Acknowledgements

A big, huge thank you to the team at Michael Joseph for being so welcoming and lovely. To my editor, Fenella Bates, for your incredible enthusiasm and support from day one. Your positive attitude and excitement about the book was so encouraging.

To Valeria Huerta, my book agent – thank you for everything! I’m forever grateful for all your help and kindness.

To Katy Sunnassee for your smart insights, fantastic editing and being an absolute pleasure to work with. Thank you to Helen Coyle, my copy-editor, for all your incredible help and great work.

Thank you, Mum, for teaching me so much about love and for always being there. Dad, thank you for being the world’s wisest, funniest and most patient man. You guys are everything to me.

Thanks to Livi and Charlotte for being such sweethearts. I love you to infinity and beyond.

Thank you to Aidan, my favourite person – for teaching me that ‘I am OK’, for being my biggest cheerleader and for never saying a mean word, even when you were mad at me!

Thanks to Bonnie S, for simultaneously being the wisest and the most fun person ever, ever, ever. Bonnie B for all the chats, laughs and love. Will for being a great friend, dance partner and bringer of the fun. Josie, thanks for the BEST walks and talks. And to Lucy, I love you!

Thanks to Auntie Vicky and Uncle Ian, who I’ll always look up to – for all the advice and encouragement; and to Annie G for all the love and great company.

Thank you to all my clients for being so brave and inspiring and for teaching me so much. Special thanks to those who’ve allowed me to share their stories in this book.

And finally, thanks to you, the reader. You are amazing, strong, lovable and so, so enough. Please don’t forget that! Here’s to a Calmer You.