Sounds like
@NEILMUIR1 learned the same ruthless pruning method that my neighbor taught me.
From the photos of the plant you provided, if you really want a tree form, I can see a possibility for one main stem. Those branches near the ground that point outward can go. Then step back and look at it. It's okay to do a little one day and wait a week and have another look. If you want the shrub form, take advice that
@terrafirma offered and pinch back to make it a fuller shrub. Your choice.
