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289 entries.
wrote on June 15, 2018 at 2:10 am:
Hi Daniel,
I recently stumbled upon your video 'Childhood Trauma and the Process of Healing' on YouTube. I really appreciate your honesty and courage in sharing with the world your truth. I identify wholeheartedly with denial as a foundational stone in my family system, and I've removed myself from the dysfunction, only to find it lonely, isolating, and a place where one can be easily misunderstood. I thus identify, too, with 'healing as hell'; I'm 31 and going through my own version of it; I feel like a my heart's on my sleeve, and the my sleeve's rolled up! There's something Kafka-esque about recovery, no? About 3 years ago I became a friend of Bill's, and have since commenced work in mental health in a consumer/survivor capacity (and seen the limits - and lies - within the industry). I'd say I've got recovery fatigue, and I wonder, is this something that you've experienced too?
It's hard, I think, to maintain courage in the face of an unpopular worldview, and few worldviews are less popular than the idea that childhood abuse and neglect are rife within our culture. Because who wants to be labelled parent-as-perpetrator? Equally, who wants to sit through, or be present to the fear and loathing one felt in childhood at the hands of their parents? I struggle to know my vocation, but I've sure devoted a considerable portion of my life to the construction of a avoidant, comfort-seeking personality. I've got my work cut out for me healing my trauma, I suppose.
Anyway, I'm rambling. I wanted to get in touch with you and express my gratitude, which I've done.
Thanks bro.
Daniel
wrote on June 12, 2018 at 10:56 pm:
Hi Daniel. Have you read any of psychologist, Arthur Janov books? The 'Feeling Child' and 'Primal Healing' are so in-line with your view of healing our traumas from childhood.
wrote on June 9, 2018 at 5:44 am:
Dear Daniel,
-you remind me of a voice I had inside of me and a person I was long ago. That person was not accepted by anyone that I knew and that was absolutely devastating to me. The only way to survive was to remain in pretense
by living in denial. The way I did that was creating so much loud clamering that I could no longer hear the voice while simultaneously changing who I truly was to fit in and be accepted by the people surrounding me. Thanks to you and other truth seekers I am finding that divine voice within me and who I truly am before the world made a mess of me. I am SO grateful you are being you today. It is helping me be me. ❤❤❤❤
wrote on June 7, 2018 at 2:47 am:
Your films speak truths that need to be heard. Everyone’s experience needs to be respected protected, even
when it is hard for
others to understand - not pathologized and medicated. It’s about respecting every person’s dignity.
wrote on June 7, 2018 at 1:19 am:
Dear Daniel,
Your words have remained true over time to me.
Thank you for validating what I’ve always sensed to be true.
I’m forever indebted to you..
wrote on June 7, 2018 at 1:07 am:
Dear Daniel,
Your experiences in the mental health system and as a therapist in private practice resonate with me. I am so reassured by your skillfulness in helping anyone who finds your work realize that they are already well and whole. I’ve felt alone in my private campaign to help my clients make an honestly critical of psychiatry and, if need be, to rid themselves of psychiatry’s soul destroying “treatments” (drugs). I sincerely hope who find your videos are also reassured that there are a few good therapists out there who really do put their client’s best interests first and that see their clients as whole beings, not simply as a series of chemical reactions creating “problematic behaviors.” Frankly, in my 20 years of practice I’ve seen a lot of suffering people, but I’ve never seen a “diseased” one.
Thanks again for your inspiration.
Robert Barth LCSW
wrote on June 2, 2018 at 10:41 pm:
Dear Daniel,
thanks for your videos, the openess you show in them and your lovely serious silliness when performing a song. I really appreciate what you're doing and will definitively keep on watching, learning and being surprised!
Kind regards
wrote on June 1, 2018 at 9:15 pm:
HI ,
I just wanted to say thanks for the inspiring and thoughtful youtube videos. They are truly interesting, and I too am on a journey to find the true self and move beyond the now!
ACA's Unite...lol.....!
wrote on May 30, 2018 at 11:35 am:
I have watched your videos and they really of tremendous help to me. I'm someone who had always believed that my parents have always the best for me but the truth is many times they don't realise their toxicity and through existing cultures and family systems, and I went through really a shit ton of detours and discouragements; it's almost comical that in the end I have to depend on myself to heal, and it's ridiculous don't you think, the very help that was supposed to be promised and unconditional often turns out the opposite. Honestly I'm just disgusted by this whole thing.
Therefore i really thank you for bringing it up to me that to feel that I'm not alone and what I think made sense because I relate a ton from your experiences.
wrote on May 11, 2018 at 5:41 pm:
Dear Daniel,
I've been inspired by you, thank you.
I'm interested in relationship in particular. We all carry wounding and health. I agree, be in a good place, love from surplus. I'm thinking at the moment that I/ we can only get to this through relationship(s). We need relationship(s) to grow and mature in relationship and heal. I know it's been transformative to end a relationship, to say no. But right now I'm staying put in something that feels grim a lot of the time and has done for a long time. But growth can be like that, (horse chestnut buds look so violent around the time they split the sheath to emerge) so why not in relationship? We don't know if we're transforming to die, or to blossom anew. If I don't learn what I'm learning within relationship, can I learn it? I could leave, take the iron out of the fire to let the heat sink in, and start again more whole. I think that's a wise path. But I'm not convinced it's the only one, though I have no idea if that it wisdom or fear! I can grow, do it in this one and then review. I think Rilke talks about the conventional path, obviously at a time when divorce/ separation was less easy, was to numb, or find some arrangement, at least that worked for the man. But he saw even then, that to leave and split up, is the same.
So I'm curious what you think about transforming relationships from within. And navigating the subtleties of growth and turmoil and toxicity. Turning lead into gold means handling lead.
Warmly, Amanda
wrote on May 10, 2018 at 7:12 am:
Hi
What a breath of fresh air your website is
I quickly browsed through some of your essays they are very interesting and all go back to speaking at truth the mainly unspoken truths especially within families
Many taboos are coming out now in the media but the emotional abuse that is carried out within families and continued within sibling abuse is still an ongoing taboo. And the denial. Because if all siblings are in denial it normalises their behavior If one would speak out and acknowledge your feelings and validate your words they will all have to hold a mirror up to themselves which none of them are prepared to do. This pathologises them as stated in your homosexuality essay.
I never wanted children and made a concious descision and never regret not having them For I knew it would only make me a highly anxious parent worried that I will continue consciously or otherwise that cycle onto those children.
Instead I work with children and as it happens have a particular strength in looking at emotional abuse within families which is often difficult to evidence and raise within families
Regarding sexuality if two people can Unite and form a healthy loving respectful trusting relationship then that can only be a good thing. I know of too many heterosexual dysfunctional damaging relationships. Why aren't people talking about that and raising children within same sex relationshipsr. Should that not be the concern. Isn't it these unhealthy relationships that have the biggest impact on future society. It is within these dysfunctional relationships that children grow up and repeat the pattern
wrote on May 6, 2018 at 3:00 am:
Daniel, I came to your blog after having seen your "Why I stopped being a therapist" video. I am a senior executive coach with many years of experience. I practice in Japan, and across culture. I, too, am leaving 'the field', and owing to a system that no longer permits me to hold my client's interest first. Your transition from your former field inspires me. Well done! I look forward to following your blog.
wrote on April 30, 2018 at 7:19 am:
Hi Again - Shoot! I was watching your anxiety video and was so inspired to contact you that I paused the video and sent my previous comment. Then I finished the video and now I have one more thing to say. Any way, I too feel like the world is some kind of messed up cult. Those of us outside the cult need each other. It helps us feel better (saner, less lonely) in this dysfunctional world. So yeah, again, keep being you! The non-cult members need you : )
wrote on April 30, 2018 at 6:59 am:
Hi Daniel - I just discovered your videos. They are so intellectually rich and emotionally deep. I wanted to say thank you and keep going! I so relate to many things you say including the bit about anxiety and having it after you be yourself in a strong way. That is my life experience too. Just know that when you put your videos out there and feel vulnerable that there are many of us out here watching and getting it and appreciating it on so many levels. Keep being you!
wrote on April 28, 2018 at 2:39 am:
Hi Daniel, your ideas are very thought-provoking. I'm still considering and re-considering a lot of my opinions on the topics you discuss. I think I disagree with a lot of your content but I value your eloquent expression more than someone I would agree more with because you challenge the convention and a lot of my preformed (or casually formed) opinions.
wrote on April 23, 2018 at 6:22 pm:
Hi Daniel,
Just wanted to share that you inspire me in a Betty Dodson kind of way. Of course I know you are not a radical sex activist like Ms. Betty, but you are taking a radical stand for discussing something so natural, (sex, trauma, abuse, bad parents) that makes so many people uncomfortable yet is the complete and utter honest truth. Thank you for being so courageous. It's people like you who give me the strength to continue my inner work and go against the grain. Those of us striving to be healthy are a minority!
wrote on April 21, 2018 at 4:05 pm:
Hi Daniel. I like your music! Stupid people having children, lol
wrote on April 19, 2018 at 11:51 pm:
Daniel. You are an amazing human being. I applaud the Universe for your existence! 😀
wrote on April 18, 2018 at 4:19 pm:
Hi Daniel, I just watched your video about why you quit being a therapist, and it feels a bit weird, but I just spontaneously wanted to say something I felt I see there: I see anger and frustration on your face, in your being, towards "the system". I also see something very deep and beautiful in your eyes. It looks as though and old, heavy identity is dying on your face (have seen this fenomena before in spiritual gatherings), and I´m shure something light, loving and better is in the process of being born. I wish you all the best, love &light on your way. Greetings, Riikka from Finland
wrote on April 18, 2018 at 1:34 pm:
Hi Daniel
I think you may benefit from listening to Peterson ..and I would love to hear your take on him. I can't find your email to send it directly!
https://youtu.be/XD6qeWSA6rA
https://youtu.be/h194kSmK3SQ
wrote on April 18, 2018 at 9:42 am:
Dear Daniel,
Please tell me how we can discuss further "hiring" you
We are not currently in the states
Thanks
JM ELIE MD
wrote on April 17, 2018 at 3:11 am:
I’ve recently encountered your YouTube videos. I wish I could actually talk to you. I do not know if that is an option. I am a new therapist (almost 4 years) and have encountered so much toxicity in this field I don’t know how I can manage to stay in it. I am at an impasse and do not know what direction to go in. I’ve never had good supervision and unfortunately got a cookie cutter education. The one thing that is good is that I have been doing my inner work which makes me a more aware therapist at least. I am disheartened though and I’ve really just begun. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I resonated with your video on why you got out of the field.
wrote on April 16, 2018 at 7:17 pm:
Hello there,
I very much like your honesty and courage. No masks just you being YOU. People either like that or they are afraid of someone who is able to be unmasked and comfortable. That shows real strength of character.. Me? I like you a lot and would love to have a coffee with you one afternoon.
I've just watched your video on "Why I Quit Being a Therapist" I did also for very similar reasons. A lovely lady (a sectioned patient) in a secure locked hospital) said to me, on my first day at work; "Don't be afraid of us Honey but be afraid of them (the Doctors and Psychiatrists!) She was absolutely right !
wrote on April 16, 2018 at 6:39 pm:
Hello Daniel!
I`d like to contact you and tried your "hire" section to ask you for details, but the form there doens´t work ( maybe some of my settings? but i just get an empty emailform with your adress missing...) so if you are still up for that please contact me via email. i´d be cery curious about your feed and if i can affort to have a conversation with you! 😀 either way, thank you so much for putting yourself out there,...i´ve already gotten a lot from your ideas.
wrote on April 16, 2018 at 12:34 pm:
Hi Daniel...
I am writing in response to a youtube you did on why you discontinued working as a Therapist. I left the mental health world here in my City, point for point, about 10 years ago. I was trained , interned, received my post-grad ed from a wealthy county on the east coast and then moved to the city whre I live currently....sometimes I worked around the system to do real counseling/therapy with positive results while constantly battling insurance/case management. this must be a systemic problem throughout the U.S. and was simply trained in an exception-to-the-rule system where I was trained to take take a whole person approach to treatment and diagnosis. I left mental health to work in the allopathic medical system which morphed into an interest in natural medicine due to the same broken approach to physical health.
I love your blog profile...we are like thinkers...
blessings, peace, and all the best,
Eli
wrote on April 15, 2018 at 3:47 pm:
Love your videos... you have so much common sense.... your real...... honest.... thoughtful
wrote on April 15, 2018 at 8:40 am:
Hello Daniel,
I am blown away having inadvertently found the explanation for why you stopped being a therapist. I too am an LCSW but stopped practicing in 2013 when I turned 65. Ii am so with you in your observations straight across the board. I feel you spoke for me, Daniel - I am and was so aligned with you. I can't write it all out but it would be awesome if we could talk. I am a New Yorker but have lived in VA for a long time now. (My hubby rescued me from NY and all my triggers there and brought me here. My background is in graphic arts and I was a photographer for 25+ years before returning for a masters. I got my MSW in my early 50's and trauma was/is my area: wounded healer stuff.
I am just now finishing an essay (long in coming) on therapeutic writing in jail based on my experience with non-violent drug offenders -often with co-morbidities- over a period of years. I have no website; I'm an anonymous nobody but having finished a memoir not to long ago, I feel liberated from the s***storm of my life in the FOO. It's taken a lifetime (of living and therapy) to gain my distance- my chosen modalities are ISTDP, Trauma-focused CBT and Somatic Experiencing (I'm and SEP). I use them on my own body-mind and as a lens through which to find understanding of the people who cross my path on a day to day.
It would be nice to hear from you but I suspect you are very busy doing the good work you do and I truly commend you for what you've done so far. i will listen to your music, etc and follow your blog.
With best regards,
Cassie (Arnold)
Alexandria, Virginia
wrote on April 11, 2018 at 9:07 pm:
YouTube algorithms have a odd way of introducing you to some really great channels. Bonus seeing you interviewed by Stephan Molyneux from 2010!
wrote on April 11, 2018 at 2:52 am:
Hi. I discovered you on youtube from childhood trauma. I did watch your films and i am happy that your films are making a difference in the world as far as people knowing their are different alternatives to taking anti anxiety and anti depressants. I have seen first hand people who have no resolved childhood tramuas how it affects their confidence how they arent in healthy relationships. I did agree with you some therapists not able to help their patients because they are too deattached to help their patients or are simply not have the empathy to help them. I look forward to more of your videos on youtube.com
wrote on March 14, 2018 at 11:51 am:
Dear Daniel, I just watched your video about Healing Homes in Sweden. I truly love those videos because I believe that genuine care for one another is the only believable answer to present day problems. But it is Europe. Europeans have a different emphasis and put finances into projects other than in the USA. .
Have you ever watched the comparison about German and American prisons on 60 Minutes CBS. I was speechless.
I have to say that coming to the USA has shocked me finding the inner situation of this country in such unbelievable desperation.
Though I have written a book, I have no income yet and money is needed to start something.
What are your thoughts on practicable ideas?