Success Stories: Real Lives Transformed
Real Stories of Change
Each of us carries a unique story—our own patterns, thoughts, and emotions shaped by life’s experiences. Some struggles are deep and overwhelming, like grief, trauma, or intense anxiety. Others may be quieter but still hold us back, like stress, phobias, or limiting beliefs. Whatever the challenge, my approach is the same: I work with the person in front of me, understanding their unique experience and helping them create real change in a way that feels natural and supportive.
The videos below share the stories of people who faced profound difficulties—loss, trauma, overwhelming anxiety, and performance stress—and found a way forward. Further down, you’ll find written experiences covering everything from phobias to PTSD. No matter what you’re going through, you don’t have to stay stuck. Change is possible.
Grief and Trauma
Ongoing Anxiety and Distress
Interview Anxiety and Confidence
A Collage of Client Reactions
From Self-Doubt to Self-Freedom: How One Session Ended a Lifetime of ‘Tail Spins
“Throughout my adult life there has been something that I could never quite put my finger on that was holding me back from being truly happy. A general lack of confidence was always under the surface, but also, now and again, something would happen that would send me into what I described as my ‘tail spins’.
A rush of overwhelming negative emotions about myself would swamp my thoughts and make it almost impossible for me to focus on anything else. I would feel worthless and ‘less than’ other people and these irrational feelings would take days to gradually disappear. It was very debilitating. I had one session with Peter and I feel so calm and ‘free’. I can’t even bring up those negative thoughts about myself, even if I try hard to.
Peter is a genius - and a very caring and down to earth person. I cannot thank him enough, or recommend him more highly if you feel stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts and feelings that are spoiling your life.”
— Cara
From Crippling Anxiety to Unshakable Calm: How One Session Transformed My Life After Stage 4 Cancer
“At the start of 2020 I was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma after it had returned after 3 years. As you can imagine my anxiety was through the roof and wasn’t dealing with it very well. After a while I agreed to seek help and was referred to a NHS psychologist who I saw for an hour every week for 2 years. I hated the sessions as they dragged up all kinds of things and I wasn’t feeling much better after them.
I was told that I had no evidence of disease in March 2022 after 24 cycles of immunotherapy and I then decided to stop the sessions with the psychologist. Since then I felt as though I should have been on top of the world but the truth was I just wasn’t. My anxiety was with me every day and I felt that it was only a matter of time before the melanoma came back to get me.
In September 2023 I had a routine scan and when I went for my results I told the oncologist about a pain I was having in my left breast. The doctor looked at the scan again and said that there was something on the scan and ordered more tests and scans. My anxiety was through the roof, I couldn’t concentrate on work, my guts were always in knots, I had zero motivation and I was angry all the time. This persisted for some time and was getting worse and worse. My wife was encouraging me to get help but I thought it was pointless so refused.
The slightest thing would send me off my head and I felt like I couldn’t keep going through this. I eventually agreed that I would get help, my wife contacted Peter Owen and asked if he could help me.
Peter arranged a session with me. I explained my situation and how I felt. Peter made me feel safe to open up about how I was feeling and reasured me that there were a number of things that he could do. He started by asking me to give my score out of 10 about how I felt when I thought about being in the waiting room at the hospital and I said 10 without any hesitation. He started a series of short, unusual exercises, each lasting for a few minutes each.
At the end of the session Peter asked me to picture myself in the waiting room at the hospital and out of 10 what my anxiety was like. It was weird, I couldn’t feel a thing, no anxiety, not a flicker. I had not felt this calm in almost four years. I came home with a massive grin on my face I couldn’t believe how calm I was – I felt like a different me.
A few weeks after the session I had to go back for the dreaded scan results. Normally I would take extra beta blockers and tranquilizers to get me through these appointments. I didn’t need anything I was calm and cool as a cucumber – I still couldn’t believe it.
I can’t thank Peter enough for what he’s done for me – my life has changed completely. Almost two months on and not a single anxiety issue, I can’t believe how good he is. I would recommend Peter to anybody that asks, he’s changed my life and my outlook and he’s a thoroughly nice fella too!!”
— Leon
From Despair to Strength: Ending 20 Years of Depression and Intrusive Thoughts
“I have suffered severe clinical depression for over 20 years as a result of a number of traumatic events which have occurred during my life. When my husband and both my parents passed away, my life began to spiral completely out of control and the thoughts of harming both myself and my two young children were never far away. I attempted suicide was hospitalized and referred to numerous psychologists and councilors, who simply offered a ‘listening ear’ and increased my anti-depressants.
I muddled through day to day life in a zombified manner, fearing the future held no place for me. A friend recommended I contact Pete having seen him herself for panic attacks. The change in her was incredible so after hitting a deep dark place in my life, I was desperate to try anything. My intrusive thoughts had become obsessive, paralyzing me and had a massive impact on every aspect of my life. Since seeing Pete, my major depressive episodes, self-loathe and feelings of desperation are now a ghost from the past! After only one session, I feel an overwhelming inner power and strength, confidently knowing I am now able to deal emotionally and mentally with any future life events.
My feelings of detachment from the world no longer exist and I feel completely free of all negative and life-threatening thoughts. I am experiencing optimism for the future as a feeling of contentment and happiness flows from deep within. This is an experience not felt for a number of years. A fantastic experience and result Pete! Thank you so much for your unconditional support, a new found freedom and a new beginning”
- Sara
From Emotional Turmoil to Lasting Peace: How I Let Go of Anger, Guilt, and Despair for Good
“I apologise that this has taken so long but I have been letting the weeks pass to see if any of my feelings resurface or I need an extra session.
I can honestly say I feel transformed. You identified three key feelings: anger, upset and guilt and helped me overcome these in the magnificent way that you do. I wondered if any of these would come back, particularly the guilt as I found this the most debilitating. I am pleased to say they haven't. Thank you.
I will admit that I have forced myself to let my mind go there and test whether I was trying feeling better and I can happily report that I can't get myself back to pits of despair and strength of feeling that I was experiencing before I saw you. It is a strange situation; I know the feelings are there, you helped me acknowledge them, but you've helped me put so much distance between me and them, that I can't get near them even when I try.
I do find my mind wandering back to events that happened, but I can think of them clearly, coldly and rationally and I no longer get upset. It is for this reason I truly feel transformed.
I don't feel overwhelmed anymore and I am able to have normal conversations in a matter of fact way and I don't lie awake on the treadmill of thoughts anymore. I feel peace.
There are probably a thousand other things you could help me with in other parts of my life and I may well book in to see you again as I really enjoyed the experience and value the time that you spent with me, but for this change in me, I cannot thank you enough.
Thanks so much, Peter”
- Maria
From Suicidal Despair to Inner Peace: A Life-Changing Transformation
“When I contacted Peter I was literally struggling to stay alive. I don't mean I was feeling down. I mean I was in so much consistent chronic emotional pain that ending my life felt like the only option. I then unexpectedly heard an interview with Peter about his work with suicidal people. He soon responded to my outreach email and, during our sessions, two things became apparent very quickly.
Firstly, Peter walks his talk and has some of the most powerfully effective tools at his disposal that I have ever experienced in a life littered with failed efforts to heal. Peter has a wonderful ability to apply exactly what is needed in the moment in a bespoke and highly skillful and effective manner. He also listens!
Secondly, Peter must have heard absolutely everything because nothing seems to shock, fluster or flummox him. My history is truly terrible but Peter confidently and kindly guided me through a process of the deepest release and change that quickly started a fundamental shift from me feeling suicidal to experiencing persistent inner peace.
Frankly, this is akin to a major miracle in my experience. Just as importantly, I have not 'relapsed' back into the old pain, but rather, I continue to feel calm and peaceful. In fact, I am now even wondering what great things I can achieve and experience in my life........
A big and heartfelt thank you Peter”
- Robert
Breaking Free from Deep Emotional Pain: A Life-Changing Shift for Both Me and My Son
“I had a session with Pete exploring some of my long term, chronic psychological pain. I have had six years of therapy and the intensity of the pain, of the memories of my pain wouldn’t shift. It is hard to understand what happened in the session with Pete, but it felt like the pain I had been experiencing was in a dream, was no longer part of my everyday life- it was something distant.
I decided to see if Pete’s techniques would work with my eleven year old son. My view is that he was quite depressed and was extremely despairing about going to school. Pete first explored any history of bullying, which there had been. And then he challenged his core belief around his intense dislike of school. I sat next to my son. I was worried about a placebo kind of effect, or my son feeling that he needed to ‘get this right’ to either please me or Pete. But his responses were so genuine. At first, his feelings of despair hardly decreased. So I knew that my son was being authentic. It was then that Pete went into helping him break down his core belief. And then, the change felt miraculous. His whole body changed. His face changed. And then my son was back to being himself. It was like I could see his soul again and he was free. It felt like this core belief had trapped him. And he was no longer trapped. Instead, he had a new, far healthier belief in its place.
The long term effects? Well, I had my session with Pete over six weeks ago and I am really noticing a difference. I would have these painful feelings virtually on a daily basis. And in the last six weeks, not once. For my son, he had a week left of school, which was a pretty tough week as his resilience was already down due to being the end of term. I couldn’t believe the difference in him. He used to cry before going to bed with the anticipation of school and would often wake up crying. There was absolutely none of that. There was a little bit of protesting, but certainly no despair. In fact, the opposite. I hear lots and lots of whistling these days- a sign that he is feeling some calm and joy.
I felt that Pete used his techniques in an expert way in order to create this impact. For both my son and I, I felt he worked with us in a relational way, with compassion and an understanding of the nature of our psyches and neurons! It definitely felt like a process of exploration, not merely a clinical procedure. I think this compassion and understanding is vital in order to explore someone’s past in a sensitive manner.
My great thanks to Pete. I feel very blessed to have found him and to be exposed to the work he is doing”
- Jo - Clinical Psychologist
From Crisis to Calm: Peace After a Lifetime of Trauma
“I wanted to take the time to write a review for Peter. I started online therapy with Peter and I was in a state of crisis. A life of multiple traumatic events had let me to this point. I was at a stage that every little negative thing was catastrophised and often I would freeze up and had very strong intrusive thoughts, which were having a huge impact on my day to day life and my family.
After just one 2 hour session with Peter I experienced a sense of calm and peace that I don’t ever remember feeling. Straight away I found I could handle things in a calmer and more rational way, I woke up not feeling weighed down in my chest and my husband noticed a huge difference in me. He says I am stronger and more productive and smile and laugh more then I have for years.
Peter’s techniques did not make me feel more upset, like other things I had tried in the past. He was professional, kind, knowledgeable, I felt heard, valued and most of all safe. I would recommend him to anyone who has trouble with fears or anxieties or depression that are holding them back from the life they deserve,
THANKYOU SO VERY MUCH”
- Maya
From Hopelessness to a Future Worth Living: How I Broke Free from Depression and Self-Doubt
“I had been suffering with depression and very low self esteem for as long as I can remember, I believed that know body loved or liked me, not even my own children. I had been to my doctors many times over the years, have seen counselors, and had many different types of anti-depressants. I tried to commit suicide when my wife left me, and whilst in hospital I thought that now they might get to the bottom as to why I feel the way I do, but no, the hospital put me in contact with a psychiatrist who really only listened, offered me more anti-depressants but no real constructive help.
Then I met Peter who offered me a way out, his techniques seemed a little strange at first, but I listened and did as he suggested. Very quickly I noticed my feelings and thoughts were changing, the techniques were beginning to work. I feel that life is worth living again, I see a happy future. If you have problems that you feel you need help with, then I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Peter, the techniques that he uses I had never heard of, but they work, and for me that’s all that matters.”
- Chris
Rediscovering Strength: How I Learned to Embrace Life Again
“I was an absolute wreck. I was so deeply depressed even the tiniest inconvenience could send me on a downward spiral. Over the last two months life has thrown a whole pile of all that is bad at me and I have not only coped, I have lost the fear of living - it feels really good,
actually quite empowering. When you took me on to help me you gave me the most precious gift anyone can give to another person, you gave me the will to carry on living, the will to try.....
You have the power to change people's lives, you have definitely changed mine for the better and I would recommend anyone who feels there is no hope to seek you out. At the start
you had enough belief for both of us, you gave me the tools I needed to transfer your belief in me, into belief in myself.”
- Jess
Breaking Free: A Newfound Strength After 20 Years of Depression
“I have suffered severe clinical depression for over 20 years as a result of a number of traumatic events which have occurred during my life. When my husband and both my parents passed away, my life began to spiral completely out of control and the thoughts of harming both myself and my two young children were never far away. I attempted suicide was hospitalized and referred to numerous psychologists and councilors, who simply offered a ‘listening ear’ and increased my anti-depressants.
I muddled through day to day life in a zombified manner, fearing the future held no place for me. A friend recommended I contact Pete having seen him herself for panic attacks. The change in her was incredible so after hitting a deep dark place in my life, I was desperate to try anything. My intrusive thoughts had become obsessive, paralyzing me and had a massive impact on every aspect of my life.
Since introducing the techniques Pete suggested, my major depressive episodes, self-loathe and feelings of desperation are now a ghost from the past! After a few sessions I feel an overwhelming inner power and strength, confidently knowing I am now able to deal emotionally and mentally with any future life events. My feelings of detachment from the world no longer exist and I feel completely free of all negative and life-threatening thoughts.
I am experiencing optimism for the future as a feeling of contentment and happiness flows from deep within. This is an experience not felt for a number of years. A fantastic experience and result Pete! Thank you so much for your unconditional support, a new found freedom and a new beginning”
- Hannah
A New Perspective: Overcoming Darkness and Finding Strength Again
“After 2-3 years of deterioration of my marriage and the eventual separation 6 months ago I knew I had reached rock bottom. Severe depression, anxiety, low confidence and self esteem…if it was a negative mental issue I had it and it manifested itself all day every day to the point where suicide was considered. I felt that what ever the future held, the future didn’t have a place for me.
I contacted Pete having being recommended him by another who had seen him. In the initial session we discussed my situation and issues and straight away by means of conversation and positive spins on life I began to look at things differently. I was then introduced to some of his techniques in dealing with negative emotions and once these exercises where carried out the effect was almost instantaneous and the difference in my outlook and attitude to myself and life in general was changed dramatically.
He enabled me to confront the negative thoughts that had plagued me for years and enable me to get over my problems and move on with my life like I never thought possible. The circumstances that have caused me problems are still there but I am able to deal with them in a positive manner to a point that i’m not affected by negative thoughts. The difference is unbelievable and is beyond anything I could have hoped for before I saw Pete. To anybody reading this I urge you to get in contact with Pete as it will be the best thing you ever do. Thankyou Pete…you may well have saved my life.”
- Jason
Releasing the Past: Finding Strength, Confidence, and a New Sense of Freedom
“I contacted Peter after deciding enough was enough – depression, low self esteem, anger and negative energy was taking over my life. Something very horrendous happened to me many years ago at the age of ten – I had gone through two years of sexual abuse – Going through stages of feeling unloved, ugly, and dirty and at one point in a desperate state to end my life.
Growing up and knowing things were dead and buried I had tried to put things to the back of my mind and forget all about. I tried to carry on with a happy life. However I never spoke a word to anyone about my ordeal. I figured things would be ok up until meeting the love of my life. Having ups and downs like any normal person I never realised that half of my ups and downs were because I had feelings and emotions that I just hadn’t let go of. I confided in Pete as I knew that I was slipping into a depressed state of mind – I just thought it was because I had had a few arguments about everyday matters. But I wondered why things like this were affecting me so badly – feeling scared, lonely and ugly with no confidence – all this because of a row over having a rubbish weekend, raining with nothing to do?
It didn’t make sense. Pete guided me through a process to let go of the intense feelings. After the first session a huge surge of energy rushed through my body with emotions flying everywhere. By the second, third and fourth session I felt invincible, nothing could get me down. The events that happened to me all those years ago had a tight hold of me but now it feels as though it never happened. Intellectually I know the facts but the feelings and emotions towards it are gone. The techniques truly are AMAZING – I knew I was happy in my relationship but now I have been given a burst of life – releasing the badness only made more room for the love I already had. Thanks Peter!”
- Emily
Overcoming Fear: How I Broke Free from a Dog Phobia in Just 15 Minutes
“I contacted Peter when I realised that my phobia of dogs had gotten out of hand and was beginning to rub off on my daughter and impact on my life. Through college and uni, I worked every summer at my local boarding kennels and felt perfectly confident in dealing with all breeds. Fast forward several years and I was 8 and half months pregnant and walking back to my hillside villa in Spain, after putting out the rubbish at the end of the road. On either side of the road were high walls and steep slopes. I walked past our neighbours villa, perhaps 100 metres from ours, and their Rottweiller ran out and chased me down the road. It was snarling and angry and I couldn’t outrun it or escape.
As it lunged at me, all I could do is turn quickly and hunch over my belly and it missed me and landed on it’s side. I remember thinking “This is going to be bad, but the baby might survive…” I didn’t see what happened next, but the owners managed to call it off and it ran home. After that I was afraid to walk out of my villa ever again and when the tenant living in the underbuild apartment got a similar sized dog, we had to move. Now I’m living back here, but the phobia remained and when my little girl started pre-school I had a nightmare with parents waiting outside the school gates with Rottweillers.
If I walked round a corner to be confronted by one, I would freeze up and my daughter would panic too. My heart would be beating all the way home and I realised that this happened with all large dogs and I even hated having friendly little dogs jump up at my legs for attention. It was the realisation that my daughter was inheriting my phobia that made me decide to do something about it.
I contacted Peter and he completely erradicated my phobia in less than 15 minutes!!!! I literally had my life turned around in between finishing dinner and washing the pots, as he did it over the phone! I was stroking little dogs within days and even attended a fete at the local guide dog centre, where every other person had brought their pet dog. I found myself stroking a dog so tall that a child could walk under it and I want to pet every dog I see now, as I used to. I still give the Rottweillers at the school gate a wide berth, but I think that’s just common sense. Thanks, Peter. I can walk down the street now without panicking at every dog”
- Michelle
Lifting the Weight of Anxiety: Finding Calm and Confidence at Work and Beyond
“I have been to see Pete twice now and what he does is truly amazing! It is hard to put into words how much he has helped me!! I have suffered for a long time with anxiety but it recently came to a head over a work issue, my first session my anxiety and stress levels were high but now I wonder why I was so worried as I left feeling like the world had been lifted off my shoulders!
The issues at work are ongoing but i can deal with them more confidentially! Looking back now I am a lot calmer in other situations all because Pete helped me face my work anxieties! My partner is so relived to see me back to my old happy self instead of weepy and stressed”
- Emma
Finding Stability and Joy Again After 30 Years of Struggle
“I would like to thank you so much for the incredible impact you have had on my wellbeing. I have suffered from crippling bouts of depression and anxiety for the last 30 years. Recently, I have found it hard to cope with every day life. I’ve been extremely low, tearful, and struggling to keep going. I have a loving family, and I know I have caused them much concern.
My son heard about the amazing results Peter had in cases like mine, and encouraged me to give him a call. Thank goodness he did! Just one session restored stability in my life, and a second session has given me the ability to look forward to the future and enjoy my life. I feel calm, content, and in control. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to Peter for helping me get my life back on track”
- Joanne