Dr Claudia Bernat 2020-03-10 Person 5 5 0

I am now 6 months into treatment with Dr Bernat and what a difference…. I have suffered depression and anxiety for many years with symptoms getting better and worse on and off which lead to my performance at work declining, my family life deteriorating and my wellbeing hitting rock bottom. Over the past few years, I have seen many therapists who have been chosen mainly on price. I would choose mid-range therapists thinking they will have to do as couldn’t afford the higher end. The result was prolonged mental health issues due to incorrect diagnosis. Eventually, my anxiety became intolerable, and my depression was at a point of danger. I was desperate for help so set out to find someone who could help me for good. The only problem was that the reviews for the majority of Psychotherapists were terrible with a common theme - “only want your money” or “didn’t listen” or “not putting the patient first”. After deliberating and being bed-bound from anxiety my wife said: “enough is enough” and contacted the Elsmere Clinic and explained the situation in which I was appointed Dr Bernat. When I attended my first session I was in a world of pain and was the most anxious I had ever been. Dr Bernat was understanding, compassionate but was also able to get straight to the heart of my issues. This session was not in any way dictated by what she had wanted me to do, it was all about how she could help and what I would be comfortable with. It was a consultative approach which gained my trust instantly. I have always been very anti-medication. I have an addictive personality and was concerned that once I started a) I wouldn’t be able to stop b) I wouldn’t be able to perform at work c) it would change who I am and mask the problem. I was reassured by Dr Bernat that with the right guidance, support and treatment, none of the above would happen. I started the medication and weekly therapy sessions and it has honestly changed my entire life for the better with none of the sinister side effects I had built up in my mind. I have felt the need to write a good review as so many are dominated by bad experiences which ultimately delayed my recovery unnecessarily. It's too easy to blame others. There must be more stories like mine. I am performing well at work, my family life is the best its ever been, I am finally myself again and my world isn’t being suffocated by anxiety and depression. The medication that was suggested was perfect, the approach towards my treatment was always lead by what I wanted to do and wasn’t dictated to make me feel uncomfortable or not on my terms. Yes, this process wasn’t the cheapest especially as a patient that has no insurance but if I had started this process a long time ago it would have been a lot cheaper than the mid-market therapists I had spent so much time and money with no results and delayed recovery. You can’t put a price on mental wellbeing. I would recommend Dr Bernat and the Elsmere clinic to anyone who needs help with depression and anxiety. I can now enjoy life all thanks to Dr Bernat & her associates.