kind words that I appreciate
Our knowledge has made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. |
photo © 2015 m. angela smith
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Please note, the following are from clients who have voluntarily provided their comments and encouraged me to publish their words. All names have been altered and/or withheld altogether. Therapy, counseling, and coaching are highly individualized processes; these comments do not serve as a guarantee of your results.
My wife and I saw Melanie for about six months of couples coaching sessions. I have to say I was more enthusiastic about the process than my wife, but she was willing to give it one more shot. (We’d been in couples counseling before and walked out more upset and confused almost every time.) I think working with her was different because she provides structure right up front and is very caring, involved, and concerned about each of us as people. We felt like she was paying attention and that the sessions were purposeful. Also, she’s willing to laugh and be herself as much as possible during sessions which helped us both relax. We weren’t able to afford the longer sessions she offered, but looking back I wish we had done that. It would have been cheaper in the long run. In the end, I can easily state that our marriage is healthier and more secure than it was before. We’ve developed new perspectives with each other, have new “tools” (a therapist word), and our feelings of commitment have returned. I’d recommend working with Melanie to anyone who asked.
— Tom C., Albuquerque, NM
Melanie. What can I say? You helped us. A lot. And I am a very skeptical person about therapy and therapists and psychological mumbo jumbo b.s. You changed my mind and once I gave it a chance (hard for me), my marriage improved. Thank you for staying with it, and with us. I know we were not the easiest clients!
— Names withheld, Albuquerque, NM
I learned so much from you. Your honesty and guidance created safety and opportunity for me to explore inside myself and really get to know who I am and what I am about. At every session I knew you were there with me, caring, showing up authentically, and that made a huge difference. You’re not like the other therapists I’ve seen, and I mean that in the best possible way. I feel so much gratitude to you and I’m so glad I found you.
— Name withheld, Albuquerque, NM
The world needs you.
There aren’t words big enough for the gratitude I feel.
For being there with me …
For helping me to choose to heal my hurt spirit …
For teaching me to experiment with laying my guilt aside …
For your humor, insight, and persistence, and everything else!
Thank you from my heart.
— Name withheld, Albuquerque, NM
Just want to take a minute and thank you for creating the safe and caring space you did for my partner and I to have some very difficult conversations. Stuff that needed said that we couldn't find a way to say. (And yay we are still together!)
— Name withheld, Albuquerque, NM
You helped us successfully navigate one of the darkest periods in our marriage. It’s been over a year since our last meeting, and we’re doing great together. I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciated your help.
— Julie W., San Francisco, CA
Our couples counseling was a huge success! It wasn’t easy (how could it be?), but it was time unbelievably well spent. The intensive work helped us solve problems we have struggled with for years. We learned so much about each other and, maybe more importantly, about ourselves. Thank you again!
— Neil and Karen C., Albuquerque, NM
I have worked closely with Melanie for the past ten years. When working with parties in severe conflict who wish to find solutions and stop fighting, and where healing the relationship remains an important goal, Melanie has a marvelous and effective approach. She provides a safe and productive environment, and brings a compassionate and healing approach to solving conflict.
She is a wise and caring facilitator and passionate about finding peaceful resolutions to difficult situations. I highly recommend her services to anyone seeking a healthy, solution to difficult interpersonal conflicts.
— Eric K., Denver, CO
I feel so much better and am able to get on with my life. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your help. The tea was delicious, too!
— Melissa G., Albuquerque, NM
I got more out of my two months with you than I did from a year with some other not-to-be-named therapist. Thank you!
— Emmy O., Los Ranchos, NM
You are dedicated, empathic, compassionate, and most importantly, you helped.
— Kim J., San Francisco, CA
I highly recommend Melanie to anyone seeking health, healing, and growth.
— Kim K., Albuquerque, NM
Melanie has a life-long passion to connect with and bring positive change to the lives of others. It certainly showed in the sessions my wife and I had with her.
— Jerry K., Albuquerque, NM
Melanie brings a rare combination of depth and openness to her work.
— Brent C., San Francisco, CA
Melanie is exceptionally creative, communicative, and compassionate. She can be counted on to be professional, while still maintaining a sense of humor and refreshing perspective when it’s needed most. She has proven to be invaluable in improving my partner and my relationship.
— Steven D., San Francisco, CA
I strongly recommend Melanie . . . you would be fortunate to work with her.
— Michael K., San Francisco, CA
— Tom C., Albuquerque, NM
Melanie. What can I say? You helped us. A lot. And I am a very skeptical person about therapy and therapists and psychological mumbo jumbo b.s. You changed my mind and once I gave it a chance (hard for me), my marriage improved. Thank you for staying with it, and with us. I know we were not the easiest clients!
— Names withheld, Albuquerque, NM
I learned so much from you. Your honesty and guidance created safety and opportunity for me to explore inside myself and really get to know who I am and what I am about. At every session I knew you were there with me, caring, showing up authentically, and that made a huge difference. You’re not like the other therapists I’ve seen, and I mean that in the best possible way. I feel so much gratitude to you and I’m so glad I found you.
— Name withheld, Albuquerque, NM
The world needs you.
There aren’t words big enough for the gratitude I feel.
For being there with me …
For helping me to choose to heal my hurt spirit …
For teaching me to experiment with laying my guilt aside …
For your humor, insight, and persistence, and everything else!
Thank you from my heart.
— Name withheld, Albuquerque, NM
Just want to take a minute and thank you for creating the safe and caring space you did for my partner and I to have some very difficult conversations. Stuff that needed said that we couldn't find a way to say. (And yay we are still together!)
— Name withheld, Albuquerque, NM
You helped us successfully navigate one of the darkest periods in our marriage. It’s been over a year since our last meeting, and we’re doing great together. I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciated your help.
— Julie W., San Francisco, CA
Our couples counseling was a huge success! It wasn’t easy (how could it be?), but it was time unbelievably well spent. The intensive work helped us solve problems we have struggled with for years. We learned so much about each other and, maybe more importantly, about ourselves. Thank you again!
— Neil and Karen C., Albuquerque, NM
I have worked closely with Melanie for the past ten years. When working with parties in severe conflict who wish to find solutions and stop fighting, and where healing the relationship remains an important goal, Melanie has a marvelous and effective approach. She provides a safe and productive environment, and brings a compassionate and healing approach to solving conflict.
She is a wise and caring facilitator and passionate about finding peaceful resolutions to difficult situations. I highly recommend her services to anyone seeking a healthy, solution to difficult interpersonal conflicts.
— Eric K., Denver, CO
I feel so much better and am able to get on with my life. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your help. The tea was delicious, too!
— Melissa G., Albuquerque, NM
I got more out of my two months with you than I did from a year with some other not-to-be-named therapist. Thank you!
— Emmy O., Los Ranchos, NM
You are dedicated, empathic, compassionate, and most importantly, you helped.
— Kim J., San Francisco, CA
I highly recommend Melanie to anyone seeking health, healing, and growth.
— Kim K., Albuquerque, NM
Melanie has a life-long passion to connect with and bring positive change to the lives of others. It certainly showed in the sessions my wife and I had with her.
— Jerry K., Albuquerque, NM
Melanie brings a rare combination of depth and openness to her work.
— Brent C., San Francisco, CA
Melanie is exceptionally creative, communicative, and compassionate. She can be counted on to be professional, while still maintaining a sense of humor and refreshing perspective when it’s needed most. She has proven to be invaluable in improving my partner and my relationship.
— Steven D., San Francisco, CA
I strongly recommend Melanie . . . you would be fortunate to work with her.
— Michael K., San Francisco, CA
505-377-0005
Sessions by appointment only.
