Supporting clients with
driving anxiety since 2012
07736 834568
D, who completed our Drive Therapy iCourse Plus...
I would recommend Drive Therapy and Carmine to anyone who has anxiety or fears related to driving.
Driving is so common in the UK that it's difficult to admit that it's a problem. So much of our culture portrays driving and getting a car as a rite of passage, a sign of independence and being an adult. As a young-ish middle-aged male driving in the UK, I have experienced driving related anxiety for over 20 years. In my early 20's, I had no driving anxiety at all but for various reasons, my fears and anxiety around driving quickly increased to a point where at times I was struggling to even be a passenger on particular roads.
I found long, fast, straight stretches of road particularly difficult. Driving on dual carriageways and motorways felt completely unachievable and even the fear of accidentally ending on one of these roads by taking a wrong turn would make me very anxious. As time progressed, I would go to some lengths to avoid this kind of driving. Sometimes I would drive, but would plan often complicated (and often much longer) routes to avoid driving on roads I felt would be too challenging. Other times I would let others drive and then feel guilty for not sharing the driving. Occasionally, I would just not go and miss out on whatever activity was being planned.
I felt embarrassed of my driving anxiety and would try to hide it from friends and employers, as it seemed like something that was so easy for others. I worried a lot about what I would do if I had to drive somewhere or was asked to drive for work. I was also aware that I was missing out on many enjoyable things by excluding activities and holidays that required driving.
I then got a job offer. A job that looked amazing, working for a reputable company which felt like a great next step for me any my family. However, it would require me to drive to work most days carrying out site-visits potentially across the UK. It was a big moment after so long of avoiding and hiding my driving fears. This seemed the right time to get some professional help with my driving anxiety and so I contacted Carmine.
The Drive Therapy iCourse gave me hope that things could change. Carmine explained how anxiety works, how we use safety behaviours and negative thought patterns that keep us in a place of anxiety. We talked about the history of my driving anxiety, which was something I had spoken to very few people about. When I had finished the session, I felt hopeful and determined to take my driving to a new level and to manage my driving anxiety rather than letting it consume me.
During the session I was given me some simple strategies to manage my anxiety when driving but also had some tools for helping me think about some of my underlying thoughts and assumptions that were feeding my anxiety. I found Carmine to be very generous, supportive and easy to talk to. He understood my driving anxieties very quickly and had lots of useful experience and knowledge to share.
The Driving Plan that we drew up at the end of the session gave me a proper coherent plan of how I was going to start to manage my fears about driving rather than let them run wild. As I drove more regularly, Carmine's tools and strategies started to work - I had good days and bad ones (as we had talked about during the session) but I could see progress and feel like I was learning new ways to cope with my driving fears. This was an astonishing feeling after so long living with my driving anxieties.
I occasional feel anxiety when I drive but most of the time it's manageable. It's a wonderful feeling to drive to work safely which up until very recently would have been challenging or felt impossible. It's a great feeling to share the driving with my partner and not feel like I'm avoiding it.
Most of all, it's liberating to feel that the driving anxiety I have struggled with and hidden for over 20 years is changing into something I can manage. Working with Carmine has been, quite simply, revolutionary for me. Thank you Carmine!
E, who completed our Drive Therapy iCourse Plus...
Before Drive Therapy, I had been an extremely avoidant driver due to my phobia. Even after passing my test, I never felt confident and was extremely worried about accidents, so I just didn’t drive. Fifteen years later and with two young children, I decided to tackle my anxiety so I could take them to school, nursery and beyond without having to juggle public transport.
Carmine’s techniques have made a huge difference! He helped build confidence and techniques to calm and rationalise driving. I’m now happy to drive around, and am even enjoying being behind the wheel a little - a huge progress given the extent I had arranged my life around avoiding the car beforehand!
I still have progress to make and the dedicated private Drive Therapy Facebook Support Group is a great resource.
I’d definitely recommend Drive Therapy to any nervous drivers who want to get on the road!
B, from Hertfordshire...
I contacted Carmine at Drive Therapy to help with my anxiety over driving. After the complimentary 30 minute phone consultation, I decided to book the Drive Therapy Two Part Course which included a Zoom session and an in-car practical session.
I found the Drive Therapy Part One Zoom session gave me useful strategies to help prepare myself for my second session which was putting the theory into practice, driving on the roads.
Carmine provided good reassurance, supported me to implement the strategies we had explored, together with some useful tips on driving and negotiating traffic. I found the practical session helped me build on both my knowledge and confidence, and the driving plan provided at the end of Drive Therapy Part Two session was an extremely helpful tool in consolidating my learning together with some very useful next steps.
I highly recommend this two part course. Thank you Carmine!
M, who completed our Drive Therapy iCourse...
A quick email to thank you fore the session in October and give you an update on my progress.
After the session, I began doing the preparations and practicing the techniques provided.
I then covered a single junction on the M1 near Leeds. Although I felt anxious, it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be and the techniques you taught me really helped.
After this, I began extending my range to cover two or three junctions. Again, there was some anxiety in places but I learned to manage this.
Last week, I drove (on my own) 180 miles each way to the north east corner of Wales for a long-arranged weekend with friends. The fastest route is via motorway and fast dual carriageway virtually all the way. I could have created a route via A roads but this would have taken hours longer and I was determined to use as much of the motorway as I could.
The most daunting part for me in the run up to the drive was thinking about the long bending downhill on the M62 from the top of the Pennines towards Manchester. A few weeks ago, I would have not thought it would be possible for me to do this.
Although I had a detour ready to leave the motorway before the downhill, I decided to face it. I did feel anxious but I used the breathing technique to minimise this. At the bottom of the hill, I was relieved and very pleased to have done it.
Later on in the journey, I had another option to use A roads but instead took the fast A55 dual carriageway. After a while, for the first time since I've had the issue, I felt relaxed and almost back to normal driving on such a fast road, which was great.
Two days later on the way back, I did feel anxious at times. I think this was partially because I knew in the second half of the drive there was another long bendy downhill stretch on the M62 from the top of the Pennines towards Leeds. Again, I used the breathing and this was really helpful. After the downhill, I felt much more relaxed.
These two long drives were a huge step forward for me. Although I still had some anxiety, I knew I had the tools and ability to manage it.
I have done a couple more drives on the M1 this week, including some tricky junctions and downhill stretches. I still have a level of anxiety at times, particularly at higher speed, on steeper downhills and bends, but I am confident if it comes on, I can manage it.
I plan to keep using the motorway a couple of times every week. Now that I've faced it and achieved the two big drives, I think over time I'll become less anxious. My hope (and plan!) is one day to feel pretty much the same as I did before this all happened.
Thank you so much for your help and guidance. It made a big difference. I think you're providing a pretty invaluable service!
B, from Berkshire...
I initially came to Drive Therapy a little sceptically but, encouraged by my daughter and unwilling to resign myself to avoidance of driving for the rest of my days, I wrote an email to Carmine and got started!
I had never enjoyed driving but had just got on with it, driving often more than 100 miles a day for my work. After retiring I found myself rarely getting behind the wheel as my husband always drove us and I became increasingly less keen to do so. My only solo drives were long distances on the motorway to visit elderly relatives and these became a nightmare for me, full of anxiety. The solution was to use the train! After scarcely using the car during the pandemic I realised that my anxiety symptoms were happening on local drives too. It really was time to do something about it.
From the first contact with Carmine I felt 'in good hands'. He took time to understand me and my problem in a totally nonjudgemental way. The Part One section of the therapy on Zoom was well planned, unhurried and clear leaving me with some techniques to practise to help cope with the anxiety behind the wheel. Carmine suggested setting myself local drives during which to use the techniques and they certainly did help.
I was dreading the Part Two in-car session but Carmine's focussed but positive approach celebrated my small success with the techniques, allowing me to set my objectives for the forthcoming drive whilst gently but assertively encouraging me to challenge myself a little more. During the couple of hours of driving there were achievable targets and Carmine helped me to work towards them, encouraging and giving positive feedback all the time. We stopped regularly for breaks to reflect on what had happened and my feelings about the drive and I could feel my confidence grow. It really was a positive experience.
I still have progress to make but together we made a clear driving plan and Carmine provided helpful suggestions to enable me to move on. Most importantly, I am motivated to do so and feel that I now have some ‘tools’ to make progress. I can’t thank Carmine enough!
T, who completed our Drive Therapy iCourse...
Since it’s been a while since my virtual Drive Therapy iCourse, I thought I’d write with an update.
Over the summer, I had two separate round trips to Bournemouth that I drove myself (and my 6 year old daughter) to. A large proportion of the journey was along a smart motorway (previously my worst nightmare) and I was absolutely fine. I also drove us both Lyme Regis and back alone one weekend.
More recently, I drove my husband (who couldn’t drive because of eye surgery) around the North Circular and onto Bedford for a weekend away in the dark, which again would typically be well out of my comfort zone (especially as he’s not the most patient passenger as a race driving instructor with no fear)!
In the past, I’d spend practically the whole time away worried about the drive back and not truly relax and enjoy my time there. However, it barely crossed my mind and if it did, I managed to quickly push it to the back of my mind and it not be a constant nag/worry for the whole time.
It’s not to say I don’t still have ‘tipping’ moments when driving on motorways, but using your techniques and my new knowledge I’m able to get back into control of those thoughts and realise there’s nothing wrong.
I’ve regained freedoms that I love, without it burdening me the whole time like a big black cloud.
Thank you; your work is fantastic and I really appreciate it.
B, from Hertfordshire...
I used to be a really confident driver and enjoyed driving a lot. I felt so embarrassed admitting that I had slowly become scared of getting in the car, and had been making excuses for years not to drive.
Carmine was understanding, reassuring and most importantly, had the answers I needed! He helped me reframe my feelings about driving and got me back in the car. The practical session driving around town was actually quite fun in the end!
B, from Essex...
I can't believe the difference working with Carmine at Drive Therapy has made to my driving confidence. As a fairly new driver with little experience of managing different driving scenarios, the anxiety had built up to the point where driving just felt impossible.
After the Drive Therapy Part One (Zoom) session with Carmine, I felt better equipped to manage the anxiety, both before and during my drives. By the time I met Carmine for my Drive Therapy Part Two (In-Car) session, I felt like a different person! Driving now feels like something I enjoy and I feel like I've got my freedom and independence back!
My advice would be, don't hesitate! Give Carmine a call and make the first step towards taking control over your anxiety and finding your confidence! Carmine is a calm, reassuring and professional therapist and coach, who has given me a range of tools to continue to build on the skills I've learnt over the last few weeks. Thank you, Carmine!
Thank you so much. I'm getting ready to drive to a local cafe for breakfast now - my husband nearly fell over when I said I'd drive us!
B, from East Sussex...
I am so pleased that I contacted Carmine at Drive Therapy. From our very first exchange of emails I found him very professional, extremely empathetic and amazingly easy to talk to. After my complimentary 30 minute phone consultation, I decided to sign up for the Drive Therapy two part course and it has really helped my driving anxiety.
I moved to East Sussex with my husband last Autumn after 40 years in London and although I passed my driving test when I was 18 in the 1970s, as the years have gone by I have done less and less driving and developed rather a phobia. Apart from fearing driving I am a fairly confident, sociable person and have had a successful career in the commercial world. My phobia started with giving up Motorway driving about 25 years ago to me virtually avoiding driving altogether in recent years and leaving it to my husband. This wasn’t a problems whilst living in London but once we moved to the country, I found I was too scared even to drive to our nearest town to go to the supermarket or meet a friend for a coffee if I had to drive. I felt I had made a real mistake leaving London and began to feel rather isolated. I had a few Refresher lessons with a more conventional driving instructor and although this helped me get a little practice the instructor really didn’t understand why I was scared as I appeared to be a reasonable driver.
The Zoom session was very helpful in reassuring me that I was definitely not alone in being frightened of driving, there are many people like me. Carmine understood that I had always been rather embarrassed about my driving fear and kept it private apart from with very close friends. I felt so at ease with Carmine that I was able to open up and get to the bottom of my fears. He made quite clear that to get the most out of the course you need to dedicate time and effort yourself, he cannot just wave a magic wand and your anxiety will disappear immediately.
He gave me some techniques to use before and during drives and we agreed some specific routes for me to do some practice on prior to the in-car session that followed two weeks later. I felt elated and excited at the end of the Zoom call and determined to complete the “home work” he’d set me for session two. I was actually amazed that I could get so much out of a Zoom meeting.
Carmine arrived at my house two weeks later (very punctually!) and we spent 40 minutes discussing how I had got on with the practice techniques and short drives I’d done. After that we went out in my car together for over two hours doing some routes I’d already driven together with a couple of new ones. He was so reassuring and encouraging and helped me to worry less about other drivers and being forced to go at a higher speed than I felt comfortable with. We wrapped up the session at home with him giving me a few more driving goals for the short to medium term. He also kindly fitted a SatNav phone cradle in our car which will help me on less familiar routes.
At the beginning of the course we set some realistic goals and these have definitely been achieved. Over the next weeks and months I will try to stretch myself as much as I can and try out some more routes. However, the main thing is that I can now drive to the nearest town which is 8 miles away, go shopping, collect friends from the station, take the train myself etc. It may seem a small achievement to many but to me (and to my husband) it is almost a miracle!
Thank you so much Carmine for giving me my independence back!
W, from Essex...
I just wanted to email you to update you on my progress so far since my in-car session with you on 31st May 2022. My ultimate goal was to regain my freedom by feeling comfortable and confident driving on motorways again (particularly the M25) after two years of anxiety and panic attacks.
After the work that I did with you in the two sessions and the work that I have continued to do since, I am really proud to let you know that last week, not only did I drive 13 junctions of the M25, but I spent 4 hours driving on motorways to and from Wales for a short break. Given that 6 months ago, just seeing a sign for the M25 caused me to feel anxious this was such a huge achievement, and I can not thank you enough for getting the ball rolling with that process.
I will forever be grateful to you for the work that we did to support me to overcome my fear of driving on motorways.
A, from Essex...
I have never been a particularly confident driver. It took me three attempts to pass my driving test and after a few set backs (minor accident and car scratches), I had developed a driving anxiety. It would manifest itself with all sorts of physical symptoms that were hard to control. My chest would get very tight to the point that it was hard to breath. Every time I would do even a small journey, my mouth would get dry, hands start trembling and I started to sweat… a full bouquet of symptoms. This had started to impact my everyday life when I was terrified to even drive my child to nursery.
I am beyond grateful to Carmine for his Drive Therapy course which has become a game changer for me. Even after two sessions (one via Zoom and the other In-Car), we have managed to get my anxiety under control. It felt amazing to drive to new places, using A-roads without that terrible chesty pain.
I am still on my journey to hopefully fully get rid of my anxiety symptoms but the progress I achieved with Carmine and the Driving Therapy course was huge! Beyond everything he is very genuine person who made feel comfortable to talk about such a complex and debilitating anxiety. Of course you need to really commit to change and put your 100% into this course to get the best results. But trust the process! You are in very safe hands with Carmine!
H, from Staines Upon Thames...
I just wanted to get in touch with an update on how I've been doing and to say a big THANK YOU for your help back in January.
Over the last few months since our session I've been following my driving plan (with associated and expected ups and downs!) but I kept at it and this weekend I finally achieved my goal of driving up to Milton Keynes to visit my parents.
The drive was a total success and I even shed a few tears of joy when I arrived at my destination! Most importantly though I enjoyed the drive and wanted to keep going! I found myself marvelling at how easy I found driving around Milton Keynes when only 4 months ago I'd had a full blown melt down at the end of my parents road.
I honestly could not have done this without the tools and the plan you provided me and I'm so grateful for your help.
I'm now working on extending my plan to get some more trips up to Milton Keynes under my belt and then I'll start modifying my routes to include more dual carriageways on longer stretches of my journey - at some point I may even try the motorway but that's a little way off yet. My next big goal is to drive up to Norfolk to see my sister, I'm feeling pretty confident I'll get there in time.
Once again, thanks so much and please do feel free to use any of the above for a testimonial, I'm already telling anyone who will listen about your service!!
S, from Cambridge...
I wanted to drop you a note to let you know how my driving is going. I've continued to drive almost every day on short motorway drives, some on my own and some with my partner. I did the drive to Huntingdon (the one I freaked on when I was with you:)) yesterday with Mike and although I was still anxious particularly on the way there, it was less than last time and less than anticipated.
My confidence is slowly building and I continue to push myself out of my comfort zone. I still struggle to think about doing long drives, either on my own or with others but I'm taking the small wins for now and feeling proud.
I would like to thank you for the great support, your calm approach and the simple yet powerful techniques you taught me. I appreciated your calm, encouraging coaching style which really helped to build my confidence and silence the negative voices in my head.
I'm early in my journey as I've had a motorway phobia for so many years but the theory you went through and the on-road session were helpful and I'm confident that I'll get there and silence the stroppy teenager that is the amygdala:).
M, from Twickenham...
I found Drive Therapy after searching online for a way to help my fears of driving on the motorway. Carmine's Drive Therapy sessions have helped me unpick the roots of my driving anxiety. I didn't think I would feel so calm on the motorway when we set my goals but Carmine was so professional, calm and helpful during the on-road session.
I can't recommend Drive Therapy enough if you have any driving barriers in terms of anxiety. I now feel empowered to drive by myself on the motorway. Thank you Carmine.
S, who completed our Drive Therapy iCourse Plus...
I just wanted to say thank you so much for helping me with my driving anxiety. I felt terrified and so alone and had even considered moving nearer to my work to avoid the journey to and from work.
I have been driving for many years and really enjoyed driving, then I got a new car and suddenly driving was a nightmare and I was having full blown panic attacks and stopping up to 10 times on each journey to allow other drivers to go past.
It has now been just over a week since my Drive Therapy iCourse Plus and I haven’t had a proper panic attack in that time and the amount of times I pull over has decreased significantly and I have even managed some journeys to work and back without pulling over at all.
Many of the things you said have made me change my way of thinking and I have found the techniques really help when I start to panic. I still have a way to go before I enjoy driving again but now I feel that is achievable.
I would definitely recommend Carmine and feel that he has given me the tools to be able to overcome all my anxieties. I no longer dread the daily commute to work and find that each time I have a successful drive my confidence in myself grows.
R, from Chelmsford, Essex...
I decided to complete the two-part Drive Therapy Course to help me overcome my anxieties on dual carriageways. For reasons unknown to me, I had gone from being a confident driver, having driven all over the country, to feeling very anxious on dual carriageways. Over the last couple of years my anxiety had increased so much it had stopped me from driving on A-roads all together.
I found the Drive Therapy course extremely beneficial. I really liked the on-line session which involved discussing my anxieties, understanding my body’s response and learning various coping strategies. This part of the course was vital for me and gave me the confidence to take the next step of driving on the dual carriageways with Carmine.
Having completed the course, I am really pleased with my progress so far. Carmine has given me the tools to manage my anxieties/phobia. I realise that my anxieties will not disappear overnight and they will require my on-going effort.
Thanks to the Drive Therapy and the valuable training I received from Carmine, I now drive on dual carriageways again. At the moment, I am managing short journeys and feel so proud of my progress. I know I can do it and will continue working towards longer drives over the coming months.
M, who completed our Drive Therapy iCourse Plus...
I came across Carmine and Drive Therapy in an advert, just by chance whilst browsing my news feed one day. As soon as I started to read the information therein, I knew this may help me to manage my phobia of driving on Motorways and busy A-Roads. Once I started reading further, I remember thinking, thats me, thats how I feel. I could relate to others and their stories.
I used to drive all over the UK, up and down the motorway network, covering many thousands of miles each year with my job, however, after an non-accident, incident in 2015 my driving confidence was shattered and I have avoided those types of roads ever since. Carmine has helped me understand the psychology behind my feelings of driving anxiety and has helped me address them through his online Drive Therapy iCourse Plus.
It's only been 4 weeks since I completed the course, but I’m really pleased with the results and it's already helped me get back onto driving on roads and motorways, that I have been avoiding for the last few years. It’s early days, but its looking really positive and I would encourage anyone who feels the same way I did, to speak to Carmine. I’m confident, he will be able to help you, like he has helped me.
Emma Reed, from Hertfordshire...
A fantastic piece written by journalist Emma Reed about her driving anxiety and her experience of our Drive Therapy Course, which was recently published in The i Paper... Read the article here.
A, from London...
Hi Carmine,
I’ve been meaning to email for a while. I wanted to thank you for helping with my driving anxiety. It has made such a difference to my life, to be able to control my anxiety and get in the car whenever I need to!
I’ve been driving around locally quite happily and even done journeys slightly further afield to areas I’m unfamiliar with. I’m still building up to feeling confident enough to drive a longer journey but I’ll get there!
Two examples stick out - I’ve been taking my son to a club on Saturdays and one week I got a text saying the location had changed due to an issue with the venue. I was half way to the new venue before I realised that I hadn’t panicked at all - I just set the sat nav and set off. A few months ago I just would have cancelled rather than drive to somewhere unknown.
The second one is that on a journey I’ve been doing once a week there are two possible routes and one day I realised I had picked my route based on which I found more enjoyable, rather than traffic etc. I laughed out loud while driving when I realised I’d associated ‘enjoyable’ with driving again!
Thank you again - its really enabled me to feel like myself again.
C, from Berkshire...
Following a very difficult journey from Darlington to Berkshire in October 2020, I completely lost my confidence in driving on motorways. I had been driving for 30+ years and always loved long journeys, so the anxiety was very difficult for me to understand. I allowed my issues to escalate to the point that I could no longer drive the 10 minute motorway journey to work, instead going via back roads taking 30 minutes longer.
As 2021 started, there became a need for me to travel to Gateshead and I found every excuse imaginable to avoid it until I couldn’t hide any longer. I did an internet search on driver anxiety and Drive Therapy appeared. I booked an appointment, never really believing that it would help. During my introduction consultation, Carmine said something which made me think that this might actually work so I went for the Drive Therapy iCourse Plus with a more open mind.
During the course, Carmine covered everything from my history, the cause of the problem, my aspirations and was always positive about a successful outcome. The techniques and exercises he teaches during the course were a tremendous help but his reassurance and positive approach were just as important to me.
We set some realistic goals for the next few weeks which I approached with trepidation but did achieve everything we spoke about. As I ticked off each goal the dream of getting my freedom back started to feel realistic so I decided it was time to take on the long journey North. Come the day of travel I started to get cold feet so started to look at train times only to find that all LNER trains were cancelled so I had no choice, the car was my only option. I put all the coping techniques I had been taught into practice and off we went. I felt slightly uncomfortable for the first few minutes on the M40 but then everything was fine. A six hour journey there and nine hours home (lots of stops for the dog and awful weather slowed progress), no dramas, nothing awful happened and I proved that I could drive on motorways again. None of this would have been possible without Carmine’s help, support and encouragement. Thank you so much.
L, from South Oxfordshire...
I’m delighted to recommend Carmine's Drive Therapy for anyone struggling with driving anxiety.
I got my licence 20 years ago, but just as I was getting confident, I moved to London and then didn’t drive for a long time - and when I did, found it very challenging. Over the years after moving out of London I tried a few times to get back into it, but with every attempt my anxiety got worse, until it got to the point where I just gave up and decided I personally was just not physically and mentally capable of driving!
Before I found Carmine’s Drive Therapy site I’d been in this state, avoiding driving completely, for over 7 years. Then, during lockdown, I realised how much more freedom I would have if I could only bring myself to drive, and I searched for someone who can help specifically with driving anxiety / phobia. And thank goodness, it turns out this person exists...
I booked a day course with Carmine after a friendly chat on my complimentary 30 minute phone consultation that Carmine offers. We did the first half over Zoom which worked perfectly, and the second half a few weeks later in person (taking good Covid safety precautions). In his patient and supportive way, Carmine helped me understand what had been happening, and taught me really helpful and easy techniques for managing my anxiety.
Since our session I’ve been driving regularly using the techniques, and I’m now, unbelievably, even enjoying my drives - something I could not have envisaged doing in a million years! I know that it will take me a while to build up to driving on the motorway, for example, but I have been making such progress that I feel confident that I now have the tools to get to wherever I want to be as a driver. And I already have so much more freedom and enjoyment than I could have imagined, thanks to Carmine!
W, from Hertfordshire...
As a result of experiencing my first panic attack on the motorway 5 years ago, I have developed a lot of anxiety about driving on “fast roads”. Over the last 5 years, I have deliberately avoided motorways and dual carriageways on journeys and on the odd occasion I have been forced onto these roads the same unpleasant feelings came back. I have tried a few things to combat this in the past, hypnotherapy and some NLP techniques, but nothing enabled me to get over the hurdle of getting back on these roads and the practical support that I needed.
Feeling fed up of being restricted, I started to look up what I could do to help myself. I came across Carmine and his Drive Therapy. Carmine was very professional from the outset. Part one was very informative, conducted over zoom and challenged my current thoughts and feelings and I came away with practical techniques that I needed to practise before going out on the road.
I practised these techniques when driving on my “safe” roads in advance of the practical driving session. Whilst I was not particularly looking forward to the second part of the course, I felt a renewed level of confidence about the idea of going on a motorway given the “homework” that I had done. At the start of the session we set goals which I felt comfortable with and were achievable and off we went.
To say I am delighted with what I achieved is an understatement. We surpassed the goals that were set but only because I chose to. Carmine was reassuring and helped me to stay focused as I put the techniques, which he had taught me into practice. I was able to reduce any anxiety that came my way and was even relaxed at some points.
I am really hopeful that with the driving plan Carmine has helped me to put in place that I can continue to overcome my driving anxiety. This is the first day in five years that I thought that could be a possibility. Thank you Carmine!
Liz, from Kent...
I am Liz. Mum of three children with a crazy house full of animals. My best attributes, people and animal management and my specialty, juggling life and everything that it throws at us.
After my third child came along, life got busier still and things got harder to cope with. However, my continual search for perfection went on. Unbeknown to me, anxiety had started to creep up on me and within a year of having my third child, I suffered with migraines and many symptoms of anxiety such as palpitations, avoidance of certain situations which made it worse and disturbed sleep. This is where the avoidance issue comes in. My mum and I liked to take my youngest to Whitstable or Greenwich for a day out whilst my others were at school. One day, I had a huge anxiety attack whilst driving over the Medway Bridge to Whitstable. I tried to ignore it but on the next trip it got worse so I avoided it. I havn’t been able to drive to the coast for over 5 years on my own. I have to be driven. Then, due to my increased awareness of danger, I was unable to go on the motorway at all and sadly I could not drive to Greenwich either. I have just stuck to where I felt comfortable and have still managed to get to where I need to but it might take me half an hour longer by choosing a different route. This, I have found to be very inconvenient.
I have become a little stronger and due to my love of marathon running, this has helped me both physically and mentally. I came across Carmine Mastrogiacomo – Specialist Driving Consultant at www.csmdrivetherapy.co.uk, whilst googling driving anxiety on my phone on a family day trip in the car. I have wanted to conquer my fear of driving over bridges and on motorways for a long time and after reading such positive reviews from others like me, I decided to contact him.
Carmine offers a free telephone consultation which is really an added bonus. He went over our allocated time when discussing my battles and how to make a plan to beat my fears. The plan is personal to you. Mine was based around something that I am used to planning in order to achieve. That is how to finish a marathon. How do I do this? Break it up into sections and deal with each section, one at a time. I applied the same to my driving therapy. Carmine was calming and understanding which also helped.
There are various Drive Therapy course options available but I went for the One Day Intensive course. Due to the current restrictions of Covid 19, the course has best worked in two parts. The first part was carried out via a 3 hour zoom session and the second part was the 3 hour practical in-car session (wearing masks as a precaution). The zoom call covered methods of recognising anxiety and learning techniques to acknowledge symptoms but overcome them at the same time. I had two weeks gap until my practical session and spent time practicing these techniques wherever I went. I think the gap is ideal as it allows the mind time to adjust to an alternative thinking strategy.
I cannot lie. On the day of my practical in-car session, I was apprehensive as to whether I could put these methods into practice. Carmine was extremely calming and professional and by the time we had our 10 minute briefing, I felt more at ease. I could not have asked for more. I surprised myself as I hadn’t recognised just how far I had come until I was on my way to Greenwich! It really wasn’t as scary as I had pre-empted but I needed that push and knowledge to help me realise that. Not only did I conquer this first hurdle, I turned around and drove back and over the Medway Bridge! At times I wanted to drive off at the nearest exit but with Carmine talking me through my reasoning and encouraging me to ignore the little demons sitting in the back seat, I did it!
Carmine even took the time to stop and let me visit a very special place that is dear to me as this is just over the Medway Bridge and we had time before I was to return back home. Not many would have done this. A very kind act and I will be forever grateful.
So, I am writing this testimonial the day after my course and today I visited my elderly aunt with her shopping. Instead of going my usual way, I went over the bridge and back again! I was apprehensive but I achieved my first goal and I will carry on achieving these goals. If at any time I’m needing help to get to the next stage, I know that I can ask Carmine for a support lesson. There is hope for all of us. Thank you so very much Carmine. I will continue to conquer and progress!
(Published with the permission of the client).
M, from Barnet...
I found Carmine at Drive Therapy via a recommendation from a previous client on Anna Mathur’s Instagram post on driving with anxiety.
Carmine immediately made me feel like overcoming my anxiety behind the wheel was possible. He taught me techniques to manage and overcome the anxiety in the car. As a result I am now able to drive on the motorway - something I never thought possible!
The aftercare and support he provides is also fantastic. Please contact Carmine if your anxiety is overwhelming you, I cannot recommend him enough.
S, from Hertfordshire...
Finding Drive Therapy has quite literally been lifesaving for me, as I have struggled for twenty years with my driving anxiety to the point where I have actively avoided driving completely.
Carmine has helped me realise that I am not alone and that with the right techniques and mindset I can manage my anxiety to the point where I actually enjoy driving and the freedom that it gives.
Carmine's calm and non judgemental manner, and his explanation of why things might happen or how I might feel the way I do, has really helped me to understand how I can help myself in achieving my goals and take responsibility for my driving experience.
Thank you for such a great course!.. I'll be in contact soon to update you on my driving successes!
S, from Bishop's Stortford...
I decided to contact Carmine at Drive Therapy as I really want to drive to gain more driving independence and felt I needed some help to do this, as years of avoiding driving had made me increasingly anxious about it.
It was a great experience which I would highly recommend for anyone needing a bit of confidence boost to restart driving or manage their anxiety levels.
The techniques you learn are really simple to pick up and use on the road. Carmine is an excellent and calm coach, and nothing seemed too stupid or irrational to bring up. My confidence has immediately increased following my sessions!
J, who completed our Drive Therapy iCourse...
Thank you very much for the course earlier and for sending on the material.
I really enjoyed the session and I'm excited to practice the techniques and thoughts to achieve the steps of my plan and my ultimate goal of new found confidence and enjoying my driving again.
I thought the Drive Therapy iCourse format worked great and feel the course was the first step on my journey. Thank you for being patient and listening. You didn’t rush and you made sure I understood all points and I felt the session was very personal. I’m going to make sure that it’s the catalyst I have been looking for.
I will study my notes and the material again tomorrow ready to start using the techniques. I will let you know how I progress.
Thanks again.
P, who enrolled onto our Drive Therapy iCourse...
I just wanted to let you know that my big drives went well! I was pretty anxious the morning of the holiday, but I used the techniques learned on the course to remain calm and focused.
It was hard work and required my full concentration for around an hour, but it got easier and as the drive went on I got more confident and had to employ the techniques you taught me less often. By the time I got to the holiday home I felt completely fine, and even confident in my driving!
I had used the week before the drive to practice the techniques and go on practice drives, which definitely helped. I had driven the dual carriageway and first junction of the motorway journey the day before the holiday, so I had that success as one of my positive affirmations.
On the holiday I did almost no driving, so I was a bit unsure as to how the return drive would go. In fact it went very smoothly and I used the techniques I’d practiced only minimally, which meant I enjoyed the journey (despite some holiday traffic on the M6) and didn’t have to use all my concentration just to complete it.
I really enjoyed the feeling of freedom that has been missing for a couple of years, and I don’t want to go back to that!
Thank you for your guidance - it was a very well structured course that helped me achieve exactly the outcome I was looking for. I will definitely recommend you if I come across anyone who is struggling with driving anxiety.
Thank you again.
C, from Kingston Upon Thames...
I passed my driving test over 20 years ago but having moved to London shortly after, I'd never really needed to drive. I had refresher lessons on a few occasions but never kept up the practice. Lack of confidence and a few minor bad experiences (stalling on a junction etc) had started to build a mental block and before I knew it, just the thought of driving was enough to bring me out in cold sweat. When I was actually in the driving seat, my anxiety manifested in rapid heartbeat, a feeling of sickness, shaking and just generally wanting to escape the situation as quickly as possible so I did everything I could to avoid driving. This persisted to a point where I had started to give up hope of being a 'normal' driver and had virtually convinced myself I didn't need to be able to drive.
Fast forward to October 2019 and I found myself with some time on my hands, a lovely new car and a desire to overcome my driving phobia so I could drive confidently with my two young sons. I started to search for someone who could help me and fortunately came across Carmine and Drive Therapy. Having read a few testimonies like this that really resonated with my experiences, I decided to take the plunge and contact Carmine to book in a day course. This has proved to be one of the best decisions I've made! From the initial telephone consultation, to the course itself, Carmine was calm, encouraging and incredibly nice. I felt very relaxed explaining the situation I found myself in and he was great at understanding how I'd got to the point of having driving anxiety, without making me feel silly for feeling this way.
We took the car out for a short assessment drive and debrief, during which Carmine explained his Drive Therapy toolkit of techniques to help manage the anxiety I was feeling. Carmine has a positive, encouraging manner which made me feel like I could do it and from the start I felt better driving than I had in years.
After the day's driving course, where we covered local routes I wanted to be able to drive and set some driving goals, I felt sure it was going to make the difference and it absolutely has! Since completing the course, it's now one month later and I've driven practically every day, something I would have thought was impossible a month ago. I'm very grateful to Carmine for his excellent coaching and for giving me the kick start I needed to overcome my driving fear and actually see myself as a driver.
If you have any fear or anxiety about driving and are considering a course with Carmine, don't hesitate, just do it - I'm so pleased I did.
A, from Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire…
I took a Drive Therapy Day Course with Carmine, as somehow I had gone from a confident independent driver who was happy to drive all over the country, to a highly anxious driver who had avoided the motorway for a year.
After realising that my routes were getting more convoluted and my avoidance more regular, I made the decision to find someone who could help me. Thankfully I found Carmine and Drive Therapy. On the initial complimentary phone consultation we discussed the issues. We then booked in a day and I have to say it was amazing.
Carmine provided me with basic coaching techniques and coping strategies to help me manage my driving anxiety. I also gained an understanding of what was going on for me with the anxiety (even though I am a coach myself, I still needed this guidance) and by the end of the day I was happily driving on the motorway!
What started as an insanely anxious one junction (1 mile max) jaunt on the M25, ended with me having driven rather a lot of junctions, many times over, until I had gone from fearful and quiet to chatty and relaxed, just like the old days.
At the end of the day course, Carmine and I agreed on a few goals for the coming weeks and beyond and I am pleased to say that I'm slowly but very surely re-acquainting myself with the motorway and my independence.
I keep Carmine updated on my progress as this helps me for two reasons, 1. Someone to share my achievements with who really understands and 2. Because he definitely deserves to know what a major impact Drive Therapy has had on me and my life.
I can't thank Carmine enough. Supportive, an excellent personal development coach (who is great at what he does) and a thoroughly nice guy!!! Thank you :)
Poppy Love (Blogger), from London…
Meet Poppy Loves. Poppy is a lifestyle blogger, who the Evening Standard rate as one of the top 25 London Lifestyle Influencers you should follow on Instagram! Read Poppy's blog of her experience of our Drive Therapy Course here...
W, from Surrey…
(Message received via LinkedIn)
Congratulations on your work anniversary! Just wanted to add that you helped change my driving life since we first met back in August 2016… not sure how you did it, but I overcame the A3 and other roads since and whatever you did… it worked!
No one else was able to give me such immediate relief from a problem that had dogged me for 20 years. Very many thanks and I hope your success continues.
R, from Bishops Stortford…
I passed my driving test over 10 years ago, but after little driving I moved to London where I didn’t need to drive. As a result, I went 10 years without sitting in the drivers seat of a car and when my family and I decided to move out of London, I knew I had to face my fear. I started by driving small journeys with my husband in London, but I was overwhelmed with fear. This, coupled with impatient London drivers and constant traffic, escalated my phobia to a point where I stopped driving altogether. A second pregnancy, house move and a ban on driving after a c-section later, I had no choice but to face it again. I came across Carmine’s website after reading an article online about his services. I contacted him and after a 30 minute consultation, booked in a day session.
When the day came for our session, I felt physically ill. I was scared that Carmine would tell me I was a dangerous driver and shouldn’t be allowed on the road. I was scared he would tell me I needed more lessons, or worse still, I couldn’t be helped. How wrong could I have been! Carmine was fantastic. He calmly listened to me while I talked through my anxieties, and suggested a plan for the day. At this point I was completely terrified of driving up my very small, quiet road - but Carmine coached me through it and we stopped after to reflect. The rest of the day was spent doing small journeys, using his techniques to calm my anxieties. At the end of the session we came up with a driving plan, which included driving on my own and with my children.
This was when the real work started! I started doing small drives - (up and down my street) and then back. I drove as often as possible, gradually building up my drives. Soon enough I was driving back and forth to the supermarket with both children in the car without any anxiety!
From someone who couldn’t even sit in the drivers seat, to someone who will happily drive to the supermarket with two young children in the car, after just one session with Carmine is incredible. I am still working up to longer drives and more challenging ones, but I am truly amazed by my progress after just one session. I am planning another one with him when I am ready to tackle motorways, but I no longer feel this is an impossible task. In fact I can’t wait for our next session! I can’t thank him enough and would urge anyone with a similar fear to take the leap and contact him. You won’t regret it!
N, from Cobham, Surrey…
I stumbled across Carmine's Drive Therapy website after reading an online article in the national press and only wished I had found it earlier. Self help books and hypnotism sessions were not helping the anxiety I felt around driving on motorways and A roads. It was an anxiety that had meant for a year I hadn't driven on either of these roads.
I'd missed engagements because of it. For someone whose favourite driving used to be on motorways I suddenly felt inhibited, disempowered and trapped.
I was only able to go a certain distance on back roads to those 'distant' destinations unless I wanted to spend all day travelling. At the beginning of last year I felt that the anxiety was suddenly starting to slip into my every day driving. It was time to nip it in the bud and quickly.
Carmine's website filled me with hope and described exactly the help I needed. If he could only deliver what was on the tin I knew I could with his help start to turn things around. And turn things right on their head I did! My experience and sessions with Carmine exceeded all my expectations.
From the initial free consultation, I knew I had found my helping hand. He listened with understanding as I explained that my father had been killed in a road accident but that my anxiety had not started until over a year after his accident and although it was obviously related somehow, I was also bringing in another anxiety of hospitals when I was driving. All other types of therapy I had tried for driving, focused on finding the root cause and pulling it to pieces over and over again. Whilst we did discuss it both on the phone and in person the driving sessions with Carmine were practical. It was actually getting behind the wheel, feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
I did two full day sessions with Carmine and followed all the homework. It was the best money I ever spent on solving the problem. I've even used Carmine's techniques in other situations where I've felt anxious and it's worked then as well. It's been a year since our first session and I've come on leaps and bounds. I happily drive up and down on A roads and on motorways with passengers and on my own. Do I occasionally have a surge of anxiety? Yes, although extremely rare, and it's been when I have not been on A roads or motorways for more than two weeks. That's why it's important to keep it up. But I never see signs anymore for motorways and get sweaty palms. I don't have restless nights the night before a motorway drive. I've not turned down engagements. I've not avoided driving on certain roads. I know if I have the feeling that it very quickly passes and I just ramp up the techniques.
We are moving to America next month where I will face new driving challenges but it does not fill me with dread which it would have done before my sessions with Carmine. I know I will be okay. I would never have thought it possible to feel that way before I had the sessions. I was quite literally being held hostage by my fear. Now I feel liberated and in control. I cannot thank Carmine enough for quite literally turning my life around.
K, from Hemel Hempstead…
I just wanted to email you with an update on my progress and would be happy for you to post this as a testimonial, if you wish.
I really can't believe it but since my Drive Therapy day session with you, I've been out nearly everyday driving on my own, gradually building and extending how far I go. This weekend for the first time ever, I managed to drive out of Hemel Hempstead to Radlett to my friends house and back home again twice (four times), twice at night and twice in the day, dealing with the A414 at national speed in fifth gear and dealing with big busy (multi-lane) roundabouts.
I still can't believe it I managed to drive to my friend's house like it was normal and drive back home, at anytime I wanted, without relying on someone else! This has made me feel so amazing, I can't believe how much I have achieved in such a small amount of time. I will keep challenging myself and soon, hopefully, I'll get to my ultimate goal of driving to my work in Milton Keynes.
Thank you so much again. I couldn't have done this without you, your helpful techniques and coaching. I would highly recommend you to anyone who is crippled by driving anxiety!
H, from Crouch End, North London…
I have held a driving licence for many years but I have never felt a confident driver and over time this continued to diminish and so I would just drive locally to where I live in north London, and avoid driving other people because I felt they would be critical of my skills – or lack of skills more probably!
I first came across Carmine when I read an article in the Daily Mail about 18 months ago by a journalist called Helen. This was such a powerful read because I identified with everything that Helen said.
I knew I had to contact Carmine and do something about my own fear of driving. We spoke on the phone and I instantly felt better. But for whatever reason I did not pursue it. However my feelings of fear did not of course go away, and in September last year I contacted Carmine again. This time I was determined to make this my number one priority.
Carmine was amused when I said I did not need him to assess my driving locally – because I can drive quite competently there – it’s when I am out of my comfort zone that I panic and become fearful. So Carmine suggested that I meet him at Enfield Retail Park off the A10. That was my first challenge – driving on a busy dual carriageway and finding where I was supposed to go. But I did it and over the next few weeks Carmine increased this to driving on motorways – an overriding fear because I had not driven on motorways for many years.
Carmine was so friendly, sympathetic, reassuring and never made me feel stupid for having these fears. He gave me homework to do, which was great because it meant I continued to challenge myself outside of the sessions.
Carmine asked me to set some goals – these included getting a new car (which I had put off for a while) and being able to drive to Suffolk where my sister now lives. I have always loved the Fiat 500 but only if I could start to see myself as a driver could I justify owning one. Carmine encouraged me (to face the fear!) and get the car – which I then hated for several weeks because once again I was out of my comfort zone and felt very anxious at having such a smart car. But Carmine coached me to get to know the car and help me challenge this irrational fear. I have also made numerous visits to my sisters in Suffolk!
I am still working on seeing myself as a driver and my present goal is to be able to drive in central London. But I have come on so much thanks to Carmine. I am now a much more confident and competent driver.
Long term I would love to be able to drive anywhere without fear or anxiety, but just trusting myself that I can do it. I would also love to be able to drive to France where I holiday every year. Who knows – with some further help from Carmine this might be possible.
I am so grateful to Carmine for all that he has done. I would recommend him without hesitation. I did not realise that there are so many others out there just like me. Needless to say I wish that Carmine had been the one who had taught me to drive in the first place, but failing that that I had found out about him a lot sooner.
Thank you Carmine!
A, from North London...
I would not have believed it possible - but after just four sessions with Carmine I drove from Newark to London on the A1. For me this is nothing short of a miracle. As, despite being a more than competent driver I had a very serious fear of joining fast roads, and of driving on them and would do anything to get out of it.
I was also very aware that I was actively avoiding driving anywhere that involved even the faintest possibility of encountering a slip road or a motorway, that I was driving less and less and that my anxiety was growing. This was very limiting and I really wanted to tackle the issue. I was fortunate to read an article about someone with very similar issues to mine, who had conquered her fears with Carmine's help.
And from the very first session through Carmine's careful and thoughtful coaching I began to realise that I could truly overcome my anxieties. There is homework - which initially I found very stressful but using the techniques he taught me, I began to build up my confidence. What Carmine offers is quite unique and I cannot recommend him highly enough.
B, from Bromley...
My confidence in driving had been badly affected following a recent road accident and as a result I sought the help of Carmine Mastrogiacomo, at Drive Therapy, about which I had read an article in the National Press.
I was offered a day’s course in my own area of London, which included a review of the accident, my anxieties, a plan for the day and suggestions for the future.
This was an extremely positive, helpful and enjoyable experience. The day was well planned and the tips for improved driving technique and confidence building were excellent. Carmine was calm and patient and willing to address any anxiety I had.
I can thoroughly recommend this course to anyone with such difficulties as mine.
M, from Maidenhead...
After 20 years of only driving one or two known routes, and then an accident this year my confidence on the road was really at rock bottom! Today, following a day's session with Carmine I am already feeling so much more positive and ready to get back out in the car and tackle my fears. Carmine's combination of coaching methods, his professionalism and calm manner were really excellent. Also, his genuine interest in my continued progress is appreciated. What a great instructor, and a nice man! I would recommend him strongly.
M, from North West London...
Some five years ago I started to suffer from a driving phobia - Frightened, nervous, sweaty; until one day I saw an article in the Daily Mail and contacted Carmine. After a day session with Carmine, I am now driving on my own again, confidence restored. Even facing London rush hours if necessary. I wholeheartedly recommend that you contact Carmine if you have the same problems.
Helen, from North London...
Here’s an article written by journalist Helen Carroll which was published in The Daily Mail newspaper and The Mail Online...
D, from Great Wakering, Essex...
Dear Carmine,
Thanks so much for my day session. It was reassuring to learn that I am indeed a good driver that just needs to deal with anxiety issues. The techniques you taught me will be invaluable in my daily driving practice.
I feel so much more confident as a result of today's session and will put the action plan (homework) you gave me into practice.
For anyone reading this and wondering whether to book Carmine - DO IT!! He will never make you do anything you don't want to do but gently and firmly encourages you to try more challenging tasks.
Many thanks again,
D
Dr Abigael San, Chartered Clinical Psychologist, London (www.drabigaelsan.co.uk)...
As a clinical psychologist working with people who have suffered road traffic accidents, I often call on the skills of Carmine, an experienced specialist driving instructor, to help me help others restore their driving confidence and get back on the road.
Carmine is patient and reassuring and does a great job in helping others manage their anxiety and return to previous driving ability.
C, from Richmond, London...
I passed my driving test around eighteen years ago on the fourth attempt but from that point on only ever drove again a handful of times over the next year or so. After I went away to university and then moved to London it became easy to avoid driving as public transport was so readily available and more convenient. I never enjoyed driving and was always fearful. After such a long period of avoidance, the fear had built to such a level that I was even afraid if a friend left me alone in her car with the keys, just in case something happened (I have no idea what) and I may have to move the car!
I contacted Carmine around three months ago because I was planning to move away from London and back to Cornwall, where public transport is not so easy and driving is an absolute necessity. I was extremely nervous at first and even sitting in the driving seat made me feel physically ill. Carmine, however, is incredibly understanding and taught me techniques to deal with how I was feeling. I learnt I could deal with a situation without running away but also without ever becoming so afraid that it was more than I could cope with. Just as important was realizing that I was not alone.
Over a course of weekly lessons we moved from simply moving the car back and forwards on the spot to driving around Richmond Park. This was followed by completing various local routes gradually dealing with aspects of driving which I found particularly difficult. I have just completed my final lesson before I move, and that person who could barely even sit in the driving seat just drove to Heathrow and back on the A4 without even being that scared. I can still hardly believe that I can say that!
Most importantly I have learnt how to deal with issues that I am afraid of. That if there are particular aspects of driving or particular routes that cause me fear or apprehension that they can be broken down into stages or elements and tackled gradually and slowly. Equally I now know that the worst thing I can do is to avoid the things I am afraid. With just a little practice each day, they will become less intimidating, although it does take time and commitment.
I could write another twenty pages and there would still not be enough words to express how much I would recommend these lessons/therapy sessions to anyone with a fear of driving in general or with particular concerns about getting behind the wheel. Carmine is one of the nicest people I have ever had the good fortune to meet and he has given me the freedom to move forward into a new phase of my life in a way I would never have thought possible. I can now think of myself as a driver rather than a non-driver and that would never have been possible either on my own or with a regular driving instructor.
Maria, from Edgware, London...
Dear Carmine,
Thank you so much for your help, guidance and support to help me get over my fears and regain confidence driving on busy roads. Following a rear end collision at a busy roundabout, I was very fearful travelling on larger roads and did not drive for over two years.
I am now back on the road through your patience, kindness and understanding and firmness when needed. I am also happy to have regained my independence through your support.
Please feel free to share the contents of this letter with any of your prospective customers.
Yours Sincerely,
Maria
A, from Waltham Abbey, Broxbourne...
I had been suffering from a driving phobia for more than ten years after being on the receiving end of a road rage incident, not long after passing my test. As time went on, the amount of driving I did became very little and my fears and assumptions of other road users had become exaggerated and out of proportion.
I was always reluctant to get help to overcome this issue, as I was under the misguided impression that the only way to cure it was to ‘be thrown in at the deep end’ as it were... something I really couldn’t cope with.
Then one day I discovered Carmine's Drive Therapy website and contacted him for further details. I immediately found myself very much at ease with him and felt comfortable taking about the issues surrounding my driving phobia. So after the free phone consultation, I went ahead and booked some sessions.
After each session I felt more and more comfortable on the road and was able to start putting my fears and assumptions into perspective – unlearning old behaviours and learning new ones, as well as slowly gaining the confidence in my own decisions again.
Best of all, not once did I have to throw myself in the deep end! Carmine runs the sessions in such a way that you can explore your issues and fears you have in a controlled and safe environment. Even though you are given the recommendation to do some driving between sessions, this is done completely at a pace that you feel comfortable with, as everybody’s different. In fact I found that after the first few sessions, I actually started looking forward to going out and driving by myself again!
As well as dealing with the psychological aspects of my phobia, I was also able to refresh my old driving skills too. I also picked up lots of new techniques to improve my driving style to make my drives feel much more relaxed and people who I have driven with have noticed this too.
I would thoroughly recommend Carmine and his Drive Therapy sessions, even if you have suffered with Driving Anxiety / Driving Phobia for a long time - there is always hope! I had felt like I had left things too long but if I knew a year ago that I would now be driving on motorways again (after ten years), I would not have believed it!
B, from North London...
I contacted Carmine regarding Drive Therapy ten years after passing my test. I had passed but never driven due to intense anxiety. I have achieved many things in my personal and professional life but when it came to driving I was a nervous wreck. I had no confidence and was overcome by an irrational terror when in front of the wheel.
I began to feel that not being able to drive was seriously impeding areas of my life, visiting family and taking my children out was becoming difficult, my partner drove everywhere but I realised that I would have more independence and freedom if I could get some help with my driving problem.
I scoured the internet and came across Carmine's Drive Therapy website. I phoned him and immediately warmed to him. He was easy to talk to and understood my worries and assured me he could help.
I started having one session a week, firstly in his car and then in my own car. What I have accomplished since I met him within a few months is nothing short of incredible.
Meeting Carmine and having drive therapy sessions with him has changed my life. I am able to get in the car, take my children out locally, do the shopping and other everyday tasks. He has been incredibly encouraging and supportive, we took very small steps - starting with sitting in the driver's seat of our huge family car, then driving it up the road, round the corner etc. Within a few months of meeting Carmine I was doing the school run, taking my daughter swimming and dropping my partner off at the station - all things which previously would have been unimaginable.
I cannot stress how full of fear I was, but the sessions have been inspiring and have given me so much confidence. He sets realistic goals, but always encourages you to challenge yourself. He is unbelievably patient and kind and is a brilliant teacher / coach. Thanks to him I can now call myself a driver.
I still have the anxiety but to a much manageable degree. If you are experiencing fear around driving, call him, put your faith in his advice, do the work and you will be amazed at what it's possible to achieve.
R, from Wembley, North London...
I recently had a course of several Drive Therapy sessions with Carmine Mastrogiacomo following a serious car accident I was involved in three years ago, which left me with a major fear of driving on motorways and any major roads.
I found the sessions to be extremely beneficial and I have now driven on motorways and also driven on major roads including passing the scene of the accident. The sessions have proved to me, that I am capable of driving on these roads and I hope to be able to do so in the future.
Carmine was a very good coach, very patient and understanding and I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending him to other drivers in a similar position.
M, from North London...
Before I met Carmine I had serious anxiety about driving and driving tests. I'm in my mid forties and had been taking lessons from a qualified instructor for over two years. The instructor had been telling me for a year that I was ready to take a driving test, I just could not face it. I feared both the driving itself and the idea of failing the driving test. I felt stuck, couldn't go forward, yet didn't want to give up or spend lot's more money on endless driving lessons, then a friend suggested I speak to Carmine so I got in touch.
I wasn't sure about the idea of talking to a life coach about my driving anxiety but didn't know what else to try, but as soon as we spoke I found him very easy to chat to and down to earth.
We had a series of around 8 to 10 phone consultations, sometimes weekly or fortnightly, depending on what I felt I needed.
We talked about my phobia and he would ask me questions or set me some very simple exercises like visualisation or noting down some of the things I was doing well in my diving to stop me focusing on what I was doing badly and I found that very soon my confidence was growing. After a few consultations, I took my theory test with manageable nerves and passed with a really high score and then a month later I passed my practical driving test.
I was thrilled and now thanks to Carmine's encouragement and support I am able to drive almost daily and mostly feel safe and confident in the car, something I could not have even imagined before.
Client Testimonials...
(Names have been removed for privacy)