Charlotte - Safe and Sound Protocol

I contacted Usha about six months ago, on the cusp of losing my fourth job in three years.

I am a high-achieving Dyslexic and Dyspraxic, having attained a 2:1 in English Literature from Durham University and passed my A-levels with A* A* A. Yet I felt woefully unprepared to enter the world of work. Having been diagnosed with Dyslexia and Dyspraxia at the age of three, throughout my education I have received extra support in the form of study skills sessions, extra time in exams, books from the library and even equipment given to me by the Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) for my University studies. I am incredibly grateful, as all of this has enabled me to reach my potential and have the best launchpad into my future career.

I moved to London after graduation and set my sights on the City looking mainly to work in Marketing and Communications roles. I would say I have strong interpersonal skills, as well as being creative, therefore I thought I would be a good fit. Even better, employers seemed to agree too as I have landed jobs in impressive international firms.

It was at my lowest point in my most recent role that I looked up Raviv Method practitioners in London. My brother, who is two years younger than me and, I would say, a more severe Dyslexic, underwent the Raviv Method at the age of six. What I have come to realise is that all these years I have been metaphorically plastering over the cracks in my brain (through study skills sessions and extra time in exams etc.) rather than actually re-wiring it, which is what the Raviv Method does via auditory and physical exercises.

After several phone consultations, I went to meet Usha at her practice in West London with my parents in tow. Though I am a 25-year-old adult living independently from my family, my parents were able to offer a valuable perspective on my early developmental years. Usha is one of the most impressive people I have ever met. She is very direct and practical but also incredibly kind and understanding. She only takes on clients who she genuinely believes she can help and creates a bespoke programme for each client.

We agreed I’d start with the Safe and Sound Protocol, which constitutes listening to recognisable music for an hour a day for five days to calm the nervous system. Usha and I have started one-to-one therapy weekly for the coming six months. In these sessions, I am learning and practising Raviv exercises, in particular, training my hand-eye coordination, short-term memory and time management. I also practice these at home for an hour a day for five days a week. I have noticed huge improvements in the areas I was being criticised in by employers and am grateful that I am getting the help I needed all along!

Charlotte, London