Ellie, 39, from the South East, was struggling with panic attacks until she had Life Coaching from Ben which helped her process thoughts and cope with her emotions…

“I’d been struggling with anxiety and having panic attacks which were becoming more common. There was a lot going on at work and I was trying to hold everything together, which wasn’t easy as I was dealing with customers face-to-face every day. I found myself hiding away in the toilet and it was there that I noticed the Ben posters. 

“A colleague also mentioned Ben to me in passing so casually, like it was no big deal. But for me, it was a big deal. I had never reached out for support before and the idea felt overwhelming. The way my colleague spoke about it, so relaxed and normal, made it feel less daunting. Reaching out felt like a huge step, but something in me knew I needed to try.

“When I called, Ben’s support team immediately made me feel at ease. They spoke to me gently, asked how I was feeling and took the time to really check in with me. It didn’t feel rushed or clinical, it felt human. Together, we explored what might help me most and they recommended life coaching. That’s where it all began.

“Each session of life coaching was different, but every single one was valuable. My life coach had a way of asking the right questions - the kind of questions I would never have thought to ask myself. It completely changed how I think. We spent time breaking down my thoughts, labelling what was happening in my mind and I learned to recognise patterns. That awareness became so powerful. The anxiety didn’t magically disappear, but understanding it and catching it as it happened, made it feel manageable in a way it never had before.

“One of the most important things we worked on was my values. That process helped me understand myself more and I found it incredibly meaningful.

“Without Ben’s support, I probably would have gone to a doctor or tried CBT on my own. I did actually try some support through an app, but it felt solitary - I was navigating it by myself. With Ben, it was different. I had guidance, it was interactive, engaging and I didn’t feel alone in it. For the first time, I felt truly heard and validated.

“Now, I honestly feel like a completely different person. I can regulate my emotions so much better and I’m far kinder to myself than I’ve ever been. The anxiety is still there at times, but I have the tools to deal with it. And my biggest realisation is that I’ve done this myself. Ben’s support guided me, but they didn’t tell me who to be or how to feel, it helped me discover that I already had the ability within me.

“These days, working on myself has become something I genuinely enjoy. Even though it came from a difficult time, I value everything I learned. I still practice the tools every day and it’s completely changed my outlook on life. When I think about the future now, I feel confident. I know that even if I face those same feelings again, I can handle them because I’ve done it before.

“If you’re thinking about reaching out for support, do it straight away. Don’t let fear or stigma hold you back. It might feel like a big step, but it’s one that can truly change your life. No matter what you’re going through, you can get through the dark times.”