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The Elephant in the Room

Matt and Emma Willis take us inside the treatment rooms of leading therapists as they help breast cancer survivor Sarah tackle her feelings of guilt and Ben make sense of his ADHD diagnosis.

First through the door is Essex lad Ben, who works as a driver鈥檚 mate on the big delivery lorries. Working nights, he sees his main responsibility as keeping the drivers awake by playing his favourite 80s and 90s pop hits, especially Britney Spears and Vengaboys.

To the outside world and on social media, Ben is a happy, outgoing person living his best life, but inside it鈥檚 a completely different story as Ben describes things in his life that he鈥檚 not sure how to deal with and that he feels really, really sad.

Recently diagnosed with ADHD, Ben has come to see clinical psychologist Dr Fatoumata Jatta in the hope that she can help him make sense of everything and find a way to be happier in life. There鈥檚 a revelation for Ben when Fatoumata helps him discover a different perspective on his school years.

Joanne works with psychotherapist Owen O鈥橩ane to help her come to terms with a recent loss. She describes having previously had a charmed life, with a loving marriage, a beautiful home and close friends, but that world came crashing down when she discovered her husband had taken his own life, leaving her stuck in a cycle of looking for answers that may never be found. Owen helps her to confront the pain she鈥檚 been avoiding, helping her understand that healing begins not by running from the hurt but by facing it.

Mum of four Sarah has recently been given the all-clear following treatment for breast cancer. Whilst she is cancer-free, the experience has left a heavy scar on her emotional well-being, revealing to her therapist Julia Samuel the deep guilt she feels for the strain her illness placed on her family. Julia believes that Sarah鈥檚 attempts to protect her family from the experience have created a barrier between them. She hopes that encouraging Sarah to open up to her family about her feelings will not only strengthen their connection but also help Sarah to be free of the emotional burden she has carried for so long.

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44 minutes

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Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Emma Willis
Presenter Matt Willis
Consultant Fatoumata Jatta
Consultant Owen O'Kane
Consultant Julia Samuel
Series Producer Ian Osprey
Executive Producer Ruth Kelly
Executive Producer Lucy Morgan
Director Nick Hardie
Production Company Twenty Twenty TV

Broadcast

Explore The Open University鈥檚 online guide to therapy for both clients and therapists

Watch exclusive interviews with Matt and Emma Willis, and one of the show鈥檚 therapists.