While it is difficult to capture in a few sentences the breadth of work accomplished in therapy, below are some examples of people we have helped create easier, more meaningful ways of being in their lives. The names have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Kathy and Peter Unravel the Truth Beneath Their Sex Issues
Smart, professional, in their 40s and married for many years with two children, Kathy and Peter seemed to have everything. Only they had no sex life. Kathy was completely uninterested, and Peter felt increasingly rejected and unloved. Working in therapy, Kathy admitted she was unhappy in her job and felt unable to leave it. She was angry with Peter for working so much, while Peter felt unappreciated for the effort he was making for the family. As they began to understand each other's view of the world, and as Kathy left her job and became happier, they naturally became more loving. Over time, they enjoyed sexual intimacy as an expression of their love.

Larry Reduces His Anxiety and Stress About Potential Downsizing
Larry was so anxious about being the next to go during the massive layoffs in the high-tech industry that he had graduated from chewing his nails and was biting the skin off his fingers. Therapy helped Larry shift from worry to wonder by making a contingency plan and by helping him achieve more balance in his life. He bike rides now and has begun traveling with his wife. And he did not get laid off—though he knows what he'll do if he does.

Gerry and Louisa Rebuild Their Marriage After Infidelity
After Louisa discovered Gerry's infidelity, the couple came into therapy right away, where they could focus on why the affair had occurred. What they discovered was that Gerry was hungry for connection with a strong, self-assured, professional woman—which Louisa had been when they first married. But self-doubt, pride and constant negative comparisons had eroded Louisa's belief in herself, and she had grown to think of herself as the victim. Their marriage began to repair itself when Louisa was able to see her part in the infidelity.

Mary and Kimberly Learn to Talk to Each Other in Respectful, Non-Defensive Ways
Kimberly deferred to Mary in everything. Together for 19 years, Mary made all the decisions and set all the schedules. If Kimberly offered a rare difference of opinion, Mary would "correct" her thinking. Yet Mary desperately wanted a relationship with an "equal." In therapy, Mary was able to see her role in creating the inequality in their relationship. She learned to respect Kimberly's thoughts, opinions and decisions, even when she didn't agree with them. Kimberly realized that in her relationship with Mary, she was repeating patterns from her large, authoritarian family of origin, in which individual opinions were not allowed. She learned to express her feelings non-defensively and ask for what she wanted.

Jennifer Transforms the Beliefs Causing Her Depression and Suicidal Thoughts
Jennifer had attempted suicide years earlier, and an early menopause triggered the recurrence of her suicidal thoughts. Through her therapy, Jennifer became aware that her "happy" childhood had, in fact, been full of abuse and neglect, leading her to believe that she was disposable, not worthy of taking up space. Giving new messages to Jennifer's "younger self"—often with the "Welcome to the World" tape created by Judy—helped shift these beliefs and quiet the suicidal voices.

George Makes the Connection Between His Anger and Low Self-Esteem
George seemed to be angry all the time, and this created particular problems with his wife. Faced with the prospect of becoming a father himself, George came to therapy wanting to be different from his own father. He came to understand that his father's distance was not the result of inherent flaws in George. Letting go of this lifelong belief—that he was inherently flawed—reduced his anger, increased his empathy, allowed him to give up his drinking habit and led to much improved communication with his wife and father.

Chris and His Parents in Washington Develop New Understanding for Each Other
Chris didn't trust anyone. Growing up with a highly critical and judgmental father, Chris, now a college student, had gone to increasingly drastic measures to call attention to his need for help. After Chris began to trust and feel supported by his therapist, the sessions started to include his parents, who called in from Washington. Over time, Chris and his parents resolved topics that had long been unapproachable. They made agreements. They shifted their relationship from one of anger, criticism and fear to one of caring, understanding and encouragement.