“If you’re reading this review, you’re probably thinking about therapy. That’s good. Therapy is hard to think about, hard to conceptualize. And looking for a therapist? Honestly, that’s almost harder than doing the actual therapy work. I have had many therapists over the years, so many that I was able to build this idea in my mind that I must be “hard to therapize” because I know all the tricks. I started leading with ‘This is what you need to know about me and be careful because I will talk circles around everything. I need you to keep me on track so I can do this hard therapy work.’
And then I started working with Christy. I went in with my spiel and my history and my ‘I know the tricks’ and I was met with honest, empathic, ‘no tricks here’ sessions. I had worked my own self up so tight that I didn’t even know how hard I was fighting my own needs. I went in for one thing – “an event” that I thought was a catalyst – and was slowly able to realize that my “event” was a symptom of a larger, complex structure I was bound in.
Christy has an amazing toolbox full of both hard and soft approaches. When I thought I was “getting off-topic”, she helped me understand that I just wasn’t ready to go barreling into…whatever…yet. And that it was OK to not BE ready. I am now capable…usually at least…of recognizing when my system is reaching max capacity and that it’s ok to leave a topic, a task, a chore, whatever until tomorrow. Because there WILL be tomorrows and it really is the small steps that keep us moving forwards. She also didn’t shy away from pointing out when I was focusing on OTHERS rather than myself. She was my champion while I was relearning what it means to feel supported.
As I mentioned, I’ve had many therapists. I can say, without a doubt, that Christy is the only one who left me with actionable tools that I feel confident in using now that our time together ended. When I get those old thoughts, I’m able to turn around and go ‘Man, Christy would NOT let me say that about myself.’ and then I rethink and restructure and reach for the touchstones we built together and I stabilize. And I keep moving forwards.”
~ Written by an incredible human, who maintains confidentiality as all of our clients do.
“I have been working with Bridges to Understanding since before the pandemic, throughout and after. They are very flexible and willing to work with and accommodate in whatever way possible. They have helped me through extremely stressful events both personally and COVID related. My therapist has been extremely helpful in allowing me to express my thoughts and giving me the tools I need to assess my feelings and look through different perspectives. Overall, I would recommend anyone to the Bridges to Understanding family.”
~ Written by another incredible human, and with whom we are grateful to be able to serve.