you are the first person who has been able to help me - to give me the support and courage to get onto the road to adulthood. I am learning the skills to deal with life in a productive and healthy way and for that I will be forever grateful to you!! H

Thank you for even offering both hands at a time of much emotional pain. Thank you for not allowing me to leave therapy when I was embarrassed, feeling ashamed for having revealed too much of myself.

Thank you for allowing yourself to be vulnerable: I cannot ever forget the expression on your face, the look in your eyes, when you asked me to turn back around and look at you.  You were “standing with me” in all the shame and pain I was feeling after having disclosed something from my past. These are but a few more of my take-aways from you:

• Observe my feelings without judgement. I think that is the same as “sitting in it”….no action, no criticism…just pay attention…what’s at the source of those feelings &  The only way out of the Drama Triangle is through the role of Perpetrator.
• Nathanson’s Compass of Shame helps me to understand myself and others
• “Feeling Statements” & Mindfulness, Wise Mind
•  Being willing or able to hold someone else’s mind in yours. & Therapeutic Alliance
• Attunemen & “Know why you think, feel, and act the way you do.”
• You have to know who you are, and say what you want & Trust your higher self
•  Affect Regulation &“Put Your Big Girl Panties On.”
•  The Bubble Shield & The secret meadow with hummingbirds

SA

I hope you know, despite my continuance of shameful and avoiding behavior, that your words of wisdom are ALWAYS appreciated. I've never known therapy could be so beneficial, nor that a "shrink" could make so much sense. Haha! I'm so lucky that you're in the profession; you've changed my view on it forever... Getting teary eyed and panicked just thinking about our last session which seems imminent... Usually, I abandon therapy feeling devastated/despaired that it didn't help, or furious at how worthless the self-absorbed individual is... I hope you know that our last session will be a first of the sort... I'll leave against my will, and will miss our sessions dearly, while wondering how I'm supposed to live without them. I look forward to seeing you EVERY week, even though it means two and a half hours of road raging. You've been a life changing influence and I can NEVER thank you enough. ALL of this at a time when I've never been so crazy, or in such desperate need of help... You're a gift from God, or at least, some higher power... This past year has been one of discovery into why I am how I am. And more importantly, what I need to do to be an happier/healthier individual... My notes will be my bible, when I no longer get to see you. I wish I audio recorded the sessions so not to miss a word. I wish you wrote books!! I'd actually read them. You're phenomenal at explaining the functions of the mind, and your recommendations are like gold; perhaps the key to life...  TM

When I first walked through your door
I had no idea what I was really there for
Thought I needed a few hours of your time
little did I know you'd become my lifeline
It's been great and it's been hell
throughout it all you've handled me oh so well
now I'm leaving before we're through
and you know I'm gonna be so homesick for you
you've been my safe place, you've been my muse
you've been my comfort when I've been confused
and all the lessons that we've shared
will help me always and I'm not so very scared
anymore
through your door
through your door
through your door
found even more
than I could ever have hoped for

SP