New Directions Emotional Intelligence Classes

I went to New Directions after my therapist had suggested it previously, but I never seemed to have a weekend free. Shortly after my separation a session came up on a weekend I had free. I didn't feel I could handle it emotionally at the time, but walked in with great reluctance on Friday night and came out on Sunday with a lifetime of insight.

Never before had I been aware of the feelings and the power they carried inside me. Especially anger and sadness. But the most important thing that I learned was that I needed to feel a whole range of feelings before I could become whole again.

It was a very scary position to be in but facing the fear gave me the inner power and knowledge that the feelings of anger, fear, sadness and being happy are within my control and gave me back some control over my own life.

Patrick S.

Dear Paula & Matt,
I want to say thank you for starting New Directions. I don't think you fully appreciate what last weekend meant and did for me. I have recommended the program to my pastor and other friends and your ministry is in my prayers. Paula you were correct in that I was sitting there Friday night as a block of stone, you just picked the wrong type. You said granite but I ended up being sandstone. I don't know if you have been to Lake Powell in Az but the canyons there are sandstone and quite beautiful. What formed their beauty was the flow of water. Why I say I was sandstone is that as everyone helped me lower my defenses and let my emotions show. The tears cut away at the rock and let me see who I am, and that I am all I need to be.

Garrick S.

I am able to make my life look like I want it to look. I am no longer depressed and only get angry appropriately. I can stand up for myself. I make things happen in my life, in my relationships, and in my work. I am nicer and more fun, and people like being around me more. I am truly happy and have been for years now. I am able to live on the coast (and long-term dream); I am in a wonderful, long-term relationship. I am truly living my dream. Thank you Matt and Paula!

Valerie G.

New Directions has changed my life in many ways large and small. The first thing that happened to me in my very first class (August 1989) on the very first night was the safety and security to finally begin to grieve the death of my mother (16 years from then). It was an incredible experience, such a relief and so cleansing. The next day I got to find out that I was not the only person there experiencing panic anxiety and again was given the safety and security to work through the feelings without masking or running from the anxiety. So that was just my personal stuff, then my husband was there with me and we got to do a lot of work on our feelings about the relationship. It was a very busy weekend and I was validated, encouraged and loved through it all.

New Directions gave me tools and taught me how to get through the hard times in my life. I also met wonderful people in the classes; many who I still have close and dear relationships with.

Helen T.