LR, Service in Afghanistan.

"I never really thought counselling could really help anyone; I thought that it was always better to talk to a friend rather than a stranger but I now see that I was wrong. I didn't understand how it could help but I now see it is different to talking to someone you know and I would definitely recommend it. I first noticed that something was wrong with my boyfriend about a year ago; he was getting really aggressive when he was drinking, he was drinking a lot and he was getting snappy and inconsiderate, even quite selfish. I kept asking him what was on his mind, what was bothering him, if it was Afghan? But that just made him more angry and aggressive. "I did some research on the internet, I typed in PTSD help in Ipswich and found a few places that said they could help, I even phoned one up and that was in America! One place I found said that they needed my boyfriend to get in touch before they would do anything, he wasn't ready and I was starting to think that our relationship would break up before we actually got any help. "About 2 months later after doing my initial research he took a look and found PTSD Resolution, he phoned them and within a couple of days, Angela had contacted him. I didn't see how counselling benefits people, after the house fire I was offered counselling and decided it wasn't for me, I didn't see how just talking to someone could help, but it is more than that in a way you sort of play with people's minds (she laughs). "Angela made me see things from a different point of view, like I was standing in the other person's shoes. Angela gave me time to talk and ideas how I could change my behaviour and the way I reacted to my boyfriend's behaviour, she taught me what I could do differently and how to take care of myself so that I was able to support him better. I really liked the counselling because it was not far for me to drive and it was not in an office environment, which would have made me feel nervous, it was very private too, no one would have known that I was going for counselling, there were no signs or labels anywhere. "I really got on well with Angela, it was like I had known her for years, and she made me feel really comfortable, she had a way of getting me to talk that didn't feel pressured, just natural, just waiting for me to give her more information in a quiet, gentle sort of way, different to a friend. "As for Aiden, the change in him is amazing, I was asked at the first session if I saw us lasting and I said no, but now I have the old Aiden back before he went to Afghan, he is more sociable, affectionate, considerate, kind and caring and we are so much happier together. Would I recommend counselling with PTSD Resolution, yes, without a doubt! What do I say to other people in my situation? Just do it, give them a call because you CAN get help!"