A Therapist, also a Client

Testimonial

One of the things that was most striking to me after the first session was the absence of what used to be.  Mostly an absence of thoughts that then led to an absence of actions.  It isn't really that I have a new skill or mantra I am working with, the work has been lovingly passive.  My orientation as a therapist as well as my participation as a client, is psychodynamic - I seek to ask, listen, understand, connect and support - whether the work is with a client or for myself.  In HMR, it has been a profoundly different experience to NOT engage the thinking part of my brain.  During my first session, I was so amazed that (you may remember) I asked you with some degree of urgency, are you writing all of this down?!  I was so worried that I was deeply engaged in my body and in a feeling state that I would forget.  With more experience receiving the benefits of HMR, I realized I am not going to "forget" it in the same way I had not forgotten the very experiences that were arising in the work.  This effortless integration is new to me.   I love talk psychotherapy and HMR is such a beautiful way to give me a break from thinking so hard.  I had an experience in the last week where it was clear to me that my system was activated and since having several HMR sessions, I noticed a significant difference in my ability to have an observing self about my level of activation which supported me to take a break to give my system some time to resettle.  After I was able to settle, I was amazed at how quickly I got to clear my mind, where instead of all of the distracting voices of judgement about myself, I was able to get really clear about what had happened and how I chose to respond.  Life changing.  I see the changes in my personal relationships, in my work as a therapist and in my professional relationships as well.  

Any clinical intervention is often only as helpful as the practitioner who is offering it.  The way you explain the work and then offer this incredible holding, non-judgmental space for ANYTHING that arises has been incredibly supportive.  It is so rare that we get to experience a true holding of any emotion, memory or thought that arises and that has been my experience in this work with you.  

I also started listening to No Bad Parts and it is incredible to see the links between IFS and HMR. I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude and awe that Brent, you, and others have worked to create this beautiful way of healing. 

With so many hugs and so much gratitude,

(Her exact words but name held in confidence.)