Kyle* had no real life outside of work. She thought she was happy until she finally reached a breaking point. Dr. Smith helped Kyle understand her behavior and why she hid from life outside of work. Kyle realized that she was unhappy with the life she was living. In working with Dr. Smith, Kyle realized that what she had previously seen as just a single event was actually a series of patterns that could be adjusted and changed. Kyle realized she could stop idealizing emotionally unsupportive, selfish partners and allow the possibility of a rewarding, reciprocal relationship. She was able to adjust her workload and balance her life.

Mary* managed her children’s schoolwork, the family, and her husband’s expectations to entertain work associates. She was stressed, had insomnia, and felt unhappy, yet she couldn’t let her family down. Dr. Smith listened to her talk rapidly during their time together. She then said, “Many people in your situation might turn to alcohol.” For the next 10 minutes Mary told Dr. Smith what she drank each night and how badly she felt about it. In the last five minutes Dr. Smith provided her a roadmap for recovery and Mary’s life changed for the better exponentially.

Sandra* described the extensive volunteering she and her husband offered their community. They fundraised for schools, the church and the community, belonged to prestigious service organizations, and Sandra spent hours each week in her children’s classrooms. Working with Dr. Smith for only three months, Sandra understood her responsibility to take care of herself and guard her schedule. Dr. Smith provided Sandra practical tools for dealing with overwork issues. Sandra learned mindfulness and breathing techniques to stay in touch with herself, and became better at saying “no” to others without guilt. After Sandra realized that she didn’t need to be a superwoman, her self-esteem increased, she took better care of herself, and she stopped trying to be important to too many people.

*All names (and some identifying details) are changed to insure the confidentiality of the individual.