Aug 22 2007
Testimonials
Note from my Editor for the Therapist Notebook III where my article on psychodrama and body-centered therapy techniques will be published:
“Great job on Friday’s presentation. I heard from several people that the material on psychodrama was especially well received. The more time I spend at (counseling graduate) school the more knocked out I am by what you already know. Thanks for sharing it with me.” –Rick Simon
“I had individual and group therapy for about three years under Bill Martin’s care. At the time I saw him I was going through a difficult period of mourning and overwhelming health problems.
I found him to be an excellent therapist. He was kind and understanding without being patronizing. As I pulled through, I discovered within me sources that could be tapped into during such a depression. I still use those coping mechanisms that I found during my sessions with him. I have great respect for him.”
“As I have told some of my friends, if not for you helping me to get some of that invisible weight off my shoulders, I probably would still be at my old job, rather than realizing my dream. So–thanks!”
“I have been living with a life threatening illness since 1992 and have worked with you as my therapist since 1997. You have given me so much in terms of knowledge, support and hope during these 10 years. I have grown as a person and accomplished so much more than I thought I would. Living with a life threatening illness and disabling injuries is a huge challenge. There have been many times that I have felt ‘down and out’ and you have been there to support me and help me see things in a more positive way. In my darkest hours, you have been for me and I really appreciate and respect all you have done. I have already recommended you as a therapist to many others and will continue to do so in the future.”
“I can’t thank you enough for all your wisdom, encouragement, and compassion. This has been a much better year for me in many ways and it is my work with you that has made the difference.”
“Just wanted to drop a note to say that today’s session was especially helpful. You had some very insightful things to say that really enabled me to gain an even deeper understanding of myself.”
“The therapy is working for me. I always thought I would have these panic attacks. I didn’t know what caused them, but you have really helped me by teaching me the relaxation training and helping me understand why they had been happening.”
You with helped me to feel hope, strength and more confidence. I wish I could surround myself with people like you.”
“It must make you very proud of the work you do to know that because of you my husband and I have a happy marriage now, after facing the severe crisis that we did. It is hard for me to believe our marriage survived and has thrived since then. I look at my beautiful children and think that they would not have been born if our marriage had ended. We owe you a debt of gratitude.”
“I feel so fortunate to have you for a therapist.”
“Thank you for all the help you offered me during our work together. You are sensitive, compassionate and your insights were very helpful.”
“The guided imagery we did together was very helpful. How else could I resolve the complicated death of my partner…being able to use my imagination to talk with him…it was like he was there, telling me I had done enough and all I could do… giving me permission to let him go…it was just what I needed.”
Participant evaluations from the Breakthrough Weekend:
It was beyond my wildest dreams.
It far exceeded my expectations.
I found things out I thought were over.
Great! Staff was knowledgeable, helpful, and compassionate. Food was great.
Sleeping accommodations were…well, not the Hilton.
I had no idea what would come out of me. I knew I would dwell on certain aspects but didn’t know the degree.
It exceeded my expectations.
Didn’t know going in what “magic” referred to. I do now.
The Golden Child is alive!
Sick with amazement.
I can’t imagine it being any better, more fulfilling or rewarding for me.
Holy cow! I didn’t understand at first. Went a little too early. Fully got it in 2nd half. It was great.
The [work on Saturday] was very hard to do.
Wow! Intense!
Awesome, scary, amazing.
Great – a little long to stay engaged but I knew it is important for everyone to have a chance.
I never thought I would be so moved. Especially in a room full of men.
Just a tough, tough day. Don’t know if there’s any way to make it better.
So long, so hard. Totally spent at the end of the day.
It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen with the heart and the guides.
WOW
Crux of the weekend was an incredible experience, a breakthrough moment in my adult life.
Very powerful.
The role-playing was an extremely helpful technique to letting out our anger.
Stellar, powerful, transformational
No comment needed!
I shall never forget the safety I felt – thank you.
Stunning, heart wrenching.
Staff evaluations from the Breakthrough Weekend Staff Training:
“I liked the way the (the training) related to the initial weekend. It was a good way to gain insight into the weekend’s process.”
“Life-deepening”
“Transformational”
“The most helpful part of the day was heartwork training and facilitating. Being allowed a glimpse inside the process, and effectively having “the curtain pulled back” was extremely rewarding. Heartwork started to make sense after these exercises…seeing the process in action and facilitating it was very educational and rewarding. No longer was heartwork performed by mystical intuition but instead, it was an actual process that is lead by highly skilled men. It was a major insight to see and understand the process. Being able to dissect and discuss heartwork after it happened was valuable too…not only in talking to the leaders (Kurt Schultz and Bill Martin), but also to the men that had just gone through the heartwork. The entire process was starting to click for me, and I wish we could have spent more time on this to reinforce the process, and increase the learning. This was without question, the most valuable part of the day.”
“…as a training ground for staffing a weekend, this experience was fantastic. While it didn’t give me all the skills necessary (I think experience is the only true way to gain all these skills), I do feel that this workshop gave me many, many new tools and insights that will allow me to build the necessary skills.”
“I just want to recommend this (1/2 day training by Victories of the Heart leaders (Bill Martin, LCSW) to any therapist who believes than emotional health ultimately rests on the resolution of unresolved and/or unaddressed trauma or painful experiences. I am member of a Victories of the Heart group and a participant of a breakthrough weekend. The psychodramas were a powerful and lasting experience for me and the men that are in my group. If I could get away from work on that day (I can’t) I wouldn’t miss this training!”