Testimonials
“We had a wonderful time in the mountains this past fall. I was very pleased that looking down on cliffs as we buzzed up the mountainsides in chairlifts, gondolas and trams, did not scare me. And I even did a few easy climbs. I wasnāt sure if I would be afraid, but I felt safe and relished it. Go figure. You must have worked some magic on me! ā January, 2023
“Yes, please book me for that date. Thereās nowhere Iād rather on the date of my Dad’s death than in your home office.ā January, 2023
“When I have bad moments I practice the tools you taught me. You are a great therapist, Paul, and I am privileged to be helped by you. Thank you for all your help. Iām still benefiting from it. ā January, 2023
“I remember one time I told you somethingā¦ I donāt remember what, and you shed tears. For me. For my hurt. No one has ever done that before.ā December, 2023
“Thank you for all the work we’ve done so far. It’s been extremely helpful. Two hours with you have made a huge impact on my life already. Truly grateful. Looking forward to future work with you.ā November, 2023
“Thanks for yesterday. That practice was quite illuminating for me. Looking forward to continuing down this journey with you. I am deeply grateful for you and the work weāve done thus far. I hope you have a spectacular day. Talk soon.ā June, 2023
“Paul, I just want you to express how grateful I am that I found you several years ago when searching Somatic Healing, when I was very lost, confused and fearful. I donāt believe it was a coincidence. ā May, 2023
“Youāve helped me be a better Mother. Thank you so much!ā April, 2023
“I want to thank you, so much, for holding space for me, allowing me the safety of a deeper connection with myself, and a more heightened awareness of when ‘little’ [Inner Child] needs some love and when it’s just present day me. I’m truly, very, grateful.” February, 2023
“I sleep so much more now. Still awaken frequently, but this is so healing.Ā Thank you Paul for your care and attention to help me. I truly am glad I found you. ” December, 2022
“Paul,
Thank you so much for your help. That really was an amazing session on Tuesday! Absolutely miraculous. Working with you overall is/was fantastic and very, very rewarding. I’m sure I’ll be reaching back out shortly to pick up over zoom after the holiday traveling.” December, 2022
“Hi Paul
I canāt let this season pass by without expressing my sincere gratitude for your help, compassion, and support in my life. You have been instrumental in helping me connect with my feelings (even though I talked a lot), and the beautiful little girl within.” November, 2022
“Hi Paul!
Thank you again for our time together and the safety in my body I started to feel during our work. It contributed greatly to my healing.” November, 2022
“Thank you, Paul,
I am grateful for the work we have done together. Through your thoughtful presence and insightful questions I have begun to move towards healing parts of me that were previously stuck. I have more skill now to notice and attend to these wounds, and because of that I feel more possibilities opening up before me!” November, 2022
“Dear Paul,
I’ve been reflecting on some of the sessions we had together. it is obvious to me that the depth and breadth of your toolkit as a counselor, therapist, and overall wise person is truly remarkable.Ā And your skill at pulling out just the right tool to meet whatever I brought to you on any given day felt kind of magical. Actually, I take that back. Not ‘kind of’ magical. It was magical. The best kind of magic–full of mystery and trust and care and wonder–and surprise. Along with giving me books and websites to assist me, your big, warm heartedness encouraged me to explore how I can help others….to awaken happiness in them again.
For all of this, I am grateful to you Paul. Thank you. Thank you.” August, 2022
“Dear Paul, Thank you for your help. I find your therapy is making me more effective in all parts of my life and all relationships.” July, 2022
“You are like the safe, wise, and kind father I never had. You are teaching me how to trust, love and honor myself the way I should have been taught. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have found you, and to be working with you.” September, 2021
“Good morning Paul.Ā I have been working around the house from early this morning and writing in my gratitude journal. I cannot help but think of you. My mind keeps on returning to reflect on all the work we did together and all your support. I keep on hearing your words that you would say to me from time to time, āvery courageous workā. They warm my heart. You are a person that I have such admiration for. You are such a kind person. Someone that I really could trust. Itās hard to find such people today unfortunately. Yes many people have good qualities, but itās hard to find a person who you would trust your heart to without fear. Thank you for being that special person in my life. So I just wanted to tell you that today. Sometimes the important things that you think about others, they never get to know or hear. So I wanted to share it with you. I hope that you are safe and doing well.Ā Somehow I am confident that you are.” June, 2021
“Paul, I could never adequately thank you. Ā The inner peace you helped me achieve is profound-youāve changed my life forever and Iām so very grateful. Ā Iāll reach out in the future. Ā Have a great summer.” June, 2021
“Paul,
You were right, it was not my imagination. I just led a half hour session from 2 to 230 pm. Usually my throat will start to constrict after the first few minutes prompting me to hold/ support with my hand at the base of my throat. This technique helped some, not much. I would still feel constrictions, sometimes so bad I would tear up.
This last session I was able to speak without any issues, without having to support my throat!
Today was a beautiful experience with you. Thank you for giving me the tools.” June, 2021
“Paul,
Attached is a picture of baby [baby’s name], born last week.Ā Itās been a tough 10 days with late nights, lack of sleep, momma with a small bit of baby blues (passing now i think) and having visitors from all over come see her. But to be honest, I wouldnāt change a moment of it. I absolutely love her – I canāt stop looking at her. I have never felt such a āpurposeā!
Thanks for everything Paul – my life is completely different now than when we first met. Almost a 180 degree shift.Ā ” June, 2021
“Paul,
I feel so blessed to have found you. I hear about people trying to find a therapist they really want to connect with and in some cases it has taken them months and years and are still unable to find a good fit.Ā
I was so fortunate.. I had been thinking of therapy for a couple of years and when I made up my mind about it, the universe gently pointed me in your direction.Ā
Today, after you brought up having a friend to talk to, I realized how easily I had opened myself up to you. You make me feel safe to open my heart to you. I don’t feel guarded. I find myself telling you things I have never told anyone and probably never will.Ā
Thank you so so much.” May, 2021
“Paul,
I didnāt know quite know what to expect when I decided to check into Somatic therapy.Ā Itās funny where life brings you; I was actually looking for another therapist and he suggested that I meet with you.Ā So happy I did.
The early work with my inner child and seeing you right there with us was a picture that I will never forget.Ā Your warm generous heart-opening thoughts and feelings did much to move me toward healing.Ā Your encouragement to be curious and ask what am I feeling inside my body.Ā Thatās where the healing really is.
Recently, the introduction of benefactors has increased my gratitude.Ā It has brought a kind of peace and encouragement that I havenāt felt since I was young.Ā I have felt the warmth overflowing power of healing in this teaching.
Thank you Paul, for your time, your warmth, your humble spirit, your gratitude and just for being a great teacher.” March, 2021
“Hi Paul,
Following our session I was physically and emotionally exhausted. I think we managed to uncork so much energy that it drained me. Thursday was another day where I felt pretty wiped and like my head was floating somewhere in the clouds, but I’m happy to say that today has been rather good. I felt closer to my friends, I felt connected, which was a wonderful feeling.” March, 2021
“Hi Paul,
Thanks for your understanding Wednesday. I am feeling better. Ā
I am definitely becoming more comfortable with who I am. Ā Although Iāll never be an extrovert (nor did I ever want to be), I am more open to talking with people and socializing at work when I have the time. Ā It translates into more laughter and joy at times-which is one of the things I have been longing for. Ā My window (I think thatās what you called it) of tolerance is expanding (appropriately), and my ability to enforce boundaries more acuteā¦and itās working…imagine that! Ā Because of the pandemic, I havenāt socialized much outside of work, but Iām hoping Iāll feel more comfortable then too. Ā
I am noticeably more calm-especially at work when things get unnecessarily chaotic-which translates into much less emotional stress and fatigue, anxiety, etc. Ā This is a huge relief. Ā
As I mentioned before, I just feel a huge shift-in my view of people and situations and in the way I process my emotions, especially in the moment. Ā I feel good more than I feel bad. Ā When I do feel bad, Iām able to turn it around more often than not, before it spirals downward. Ā
Overall, itās been a good week. Ā
I look forward to seeing you Wednesday.” March, 2021
“You were very instrumental in helping me release some of my past and make my way in relationships go more smoothly.” February 2021
From a client’s wife to a referrer: “Paul is a God-send! I had a feeling he might be the one when you mentioned him. [My husband] said to me today that Paul may be the best therapist he has ever worked with. I am beyond excited about the awareness he is having. Thank you again for mentioning him, perfect timing.” February, 2021
“I rarely use the word ‘cure’, but I feel CURED! Thank you so much!” February, 2021
“Thank you, Paul. You remain a place of great comfort, wisdom and calm for me – and I continue to try to find that in myself!!” December, 2020
“I had a good day. I thought about my homework a couple times today. Visualized hugging me. I feel good about what we are doing and how things are going.” December, 2020
“Paul, your guidance has been truly life-changing. It is the best money and effort I have ever spent. You have the genuine care, warm-heartedness, and presence that only come from a lifetime of experience. When you speak, it’s from the heart. You always know just what to say, and when to say it.” December, 2020
“Dear Paul,
This email is years in the making. Firstly, I want to thank you for all that you’ve taught me. You have a gift for the work you do and I carry your lessons with me every day. My happy life owes a debt to you. It’s not always easy to recall what I learned in therapy, or to implement it, but I do my best. I have a happy marriage and a beautiful daughter who turned four last month. She is a bright and beautiful girl. My husband has found a good job in a field he loves. We are safe and healthy in these strange times. I’ve never stopped expecting disaster, but I’m using my powers for good, and I’m a PhD student studying [removed for confidentiality]. I hope you are well. I don’t know if you still have the kitty that would come and sit on my lap during my sessions, but I hope you do. Please say hi to the Rocky Mountains for me, I miss them terribly.
All the best. ” August 2020
āI am very excited To share with you some very good news. I spent the last week with my mom and my youngest sister. I donāt know exactly how it happened, but I was able to speak very honestly with my mom about the difficulties in my life that stem from my childhood. She took responsibility for not taking care of me or my siblings emotionally. She shed many tears and I believe that they came from an honest place in her heart. I was able to feel compassion for her and told her that I had worked very hard with you on healing. I explained to her that I had reparented myself and that I had made peace In my heart.Ā I explained that I believed she too was a broken child and I gave her a big comforting hug. It broke the ice and we laughed a lot. What I really want to focus on is my appreciation for the support, help, and education that you have given me, releasing my childhood trauma. I could never have done it without you, Paul. You have a special place in my heart. I opened my drawing book recently and looked at all my “little children”. It had been a while. When I did so though, it was with a big smile on my face. I noticed it, because it hit me kind of strange. It told me how much I had truly healed.
Itās been two weeks now and although I felt a little shaky the night after I spoke with her itās been pretty steady for the most part.” June 2020
āWhen I first started therapy with you end of 2018, I was in a very differentĀ situation than I am now. I had just become a mom and felt very overwhelmed navigating the challenges of motherhood. I was trying to grieve the loss of my parents after a lifetime of abuse. My husband and I were learning how to juggle parenthood and marriage, which was not easy. On top of all of that, we were struggling financially with a business that was a dream come true but that wasn’t really taking off. Things were really, really tough.
I believe that your circumstances are usually a reflection of your inner world, which is why I knew that I need to go to therapy. By healing my wounds, I thought, the circumstances of my life would start to shift.Ā
Things have shifted indeed.
Today, my marriage is rock solid, my son is healthy and happy, and our business has (believe it or not) taken off like a rocket over the past weeks. Not only that, but we have attracted wonderful people into our lives who appreciate who we truly are.Ā
To top that off, my last great frustration in life (my writer’s block), has disappeared. I can now write easily and freely, without the pain and resistance I felt in the past (gasp).Ā
For all of this I am immensely grateful.Ā
I know I couldn’t have done this without your kind guidance and compassion. You have given me the safe space I needed to explore all the uncomfortable emotions and traumas that had been holding me back for so long. You have helped me understand that by walking towards my fear and pain, I can learn all the lessons I need to learn to move forward in life. You have taught me how to be compassionate and kind towards my inner child sotĀ that I can feel safe in my own body again. Thank you so much Paul for all you have given me.” May 2020
āWhile we’re exploring negative things you put me at ease.” March 2020
āThat was a very empowering session. During that visualization I got a sense of empowerment. I guess this is the āelusiveā feeling that I havenāt felt too much for a long time and that I know is my truth and higher self! Thanks for helping me with that.” March 2020
āI’m enjoying the peace and happiness that I am feeling. Ā No longer focusing on the negative aspects of the past, but seeing the gifts of this present life. Ā I am thankful for you and your work.Ā Many Blessings.ā February 2020
āAs you know, I have been visiting family. I have been setting boundaries and it’s going quite well. I really see the benefits of all the hard work that we have been doing together over the past year. It has really been paying off and I am able to handle more skillfully the challenges around me.Ā Ā So I think thatās pretty amazing.ā February 2020
āDear Paul, I want you to know that the work we did together had a very positive impact on my life. Your support, at times, was crucial. So, from my heart, thank you. The inner child work is something that I’m still doing, and I’m recently remembering more often to feel what’s going on in my body and to slow things down. You helped me to learn to love myself, and the varied inner dialogue which I’ve learned to navigate, keeps me from spiraling down into bad places. Remembering to breathe helps too.ā September 2019
āPaul, I really want to thank you for so many things. Most important, is that I was able to fall asleep last night, without my usual panic and fear. The image of the little girl resting next to me without fear left me feeling so calm and secure. It is all incredible. I am very hopeful for continued better sleep. Thanks for patiently listening to all my stories yesterday. It means a lot to me.ā August 2019
āPaul, itās hard to express in words my appreciation for your care. I am blessed to have you helping me recover from childhood trauma. I really feel confident that Somatic Experiencing is and will be invaluable in helping me get relief. You though are equally important, if not more important in the whole equation. [My husband] and I, thank you and thank you again.ā July 2019
āYou are a really great therapist. Youāve helped me go to places inside that none of my previous therapists have known how to help with.ā June 2019 from another psychotherapist
āIt is amazing how much clarity I have now after just speaking with you one time. I find it interesting how much I was able to accept in hearing you say the early childhood trauma situations back to me from a therapy standpoint. I think all of the time I have been trying to verbalize what was going on with me to others over the years, they didn’t quite understand. Being heard and understood by you has done wonders for my over thinking and my anxiety in just 24 hours. I completely recognize what I have been doing in my relationships. I’m looking forward to working more on this. Again, I am extremely grateful for the time yesterday. Thank you!ā June 2019
“Iām feeling much better. Youāve been an amazing therapist with so much caring and compassion. I appreciated all of it.” May 2019
“Paul,
Have been thinking about you and the help that you have given me. Much gratitude to you my friend. When I decided enough was enough and to quit listening to my brain and start listening to my heart, things started getting better.
My wife hugs and kisses me good morning. I am better with my kids. I have greater patience with my mom.
Once you asked me āwhatās the worse that can happen? You feel better?ā Well, the worst has happened, I feel better. It is continual work and there are still some times when I want to fall back into “the world is against me” mentality. But things are looking up after all and I am not continuously waiting for the shit to hit the fan. Now, I just oil the fan and keep it clean.
The most important change is that I am in a renewal phase of my relationship with God. I have faith he will continue to protect my family and I.” May 2019
“Thank you so very much again for helping me heal. It is amazing. I really feel calm and at peace. I am very appreciative for your help and expertise. You are so skilled.” May 2019
“An incident from my evening: My wife emerged from the bedroom where she has been spending most of her time, I was asking her about changing a doctor’s appointment we have coming up, she snapped at me, used a tone of voice that seemed mean and rude to me. I told her that I didn’t like the way she was speaking to me and that I had been bending over backwards to be helpful and that it wasn’t ok. She told me I wasn’t being kind, and off I went in a huff to isolate and fold laundry. Then I remembered the self-compassion talk, remembered our session today and said, ‘ok I’m going to take two minutes to be with myself and see what’s here.’ So I did, I sat in privacy, put my hand on my face, said to myself ‘this is hard. this is a moment of suffering. this is part of being human. I’m here for you.’ And sure enough I started crying. Even convulsing ever so slightly. And I cried, and stopped, then cried some more. Then I felt fine, emerged and told her that it hurts when she talks to me like that. She apologized in a heartfelt way and said she is feeling so under-resourced and she doesn’t want to hurt me and she appreciates everything I have been doing. We hugged, and then went on with the night and everything was good. So, that little bit of grieving really took me from being totally closed, having thoughts like “what a F’ing bitch she can be! Get me the F out of here!” to dropping into that sense of ‘ouch, this hurts! I’m hurting’, feeling what was there in the body, which at first I thought, ‘well duh, no wonder I have disconnected, it’s painful to feel your feelings!’ but then saw it wasn’t so bad, it even felt good in a way, and then the direction of the night was changed, and we’re in a fine place now.
So I just offer that as an illustration that I think you are right on.” April 2019
“When I got in my car after our session, I looked in the rear-view mirror to check for cars before I pulled out and I saw a big skunk waddling across the snowy road! That was certainly unusual. I looked up skunk medicine, which suggested that they are about firm boundaries and well-respected. Seems appropriate to my past experience as always the mediator, trying to keep the peace. I’ll take the skunk as a sign that I’m finding new ways to be where I don’t lose myself in trying to please everyone. š
Thanks for your support.” February 2019
“Paul,
That [session] was one of the most spirit filled things I have ever experienced.Ā Thank you my friend; you are doing Godās work.Ā Many Blessings to you.” February 2019
“Dear Paul,
I am so incredibly grateful for the work that you do. I found you when I was at my lowest where I felt like there was nowhere left to turn, where the world around me had crumbled as memories of sexual and ritual abuse had continued to surface and become too overwhelming. I was experienced PTSD and Adrenal Burnout, i was unable to leave the house, function or work at the moment in time. I had been doing my own work with Ayahuasca in Peru and other modalities which had brought a lot of memories to the surface but they were too overwhelming to deal with and integrate on my own. You gave me hope when there was none, you helped me to find the strength inside to overcome all of the monstrosities. You comforted my inner child and stood up for him when no-one else would and taught me how I can do the same. You showed me what it means to be a man in this world to be able to care and stand up for myself yet be open and gentle. To be able to hold firm boundaries whilst allowing love to overflow. I recommend your services to all that I meet that have had serious childhood trauma and/or sexual abuse or in need of a therapist. You are more than a therapist, you are a light that shines into the darkest of nights, there need not be fear when in the gentle and compassionate care of yourself. You have helped me to be able to live more fully than I have ever dreamed were possible and for that I am eternally grateful. I often call on your higher self when I am in need in my day to day life, when the emotions bubble up to be dealt with. I am able to face them with less fear, I trust in your guidance and all that you have taught me. You have given me the tools to be able to navigate trauma and emotions as they arise. I send my unconditional gratitude to you and all those that need your services are able to find you. The highest of recommendations given.” January 2019
“You are helping me so much and it is beyond comforting to know that you see it as progress too.
Iām really excited to share with you on Wednesday. I think Iām changing and Iām proud of myself!!” December 2018
“I wanted to share something with you, because I suspect it is profound, and good, and I usually just share the hard stuff.
I was doing a self-compassion meditation today (from the program you recommended) and had an amazing experience. As I was working on affectionate breathing I was thinking about a recent, intimate moment with my husband, and I was washed with terror. This made me cry, almost instantly. What as I sat with it and was so tender and compassionate, it opened up into something more. It became this deep, soul yearning to “be here”. To actually be here, in every moment, with him and with my baby. I was crying and the sounds were coming from deep within me and I just kept crying out “I want to stay”. It was my desperate, strong plea that I was ready, that I was ready to not leave in fear, to not let my scary, obsessive thoughts take me away from the present. I just repeated it over and over, my chin shaking, “I want to stay”. And then that turned into “I’m ready”.
Maybe, when we’re deeply traumatized by the people we’re supposed to love and trust the most, we learn to leave moments with other intimate people who enter our lives. Because to stay means to risk our vulnerable, fragile inner children and that’s just too terrifying. And so leaving, for me, manifests in my obsessive, scary thoughts.
I know I’m not done. I know that one deep moment of awe and true longing and desire to open isn’t the end of my healing. I know I have to heal my self-esteem and my self-abuse. But-can’t I learn to stay? To truly stay with those I love? To not self-protect with fear?
That’s possible for me, isn’t it?
Thank you for getting me here.” November 2018
“Just wanted to tell you how helpful today was for me. Thanks for always being on my side.” October 2018
“My Grandfather passed away a few minutes ago, really happy you and I talked today.” October 2018
“I have found your wisdom and support and encouragement and kindness a wonderful bright spot in my life!” October 2018
“Thank you for your amazing kindness, you are so appreciated. ” October 2018
“Thank you, Paul! You have been a major part of my healing process. I’m thankful God brought me to seek help from you.” June 2018
“This book, the story countless others told me to write, would never have happened without your encouragement. It’s been a long and healing endeavor and this book and your help has led me to where I am today. Thank you ever so much!” Jean Muenchrath March 2018
“I want you to know how much I’ve enjoyed working with you and how grateful I am for your genuine compassion. You’re very talented!” June 2018
“Today I saw my inner child and now understand. That is one thing that I could understand on a mental level, but not in an emotional level. Now I can see and feel the healing. Thanks again, you are batting a 1000!” June 2018
“Paul, Thank you for your willingness to work with me and for not giving up on me even during my most frustrating and difficult times. It means a lot to me that you are willing to hear me out and try to understand my needsā this hasnāt been easy for me at all. But I just want to thank you for listening to me and not judging me and giving me support. Support that i never got from my own family.”
“Thank you, Paul. I appreciate your kind and loving care. I think loving and accepting myself is where itās at. After our appointment, the fog lifted. I was able to connect with my daughter and stay strong and to not fall into arguments with my husband. I feel that this journey Iām about to embark on is going to call for a lot of strength and loving kindness towards myself. Thank you for showing that to me.”
āIn one of my Somatic therapy sessions with Paul, I had a memory of being left at a juvenile detention center and then transferred to a foster home as a teenager. I didnāt know this was traumatic for me until I shared how I felt so alone, afraid and unwanted and had a frozen type of reaction in my body as I told the story. Much to my surprise, I had very little compassion for that part of myself and had seemingly rejected that unwanted teenage girl. Paul guided me through this experience and taught me to accept and love that teenage part of me that I had rejected decades ago. With Paulās gentle and compassionate guidance, I learned the importance of self- love during that session.
“It was shortly afterwards that I had to confront a ābullyā in my family and did so without hesitation or anxiety. I had acquired the confidence to be assertive and stand up for myself with little regard as to how I might be perceived. It was as if someone else was speaking for me. I had regained something I had lost in my youthā¦..the courage to be myself. I am very grateful for my work with Paul. He is a genuinely kind and gifted healer.ā
āYour work with me over the years has been rich and meaningful, and I feel like youāve helped me to forge a very solid connection with you. I appreciate your compassion and your solidity.ā
āJust a little note to let you know that my boyfriend proposed to me on Friday evening, on a beautiful beach and that I said yes! We are so happy, committed and open, Iām over the moon as this is the love I always dreamed of having but never felt truly possible for me. I canāt stop smiling! We are doing great and the communication, honesty, openness, and love grows every day. What a joy! Thank you for ALL you have opened up for me and helped me through.ā
āThank you Paul, for being such a great counsellor; for sharing all these techniques I can do outside of sessions to become independent of a therapist, for seeing me as a whole being. For being so authentic and warm and open: as I said to my friend after our first trial session: wauw, that was weird, a therapist sharing his emotions, feeling into my jaws sad story. That was so powerful, I felt acknowledged in my trauma, I could see you leading by example, I want to be able to get rooted and learn to deal with emotions quickly and authentically. No more added trauma please.
But moreover I told him: IF I ever become a therapist, this is how i will do it, and i donāt care if it doesnāt fit our culture, this is the only thing that feels right: for me to stay sane as a therapist and not be stuck in other peopleās emotions, showing the client empathy and how to do it. Coz if I can open up and deal with emotions, where I m coming from, everybody has the potential.ā
āI am very grateful to be doing this work. It has helped me find out what my core issue is and work on it and beyond that it is giving me the greatest gift and finding peace and learning to trust again. I have tried CBT a lot and as much as it has given me insight, somatic therapy was able to dig deeper.ā
āI broke a pattern today. I didnāt judge myself for how I was feeling. I didnāt try to change how I was feeling. I absolutely embraced my femininity and I feel so much better for it. Because Iām allowing me to be me. I think Iāve actually been looking for my own acceptance all along. Magical. Thank you Paul. Amazing support from you these past two days. Itās made such a difference.ā
āIāve seen ātalkā therapists and never found the insights to stick for long. When I met Paul, I was skeptical that somatic therapy would make any difference. Oh, how wrong I was! My healing began when I started to feel gratitude for who I am. My past, and the characters I had developed in response, served their purpose. Paul helped me recognize that I was focusing on and hiding from pain and fear instead of giving myself love, health and happiness. His guidance helped me discover my strength to stop my 19 year nicotine addiction, add more compassion to my marriage, and start a path of self-discovery and growth. I definitely recommend Paul to anyone who has been lost in the shadows and wants to take control of their life!ā
āPaul is a wonderful, compassionate source of support and inspiration. He has a broad spectrum of therapy tools from which to draw on and moves easily between ports of intellect, emotion, spirituality, physicality and imagination. Using a keen intuition, a deep sense of empathy and a lovely sense of humour, Paul guides me through issues ranging from joy to profound sorrow with humility and reverence. A highly recommended and skilled therapist.ā
āI had been trying to deal with PTSD for 15 years, I was exhausted and a little hopeless (after a year of talk therapy that helped me in other areas, but not with my nightmares). The first session that we had was amazing, now after 5 months of healing work, I barely remember my last nightmare. I feel empowered and ready to deal with daily situations that used to be a huge struggle for me and stopped me from pursuing my goals. I am a better spouse and parent, and I recommend Paul Chubbuck to anybody struggling with a trauma.ā
āThrough our work, Iām feeling stronger at the very core of myself, I think I am actually ready to let go of these traumatic experiences. Before, I donāt think I could have fully let go of them because being traumatized was so deeply connected to my self-definition. Now that I know that Iām NOT a broken traumatized person, but a whole and complete person who was traumatized, I donāt need to hang on to the trauma experiences in my body. Even the ones that happened at birth. Whew. This is huge. I have a few tears happening as Iām writing. Trauma is actually a thing that is separate from me.ā
āI suddenly realised that my inner child is not just the wounded one, she doesnāt just carry the trauma. She carries the rich imagination and creativity too ā the side of me that had to be pushed aside so I could survive. Sheās my inner artist, she communicates in stunning ways what my left brain could never communicate in a million words. She is my soul and I welcome her home with love and appreciation, not just for her carrying the pain for me, but for who she truly is. Sheās the me I had to trash to fit into the scaled down version of me that could survive. This journey is not just about healing the wounds, itās about embracing all of me. You knew that, but I didnāt. God this is huge. I have so much appreciation for you holding that space for her Paul, while I wanted to stay āsafeā in my intellect. With tears in my eyes and appreciation in my heart.ā
āI really appreciate you thinking of me, and giving me support and guidance in this way. I know that you are totally right, that if I work on truly loving myself the issues that I have with other things will sort themselves out. Next time I feel like watching the sun go down Iāll take the small child inside of me into account and go and sit by the Thames. I actually tried āfree-formā dancing this morning, I put some really good music on and once I had got my ego ā who was telling me what a plonker I looked ā out of the way, I actually really enjoyed it and I felt quite tearful but in a good way.ā
āI realized that now that I actually like myself, I can truly start being single, instead of just being āwithout a manā. I had the impulse that since I felt so good, I should start dating again, and then suddenly realized that no, I shouldnāt. I might perhaps consider spending the next 6 months single by choice in order to get to know myself from a place of liking, rather than one of loathing.ā
āIām having an exciting breakthrough day! Last night, I ate nuts again (and Iām allergic), but no anaphalaxis! I took heavy duty anti-histamines and waited, but although I felt quite ill physically and today am puffy and uncomfortable, I didnāt have a full-blown reaction. AND, I didnāt panic! Last time, I was so much in fear mode that I was panicking the whole night and the next day. I didnāt panic! I stayed present with my body and allowed myself to be uncomfortable, but if my body didnāt say ādeathā then I didnāt think ādeathā. Iām so happy about this! Today, I donāt feel great, but my mood and mental state is something I feel in charge of! I bought myself tulips today to celebrate!ā
āYou might say that I did the work and you canāt take credit, but it is very rare for someone to journey to an unknown destination without some guidance. You helped reveal hidden pieces of myself and shared wisdom that calmed the layers of my psyche. You shifted the fulcrum so that I could balance once more. I am a better person today because of you and I truly appreciate what you did. Thank you for being you!ā
āI was desperate, shattered, scared and hopeless. Working with Paul gave me the freedom to really āRelease my Pastā and move forward in my life. I found serenity just hearing his voice. I had huge trust in him and knew I could tell him anything without judgement. Safety was the key in healing for me and I found that with Paul. Phone session after phone session I began to release the past and find my true authentic self. I learned how to feel, love and open my heart again. I am so grateful for Paul for staying with me on my journey. Finding him was a gift from God.ā
āAfter reading Peter A. Levineās book, Waking the Tiger, I knew that Somatic Experiencing was the only therapy that might be effective for me to free myself from my trauma. I searched through all the biographies of Colorado practitioners and chose Paul Chubbuck, even though it would have been easier for me to go to Boulder for this therapy. I was not disappointed.ā
āYou sure know how to support your clients, even from the other side of the world, It became clear that you are the first practitioner Iāve worked with who has cut through my intellectual denial. Sometimes we need an angel to lead us to a place that is going to hurt, but will move us forward. Thank you for doing that for me yesterday. Big thank you.ā
āWhen I first went to Paul, I felt like I was in a deep, dark well with no ladder or help nearby. After only a few sessions, I began feeling relief and progress toward recovery. Now, I not only feel fine but am confident that, should I ever begin feeling bad again, I can recognize it and have the tools to deal with it effectively.ā
āMy phone session with Paul quickly focused on a major trauma in my life. I re-experienced the event with a positive outcome. That night I had a dream in which I was attractive, physically powerful, adventurous and confident. I awoke with a smile and scrambled to write down the adventure. It was a wonderful confirmation of a shift deep within.ā
āUntil recently, my lifeās experience had always been threatened with a sense of rejection and abandonment. With Paulās guidance and my own reflection, I have found the awareness of who I am internally, the inner-strength I hold, and the ability to express my emotional and physical being with those around me.ā
āThanks again for all your awesome help toward my healing and growth. The immense fatigue Iād felt for the previous week left me after our appointment yesterday. The work we did at the end of our session helped empower me in many ways. Iām still feeling the powerful eagle flying over all. Thank you.ā
āThanks Paul. I sang 3 high Cās in rehearsal last night! Big change.ā
āI am feeling really strong after our session last week and gaining ever more insight into the messages my body has for me. This work is really really amazing!ā
āI donāt know how you do it Paul, but you sure do give me the perfect support I need in the moment. Thank you. Iām really touched by how much you care, and the way you continue to be there Paul. It means a heck of a lot in this strange world I find myself living in these days. A heck of a lot.ā
āThe Universe really knew what it was doing entrusting me in your care.ā
āHaving even a few moments of working through the dynamics of the car accident has given me such a gentle and loving perspective on my body. Iāve been mentally ācradlingā my spine all evening, just like I held my ālittle girlā the other day, and it feels so nice!ā
āI feel very humble and thankful knowing you hung in there with me through the storm of the last month. Your integrity is what makes you safe, and it never ever waivers, and I am so thankful for that. It was very nice working with you again today. Thank you, so very very much.ā
āI think if the last nine months of us working together were to be condensed into a chapter in the book of my life, the title of the chapter would be The Power of Compassion.ā
āIāve had a major breakthrough today in regards to singing and a release in my body. This is such an amazing feeling!!!ā
āYou have done an amazing thing today. What happened today was really an aha moment.ā
āAnd it was also a testament to the sense of safety you create with your clients ā even over skype! Iāve had one other therapist try to use that 2 chair technique with me and it was disastrous. I think at that time I was definitely not feeling safe and my āGatekeeperā kicked up a huge fuss and the whole session derailed.ā
āIām a gardener, I sow seeds, I nurture them, and watch them go from tiny seedling into full grown plant. You are a gardener too. You sow seeds in my mind, nurture them and then watch them grow. They just tend to grow faster than the plants I grow!!!ā
āI really got a lot from the phone consultation with you the other day. I found that, in half an hour, I was able to get more benefit from noticing my body and following those sensations with compassion and curiosity than Iāve done in months of talk therapy!ā
āI would like to thank you for the session today, it was deep and powerful. Even though I feel tired now I feel more reconnected to myself.ā
āYour help was invaluable as always today. Bless you. Somehow itās easier to see all this stuff when you hold a space of acceptance/non-judgement for it all. Big thanks.ā
āBefore I came to Paul for therapy, my life seemed to be controlled by my emotional reaction to every situation that triggered uncomfortable past memories. Now when a situation brings that emotion to the forefront, I am able to feel it and quickly dismiss it.ā
āPaul, I hope this email can convey at least a small portion of my deep gratitude. Iām getting my life back. Overcoming challenges has become much easier. My confidence is building. Using the techniques that youāve taught me Iām seeing whatās good in my life.ā
āI just wanted to let you know how much better I felt this morning than I expected to ā hardly any stiffness or soreness at all. So what you did last night sure worked. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate what you did.ā
āI have been down many healing paths to release the trauma of childhood cancer and amputation. Working with Paul got me in touch with a powerful wisdom in my body for healing which I hadnāt previously experienced.ā
āI am feeling so strengthened by our work. Itās very powerful for me.ā
āThank you for all your help in the past year. I wanted to schedule a ātune-upā and also just kind of sit down and tell you what a hell of a job youāve done with me.ā
āI would get an anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach regarding issues with my husband. I was very tired of these same old reactions. After one session with Paul I was able to shift, which has allowed me to interact with my husband in a whole new way. Thank you so much.ā
āWow! I feel better, I actually feel. I never write poetry but one just started coming. I think Iām healing!ā
āYou seem to be someone who really cares if they help their clients as opposed to just collecting a paycheck like some therapists Iāve dealt with.ā
āThanks for the session we had today, it was very insightful and very helpful. I can already feel a peace that I havenāt felt for awhile, which is wonderful!ā
āPaul, I am so glad to be working with you. I have been in the healing and medical profession for over 25 years, and I find true āhealersā are rare. True healing comes from a place of deep compassion, caring, and kindness, which I see and experience from you.ā
“Thanks so much for your great advice to āstay with myself before taking actionā. Wow, this has been an amazing opportunity to heal and to learn more about myself and my wounds. Iād like to share something really profound that came up today. I went to look over the messages of the exchange with my ex-boyfriend, and every fiber of my being wanted to write to him. It felt SO like the right thing to do. Iād composed the message and everything. Then I stopped. I went to the little water/rock garden in my block of flats, which I find beautiful and peaceful and I sat with what i was feeling. I was feeling hurt, betrayed, abandoned, and impatient. I wanted to get my pride back, as I felt weak and that my pride had been hurt here. In my body I felt a racing heart, churning stomach, teary, tense. I felt like I needed to take control back, to get in a position of control. And this happens a lot in relationships, I want to control the love, the pace of things, the way we move forward. I find myself judging milestones and often feeling we come up short of how things āshould beā. So I sat with that need to control ā what was underneath it? And then it was clear, and incredibly painful. Sheer, terrifying, naked, open-hearted vulnerability. If I do nothing, but keep my heart open, which is how I want to live, then I feel so vulnerable. I feel like I have no armour, no defence to protect myself, and that is so scary for me. I cried and cried, and shook. And then it passed and I laughed a bit ā totally relieved that I hadnāt sent the āwrapping upā message. I have a clearer idea of what loving boundaries look like from this experience. It is unlikely that I will contact him again without an initiation from him, but I donāt need to set rules around it ā those are like setting up barriers around my heart, and I donāt want to cage my heart in that way. What an incredible gift sitting with the emotion, and allowing it, is. What incredible discovery about how hard I find it to stand ā armour off, arms and heart open. Knowing that arrows may hit me, but walking through life without the armour initially, naked, open-hearted and free.”