november 10, 2016
I have spent many nights trying to perfect what I would want people to know about how amazing Jack and Kathleen are for the new website. I know this is way too long so I am working on revising it but wanted Jack to read what I would like to say. :) I am continuing to work on it so that it will be shortened.
Chelle
One Would not expect to find a universal solution to encompass many different problems amongst many people, yet I have found that this has been the general consensus with all of the therapists I have sought out. Each time I gained the courage to try again and bear my open wounds to yet another accredited Therapist who specialized in Traumatic Brain injury and PTSD, I was met with the same textbook meet and greet and hasty diagnosis. My problem was not that I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but that I couldn’t find one therapist who was willing to listen to what I was actually asking for. I spent the past 5 years doing my own research and self discovery as I was not complacent to just sit and wait for a perfect stranger to show me a miracle when they couldn’t even show me the respect of simply listening, actually hearing me.
My other concern was that my belief that traditional medications for mental health issues was not for me, not only went unheard but seemed to go against the cookie cutter protocol of treatment plans provided by these therapists. I quickly learned that to advocate for myself and a treatment plan that was psychotropic free, was not an acceptable expectation and was misconstrued as a refusal for care and treatment. It never seemed to matter that it was I who had initiated the services of these therapists, that I was there with the intention that I wanted to help myself with their assistance, I just preferred to accomplish this without being under the influence of pharmaceuticals. I did not need to medicate myself, what I was desperate to do was to HEAL myself and gain the necessary skills to continue healing long after therapy was finished.
What I used to view as roadblocks and failures each time I quit a therapist, suddenly became stepping stones to the place that I was meant to find and the people meant to help me complete my journey. That place is Brain Healing LLC and those people are the reason that I am still here today, they are why i can finally say with certainty that I am going to be alright. The moment that I walked through Jack & Kathleen Stell's doors, I was immediately struck with the feeling that opening those doors symbolized walking into their open arms and open hearts. It felt like I was finally “home” and that feeling has never gone away, it is still present every time I walk through the doors of Brain Healing. It became the exact thing I needed in order to be just brave enough to take the next step to finding wellness and hope once again. Something I was not aware I was lacking from my previous therapists, but now it makes so much sense to me. It explains why I remained guarded up until that point, why I never truly bared the rawness of my pain and fears even though I desired to be that vulnerable and open to being redefined in who I was.
Jack’s first and foremost plan of action is to make sure that you are always 110%....SAFE, both physically and psychologically. This is not negotiable for any reason and remains the most important aspect of the client/patient relationship that Jack works so hard to develop with each individual he sees. Trust is earned through patience and at the pace you define, and he is as committed as you are in finding the right treatment plan. Every possibility and idea is openly shared by Jack so that you are as much a part of the process as you choose to be. This ensures that while I am in a session with Jack, 100% of my attention and focus will be on the work we are doing and the outcome I am working towards. It is comforting to know that Jack himself, has done this same work as what he teaches and you wouldn’t know that a man with his demeanor, empathy and sincerity is also a Combat Naval Veteran who suffers from TBI and PTSD. He truly is your equal and is personally invested in each client successful journey to wellness. Jack’s methods are highly complimented when paired with Neurofeedback, which is facilitated by his partner and amazing wife, Kathleen. She is the absolute Wizard of Neurofeedback, being considerate and patient enough to allow a client the opportunity to not only experience Neurofeedback but somewhat become an expert if they so choose. She openly educates you on the process and protocols of each session and takes the time to go through each brain scan, showing you the comparisons between where your brain was when you started Neurofeedback, and how much your brain has changed through each scan.
Jack & Kathleen are both personally and professionally an open book, inviting you to be as involved in your treatment plans as you would like to be. Every question asked of them is not only answered but often accompanied by hard evidence of why they came to that answer so that it makes sense to you. They have spared no expense to ensure they are providing their clients with the highest quality of Neurofeedback equipment and software, which solidifies the essence of “only the best for the best” for all of their clients. One of the most unexpected benefits of being a client of theirs is that you will undoubtedly become another member of their “family”, which also consists of Freja, Jack’s German Shepherd Service Dog and Charlie, the vanguard representative and welcoming committee to all who come through the doors. Both equally as vital to the Company, they complete what makes Brain Healing an Agency that is as whole and cohesive as you can get with a staff consisting of more than one person. They are a perfect example of what is possible when you are paired with some of the most amazing and inspiring individuals.
While Brain Healing may not be a perfect fit for everyone and/or every situation they were, are and always will be a perfect fit for me and my journey to finding myself again. It is hard to imagine that had I not found Brain Healing I wouldn’t be writing these words, I would have succumbed to the depression and hopelessness and taken my own life. For some that level of realization will be harsh, but it was my reality, is it a reality of yours? Have you sunk to this level of realization and given up on finding a reason to try one more time? If you have, I urge you to be just brave enough and see if Brain Healing can hel you find your way too. It was my greatest moment of clarity when I took that last chance for myself and I am so grateful to be a part of the family that Brain Healing is. I owe a great debt of gratitude to both Jack and & Kathleen for tirelessly giving of themselves, their knowledge and their time so that others have an opportunity to create a beautiful existence from tragedy and despair. For the first time in my life I finally have a firm grip on who I am and where I want to go and each day I feel stronger than the one before because I am able to utilize the tools Jack has taught me to become present to my own life. I could go on forever listing the miracles they work in people's lives, but the true impact of what Jack and Kathleen are doing for others can only be felt and not told of. You have nothing to lose by reaching out to them and everything to gain if you do, I know you can be just brave enough this one last time. :)
