99 cougar trans problem

I HAVE A 99" COUGAR 2.0 AUTO TRANS. WHEN DRIVING IT SHIFTS HARD FROM ONE GEAR TO THE NEXT. WHEN I MANUALLY SHIFT DOWN TO 1st GEAR AT A DEAD STOP AND TAKE OFF IT'S LIKE I HAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL ON.THEN I SHIFT TO 2nd AND IT SHIFTS HARD AND IT FEELS LIKE I RELEASED THE BRAKES, AND SO ON TO DRIVE. WHEN NORMAL SHIFTING OF THE TRANS, IT TAKES OFF O.K.(SHIFTS HARD). I NEED YOUR EXPERTISE BEFORE I TAKE IT TO A MECH AND LOWER MY BANK ACCOUNT!