Leanne’s Story

Leanne was referred to us seeking support to manage anxiety and stress, which she described as stemming from frequent overthinking and catastrophising. She also lives with Fibromyalgia, a condition that affects her energy levels and mobility. Over time, Leanne found herself socialising less, becoming increasingly isolated, and losing interest in everyday activities.

Keen to develop self-help strategies and improve her mental wellbeing, Leanne joined our Small and Friendly Self-help Sessions in Middleton.

At first, Leanne felt apprehensive, but she soon began to relax and engage with others in the group. She openly shared how her struggles with anxiety and Fibromyalgia impacted her mood and overall well-being. The sessions introduced the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, which helped Leanne understand how withdrawing socially was affecting her mental health.

One of the key tools Leanne used was a Mood and Thought Diary. This helped her record fluctuating emotions and identify unhelpful thoughts to challenge as she progressed through the course. She found the Thought Record and Behavioural Experiment worksheets particularly useful, sharing with the group how they helped her reduce “spending less time over-thinking and predicting things that could go wrong.” She described feeling “calmer and more in control,” which also contributed to better sleep.

Leanne also increased her activity levels, reconnecting with friends she hadn’t seen much recently. The course’s focus on activity scheduling supported her in setting achievable goals and celebrating her progress.

While initially hesitant to write positive personal affirmations during the Self-Compassion and Self-Esteem session, Leanne persisted. She found that practicing these affirmations helped boost her self-esteem and recognize her strengths.

Leanne’s journey is a powerful example of how small, supported steps can help individuals regain control over their mental health and wellbeing, with the right tools and community support.

Posted on: 4th March 2026