sue for saving us. Sue is so special and so precious to us. We thank God for bringing Sue into our lives. God bless you Sue for being so wonderful, caring and for your amazing anxiety and depression counselling skills.

I continue to this day to refer Sue to any family or friends who are going through a struggle with anxiety or depression as I know firsthand that with Sue's help they will learn the skills they need to live their best life.

Thanks & Warmest regards,
Margo, Australia

Thanks So Much Sue

I just wanted to write in and say how grateful I am for your website and for you Sue. I have learned so much about what anxiety is and, more importantly, what it isn't. When I first contacted Sue back in June last year, I felt locked in a prison of fear and anxiety. She helped me see clearly that I was a product of my own choices of behaviour. Yes, these had come from some of life's circumstances, but as a grown woman, I had chosen to carry on thought patterns that were so unhealthy. I have learned with Sue’s help that I am a beautiful, strong, courageous and confident woman who is loved and acceptable as I am.

I love that I can see so clearly now that the choices I make in what I choose to think are going to directly influence my emotions and ultimately my health and wellbeing. I accept that life is not perfect and neither am I, and I am so thankful that Sue has worked with me along the way and at times given me the good hard reality of who I am and what I need to work on to make the necessary changes to be free of anxiety. Sue is a wonderful person and a great counsellor. Thanks so much Sue Kylie, New Zealand

Thank You Sue. You've Changed My Life

Since day one, Sue reassured me that I would make it through, and she was right. Not only am I almost on the other side of all of this, have I learnt more about myself than I have ever known.

Thank you for everything Sue, you have changed my life.

LD, Australia

Words Can't Describe How Sue Waugh Changed My Life!

Words can’t describe how this marvellous woman has changed my life! She literally was placed in my life deliberately by God to help me through the trial of anxiety. Sue taught me so much about myself and I swear every conversation with her led to so many epiphanies and a self-awareness I never had. I literally thought I would be suffering with this “issue” my entire life but Sue debunked that thought and gave me the tools and support I needed to live my life. I have recommended countless friends to her because I know that if she can help me then she can help anyone.

I thank God for leading me to her, because I know I needed her to put me on the right path. She is not just a counsellor, but a friend now.

Thank you, Sue.
Lindsey G., USA

Thank You For Sue Who Helped Me Overcome My Anxiety!

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your amazing website and also to Sue who helped me overcome my anxiety.

I decided to start talking with Sue (over Skype) as I felt I needed to identify the behaviours that had caused the over stimulation in the first place and get help to change, recover, and never have this happen again. If anyone is thinking about whether or not to talk to one of the Therapists, I strongly recommend you do. You can't put a price on regaining your normal health, and I bet like me, you have spent lots of money trying different methods and ways to find a 'cure' anyway. It doesn't need to be every week. I started talking to Sue fortnightly.

Sue was completely nonjudgmental, kind, and encouraging. She is also very patient as I was not very good at following what I had been told to do at times and can be quite stubborn and tend to question everything!

We started by putting in place the recovery strategies to calm the body down and she explained how the symptoms were being caused. We had a look at my childhood and she helped me see why I had developed certain behaviours. She taught me that we can choose to be the person we want to be. It is all in our power. She taught me that it is okay to let my guard down and not feel I have to be in control of everything (because the truth is, we are actually in control of very little). She also showed me that the answers actually all lie within us.

Don't waste your time continually searching for a cure. Although it feels like it, you are not ill. Your body is just over stimulated creating very horrible symptoms, I agree, but they all go away in time. It does take some time, but it also generally takes longer to recover because we do a good job of getting in our body's natural way of recovering. I know I did.

Talking with Sue helped me during my recovery over the last couple of years. She helped me with challenges, such as coming off of my medication, taking a flight again, the death of my cat amongst other things. We all have doubts and need reassurance at times to keep us on the right track. The journey is bumpy and it isn't easy, but we can all recover if we do the right things. Jim you are so right when you say that if we do the right things and for long enough, the body has to recover…and it will. It is the same for everyone so follow the recovery strategies the Anxiety Centre recommends. Persist with them!

Sue also helped me reconnect with my belief in God which has helped me with my fears of death and dying. To any one reading this, religion doesn't need to have anything to do with your recovery if you are not religious. We talked about it because I chose to and I asked Sue for help in this area.

I would like to say a couple of things about the symptoms. Unfortunately for me having the symptoms fed right into my health anxieties! A big recipe for an anxiety disorder! I struggled for a while to accept them and I was fearful of them but this just keeps them going! Doctors can tell the difference between anxiety symptoms and other medical conditions so try and believe your Doctor when he tells you it is anxiety. It will make such a difference.

Also, I really struggled with the psychological symptoms. The depression, the overwhelming, doom and gloom, depersonalisation, constant mind chatter, negative thoughts, and even suicidal thoughts. I know these were all a by-product of a tired, stressed, and over stimulated mind. In flight and fight mode, we are continually risk assessing. I did not have any of these thoughts before I developed an anxiety disorder and I don't again now that I have recovered. The point I am trying to make is that once the body calms down and we return to normal health, all these thoughts and feelings just disappear on their own. We don't actually need to do anything except to try not to fret and worry about them while they are there. Of course, doing this just stalls recovery. I learnt not to attach any importance to them. They will come and go, so just let them be. It does take a leap of faith.

I now live a more balanced and healthier lifestyle and with Sue's help, I have learnt to contain my worries. I still have some work to do on my thoughts and behaviours, but I have all the knowledge and tools to continue doing this.

So thanks again Jim and Sue. Keep up the good work!

Best Wishes
Nicole, England

Thank You for Giving Me the Tools to Succeed

Your anxiety website offered me the first glimmer of hope when I was in such despair. I worked my way through chapter after chapter of all you had written and identified with so much. I also gained understanding of all that was happening in my body and mind.

I was also deeply troubled because I am a Christian and felt that as such I shouldn't be in the state I was in. It was a huge comfort to me to see that other Christians had been the same state before me and that it did not make me a failure.

When I read that I could increase my chances of full recovery by 40% if I had a personal coach or counsellor I did not need to think too long about it. I knew I didn't want to live in the state I was in. If there was a way out me was taking it.

I read the profiles of all the counsellors available. I wanted to make a good choice. I finally settled on Sue Tavener-Waugh. She is Australian and therefore understands the culture I live in. She is also an ex nurse. I am a nurse and wanted someone who could understand the culture I work in. Nurses also develop similar patterns of thinking. It was a good choice.

It was such a relief to finally talk to someone who understood what was happening to me. I think I cried the whole first session (and during others!). She gave me homework which was painful but necessary. I did a lot of writing! She was firm with me and demanded complete honesty. This too was necessary. I needed to learn that I am not a victim of my circumstances, that I am no longer that little girl who asked for help but couldn't get it, who could never be good enough for anyone, even God, especially God. I was waiting for rejection at every turn.

I needed to learn that I am my own person and I am free to make my own choices. That I am a person of value who is easy to love. That I am allowed to have my own voice and that conflict is not a thing to be avoided at all costs but can actually be a good and positive thing. That I can set boundaries.

I am still a work in progress, but I now have the tools I need to keep developing and growing. I am so grateful to you and to Sue for giving me that wonderful gift. I can now get up and look forward to the day. I get pleasure out of life. There are still stressors, but they no longer cripple me, I can deal with them and move on.

When I used to read the bible, it was hard for me to believe that all those good and wonderful promises were for me. I could believe them for everyone else, but not for myself. As I read my bible now, that is changing. It is so much easier to believe that all the good stuff is for me too. I think that is the best gift of all. To finally, really be able to start to see myself through God's eyes. What a wonderful gift.

Thank you so much,
Francine, Australia

A big thank you Sue Waugh.

Four years ago I recovered from chronic, crippling anxiety with the help of anxiety counsellors, Sue Waugh. I am happy to say I have been feeling great for four years now and I know I will continue to do so.

I have had life's ups and downs in the past four years but I feel so empowered by what I learnt from you that anxiety just doesn't surface. I feel like I focus on the right thoughts that come naturally now.

I also have to say your teachings have helped my young son, too. For various reasons a few years ago, I started to recognize my son was becoming anxious. Being 11 years old, he panicked about what he was feeling and was convinced he had some sort of health issues. I immediately recognized what the problem was and implemented your teachings. I worked on his thinking, explained to him what was happening to his body, told him to let the anxiety symptoms just come and go, meditated with him daily, and within a month, he was back to being my normal young son. He really did learn a great deal from the experience. Two years on, he is perfectly fine. Whilst it was nothing serious, I felt I taught him some life skills due to you guys. So a big thank you to you.

I hope you and your family are well. Please pass on my warmest regards to Sue. God bless.

Regards
Maria J., Australia

Thank You for Sue Waugh,

I just want to let you and others know how great an anxiety counsellor Sue Waugh is. I finished my counselling sessions with Sue 6 months ago, after spending a year working with her, and I am doing great! The last 6 months have also been the busiest time of my life with the most change (a new job, welcoming a new child, and a new house) and I have handled it all great!

Looking back, I never knew that I was living my life with anxiety. It was only when I pushed myself over the top and developed anxiety symptoms, and then stumbled onto your anxiety website and started working with Sue that I knew that I had suffered with anxiety all my life. When I starting talking with Sue I was at a low point. Sue very quickly determined the negative behaviours that were causing me stress and anxiety. These were all behaviours that I had learned from my childhood, my parents, and my life experiences.

Once I dealt with the past and was able to notice these negative behaviours, the hard work really began. Sue provided me with many new tools and insights to help change these behaviours. Sue was very patient and encouraged me during this process.

With Sue being located in Australia and myself in Canada, I found it very convenient to have sessions over the phone (using SKYPE) as Sue was available on Sundays or in the evenings in North America.

Thank you Sue for helping me deal with the behaviours that were causing me anxiety.

Mike, Canada

Thank You from the Bottom of My Heart

Twelve months ago anxiety was ruling my life. Three failed attempts at counselling and endless doctors that wanted to medicate me, I thought I had to live with anxiety disorder forever.

I started anxiety counselling with Sue Waugh in November last year. Her approach was different to everyone else I had seen and knowing she had gone through what I had, made me feel like she understood and didn't think I was crazy. She was so supportive and very quickly I noticed improvements. Now 11 months later I no longer see Sue but I am a new person!

For the first time I am living my life without fear and looking forward to a world of opportunity that I can now confidently embrace.

Sue has changed my life and I can't thank her enough.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

K.K., Australia

Sue Is a Great Counsellor

I just want to comment on how great Sue is as an anxiety counsellor. She has become a friend that I can ask any question to. She was so encouraging and helped me in ways I hadn't expected when I signed up. She has brought me through to being a stronger, more confident person.

Your website is also fabulous. It has so much information, states the issues so clearly and all is very simple to understand.

Thank you so much for having this website Eleanor, Canada

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

Dear Sue,

Sue… there will always be a special place in my heart for you. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow with your help.

A.S., USA

Thank You Sue!

I don't know if you remember me. I have Sue as my anxiety counsellor and when I started personal counselling you were my counsellor for a while and Sue was listening in, training I presume. After a while Sue then became my counsellor.

I am writing to let you know that Sue is absolutely fantastic. I have gone from being an absolute wreck who at my lowest thought quite seriously about suicide. I just couldn't find a way out of the mess I found myself in. I thought I'd be an anxious mess for the rest of my life.

I really clicked with Sue. With her patience and guidance she has pulled me through a very difficult part of my life. I have been taught skills that I know will remain with me for the rest of my life. I'm almost a year into my therapy and I'm doing so well.

My mum was diagnosed with ALS 18 months ago and has deteriorated and continues to do so. So many of my friends told me that I wouldn't recover until my mum passes away. That made me even more anxious. I felt I had little hope. I'm happy to say that yes my mum is still around but I'm almost my normal self. Sue has pulled me through this despite my life’s challenges. I'm now able to spend quality time with my mum. I don't feel sick to the stomach when I see mum or rather her condition. I have been able to get past mums illness and realise that she is still my wonderful mum that I love dearly.

Sue has helped me develop coping skills. She is the voice of reason. I can't thank her enough for all her help. I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful counsellor you have as part of your staff. I now can smile.

Thank you Sue.

God Bless
M. J., Australia

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