I work in the manufacturing sector as a product designer. After 23 years in employment, I unexpectedly experienced physical and mental burn out and a complete emotional breakdown.
I am a father of three with a very busy home and work life, I did not have time to be ill…
My employer introduced me to services of Workable NI support in late 2023.
Early in 2024 I met Dorothy Greenaway and started on the programme.
I was in an almost constant state of agitation that generated ruminating thoughts that fuelled anxiety and caused chronic stress and upper body pain.
I had already started on a journey with by GP but given my condition, the difficulties getting through to the surgery never mind achieving an appointment added to my stress and anxiety.
I attended sessions with Dorothy every three weeks and I found that having a non-judging, independent, very caring, and patient person to talk to was a lifeline for me at my time of crisis.
Workable signposted me to a counsellor providing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and to a Condition Management Programme (CMP). Both processes helped me come to terms with my health challenges and helped me develop coping strategies.
I continued to attend sessions with Dorothy throughout 2024, 2025 and now into 2026. Having the routine gave me something to focus on, work towards, and someone to report my progress too.
Fundamentally I had worked myself into the ground and I had lost sight of what an acceptable level of output might be. Working with Dorothy helped me to understand that I need to go easy on myself and that I needed to be patient as my recovery was going to be nonlinear, some days good and other days not so good.
I have established a better work-life balance and have gradually accepted that I am middle aged and not in my twenties anymore.
As a direct result of being on the Workable NI programme I am now in a much better place and my life has largely returned to normal. I am very thankful for this.
I would recommend Workable NI to anyone that needs it. It has been transformational for me, I feel much better and I am now more equipped with the tools to cope going forward.
Thank you Dorothy and Workable NI.