Feedback from our clients

After struggling for several years to effectively manage our 8 year old son's violent outbursts we made an appointment with Lucy. We were miserable; home life was toxic. Although we were trying so hard, our parenting was inconsistent, ineffectual and everyone was suffering. Lucy was able to "diagnose" and isolate the cause of our son's anger, which proved to be the integral key to managing the behaviours. Psychologists we had previously seen focused on behaviour management techniques without establishing the reason driving the outbursts, so in effect we were only treating the symptoms, not the cause. Lucy provided us with much more than just a sounding board; she gave many ideas, resources, time and much thought to our situation. She was completely reliable and professional, yet also became an ally to us.

We had to work incredibly hard, and at times struggled to continue with the strategies. When we lost confidence in ourselves, Lucy encouraged us to keep going, she felt we were making improvements, slowly but surely. For us, a week felt like a month!! However, six months on we have seen much success. We now feel we have our little boy back, he smiles instead of scowls, and we can call him our friend. We have watched the light return to his beautiful eyes, and we all feel hope for a happy future. Thank you so much Lucy.

— Sally and Troy, parents of two

My husband and I have been seeing Lucy for only four weeks now and I cannot believe the change that it has brought to our family life. Prior to this I was so stressed out all the time trying to manage my child’s behaviour. My eldest son was so angry and aggressive all the time and it was beginning to be unbearable for my daughter. I just didn’t know what to do. He never listened to a thing I said and treated everyone in the house with disrespect. Nothing I did worked. I tried time out and other things like removing his toys as a punishment. Nothing worked. The effect that my son’s behaviour had on my marriage was huge. My husband and I could not agree on how to handle him and it was creating such conflict which made the situation worse.

Lucy listened to our story with such compassion and understanding. It made me feel like we were not the only ones in this kind of situation. Lucy knew exactly what the plan of action should be and which approach would work for our family. Lucy provided us with a plan and simple, clear strategies to put in place that actually work. It is amazing what a difference it has made to combine Lucy’s strategies with things like spending brief periods of quality time with the kids. It is like a light switch has gone on and now my husband and I are on the same page and we are working as a team again. My son’s behaviour has improved dramatically over the past three weeks. There hasn’t been an argument in over two weeks now, which is amazing. He seems a lot calmer and happier and he even comes and cuddles me on the couch!

Lucy has a lot of passion for the work that she does and you can really feel that when you work with her. Head, Heart and Hands is an amazing service that I highly recommend to any parent who is having trouble with their kid’s behaviour. Thank you so much Lucy, it has been an amazing journey so far.

— Kelly, Mother of two

 

When I first came to see Lucy, I didn’t really know what to expect, I only knew that I was exhausted. My children were driving me crazy with their fighting and constant whinging and arguing. Every time I opened my mouth, it was to yell at them. I was beginning to become depressed and really didn’t enjoy being a mother. After working with Lucy for about 6 weeks, I am a different person and so are my children.

Parenting is so much easier when you have some strategies to use when things get difficult. I now feel like things are under control in our house and I am in charge. It was so great that Lucy was clear about that. She made me believe that I could follow through with the plan and I did. It was hard at first but once the kids knew that I was serious about it and that I was determined to follow through it, they started behaving better really quickly. Things are now much calmer and happier in our house. Every parent should have a few sessions at Head, Heart & Hands.

— Morgan, Mother of four

 

My son now eats with us at the table and he talks to us now. Before, he never used to say anything unless he wanted money. The other day he even invited me into his room to show me something he had made. I thought I was going to lose him but a few simple ideas from Lucy has made a big difference in the way I respond to my teenage son. He seems a fair bit happier now and I feel like we are really getting somewhere.

— Debbie, Mother of two

 

The sessions have been great. I have learned that how to keep my emotions under control and when you do that, it is so much better for the kids. The teachers have even noticed a difference in my daughter’s mood at school. Everyone is less stressed at home now we all are not arguing all the time.

Thank you Lucy.

— Mike, Father of one