Comments from Meier Clinics' Clients
We are so blessed to see lives change every day, to see families restored, to see individuals find renewed hope and health, and to see God's purposes for each person rediscovered. Following are just a few of the testimonials and thank you's we've received over the years. Names are used only with consent of the client; all other quotes are annonymous as requested by the client to protect their confidentiality. Additional client comments may also be found on specific location pages by drilling down from the Our Services/Locations page.
Two Special Testimonies
"Hello! I was a client in August of 2005 (at the Wheaton Day Program). I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how well things are for me now.
"When I came to the clinic, I was 34 years old. I had lost my parents when I was 14. Then I lived with an aunt and uncle who were emotionally neglectful and abusive. After high school, I went to U of I and met my husband. In 2005, our daughters were 8, 6 and 4 and I was a completely overwhelmed mother. While at the clinic, we unpacked a lot of grief I had not been allowed to address, some anger issues. . .and (I learned) some techniques to make being a mom not completely overwhelming. . .
"I just want to say thank you for being my first step on the healing process. I was at ground zero when I came to you and you gave me the "legs" I needed to want a second chance at life. I feel a great connection to George Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life when he cries, "I want to live again." . . .
"I also want you to know that in the past year, I have held two "Healing from Depression" Seminars at my church where I present information about helping a loved one who may be suffering. I inform and spur them on to getting counseling, seeing their family doctor, etc. The response has been great. For my last seminar, my husband spoke too about being the support person. That seminar was very impactful.
"I am now back to teaching as a substitute teacher at our local high schools and I love it. I have a great marriage and my kids are healthy, kind and a great joy in my life. . .None of this would've been possible without your program. I can never thank you enough. You are truly angels. I hope God continues to let you bless others like me for many years to come." Connie Douglass 7/20/10
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"My life was literally saved by Dr. Meier and his staff in 2003, and these past years have been the best, by far, in my almost 58 years of living. This is my Thank You. I also came to the Lord at your clinic, after having been staunchly agnostic for most of my life.
"In 2003, shortly before my 50th birthday, my 4th divorce became final. I felt so alone and unloved. I couldn't bear the PAIN of my life anymore. I was waiting for my settlement money, so I could divide it between my 3 grown children, with a letter telling each of them how much I loved them and how sorry I was for being such a failure, and then I was going to commit suicide. I told no one about my plan, because I didn't want anyone to stop me.
"A few days before my money came through, someone suggested that I read LOVE IS A CHOICE, co-authored by Paul Meier. I was struck by the compassionate way the authors told about a woman who, like me, had been through multiple divorces. So I called the Meier Clinic, and told the counselor who answered about my suicidal plan. He said, 'Come here instead, we can help you.'
"I did, and the help they gave me was beyond measure. After a battery of psychological tests, Dr. Meier diagnosed my Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He assured me that I am NOT mentally ill, because PTSD is a normal reaction to extreme trauma, just as bleeding is a normal reaction to being stabbed!. . .
"My PTSD goes back at least to when I was 12. . .At the age of 14, I had a 'breakdown'. . .I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia, the catch-all mental illness diagnosis of that era. Then my mother put me in a mental institution. . ."I came out of that snake pit. . .with ZERO self-esteem, believing I was CRAZY and WORTHLESS. I was the perfect target for abusers. I didn't know how to do a healthy relationship. . .I kept looking for a Prince Charming to rescue me. . .What I needed was a Savior, something no mere mortal can be! Each failed relationship left me more broken than I was before. . .
"I had tried other counselors, only to be given a band-aid at best. . .I (had) seen 2 counselors who. . .told me in so many words that I was too hopelessly mentally ill for them to waste their resources on! The last time that happened was a few months before I went to the Meier Clinic. . .
"In the Meier Clinic, I was treated with Compassion, Respect, and Understanding by all the staff. No one was the least bit condescending, not to me nor to any of the other patients while I was there. . .I was BELIEVED when I told about my traumas. . .
"I left Dr. Meier's Clinic with my self-respect restored, actually LIKING ME, able to trust my own sane judgment, make healthy choices, and set healthy boundaries. These past 8 years have been the BEST years of my life, thanks to Dr. Meier and his staff." Lynda 1/11
From former Day Program clients
"Meier is such a great place! It's helped me acknowledge the distorted thinking and all my other issues. It's welcoming & friendly. I'd definitely recommend it. Cathrine P. 12/13/111
"Thank you everyone at Meier! I can't even express how much you have helped me." 12/27/11
"Enjoyed groups. . .Overall great experience and feel blessed to have been here. The staff rocks!" 10/11
"Everyone encouraged me spiritually in different ways. I want to thank everyone here at Meier for their kindness, help and support." 10/11
"(My therapist) is such an inspiration and says things from her heart not just what I want to hear." Lisa 1/11
"I loved expressive therapy. I benefitted most from individual therapy. All the staff were encouraging and made me feel welcome and comfortable. I appreciated the honesty." Allie 1/11
"I was not sure if it (Day Program) would help, but it turned out to be everything I needed. I had tried all the counseling my Church could offer and I knew all the right verses from the Bible, but still my anger would get the best of me and it ended up being one of the factors that tore down what had once been a strong marriage. . .(I) was helped by every session in a clear and specific way with excellent presentation and caring environment for healing. . .I became skilled at methods to communicate clearly and make requests in a healthy way. . .I also got the deep healing I needed and learned how my background has affected me at a deeper and more fundamental part of my brain/thinking. . .I am now a source of stability, and have what I need to be a consistent man. I now build my family consistently and there are no regretful scenes of tearing down. . .The results are speaking for themselves for months and years now. I am more confident, a stronger person; a peaceful person prepared now for any situation. . .What an answer to prayers! Mike 10/09
"God put this program in my life at the right time. I had lost my job 2 wks before the Day Program. I had lost my identity. All involved at the Meier Clinic assisted me in finding and understanding life as I lived it - angry, controlling, fearful and fake. The Day Program helped me by giving me tools to use in my daily activities. This was and will always be a defining moment in my life - a new beginning. My heart, mind and soul have been renewed. Praise the Lord." 8/09
"After reading Dr. Meier's book, Worry Free Living, I came with great hope and anticipation that you could also help me. My expectations were met and surpassed. In all sincerity, the combination of group experiences, along with all the individual therapy session, are amazingly effective. The Biblical worldview woven through everything was of huge importance to me. I leave here feeling very richly blessed! Thank you and God bless you!"
"Due to the willingness of others to serve Him, there at the Meier Clinics, I am still here today. Miracles happened, and nothing short of that!!!. . .I started at the day clinic and hope started on day one!. . .I found life instead of death, I found me instead of the person I was beaten into. I'm not scratching and crawling to survive, I am living. . .My time at the Meier Clinics brought me joy, happiness, peace. . .My past can now help me, not hurt me. . .I am alive because Meier Clinics exists to help those that no one else could." Michelle C.
I attended the day treatment program in 1999 and it changed my life. I was depressed, had some attachment problems, and from childhood teaching had been unable to allow myself to cry. Three days into the program (my therapist) was so able to read me, get me to open up. . .I felt so different in the release of so much pent up emotion which was exhibiting in anger outbursts. Since that experience, I have cried when I needed to, become so much more open in communication and feelings, able to set and hold boundaries, and most of all - grown spiritually. Now, I am studying to become a therapist. Ronni C. 9/19/07
"You are truly in an awesome place. I call it a safe and nurturing (place), not safe to the addiction part of us, but to the real person. This concept of grace, psychology and medicine is unique but is the way God works best for us deeply hurt or in bondage to addictions."
"Everyone on staff was wonderful. I felt safe and comfortable and I learned something I never thought I could accept. I'm beginning to see myself as who God made me to be. This turned out to be much better than I imagined and it was an answer to prayer that I got to come."
"The staff here is loving but challenging. I would not trade this time for anything else on earth. It may have saved my marriage."
"I was beyond impressed with the Meier Clinic. I didn't want to come here initially but it has truly been a gift from God. The people are wonderful and helpful and very encouraging. The clinic exceeded all of my expectations and I am leaving here with a sense of healing. This clinic has been a true blessing."
"Being here and working through this program was the wisest decision I could have ever made. I had been on the depression roller coaster for 10 years and now I believe I can get off the ride."
"I know now that I am much more than just a survivor. I went through life existing. Things are different now because of the knowledge that I've gained and the hope that's been renewed. I'm walking out these doors and I'm going to live."
"I am eternally grateful for the gift of life I have received here. I came here on a path to death. I was starving myself. I was dying. . .I came not believing or trusting that anything could help me. . .There is hope!"
From former Outpatient clients and friends
"I love my therapist! From day one, I felt as though I was truely being heard! I felt her compassion and eagerness to help ease my grief and anxiety. I would and HAVE recommended Meier Clinic to anyone seeking therapy!" Jennifer E. 1/23/2011
"Perhaps the best way to describe my vists with Jane are to compare it with house cleaning. Sometimes we just dust off a few cob-webs and other times the results are almost like a 'spring cleaning.' Either way, whatever traffic comes through the door, with God's help (and Jane's counsel) I have the tools to clean it up." Mary P. 9/18/08
"I am very, very thankful for my therapist's support in therapy. She is both focused and direct but also very encouraging and gracious. I was also extremely impressed with the intake process--staff were kind, initial interview to assess needs was well done, sensitive, and thorough."
"I came due to depression. I was having no energy and didn't care about anything. . .The program has been wonderful. I have learned more about myself. . .I'm feeling much better about myself. I feel like I have a friend at Meier Clinics." Debra D.
"My counselor has a great innovative way of making me think about my issues. It's been years of searching to find a counselor I could trust."
"My counselor is caring, personable, professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, non-judgmental. I was placed with the most appropriate counselor for my needs. There are many helpful programs to ensure treatment of issues."
"When I was at my lowest, I found hope again here. . .I now have a renewed faith that 'all things are possible.'"
"My therapist has been a blessing in my life. I feel the EMDR [type of therapy] has made a big difference in my daily life. More importantly, I have made wonderful progress spiritually. I would not have foreseen that I would grow this close to God through therapy."
