What our patients say
Without doubt, the last 16 or so months spent in therapy has thus far been the most influential period of my life as regards the building of a future for myself for the next 50 years is concerned.It would be false to say that all my goals have been achieved and that I am “cured”. One can always go deeper, always find another level. However, I feel that a new emotional base has been formed which will last a lifetime and will affect everything I do. This base is even more critical than the change in circumstances I have experienced through this period of therapy.
One must not underestimate the importance of these changes in circumstances. Giving up habitual drug usage – my cannabis addiction – was surely a turning point. Finding Lisa, the woman I love and hope to marry one day also was a critical moment. The fact they occurred so close together goes to show just how important that specific 4 or 5 week of therapy was.I will hopefully never forget the message I took in those 4 or 5 hours of therapy. The message was simple, have a positive outlook and people will be more positive back. I have a choice and can choose, but must live with the consequences of my decision. Accepting a situation as it is and realising that only I could change it through positive action.
I found so quickly that making changes along these lines has a massive and hopefully lasting impact. There is nothing so bold as risking a change in ones life to move out of what has become a comfort zone. There is no greater reward than that leading to he achievement of a key life goal. I found this combination in perfect harmony. The new emotional base I spoke of has given me the knowledge and skills to tackle almost any problem I come across along the same principles. Using three simple steps, one can change something complex and large. Understanding awareness and action will be my guiding principles.
I have taken a long and sometimes painful journey and it is my guide on that journey to whom I owe the biggest thanks. I would not have been able to come nearly so far without Sholom Bloom. His approach, his way of looking at issues and his way of dealing with me has proven absolutely ideal. He is the 3rd therapist I have seen on a one to one basis and the only one who has been able to get this message across to me in a way that I find useful. There are so many positives but one must forget that there is still so much to do. The journey must continue. But, a rest can also be taken. Now is my time to consolidate all these changes into my life and thinking further. I am a new person and I am still discovering myself. This process will take some time and once that is completed, I feel certain that the journey will continue and will hopefully lead to an even better and more fulfilling life.
I wish to end by once more thanking Sholom Bloom for his massive input and extraordinary efforts to help me achieve some of my goals. One day I shall return for further therapy, but for now, I can relax, hold my head high and be proud of what I have achieved. I have never felt so full of hope for the future and that is a feeling I want to hold on to.
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Dear Sholom,
1) Therapy has helped me to deal with some issues with my parents and along the way with my siblings – That means I don’t get caught with fight with them any more – because I am more calm than I used to be.
2) Therapy has helped me to be more self aware on myself and my feelings –
3) Through therapy I learned to be more assertive with people and learned how to say no.
4) Therapy has helped me to understand more people – about their feelings –
5) And most important of all, therapy has helped me to confront some issues which I had with my daughter. I am still not perfect but at least I am aware of the difficulties and trying my hardest to overcome them - and thank g-d there is a lot of improvement.
6) And I enjoyed very much to learn the skills with you Sholom, that gave me a lot of pleasure. And all this positive things are thanks to you and your profession – I haven’t got words to express my gratitude to you – always been very considerate and not judgmental. You handled me always with profession and care and for that I will always be thankful and grateful to you.
Sincerely R.
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Dear therapy,
Well all friend it’s always 06:00 on a Sunday and here I am with pen in hand to write to you as we won’t be seeing each other for a while. The occasion could not go unremarked. Why is this so hard to do? I ask myself, is it because someone will read it? Or worse no-one?
In the brief time we’ve got to know each other I feel that I may have taken more from it than you, sorry. What I’ve taken is that the goal is to actualize your potential not to run from it. Being more aware of yourself does mean you can accomplish more, that you have more to lose. I’m still not thrilled about having to keep doing it everyday. I would prefer a one off test; have you learned it? Yes, good now go on and do nothing. But that’s not how it is and that’s fine. All the things I though I was doing i.e. helping people, looking after myself etc. before I met you, I am now please g-d doing and better than before.
My problem now is not how do I fise everyone, not so much how do I fise myself. But how much unhealthy stuff do I want to be around? Sometimes that means people when they aren’t so close it’s much easier. (obvious I know).
Thank you for the pain and there have been times, not that I’m saying pain is good, dealing with it and not burying it is, knowing how much you can take does raise you (my) self esteem (and it needs raising).
It’s really strange, turning a page is like starting again both physically and metaphorically. I find it have to write to you my written language is not as eloquent as my verbal. I can even read better than I write.
Thank you before I met you I never finished a book in my life, now I’ve read over 30 cover to cover, some twice. It’s been hard being your friend and yours is a friendship I would recommend. Some of your acquaintances aren’t so nice but I try and avoid them. Sharing you is easier now I’m trying that.
I think I’m trying to say you have left a lasting impact on me. I’m scared by you only because you put in the time and energy to cure me and help me heal.
Thank you again. Yours, still scared but calm, T.
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Dear Therapy
We have been together for over a year. During this time we have shared ups and downs. Positive experiences and negative ones. But always I have felt you were trying your best to help.
Examples of positive experiences would be when advice was sought regarding what I should do regarding my job, how I should deal with a lack of motivation and how to deal with boundaries and setting up of them in regards my family.
Negative experiences were few and far between, so add that as another positive.
The initial trepidation I felt as a cynic especially regarding the quangos (psychologists) and others of such ilk, is still around, but as I've started working in a similar field, I suppose I've got to get used to the idea, that people can help you if you let them, and not mess with your head too much.
Both negative and positive situations have been a good learning experience for me, enabling me to mature and grow into a more balanced individual.
For example, during our time together, I have learned to handle my wife in a more positive manner, learned the value of communicating to her my feelings, rather than escaping into my cave every time we have misunderstanding.
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