Real CLIENT testimonials

I found Alice and her Transformation Begins Within practice in the midst of a tumultuous, pandemic-dominated year which, like for many others, had uprooted my life and what I thought it would look like over the course of a year or so.Alice shows up to every session with energy, care, and attention. She empowers clients by encouraging them to look inwards and identify the root causes of mental health problems.Most sessions ended with suggestions for further internal work, be it a journaling prompt, a breathing exercise, an art project, or a book recommendation which allowed me to merge the 1 hour per week spent in therapy into a broader everyday life practice. With these practices in my “mental health toolbox,” I feel more equipped to navigate my life, prioritize my own values, and work towards building healthier relationships.

I am enough. This is just one of the affirmations that I speak daily. When I contacted Ms. Alice Ward I was in a very dark space. I suffered from anxiety and depression in silence. The pain that I felt was indescribable. I had no control of my emotions and I knew that I needed help to silence the dark thoughts that would randomly manifest.Working with Ms. Alice was the highlight of my week; something that I looked forward to. My sessions were nothing as I expected. I expected to discuss my divorce and how it affected me; however, we discussed things that I never considered to be a factor in my adult life or healing.I never imagined that I would be emotional for most of my sessions but eventually I began to feel less tense and my view on the future appeared brighter.Ms. Alice opened my eyes to many areas of my life that I had packed away. I did not realize how I had adjusted my life to accommodate my depression and anxiety. I learned so many things (good and not so good) about myself that I am determined to repair. A few words of wisdom that I have learned through my sessions with Ms. Alice: prayer changes things, boundaries are healthy, words of affirmations are important, self-forgiveness is important and an act of love, worrying is a thief of time, tears are liquid prayers, and the enemy works in isolation.There are so many others little nuggets that Ms. Alice has shared and have made a huge difference in my daily activities.I am looking forward to continuing to unpack emotional baggage, repairing relationships, working on forgiving myself and others, and learning to love and accept myself.

Where do I even begin? I made the decision to go back to therapy in September 2020. I had not been to therapy since 2014 or 2015. I wanted to become more emotionally intelligent, find coping strategies for anxiety, and become more self aware. I honestly feel like these goals have been met, but I am not quite done. There is more things to still learn.

Since September, here are some things that I have learned about myself: I started suppressing my emotions in college by drinking, the root of my unfaithfulness in relationships is rebellion, I am invaluable, even in rejection God’s presence is still there, there’s beauty in my brokenness, I don’t have to always be “together”, don’t edit my testimony, how to stop toxic thoughts that spiral, and so much more. One of the biggest blessings from therapy has been the overflow of vulnerability I have experienced with God, family, and friendships. 

I am learning that it is completely okay to not be okay.

 I am still learning a lot about myself. I am excited to continue this journey of learning myself, how to put up/maintain boundaries, and why I am the way that I am.

Alice, I appreciate your patience and mini sermons that I get to experience in our therapy sessions. You have pushed me to see myself in a different and healthier light. I look forward to continuing this therapy journey!

I began therapy 9/2020. I didn't know what to expect, but what I did know was that I wasn't the problem....mostly. I made that known to Alice. With a smile, she listened to my take on my life. Over the past 8 months Alice has opened my eyes to see that every interaction I have with people and situations have to do with me alone. She met me where I was and gently placed the mirror to my face. I love how therapy doesn't end with our session. Alice has given me homework assignments that included assessments, conversation exercises, craft exercises, and book recommendations. Therapy isn't easy and shouldn't be, yet I find myself excited for our weekly session. I know I am going to leave with a new perspective than when we started. Alice's knowledge, gentle spirit is why she has earned my trust and why I listen to her, digesting and dissecting things I don't see or aren't clear on. In my opinion I'm nowhere near the end of my therapy journey. I can say I have seen a change in my thinking and being. I'm more in tune with myself than I've been. It's due to the hard work and tools Alice has instilled to me. Alice has given me many jewels. One I've held is "Change doesn't have to feel good, but it must be done."  

I have worked with Alice for over a year now and I have gained a lot of knowledge and insight from our sessions. She is honest without being invasive and cares to ask the tough questions when needed. Her assessments of my experiences are and have always been on point and she gives a logical approach to helping me see something in a new way. She meets me at my energy level and never shies away from being a mirror when it is clear I need it the most. I am grateful for the fact that she incorporates Christianity into our sessions as well as humor. I would recommend Alice ten times over.