Hi all,
I recently had a client who wasn’t even aware he suffered from PTSD. Once he finished his sessions, discovered how to deal with it, and restored his self-esteem, I asked if he wouldn’t mind writing his story to make others aware of those who may be in his same position. Here is his story in his own words:
“Hi Leanne, it was a complete shock to discover through the first session with you that I was suffering from PTSD. I thought that was only something from being in a war or from a significant traumatic experience; boy, I had a lot to learn.
Let me tell others my story. Over a decade ago, I worked for a large corporation with hundreds of employees. I was a freelancer, and every shift was critical because it was a shift work-based job. I submitted a monthly invoice and was fortunate to carry over a few shifts every month for December and January, which were always tight months. Nevertheless, I thought everything was going great. I was engaged to be married, bought a house, bought two dogs, and everything seemed to be going great. I felt on top of the world! Then one Friday, a few hours before I was supposed to go on a short holiday with my fiance and my fur kids; I received a call from the secretary of the head of my department. I had been accused of double booking, claiming for two shifts that occurred at the same time, which was a dismissable offence. I was to come through immediately and explain myself.
My world crashed around me in that split second. I must have made an error, or it must have been a typo, but here I was with all these new responsibilities and fear set in; what was I going to do?
I raced over and called up my past invoice but could see no error; then, I called up the month before and the month before that and still couldn’t find the double booking.
I made my way to the management building and went to the head of my department’s office, where her secretary, a horrible narcissist, was waiting and told me to wait and they would call me. I was made to wait in an open-plan office with all eyes on me, judging me and making me feel belittled for over an hour.
I felt tiny, frightened, and alone. My fiance called me every few minutes, asking if I had seen them or what was happening, and I had no answers. At that time, all I was imagining was what I would do if I were fired.
Finally called into the office and sat down; the woman in charge slid my invoice over the table and said, “Double booking is theft, and we will be laying charges. Explain the highlighted dates on your invoice for the record!” I looked, and they had highlighted 06/08/12 and 06/09/12. They had made the error of looking at the date, not the month.
I pointed this out, and they immediately snatched the paper from my hands and said, “Oh right, well, that is good for you. You can go.” I raised the holiday I had missed and the long wait, all because of an error on their side. She offered no apology, just a company golf shirt and said, “we are watching everything.”
I didn’t realise that this event would affect me so badly. I am a tough, thick-skinned rugby player who is a man’s man! Every time I went into the office after that, I was filled with a sense of uncomfortableness, sweaty palms, and a dry mouth, and I would avoid my head of department and her secretary like the plague.
Leanne, you then showed me how this moment, this single day and event, affected me so badly. I thought it was normal and didn’t understand that it was a form of PTSD. I had never confronted this and dealt with it healthily. So I did what all men do; I buried it and carried on. But it got worse and worse, and my work started to get affected, and I was always passed up for a higher position or a pay rise. Finally, a friend recommended I see you and try RTT Therapy; if I am honest, I was sceptical, but I am genuinely pleased I did. After our session, I now have the tools to deal with it and move forward. Since our meeting three months ago, I have been promoted and have a new lease on work and life.
You turned that traumatic event into something I could unpack and deal with; you guided me out of the storm I didn’t even realise I was stuck in. To all men, you may be suffering from a traumatic event and not even be aware. Don’t let it hold you back; see Leanne and turn your life around. Thank you Leanne, from the bottom of my heart!”
I believe that you and I can work together to redefine the details of your narrative and, in doing so, set you on a path to freedom. My method of working with clients’ subconscious and conscious minds is the reason that results are so remarkable and fast. By transforming subconscious beliefs, conscious actions change.
All my love,
Leanne Hellon
www.leannehellon.co.za