Posted by Matt T on 22/11/2012, 12:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Feedback on Manchester follow-up workshop Nov 2012"

So what I can I add to the other comments about the workshop - for me it was only a 6 week break from the first workshop, and although I had made good progress at the first workshop I still felt I had some way to go along the journey to where I will be comfortable. The follow-up workshop felt like a much more relaxed weekend than the initial - there was no more "learning the theory" but an absolute focus on de-sensing. For me this started at the level I knew I was comfortable at (being able to use a cubicle with other people around) and quickly progressed to being able to use a urinal in some circumstances. As I leave the weekend I can now use a urinal in non-busy toilets (where there are gaps either side of me) but in a way it's not about the progress I made but how I feel inside that is the biggest change. I now approach using public toilets in a much more calm way. I feel comfortable that I might take a while to get started, or that I might not be able to go at all, and I can metaphorically shrug my shoulders and say "ok I'll try again later". I am much more in tune with what is likely to make it difficult for me to go, and feel really able to cope with that without it being a problem any more. I'm not cured - I have had a misfire since attending, but that's ok - I could see what was "wrong" with that environment for me, so I went somewhere else and all was good. I've made masses of progress on both workshops for which I want to say a big big thanks to Andrew, and to all the really nice people I've met. To anyone who is thinking about attending a follow up workshop (or a beginners) I would say that it really is a comfortable thing to do - the exercises can be challenging but nothing is threatening and the whole process is really rewarding... especially when you look back and see how much progress you've made. I'm now off to find a public toilet....

208