Published on: 1st September 2025
A local woman has praised NHS Bury Talking Therapies service for helping her rediscover hope, independence and a sense of self after decades of living with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Ali, 52, was referred earlier this year by her community mental health nurse. Her mental ill health was rooted in traumatic experiences from early childhood, deepened by episodes of domestic abuse in adulthood. In her darkest moments, Ali faced multiple suicide attempts and felt overwhelmed and unable to cope.
Having tried counselling and a range of therapies before, Ali was doubtful this latest referral could lead to real change.
She explained: “I was frightened, overwhelmed and lived in a constant state of anxiety, which took a huge physical toll on my body. My whole life I’d felt on edge, almost like electricity was running through me.
“I’d feel sick to my stomach and my legs would go stiff all the time. It took hold of everything, and I didn’t feel like I was in control. I struggled to sleep, and if I did sleep, I would have nightmares.”
Ali was offered eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a treatment specifically designed to support individuals experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress.
Anne Campbell, service manager for NHS Bury Talking Therapies explained: “Normally, our brains process experiences naturally - often during sleep. But when someone goes through something very distressing or traumatic, the brain can struggle to process it properly. This can cause the memory to get ‘stuck’, and when it comes back, it can feel just as intense and upsetting as when it first happened.
“EMDR is different because it doesn’t require you to talk in detail about the trauma or relive it for long periods. Instead, with the help of a therapist, you briefly focus on the memory while doing something called ‘bilateral stimulation’. This involves moving your eyes side to side, listening to sounds in each ear, or feeling taps on your hands. This helps the brain reprocess the memory, so it feels less intense and upsetting over time.”
Ali’s therapy was delivered remotely, which she found especially helpful due to her difficulty leaving the house. She praised the service’s flexibility, which allows people to choose preferences such as remote or in-person sessions.
“I was so happy they could adapt to fit my needs. It takes me a very long time to build trust and feel comfortable, but after four sessions I felt my barriers coming down and it being easier to be open and honest about my feelings.”
Ali and her therapist worked together to develop the right coping skills, including a thought diary to record her feelings and find patterns in behaviour, which meant she could understand herself more.
Ali added: “I was given so many helpful tools to navigate my emotions and ultimately overcome them. What I had believed was anger was in fact a deep sadness that was presenting itself in another way. For the first time in my life, I truly know who I am and have taken back control.”
Now discharged from the service, Ali is looking forward to the future. She’s planning to get her driving licence and says her independence and humour are back. Ali said: “It’s worked like magic. I am calm and serene. My friends tell me how much I’ve changed and that’s because I can now sit still and be in the moment for the first time ever. It’s truly transformed me, and I am so grateful. They’ve given me a life, a future and hope. I’m now the best version of myself I could possibly be.”
Anne Campbell, service manager for NHS Bury Talking Therapies, added: “We’re incredibly proud of Ali’s progress. Her story shows how personalised, compassionate care can really make a life-changing difference. It’s what we are here for, and we encourage anyone who is struggling to come forward and seek help.”
How to refer
NHS Bury Talking Therapies is for people aged 16 years and above, registered with a GP in Bury. They can help with a range of issues including difficulty sleeping, low mood, stress, worry or anxiety, feelings of low self-worth, panic attacks and more. People can self-refer at www.penninecare.nhs.uk/burytalk or ask their GP to refer them.