I think the biggest success I have witnessed in myself is that I can contain my feelings when I am triggered. I started out certain that it was "the other guy" at fault, the problem was "him". If only "he" would grow up or become responsible, at last. Now I know I am accountable and the other person is merely a reflection of how I´m feeling about myself.
I love that you hold me accountable, that you are supportive while showing me where I have gone astray in my thinking and in my beliefs. I appreciate that you see ego so clearly and have the ability to bring clarity, understanding and compassion into my understanding of my ego. Your humour and ability to keep me on track are invaluable tools. I feel completely safe in your therapeutic care, I trust you absolutely. Maybe that is your greatest gift to me; you laugh with me, not at me and I know I can trust you.
The greatest benefit to me is that I can be honest with myself, I know I need to take care of me, I can trust myself and I know that I can do these things alone, when you are not there holding my hand.
If someone else was in my place from last year, I would say "Do it for yourself. Knowing yourself and loving yourself is a blessing. It is a gift that is beyond price and Christie will help you get there.
K.S. client from Vancouver Island. - depression, anxiety and relationship issues.
20 years ago I saw a little girl who was weak, helpless and filled with guilt and wondered to myself “What happened to her?”, “How did she end up this way?”. I could tell she needed help but when I reached to her my arms remained at my side as if paralyzed, unable to move. I didn´t know what to do so the frustration built and the anger grew stronger and stronger. The anger got so strong I couldn´t see the little girl anymore or myself. I was lost and unable to control the emotions that I held inside me. Close relationships took a huge hit when my communication became short and annoyed. I didn´t know where I wanted to live or work, or who I wanted to love or hate. The control was gone and there I was halfway between possible breakdown and complete destruction.
In my first session with Christie I didn´t know where to start but it didn´t take long before the she was able to tap into some of my core issues. Having those out in the open made me feel vulnerable but I was comfortable to do so. Christie taught me how to be gentle with my emotions and to not be so hard on my judgment of myself. She reminded me to forgive myself for the beliefs that I had made up and brought me back to reality where I was strong and capable of love.
I started counseling just having bought an apartment but wanting to move back to Kelowna to be part of an emotionally abusive relationship. I was prepared to drop everything I had worked hard for because I so badly needed evidence that my negative beliefs about myself were true. Today I am settled in my home and my work with no distractions pulling me otherwise. My relationships are ones that reinforce love and strength around me. I continue my counseling to battle upcoming conflicts and to help continue my growth towards loving myself.
The most important thing I´ve learned is how to wrap my arms around the little girl who needed help and to tell her (myself) that her innocence is untouched and her spirit remains whole and strong no matter what.
K. R. Langley Client - Relationship issues and depression
My work with you in both weekend workshops and the Wednesday night Circles have been life changing and following my week at the Choose Again Centre in Costa Rica a year ago, your Circles have been a significant force in helping me change my life for the better.
Your ability to create an environment of safety, acceptance and forgiveness in Circle has been awe inspiring and watching the transformation in my life and other participants in the weekly group, certainly gives credence to your skills. Whether that be alcoholism, eating disorders, drug addiction, depression, anxiety or just living in the absence of joy, I have seen you deftly deal with it all. Combined with just the right amount of empathy, a generous amount of humour, a fearless exploration of the false beliefs and the ability to show how these beliefs can be corrected, your leadership in Circles has been exemplary and have always left me feeling so much better about who I am.
As an adult child of an alcoholic, I recognize the ramifications on the life I chose as a result of my upbringing and the negative decisions I have made throughout my journey to confirm my false beliefs. Thanks to my work with you, I am able to see the joy in life that has always been available to me and realize it is my birthright.
In closing, I would like to thank you again for the extraordinary effort you have made in transforming the lives of others and for being such a positive force in my path to happiness. I hope that anyone considering therapy with you as their counsellor will seize this wonderful opportunity, as I know it will be life changing. I know it has been for me and countless others who have had the opportunity to work with you and I am so grateful.
D. V. Vancouver client- Relationship issues
I initially spoke with Christie by phone and was immediately aware that this was a philosophy based on love, acceptance and kindness. I wanted that contentment, and peace of mind for myself, so I decided to begin therapy. With each successive meeting together, our sessions became a source of joy and greater self understanding for me. I was given the life skills and tools to help me when I met with various challenges in my day to day life.
May I say for the record, that this is not a utopia of dreamlike, fuzzy, feel good, positive thinking therapy. At times, actually the majority of times, it was very difficult to go where Christie showed me the answers were, but go I went, and was rewarded with so much insight, which led me to the ultimate forgiveness and freedom. It is a path to greater self-understanding, and therefore greater understanding of others around me.
Christie´s patience and thought provoking questions led me to the answers within myself that were always there, but I was unable to see them. It can be compared to cleaning your windows and finally seeing the beauty beyond them that was always there.
This was so healing for me. I have been able to throw away old untrue beliefs about myself and others that can only be described as a re-birth. I now see my life and the world around me completely differently and wake up each day looking forward to what joy and good the day will bring. (And it always, always does) I had no idea that I was living in such a sad state in my own mind.
In my studies as a Holistic Nutritionist, I know the undeniable truth that our state of mind and heart is tantamount to our state of general health. This attitudinal healing is truly life-giving. If anyone wants to know how to gain the treasure of being at peace with yourself and others who touch your life, I recommend you reach out and avail yourself of the help that Christie offers.
With much gratitude and love,
P. J. Delta client - Relationship issues
