Olympic medallist Rebecca Adlington has announced she has started therapy – and is encouraging other people to open up about their feelings too.
Swimmer Rebecca, who won two gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, revealed she was going to her first therapy session on a video on her Instagram account.
She said she found it hard to open up to people she knew – and hoped it would be easier talking to a stranger.
In the video to her 90,000 Instagram followers, she said: “Today is a big day for me as I have my first therapy session. It's been something I have wanted to do for a while now but I kept putting it off.
"I'm not the type of person who asks for help or really opens up to people on a deeper level. I have hardly told anyone about the stuff that has been going on.
Have courage and book a session
"I just want other people out there to know, if you are like me and struggle to open up, to have the courage and book that session in like I have.”
In her Instagram video she said: “I am nervous about it - but it is only the first session and it is a long way to go and hopefully I will find it easier opening up to a stranger than people close around me.
Rebecca Adlington
"I find it easier talking into the phone than I sometimes do to my friends about stuff on a deeper level because I never want to burden anyone and never want people to worry.
"Actually that's probably not the best thing as we need to support one another more.
"Good luck to anyone else who is starting therapy as well. It was my new year resolution.
"I tried dry January and I broke it on the first day so that was out so hopefully this will go much better."
Rebecca, who also won two bronze medals at the London Olympics in 2012, retired from swimming in 2013.
In 2016 she announced that she had split from her husband after a year and a half of marriage. She revealed last year she was in a new relationship.
You can find a BACP counsellor or psychotherapist via the BACP’s Therapist Directory.