About the Driving Therapist
At The Driving Therapist, we specialise in helping people overcome driving anxiety and rebuild genuine confidence behind the wheel. Based near Manningtree, Essex, we offer driving lessons for anxious and nervous drivers across Colchester, Ipswich, and nearby areas.
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We know that driving lesson anxiety can make learning to drive feel stressful, and that traditional instruction doesn’t always provide the emotional support you need. That’s why our lessons combine professional teaching with a therapeutic, understanding approach, helping you stay calm, focused, and in control as you learn to drive with confidence.
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Whether you’re learning for the first time or returning to driving after time away, we’re here to help you overcome fear and find calm behind the wheel. Explore our range of courses to see how therapeutic driving lessons for anxious drivers near you can help you drive with confidence. One step, one breath, and one drive at a time.
Our mission
Our vision
Is to provide driver training that supports mentally and emotionally. We aim to empower the driver to overcome any obstacle they might face.”
Is to reduce road-bound anxiety nationally by offering mentally supportive driving therapy across the UK that goes far beyond the scope of ordinary driving schools and lessons.“
Mark Cole - The Driving Therapist
​​I founded The Driving Therapist after realising that driving is as much about mindset as it is about technique. My journey began in 2004, when I left a career as a Fleet Manager to retrain as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). After training with the Instructor College in Brentwood and working as a trainee in Colchester, I launched my first independent school, A-DRIVE, in 2005.
Before becoming an instructor, I served in the Royal Military Police - including a posting in Bosnia - where I managed vehicle operations and witnessed first-hand how stress and fear affect human behaviour. Later, I worked on London’s Congestion Charging Zone project and managed large vehicle fleets for the Fire Service and the Royal Household. Each of these roles deepened my understanding of road safety, discipline, and responsibility.
But my personal journey has shaped me even more. Having lived with anxiety since childhood and experiencing counselling and recovery after a breakdown in my twenties, I know how isolating and misunderstood anxiety can be. Those experiences gave me a deep sense of empathy, patience, and respect for anyone facing similar challenges.
As my experience as an instructor grew, I noticed how anxiety affected the way my pupils drove. I found that even the most capable learners could struggle if their nerves weren’t understood or supported. Over time, my school became known locally for helping anxious drivers succeed.In 2020, I took everything I had learned from my personal journey, professional background, and years of instruction. I set up The Driving Therapist, a driving school dedicated to helping drivers manage their anxiety and learn with confidence.
Today, The Driving Therapist continues to grow, offering therapeutic driving sessions, anxiety and driving lessons in Colchester, Ipswich, Suffolk, designed for learners who want to progress quickly while feeling supported every step of the way.
My Qualifications
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Twenty years of experience as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI)
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Award in Education and Training (AET)
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Panic Attack Recovery (Accredited Anxiety Management Course)
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Neuro-Linguistic Programming for ADIs (Accredited NLP course)
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IAM Roadsmart Masters Advanced Driver (Distinction)
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RoSPA Gold Standard Advanced Driver
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DIAmond Elite Advanced Driver
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DIAmond Advanced Test Examiner
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Drink Drive Behavioural Rehabilitation Course Facilitator
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Responding to Substance Misuse (Level 3)
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Accredited B+E Trailer Trainer
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Chairman of Colchester & District Driving Instructors Association (2006-2019)
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Member of the Institute of Car Fleet Management (MICFM)
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Member of the Driving Instructor Association (DIA)
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Member of The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM)
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Member of The Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
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Student at the University of Suffolk, studying Hypnotherpay and Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Our sister school:
A-DRIVE
The Driving Therapist works in partnership with our sister school, A-DRIVE, run by ADI Tiffany Golding.
Tiffany offers standard driving lessons in nearby coastal and rural areas, including Clacton, Frinton, Walton, and Coggeshall.
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With additional teaching qualifications and her own lived experience on the autistic spectrum, Tiffany brings patience, understanding, and insight into her lessons, making her an excellent choice for learners who value a supportive, structured approach.
Contact us
Driving anxiety can feel overwhelming, but it is manageable. Whether you’re a new learner, returning driver, or experiencing ADHD driving anxiety, we help you face fears, overcome driving phobia, and drive with confidence. Each lesson builds skills, awareness, and self-assurance — helping you enjoy driving safely and confidently.
