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Questionnaires were sent out to 62 women who completed a course of
counselling here at the Maya Centre. 23 were returned, a 37% response rate.
83% of respondents said their counsellor helped them to think. 87%
said their counsellor listened to them. 83% said their counsellor took them seriously, and
70% said their counsellor understood their culture.
87% thought the Centre was welcoming, 91% said it was comfortable, 83%
said it was private and 78% said it was well organised.
Clients were asked how they were feeling now on a scale of 1-10, 57%
of respondents said they were feeling good, 52% felt average, while one respondent said
she felt bad.
"It made me feel less alone."
"I got to talk about things I had bottled up for many years.
My counsellor was brilliant too."
"I am beginning to face my demons (so to speak)."
"It made me confront my life and all things associated with
it."
"It helped me with all of the above."
"It helped me deal with my childhood and my mother and
sister."
"They always expected me to speak. They didn't say much
themselves."
"I have been able to express everything on my mind easily."
"When I talked about my problems, I felt better. Talking
comforted me."
"I was able to express thoughts and feelings that have been
suppressed for some time."
"I faced my ghosts and have a better understanding of myself and
why people treated me the way they did."
"It was long term. I didn't feel judged. I felt
encouraged and pushed to actually look at myself and feel things."
"I was able to get rid of my frustrations or, better still, learn
to deal with them and found ways of analyzing myself and my needs and then catering
towards them."
"My counsellor encouraged me to risk trusting her and that she
was prepared to take time to be with me to try and work with me to help me take care of
myself."
"She was there for me as an outsider, made me look at my good
side, brought the best out in me and look at life and past different."
"I was able to get a lot of hurt out. I feel I know myself
better. I will always be grateful for counselling."
"Telling someone all my paast helped by listening and not (being)
judged. I have not been ashamed of my bad memories."
"Separating from my son could have been a disaster if it wasn't
for *******. She helped me see where he was coming from which in turn helped me
handle it positively."
"It helped me to know much about myself and my emotional
feelings."
"Let my thoughts out."
"Nothing."
"Nothing."
"No problem."
"Telling people of my past memories, but I needed help and still
do. Thank you."
"Nothing."
"Mondays was my off day, but I coped."
"Fear of rejection; of not being taken seriously; fear that my
problem would be seen as hopeless, too serious, too far gone to help; that I am too old to
do anything to fix my life."
"Initially - opening up. I have always kept things close to
my chest. I really needed someone who could listen and I found once I started
talking, I really didn't stop!"
"Being on time! Facing difficult questions and possible
views/perceptions of where I'm at and how I may have got there."
"Climbing the stairs as I have arthritis of the spine. The
building was a bit daunting and drab for sick people. I think it should be swapped
for one of the old neighbourhood offices that is now used to help fitter, healthier
people."
"At first it was a bit difficult to talk about personal
problems."
"I had my good days and bad."
"Nothing."
"It was worthwhile for me being understood, and feeling I was not
judged."
"I didn't find it difficult."
"There were times I didn't want to speak at all."
"I find the questions about my illness difficult. I don't
want to repeat them, I don't want to forget."
"Nothing."
"Nothing, I looked forward to it."
"Having to travel there, knowing I needed to talk but knowing the
pain I feel."
"At first it was a bit daunting, just actually committing, but
that was the only thing."
"Facing thoughts and feelings that I tend to hide away
from."
"I still have a lot to do in the area of 'taking care of myself'
so I have not ticked the others - but they are all impacted in some way - so long as I
remember to take care of myself FIRST - otherwise I find I am not able to do anything else
properly. My regret is that I may not be able to return to the Maya Centre. I
have found being accepted at the centre very reassuring. I am extremely grateful for
the opoortunity allowed to me. My thanks to all for the time and patience. I
hope this will help the centre continue to help others."
"The Maya Centre has been a tremendous help. The
counselling I received allows me to concentrate more on my own personal needs. It
was my first time in counselling and I really didn't know what to expect. More that
anything I needed someone to listen and I thought my counsellor was brilliant! I am
now recommending counselling to my friends and family!!"
"My aim in coming to the Maya Centre was to feel better and
change my feelings. When first came there I felf irritable and unhappy.
But by the time I finished everything started improving. My therapist
listened to me in a serious and respectful manner. This gave me confidence. I
assumed she would give me guiding advice but later I realised even just talking to her
made me happy. I am feeling good nowadays, although some incidents still do upset
me. At least I am trying not to think about them. I thank you all."
"Yes, my counselling helped me a great deal. It has made me
confront my phobias and other things in my life."
"The service I received at the Maya Centre was excellent. I
always thought I would benefit from counselling and I did. My counsellor was
fantastic. She probably made it for me. Thanks"
"It has now been 3 months since my counsellor stopped and I feel
I'm now slipping back to a 3-5." |
I
faced my ghosts and have a better understanding
of myself and why people treated me the way they did. 