Individual Clients
“Terri’s use of many newer methods of trauma recovery, her rich experience, and wise application makes her brilliantly effective as a therapist. She really cares, her techniques really work, and the skills she teaches are immediately and forever helpful. Her weekend trauma workshop is the best value healing-wise and money-wise that a person could find for PTSD. (And), ERS work has allowed me to be my real self with safety and self-honoring — so instead of waves of brain fog and anxiety, I feel clear-minded and capable! Terri, I will always be so deeply grateful for how you have helped heal and free my whole being!! Words can’t begin to say it. . . Joyfully! ____
Hi Terri! After yet another super helpful session last week, I wanted to give you a heads up that my triggers with ______ this week are way down, and that was really something I am so grateful for. I did some writing — reflecting on how different I feel about my “symptoms” which interestingly have not surfaced at all in the last month. Even if they were too, I’m not afraid of them the way I was —having formed a welcoming relationship with them. The sessions on ________ really resolved so much inner upheaval…it’s amazing! And I keep noticing I’m just over all happier, which feels somewhat miraculous.
“If you truly want to resolve the deeper source of your symptoms– if you want freedom from what may seem like impossible cycles of suffering, Terri was my answer. I’m in my late 60’s, having had years of wonderful psychotherapy, but I needed her somatic experiencing technique to finally put my trauma to rest. I highly recommend Terri, as she is safe, brilliant and offers a multi-faceted perspective that is tailored to each of us to transform our lives.”
When I met Terri I weighed 450 pounds, was in a toxic relationship with a drug addict, and had fallen so far from my once successful career as a TV news journalist that I could barely leave my house. My agoraphobia, anxiety, and depression were so bad I couldn’t even go to the grocery store (and this was before delivery services). Now I travel the world by myself, I’m married to a kind, loving woman who respects my boundaries and I’ve learned how to respect hers. I’ve resumed my career and I’ve lost more than 270 pounds. Terri uses her breadth of knowledge, education, and experience to provide each client exactly what they individually need to heal. Some learn life skills in one of her many groups, some explore deeper issues through individual talk therapy, others participate in trauma healing aimed at re-wiring brains that are often damaged from severe childhood trauma. She also provides intensive trauma workshops. I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing all four. I can honestly say she not only dramatically changed my life, but on several occasions, she saved it.
I didn’t even know what neurotherapy was before meeting her. It was absolutely groundbreakingly transformative for me. I had SEVERE anxiety and agoraphobia that stemmed from that. I didn’t recover overnight. We worked on ways around and ways through my issues. Recently I experienced a near-fatal incident and without even thinking about it my new survival brain took over. I started slow, deep breaths, I grounded my feet, and I started using my kind inner voice to calm myself. It was about 5 minutes before my conscious brain realized I was doing this. I can’t say my recovery was quick. I had a lot to work through. But nearly everyone I met in her regular groups and her trauma workshop talked about how quickly she helped them recover. I will say she doesn’t waste your time. She will stop an avenue if you’ve exhausted it and move you on to something more helpful. I will also say no matter how helpless you feel, no matter how anxious, depressed, or even s”*cidal you may be, there IS a way out. There IS a better life waiting for you. I PROMISE! PLEASE get help. Change IS possible. It’s even likely with the right help. Just give it time. You’re worth it and you deserve joy.
I have never met another therapist who has helped me as much as Terri has. Her confidence and knowledge about trauma gave me hope that she could help free me from my past.
Meeting Terri last year was the slice of light I was looking for in a dark brain with dark thoughts. Her specialties sparked my initial search to her but once meeting her my life began to soar again! Terri is compassionate, funny and full of patience. I always look forward to our weekly sessions. I am so grateful I found Terri during a time of need because she is nothing but positive, supportive and even affordable. Thank u Terri. See you soon!!
Because of Terri, I have gone from barely being able to leave my house to traveling freely. Childhood trauma triggered an extreme panic disorder that was crippling. I tried everything! I even went through an anti-anxiety program at one of the nation’s leading universities. It honestly wasn’t until I started seeing Terri that I started seeing concrete results. I am especially grateful for her because she pulls from so many different therapeutic approaches. She is results oriented. If you want a therapist who just sits and listens with the occasional nod, she’s not the therapist for you. If you want someone well-versed in the neuroplasticity of the brain – who knows how to help you re-wire your brain to calm and/or turn off both biological and psychological triggers, she’s the therapist you want! I don’t know where I would be without her. (Probably at home. Deeply depressed.) I owe sooo much to her!
Despite a life of resiliency-building and good emotional work, my complex, crippling trauma (PTSD) — deeply rooted in varied sources — grew faster than I did. It caused decades of hyper-vigilance, exhaustion from placating others, chronic pain, constant fear of anyone’s anger, terror of speaking for myself. By the time I found Terri, PTSD had me just falling apart. I was hair-triggered by peoples’ slightest sharp voices and so many things — to sickened stomach, uncontrollable crying for hours, panic-filled obsessing. I was sure I faced years of therapy, and feared nothing would help.
To my greatest joy, in less than 6 months Terri has helped me CURE a lifetime’s worth of PTSD and allowed my strength to step forth and shine! With her keen knowledge of how trauma lives in the brain, and with her experience, compassion and skill, she helped me sort the strands of the trauma roots. We got right down to work on them, as she drew from her large repertoire of techniques to use the ones most effective for me. Week by week we cleared pieces of my trauma puzzle, and I learned to work with my body, brain, spirit, and emotions to release the old energy. Life tossed a few big triggers my way during that time, and Terri used her tools to help me regulate my brain often in one session. In the 4th month I took Terri’s 20-hour trauma small-group workshop. This was the single most powerful, life-changing, brain-healing experience I have ever had! Terri has crafted a series of guided experiences, each priming the next one, that allows the brain to release massive amounts of trauma in a supported and sensitively facilitated setting. (She also included follow up sessions that deepen and ‘seal’ the work.) In the next few weeks, I actually felt my brain changing, calming, resting. I found myself speaking out effortlessly, fearlessly, with skill I’d studied before but the trauma response had not allowed. It was as if that curse had departed my brain/body and my real self stepped in! No gut reactions, no tears! In recent weeks, as Terri is helping me ‘mop up’ some smaller bits, I continue to release the old energy. I listen to my body and know how strength feels. Fear is gone; confidence is rising. I’m handling conflict with equanimity. Friends see it in my face, hear it in my voice. I’m sleeping better. My body is more relaxed. I have physical energy that surprises me. I believe in myself and speak up, successfully! At 62, I have a new life!!
Terri is a true gem. Not just beautiful and kind, but very sharp and also compassionate. Her levels of training and education really set her apart from other therapists I’ve had. I’m truly thankful for finding Terri. She has helped me personally and in return my relationships with family, friends and addictions. Thank you, Terri. Your guidance, patience and understanding of the human mind and body are second to none. I truly love her as my therapist.
Thank you for doing wonderful work. You taught me a lot and made me a better person.
You have a gift and I am blessed to have worked with you. Thank you for being part of my recovery. I want you to know how grateful I am!
Hey Terri, just wanted to check in and thank you for helping me during a hard time. You really changed my life!… Life has never been better.
I can’t thank you enough for all that you have taught me and seen me through. You have truly saved my life. I came to you a broken person from trauma and addiction and I leave a calm and sober women of grace, dignity and respect.
I came to Terri to cope with the overwhelming sadness of my sister’s death. I was taking antidepressants and eating like a linebacker. Plus, the night terrors I had struggled with all my life from childhood abuse were getting worse. Two years and 30 pounds lighter, my nightmares have stopped completely! My marriage has transformed and my son tells me he feels like I love him more. Best of all, I am taking risks I had put off for a lifetime because I know, no matter what the failure or rejection, I will love and take care of myself.
Terri Kirwan approaches her therapy with a zest and enthusiasm that is difficult to find in the profession. This shows up in her earnest listening skills and her ability to challenge a client to learn new skills and ask the difficult questions. Her charming and pleasant demeanor enhanced her ability to counsel me.
STS Trauma Weekend Participants
Terri’s 20-hour trauma small-group workshop … was the single most powerful, life-changing, brain-healing experience I have ever had! Terri has crafted a series of guided experiences, each priming the next one, that allows the brain to release massive amounts of trauma in a supported and sensitively facilitated setting. (She also included follow up sessions that deepen and ‘seal’ the work.) In the next few weeks I actually felt my brain changing, calming, resting. I found myself speaking out effortlessly, fearlessly, with skill I’d studied before but the trauma response had not allowed. It was as if that curse had departed my brain/body and my real self stepped in! Fear is gone; confidence is rising. I’m handling conflict with equanimity. Friends see it in my face, hear it in my voice. I’m sleeping better. My body is more relaxed. I have physical energy that surprises me. I believe in myself and speak up, successfully! At 62, I have a new life!! Somatic Trauma Sequencing Group Participant
Terri’s use of many newer methods of trauma recovery, her rich experience, and wise application make her brilliantly effective as a therapist. She really cares, her techniques really work, and the skills she teaches are immediately and forever helpful. Her weekend trauma workshop is the best value healing-wise and money-wise that a person could find for PTSD. Terri, I will always be so deeply grateful for how you have helped heal and free my whole being!! Words can’t begin to say it. . . Joyfully! Kelly Somatic Trauma Sequencing Group Participant
The creation of this supportive group process, the sharing and witnessing and feedback were incredible. I am deeply moved and deeply excited by my transformative experience, my healing. This workshop may be one of the most impactful and healing process work I’ve ever done for my trauma! So Much Gratitude! Somatic Trauma Sequencing Group Participant
My whole experience of this workshop was positive. I appreciated how much attention Terri gave to each participant. She was so attuned to how we were feeling and what we needed. She led us but never pushed us. She has an amazing depth of knowledge and understanding of trauma and took an individual approach to help each of us work through our trauma. Somatic Trauma Sequencing Group Participant
I loved the individualistic approach to each attendee and reminders we were all safe. I love the look back at trauma AND then the look forward to life without it. So, few therapists give you the tools to actually change. You provided specific concrete tools that involve more than just talking about your past. I found the brain re-wiring techniques particularly helpful. Somatic Trauma Sequencing Group Participant
I really appreciated that the structure and flow of this group was planned but there was also room for flexibility and plenty of time for each person’s process. I loved the movement intervals and appreciated the training in boundaries and the building of vocabulary for our process – both verbal and embodied that sandwiched the release of trauma from our bodies. I also felt that the prep work we did with the meditations and visualizations were vital and super valuable. Somatic Trauma Sequencing Group Participant
As I’m preparing to leave tomorrow my mind is relaxed and at ease. I feel such deep appreciation that I felt an urge to send you this note. You accompanied each one of us through this weekend with such skillful means, one-pointed attention, compassion, and authenticity. I truly feel that words fail to describe the preciousness of you and your presence. With deep gratitude. Somatic Trauma Sequencing Group Participant
Weekly Emotional Regulation Skills (ERS) Group Participants
My Dream has come true! A program has finally been designed … with ways of helping myself, by myself, in any situation, anywhere. I am not helpless anymore! I can move through my day knowing how to restore and maintain emotional balance in my world. I have arrived! ERS Group Participant
Since my ERS groups, I trust myself more and am calmer and more confident each day, as I read my brain states and use the ERS skills to guide me safely through any triggers and hurts to a more resourced place. Practice with group-mates helped me feel validated and inspired and helped me build my skills into habits that now serve me every hour of every day. The re-wiring of negative core beliefs to positive ones just keeps getting stronger; for example, I can actually set boundaries now and feel good about myself even if others grumble, and I can feel compassion for others without falling into enmeshing and trying to fix. ERS work has allowed me to be my real self with safety and self-honoring — so instead of waves of brain fog and anxiety from old wiring, I feel clear-minded and capable in my life and feel flushes of joy and eagerness for what’s next!
As a result of my ERS group work, I am calmer and more confident each day. I trust that when stressors crop up, I have the skills to guide myself to a better perspective and more peace. I can set boundaries and avoid enmeshing with others, while staying connected to myself. Instead of old anxieties, I can focus on savoring what I love now, and I’m actually feeling joy!
Participating in the ERS Skills group for the last 2.5 years has literally changed my life. The group provided the structure and support to really learn and practice these skills in an ongoing way which I would not have done on my own. I have gone from believing that I am not good enough and that my needs don’t matter to truly believing that I AM good enough and I DO matter! I am now in the third stage of switching these beliefs and behaving in ways that reflect this. I have left an unfulfilling relationship and found a truly fulfilling job because I believe I am worth it today! Most important, I have changed my relationship to myself. The inner critic has been largely replaced with a supportive inner voice and today, I know that no matter what stressors arrive in my life, I will love and take care of myself. ERS Group Participant
I was very reluctant to join a group, and it was hard for me at first. But the group was so supportive and allowed me to see that I am not the only one who experiences feelings of self-doubt and low self-worth. The group and the skills helped me to “rewire” my old belief that “there is something wrong with me”. Today, I believe that “there is nothing wrong with me” and I’m on my way to believing “I am good”. This has made a huge difference in my relationship with others and how I experience my life. Today, I am much happier and living more “Above the Line”!
What I notice most about doing this work is how I am not so driven by my emotions anymore. I feel a sense of calm that I didn’t feel before. I used to get into rages very easily, but that is no longer the case. I really love this work and Terri Kirwan is an outstanding facilitator. ERS Group Participant
Since my ERS groups I trust myself more, as I read my brain states and use the ERS skills to guide me safely through any triggers and hurts to a more resourced place. Practice with group-mates helped me feel validated and inspired and helped me build my skills into habits that now serve me every hour of every day. The re-wiring of negative core beliefs to positive ones just keeps getting stronger; for example, I can actually set boundaries now and feel good about myself even if others grumble, and I can feel compassion for others without falling into trying to fix others. ERS work has allowed me to be my real self with safety and self honoring — so instead of waves of brain fog and anxiety from old wiring, I feel clear-minded and capable in my life and feel flushes of joy and eagerness for what’s next! ERS Group Participant
What I notice most about doing this work is how I am not so driven by my emotions anymore. I feel a sense of calm that I didn’t feel before. I used to get into rages very easily, but that is no longer the case. I really love this work and Terri Kirwan is an outstanding facilitator. ERS Group Participant
I just wanted to take a moment out of my day to send you a thank you. You’ve truly taught me so much, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I feel like you really helped me start growing up. Not everyone gets that chance, and it just really hit me hard in this moment. I’m really struggling right now with trying to help my father, who refuses to help himself. I found myself in a terrible emotional state as I mindlessly did a physical task and my brain went down every negative track it could think of. When I realized what was happening, I stopped what I was doing and took some deep breaths, focusing on what I could see and hear and smell around me, and I checked in with my inner child. I had a strong moment of knowing…. that there was only me to take care of me and that I knew how to do that. No there’s no “solving” anything for someone else, and it’s painful. But I realized in that moment that I was so grateful I knew what to do to really help myself. Which is accept reality, and tend to my needs the best I can, and that’s truly going to be the only way to really help myself get through anything hard, better. Many people, like my father, never get the chance to learn this hard adult reality. And I just was overwhelmed with gratitude in this moment that I did get the chance, and that I AM learning. And you (and the ERS skills) are entirely to thank for that. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. ERS Group Participant
Professional
In September of 2016, I joined The Rose House team as Executive Director. At that time, I was privileged to have Terri Kirwan, LPC on my staff in a Primary Therapist position… Terri’s clinical expertise in addiction and trauma, along with her calm, direct approach with clients moves them through the stages of change… One of the valuable skills Terri brought to The Rose House was her ability to take women through 5 states of emotional regulation using specific corresponding tools. During periods of dysregulation, we continuously saw women benefit from this process, often in ways that directly prevented them from leaving treatment or potentially hurting themselves… She is supportive, non-judgmental and is always dedicated to the best for her clients. Ann Matino, LCSW, Executive Director, The Rose House.
Terri has exceptional therapy skills, including understanding how stress affects our body’s functioning, and what to do about that. Dr. Valerie Andrews PhD, MA