Submit Your Testimonial to Nassau Guidance and Counseling, Long Island, NY

I first came to Nassau Guidance & Counseling Center in September of 2009. I had been a patient of Kathleen Dwyer Blair years before and realized I needed her help once again. I had been diagnosed with clinical depression and had been in a two week sustained panic attack. I was unable to eat or sleep. My body was shaking constantly and I was finding it nearly impossible to cope with the everyday demands of a working parent. All this was precipitated by starting a new job. Because of my prior experience with Kathleen, I knew she was the one to help me. In our first session together, she gave me two simple sayings as tools to try and help me reduce the depression and anxiety I was experiencing. Just to tell you how powerful and profound those two simple sayings were; I still use them today, even though I am a very changed and different person than the one who came to her in the beginning. I find Kathleen to be one of the most intelligent, insightful, compassionate and down to earth people I know. She has the ability to help you get to the heart of the problem, but in a very gentle and non-threatening way. I looked forward to our sessions and when I finally "graduated" this past summer, I was amazed at how far I had come. I can truly say that I am now a happy person that looks forward to each and every day. That would not have happened without Kathleen's help, and for that I am eternally grateful. As Clinical Director of the Nassau Guidance & Counseling Centers, I have no doubt whatsoever, that she finds the best Therapists for an individuals needs. I trust Kathleen with my mental health, and so can you.

I am writing to say "Thank You" for helping me overcome my anger issues. I always thought I could overcome any obstacle that came my way, but when it came to my anger I thought I was defeated. As you know, I have struggled my entire adult life with this issue and had been in therapy for many years without seeing much success. By the time I came to see you I think I was totally out of control. Kathleen through you and your wisdom I have successfully conquered my issues with anger! I can't thank you enough for helping me! Through your guidance, expertise and support, you enabled me to heal from the inside so that I could get rid of the anger and hurt that caused me to go into full blown rages. I would recommend Nassau Guidance to anyone that is seeking counseling. After a few sessions with you I realized what a "really good therapist" is supposed to be like. That's you! Thank you Kathleen for giving me my life back! Sincerely.

The experience I have had in therapy over the last few years have been so profound and so very important to me that I hope you will allow me to take this opportunity to share some of my feelings about it. First, I must admit that I came into therapy with something of a misconception. My feeling was that if I could only delineate the problem, discuss it in detail, lay out some sort of strategy for change, that somehow everything would automatically be different. When they were not, I became frustrated. I was, as you so often have said, "entirely in my head." It was only through your patience and guidance that I began to understand an entirely new language, that of the emotions, of the body. The work was slow. My reason fought every step of the way. But you persevered. Now I am learning to communicate with my own inner guidance, to understand how my body speaks to me through my feelings. I can notice where my emotions are located in my body, how they feel, how to "be with them" and, ultimately, how to release them. In addition, I have learned that the little boy in me, the real creative self of me is still alive, still willing to create. This has been such an enormous revelation, as though I had discovered that the very essence of life still flows deeply within me. I feel the work has been most competent and professional, of that you can be certain, and yet there has been a great deal more: a profound sense of caring and safety, kindness and understanding, which has meant every bit as much to me personally. I don’t know if I could ever properly show my gratitude, but of this you can be sure, I would heartily recommend the care I’ve received without reservation. With Heartfelt Thanks.

My weekly therapy session is my reality check with life. It is a fitness center for emotional health. And my therapist is my coach who with unconditional love helps me sort out the daily stresses of life. Thank you Nassau Guidance.

My experience with Nassau Guidance has been a powerfully positive experience. Working with Kathleen Dwyer Blair has transformed me and helped me on the path of finding out who I really am. When I entered therapy, my life revolved around fear. I was paralyzed. With compassion and understanding, Kathleen encouraged me to listen to myself, to think for myself, to trust in myself. Now my life revolves around love and truth. So many new and wonderful doors have opened for me that I never dreamed could be possible. I am not the same person that entered therapy. My journey is still evolving but I have learned to appreciate each day instead of dreading the days. I truly believe that Kathleen is my Guardian Angel.

If there was a way to make your life more meaningful and fulfilling, wouldn’t you do it? Well, that’s what counseling is all about. Since I’ve been receiving counseling through the Nassau Guidance and Counseling Center, my therapist and I have been working towards that very goal. My relationships have improved, but most of all therapy has given me the insight to make better choices in my life. I highly recommend it for everyone. Life is just too short to live it any other way.

I was dealing with a lot of emotional turmoil ... When I called Nassau Guidance, I was dealing with a lot of emotional turmoil. During this period of time, I started to notice certain patterns and behaviors within myself that I knew I wanted to change, but didn't know how. I can't say enough about how this experience has changed my life. Growing up in an alcoholic family, I had no idea how much my childhood had shaped my life as an adult. Kathleen Dwyer Blair, my counselor, has given me my life back. I'm able to look at situations in a different way. When situations occur, I now know where certain feelings are coming from and why I am feeling a certain way. Before I started with Nassau Guidance, my emotions controlled me. I now control my emotions and the way I handle stressful situations. I now make better choices when it comes to the people I have in my life. I have learned how to take care of myself with the concept of "self-caring" without feeling like I am being "selfish." This concept has changed not only me, but my relationships with my family and friends. Before counseling I would back away from conflict. One year later, I am able to face conflict head-on and talk about issues that may arise. Hence, I actually have less conflict in my life. I would highly recommend to anyone to make the call to Nassau Guidance. The staff is extremely friendly. They really do want to help. They will connect you to a counselor that is the perfect match for you. It was the best thing I could have done for myself, my family and my children.

Both professionals exceeded my expectations ... I have had the privilege of working with two different counselors in two different capacities at Nassau Guidance, first with marriage counseling and then with individual counseling. Under both circumstances, they took the utmost care in determining which of their qualified members would best match with my needs, both logistically and stylistically. Both professionals that I've had the opportunity to work with have exceeded my expectations and I would recommend them to anyone who has decided that they want to explore ways in which they can improve their life or their enjoyment of it. Exploring yourself and your feelings can be a very rewarding and eye-opening experience that I would encourage anyone who wishes to understand themselves better.

I have seen my relationship [with my family] become healthier ... When I first called Nassau Guidance and Counseling, I was in the middle of a personal crisis - breaking off a long serious relationship, constantly trying to please others and a paralyzing fear of exams. During the last year, I have learned that I can be happy on my own. My therapist and I explored multiple techniques to help me get over the guilt I felt in ending my relationship and the pain I felt when I thought about what I had lost. Because of therapy, I have seen my relationship [with my family] become healthier as we have learned how to draw up and respect each other’s boundaries. I had gone to an extremely competitive undergraduate college and had been told repeatedly over 4 years that I would never accomplish my goal of becoming a physician. Starting in graduate school, I began to have paralyzing panic attacks the night before an exam. My attacks were becoming more severe as time went on, despite my successfully passing each exam I took. My therapist and I discussed different ways for me to gain my confidence [Not only did I pass my last round of Boards, but my scores went up from the first round, and I am now coaching friends who are facing the same exam this spring]. I still have work to do in becoming that independent, pleasing-herself, confident woman I intend to be but I am well on my way, thanks to the help my therapy sessions have given me. It has been wonderful to have a non-biased observer to bounce ideas off of, to cry to, who is non-judgmental of my decisions and helps me develop techniques to succeed in life.

I have started to let go of the blockages ... therapy begins the healing process. I feel therapy, for me, is truly a blessing. When I began therapy, I sought help from personal problems I was having a difficult time sorting out. I had hoped I would find a solution to my problems. I found so much more. I found an open-hearted person to confide in and a non-judgmental response to the most difficult issues at hand. My heart and soul felt freedom at last. I felt that I was not alone! My therapist has helped me see the hidden inner strength and courage I had all along but needed guidance in finding it! I am no longer afraid to share my emotions, light or dark with another person. therapy was a wonderful beginning! I feel that I have been able to delve deep into my basic core issues. I have grown emotionally and spiritually as a woman. I have started to let go of blockages that I saw as obstacles and release deep-rooted fears that have held me back for a very long time. I feel very fortunate to have found a warm, understanding and compassionate therapist. I can see the distance I have traveled as a patient seeking help. I encourage others to follow me. therapy is not to be feared, but revered. It has given me the strength to pursue my dreams and manifest them as a reality!

My therapist truly cares for the well-being of her clients ... My therapist is a uniquely gifted counselor, attuned and present for each session; always attentive, providing a safe, warm, and nurturing environment. [One of my therapist's gifts] is the ability to allow a person to be heard, while providing gentle and illuminating guidance. My therapist employs a vast knowledge of many different techniques, and blends them beautifully to assist a client to learn, embrace, and grow in the moment. It has been over 18 months since I have seen my therapist on a regular basis, and the many insights shared during our work together are still so clear to me. I often reflect on how I respond to many of life’s challenges today versus how I would have reacted in years past I hear my therapist's words at crucial times and feel empowered to make the choice that is best for me. Some of the many benefits I have realized as a direct result of my work with a therapist include: - Having the confidence to express my feelings and needs at the appropriate time, in a calm, loving, and respectful way, rather than suppressing them until an outburst filled with anger and resentment would erupt. - Understanding when I felt hurt that the current event was [frequently] a “trigger” for some past wounds that were never properly felt and healed. Enjoying healthier, better-grounded relationships with family members and friends. - Appreciating my feelings for what they are, rather than trying to rationalize and file them away. - Respecting myself and knowing what behaviors I would accept from others and what behaviors I would not. - Effectively communicating and setting healthy boundaries. My therapist truly cares for the well-being of her clients. If you are considering counseling and are serious about changing your life for the better, you owe it to yourself to [contact Nassau Guidance and Counseling.

I feel like I am now finally living my life in the present ... Nassau Guidance and my therapist have enabled me to grow in so many ways. I feel like I am now finally living my life in the present and not so much in the past. Being in therapy has enabled me to feel like a weight has been lifted and that I can live a life free of excess baggage and issues. It has helped me to become a better social worker, woman, wife, mother, and family member. I believe this has occurred not only because I was ready but because my therapist provides me with a safe, loving, and realistic environment in which I can work out many of life's difficulties, including my own childhood traumas and the death of my first child at birth. I don't know where I would be without Nassau Guidance today.

We learned to be more honest in sharing our feelings ... When we started therapy we were having serious problems dealing with issues surrounding our children. We were trying our best to create a “blended family” and our efforts were getting us nowhere and jeopardizing our marriage. therapy enabled us to look honestly at each of our roles in the problems we were having and develop ways of dealing with each of the issues that came up. Over time we have learned to be more honest in looking at and sharing our feelings enabling us to improve our own relationship and detach from most of our children's problems. Overall, therapy has helped us both as a couple and individually and improved the quality of our lives.

My therapy was the best thing I ever did for myself. It was an amazing feeling to know that someone would take the time to listen to me and not judge me on my thoughts and feelings. I always felt I was unimportant and my feelings were disregarded, especially as a child. Keeping everything inside made it all seem so big and scary. Once I started speaking things out, I began to be free of things like depression and fear. My feelings were validated. I have gained self-esteem that I never had and self-confidence to do things I couldn’t ever imagine doing. I believe that everyone has hurts inside that they bury, but they don’t go away. In therapy, you can start the process of being healed and freed from them.