Dear Julie,

I have left writing my testimonial for a month as I didn't want to tempt fate!

I had smoked since I was 13. I had attempted to stop on many occasions, with varying degrees of success. Obviously, I had returned to smoking each time! I knew smoking was ridiculous, I knew life was better to be free of it, but always returned to being a smoker. I hated myself for smoking and was really down about it.

I was always ashamed to go to visit my dentist because of the damage I was doing to my gums and appearance of my teeth, but that was where I saw your leaflet! (Thank God). The line that struck me was, 'Want to give up but don't because you think life will always be miserable without a cig..'  or something like that!! It struck a chord with me as I'd stopped so many times and felt 'unhappy', even though I should have felt elated. I am a teacher, reasonably intelligent, yet was still controlled by my habit.

I thought I'd give it a go, especially after I read the testimonials. I clicked with so many of the stories, and I knew that no smoker would ever lie about how it felt. I'd been hypnotised before, so was not worried about that, but I was very scared of the cost as I'm a single mother with 2 children. I was petrified that I would spend the money and still smoke!!!

So, after the session with Julie ...... just odd!!! A bit cautious, a bit tentative, but bizarrely no desire to smoke. I didn't dare trust this feeling, as after 2 hours being denied a cig during the session, that would be the first thing I reached for and I was definitely expecting the craving. I kept waiting for the impulse to light a cig, it never came. I did not get my usual horrendous withdrawal symptoms – I promise. I can't deny there have been times when I've got cross quicker than before, or that I've simply felt odd/weird, as I have to carry out my life without a mad fag in my hand. More importantly, my day/life is not ruled by the nicotine time plan, which even though AMAZINGLY freeing, is still a tad odd after 25 years! But I simply don't want to smoke. I took a lot also from the preliminary chat with Julie – I thought I knew everything about my habit – but she taught me more!

Truth is no matter how upset, sad, angry etc I get I know a cig won't help.

To be honest, it seems BIZARRE that it ever did. I now have to adjust to life as all non-smokers do, which is if there is a problem, solve it – a fag will never do that. I feel like I've joined the human race again.

Thank you Julie. I keep trying to explain how easy it is to everyone. I want to say that I've tried EVERY method, and this is the only one which is painless and final. I really do want to cry with happiness to be FREE of the most stupid, crazy, evil habit. If you want to print my telephone number please do, I'll try my best to show smokers how ridiculously easy and freeing this is!!!

I know I've gone on, but I am so happy for my freedom from smoking.

Andrea Battye
P.S To all the female smokers out there who dread putting weight on – you don't, as you simply are not missing anything, therefore you don't need to compensate with food!!!!

Andrea's phone number is 0113 257 3735