It is my pleasure to write a letter of reference for Baerbel
Froehlin, the woman who is responsible for guiding me through life changing therapy. In March of 2001 I was going through a deep depression
when a friend suggested that I call Baerbel. In fact, she didn't suggest; she insisted. My friend recognized that I had reached the
end of my rope and that I was having more and more trouble finding reasons to hang on. Although I had resisted therapy for all of
my life, I knew the time had come to at least give it a try. There were no open doors for me or any glimmers of light ahead, and I
chose to believe that Baerbel might in fact hold the answer I was searching for.
At the first meeting, Baerbel talked to me quite
a bit about what was going on in my life, and how I was feeling. I shared with her that I wasn't sure about therapy, and she assured
me that I would not be in therapy for life, but instead, for a period of time only, and that I would be walking away with a "toolbox
of techniques" to help myself feel better day to day. I was encouraged by that positive perspective about my ability to handle my
own troubles, with just a little help. We talked a lot about my job situation, but I was really trying to see if this could be a person
to trust and help me. By the time the two hours were up, I knew therapy with Baerbel was going to work for me.
I saw Baerbel weekly
for just two months, and quickly got beyond work issues to childhood issues of abuse that had haunted me for years. In her gentle,
quiet manner, Baerbel helped me to bring up my past and deal with it today. She always knew when I had enough on one topic or needed
more time on another. I never felt pressured to say or do anything that I didn't feel comfortable with, and instead, felt supported,
for the first time in my life, to go at my own pace and work through the emotions. Baerbel's office is a very safe place for me, always.
Baerbel has always offered me unconditional support in a variety of ways. We have exchanged long, detailed e-mails, that I often write
at odd hours when she can't be reached, but when I feel like I need her help. Though obviously it is not always possible for her to
respond immediately, she always gets back to me soon, and I always feel better for the contact and advice. She has also called me
on numerous occasions to check on how I am doing. I have always known that she cares and that means a great deal to me.
Art therapy
workshops, designed to help women to express their emotions through collages and tapestries, are another mode of healing that Baerbel
uses. Because I never considered myself creative, I shied away at first, but since taking them, I can see their inherent value to
my own healing. There are no right or wrong answers in this therapy, and I have had great success with finding my own way through
colors and materials, something I never would have believed that I could do.
Baerbel also holds weekly women's group sessions at her
office. These sessions have been instrumental in helping me to learn more about myself through my interactions with others in a safe
environment. Here, I have learned to take off my mask of hiding and experiment with allowing people to know who I really am. It is
my place of peace and discovery and it truly gets me through each week better and better.
There is no doubt in my mind that Baerbel
saved my life - literally and figuratively. She knows of the sorrows and pains that women have dealt with and easily applies healing
techniques that work. I strongly recommend her services, and am happy to discuss aspects of my experiences further.
Kris M, Colorado
Springs
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