Clients are changing…
“This stuff works. I lived so small before. I felt capable of doing something bigger. I was contributing and I felt like I had purpose, but it was so small. I never imagined that I could reshape a $2billion organization but that’s what I’m doing now. I still feel fear sometimes, but it doesn’t rule me or prevent me from aspiring to the things I really want…”
TESTIMONIALS
This experience was so profound, a gift to myself, to get out of automatic, unconscious behavior and see the healthy options available to me on multiple levels across my life. I am happiest about my release of childhood pain and understanding of how it came about and how I mistakenly kept it going into adulthood.
My thoughts and feelings were pretty much like a suitcase that's overpacked that I'm trying to sit on so that I can take it on the plane. I was shoving them down, shoving them down, shoving them down.
One of the most critical concepts I learned was the importance of understanding the Primitive Brain. It is fascinating to see how those fear-based thoughts have dominated my life. I am now in partnership with my brain, but it’s not running the show.
I was personally recommended to Sheila by someone I trust who has been on a similar path as me. I really didn’t know much about her work. I knew that it wasn't therapy. But I was intrigued, and I was ready. It was like a completely different way of thinking. Sheila has no agenda for your life or how it should be. Each session unfolds gently, based on my questions and situations which led to amazing understanding and change.
One of the mantras I have for myself now is “I love, respect and value myself.” It is the foundation of the house, not a piece of furniture that can get thrown out. It is a belief that is below the carpet, below the concrete, it’s there at the foundational level. I’m not trying to convince myself. It is an internal shift.
I have learned that the flow of my life is an inside job, that I am not at the mercy of life. And that is so freeing.
~ A.B., Phoenix, AZ
It took me almost a year to decide to call Sheila to get help with the issue of my aging parents. I wish I had done it sooner. I'm the textbook case of someone who thought, “I don't need to talk to anybody about anything. I've got this.” At 59, I’ve dealt with a lot of stuff…I’ve raised three kids, I ran a huge portfolio and had a successful career, but for some reason, my aging parents was something I couldn’t figure out on my own. I didn't even realize that this work I did with Sheila is exactly what I needed to help me level up in this next phase of my life (retirement, aging parents, adult children, etc.).
When I started, I just wanted the solution, I wanted to fix it. I've learned that it's not binary, it's not off and on, it’s not fixed or not fixed. The tools Sheila teaches taught me to be flexible. As a former IT person, I came to see my brain like a big flowchart and Sheila was teaching me new patterns and pathways. It opened up a ton of solutions for me, not just one. This work gave me a toolset to deal with any difficult situation in my life. And it wasn't hard! I didn't have to sit down on her couch and tell her all the difficult things. She just simply helped me to see things with a new perspective. It's not therapy. Sheila gives you knowledge about how your brain works and the tools you need in modern times. It's very empowering.
The outcome I am most pleased with, as my daughter would say, is I'm hella happy now. I'm in a better place. It’s as simple as that. I'm much more relaxed and pleasant to be around. This work really opened up my world and took it to the next level of happiness and tranquility in my mind.
To those like me who think they don’t need it, I’d say, you don’t know what you’re missing.
~ Sharon
I came to Sheila because I am a mom of a teenage daughter who was struggling with depression. Day in, day out, my mind would not stop. I kept thinking, “How am I going to fix this?”
We did 12 sessions together. The best part about Sheila is she really saw me with fresh eyes. She picked out my blind spots: That I feel the need to fix things. That being a good mom means keeping my kids happy. That negative emotions are something we should eliminate. I learned none of this is true.
I have taken other courses and sought out other help, but it was always with the mindset of needing to fix my daily life. I would gain an insight or a strategy that might last for a few days or a week. But somehow, the work I’ve done with Sheila has been implanted and I feel very stable. Sheila dug into the thing I really wanted the most in my life: to connect my spiritual needs with my daily life. That was the part that was broken. She connected it for me.
Sheila mentioned and it proved right….that when a mom learns more about herself as I did, it impacts her children. The minute I started changing my thoughts, my daughter started changing too. I came to understand that I don’t need to work on her. She is going through this to become who she is. She didn’t need more medicine or another psychologist. She needed my wisdom. Pure care, pure love, pure intention. That’s all she needed. The minute that conversation stopped—how to fix her, she stopped too.
This work is so powerful for us parents. I have another daughter and this experience gave me confidence that I can handle what happens in the future. I understand now that it’s not important to worry. Sheila’s videos, and other tools were very helpful. Ultimately, our sessions changed the whole perspective of my life.
~W. Mak
When I contacted Sheila I was feeling like: I've raised these four children….now what? It took me a while to reach out because I was thinking, “Oh, I’ve got this under control and everything will be okay.” But I kept spiraling and then there was no pause in the spiraling. I wasn't sleeping, I wasn't eating well and it was not okay.
It gives me chills thinking about how Sheila was eventually able to help me realize I was already living the life I wanted. She helped me stop the narrative in my head that had been playing for 20 years: thinking that I needed to do more….thinking that what I had done wasn’t enough.
I'm so pleased that Sheila taught me practical tools including a framework I can use to dissect any circumstances that are bothering me. I'm really excited to keep practicing. I had just never thought about how my brain works! Messages are repeating over and over again, even though they are negative. Sheila was able to point them out and teach these concepts in a way that I could understand and put it into action.
And now I feel so good… I am sleeping, I'm eating well. I feel like my anchor is set and I am sure of my direction. Sheila helped me clear the clutter that was clouding my vision.
This experience was so worth it. I would say to someone else who is struggling, why wouldn’t you want Sheila next to you to learn about these things? Someone else could have told me the same things but I think I would have felt guarded. I needed a warm, friendly environment to really feel safe enough to share and learn. Sheila provided all of that. She is very good at what she does.
~Jamie Waters, South Pasadena, CA
When I first reached out to Sheila, I was in the midst of a pretty massive career change. I had stepped away from a position where I had been at an organization for 27 years, functioning at a senior executive level. I was really caught up in wanting a full step-by-step plan of how to get to my next position where I would make as much money as the job I had left. I felt a lot of chaos and self-judgment and shame about the fact that I didn’t know what I wanted to do next and that I SHOULD know…… that I was going to mess it all up, that I was going to squander this time, that I was going to come out the other end and not have anything to show for it and that I would just be a disgrace. It was a lot. There was so much noise.
After six sessions, those chaotic thoughts are just gone. I don’t feel all of that confusion or shame or pressure.
Now I just feel certain that I am okay with uncertainty. That what comes next isn’t known to me. And I trust in myself and the strengths that I have that I’m going to find my way to the next thing and whatever it is, it’s going to be great. Now I find myself telling people that I’m going to school in the Fall, I’m doing some consulting work, and other than that, I’m just going to see what the world brings. I feel free and peaceful and connected to what I’m supposed to do on this planet and how I’m supposed to give back. I trust that I can do this.
—Tonya Wells, Grosse Pointe, MI
I’m a happily married semi-retired lawyer, yoga instructor, and a mom of four young adult children. I initially reached out to Sheila to see if she could work with my daughter, but eventually decided to do sessions with her as a Christmas gift to myself. Now that I’ve completed our initial 6 sessions, I feel like the work with Sheila was a master class for me on my brain and how I think. It’s work I didn’t realize I needed, but I did!
The biggest “Aha” moment for me was this: some of my unconscious thought patterns were both detrimental to me, and also detrimental to my adult children. For example, my constant worry had the undesired consequence of conveying to my daughter that I didn’t have confidence in her. This work gave me a powerful tool in my toolbox to help me pause and choose my thoughts. I love knowing that I have a choice in how I think, and that the thoughts have a direct impact on my emotions. It’s very liberating.
Now, instead of going down the path of worry and anxiety and “here we go again,” it gives me hope that I can choose to respond differently. And what I’ve found is my hope is contagious and spreads to the rest of my family.
This work is fascinating and helpful and practical. I learned about my brain. I stimulated my brain. And it was a catalyst of change for me for the better.
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t need to learn this.
~ Linda T.
“I would recommend Sheila to just about anyone. She helps you think differently and escape the bubble of self sabotaging thoughts even when you don’t notice them yourself. She will give you the power and motivation you’ve always craved through a hands-on approach and personalized exercises. Radiating positivity, Sheila will guide you to become the best version of yourself.”
— Brenna Lotka, Chicago, IL
“Sheila Tully’s approach to finding greater meaning and joy in life is not one based in avoidance tactics or treating the symptoms, rather it focuses on the raw thoughts driving our emotions: Our feelings are born of our thoughts. Sheila challenges you to face your opinions head-on and either accept those serving you well or work to change the ideas eliciting undesirable outcomes. To be blunt, her work is about no one but you and requires honesty and a commitment to evolve. Sheila provides a judgment-free zone designed to explore your past and envision your future.I’m not one who is content to just survive in these turbulent times. In fact, I am determined to thrive. With Sheila’s guidance and insights, I am on the cusp of breaking new ground and discovering my best self. I will be the change I want to see thanks in large part to the wisdom, compassion, and hope offered by Sheila Tully.”
— Judith M. Paslaski, Chicago, IL
“Sheila and I met at the brink of our journeys as women in modern American culture. More than forty years of friendship later, what I can say of her, in addition to her sharp mind and loving, supportive heart, is that she has walked her talk. Her empathy, compassion, and wisdom are born of the challenge of finding deep love and affirmation of self. She’s that confidant friend whose honest feedback is insightful, rings true, and provides helpful clarity.”
— Maurya Kay, Grosse Pointe, MI
I’m a senior in college now, but when I turned 18, I started to crumble. I was constantly comparing myself and feeling not good enough but pretending to be perfect and happy all the time. I worried about what other people thought of me and put their opinions ahead of my own. It was exhausting. I closed myself off and that really harmed me. I want to tell other young women that they are not alone. No one is 100% happy all the time-that’s not realistic! When I started my work with Sheila, I stopped pretending and it released so much pressure and it just felt so freeing. I was afraid that I was losing the bright pieces of myself. Now I know that she is my center and she is never going away. I learned to allow my anxiety to be there and not be afraid of it. I‘ve been to therapy but I thought this was much more beneficial for me. It taught me how to really change. I loved all of Sheila’s videos. I thought they were fascinating, and I watched them several times. I kept thinking, “Why didn’t I know this?” I think Sheila should teach this as a college class. It would benefit so many people. Everyone needs to know this.
~Julia Massarelli, Libertyville, IL, St. Louis University
“Working with Sheila took me by surprise because I wasn’t able to put into words what was wrong. I knew I should be happy but I didn’t feel content. I was very out of sorts. I had a lot of shame about how I was feeling. It seemed miraculous to me that Sheila put it together so quickly. Understanding the brain changed so much for me. Before working with Sheila, I was well aware of my negative inner voice: demeaning and critical. Now I know that it’s just my brain trying to keep me safe. I learned so much about my tendency to strive for perfection and what that created in my life. I also learned that not everyone thinks you have to be polite all the time! This was huge for me--it makes me laugh now. I didn’t know that I was ALLOWED to be honest with myself about what I am really feeling. Now I am enjoying being honest. I learned that I don’t have to change my situation to change how I feel. I don’t have to be perfect. My inner life has changed greatly. There is nothing more important than knowing and accepting yourself. It creates a richer, more honest experience and it’s much more fun!”
—Anne Sullivan, Grosse Pointe, MI
“Before working with Sheila I engaged in negative self talk and self-defeating behaviors. Through our work, I learned to be more compassionate and gentle with myself. She helped me understand the way my brain works and showed me the connection between my thoughts and actions and to me that is a truly priceless gift. Sheila's wisdom and warmth is tangible even over the phone and I consider her a dear friend after working together for just two months. Thank you so much, Sheila! Words can not convey how much I appreciate everything you've taught me and I am eternally grateful to you!!”
— Maddie Kay, Brooklyn, NY
“I could not recommend Sheila Tully more fiercely as a Behavior Change Specialist. My first exposure to Sheila’s work was through a series of 3 webinars. Having done a good deal of therapy throughout my life, these webinars shed new light on how to make real change happen. Sheila is gifted at explaining the process and the nuances of how and why it works. I went on to do a set of 6 private Zoom sessions with her to address my specific struggles. Sheila’s warmth and ability to listen creates the ideal space for the client. Her intuitive understanding of the human condition is omnipresent. I felt heard, understood, and empowered to look at things through a different lens in a way that traditional therapy did not provide. These sessions continue to help me transform how I see myself both personally and professionally. I will be forever grateful to Sheila for giving me new tools to navigate my life. What a gift.
— Christian Langmuir Foster, Los Angeles, CA
“The times I've reached out to Sheila for help I was feeling absolutely confused, hopeless, and stuck. But within the first moments of hearing her warm calming voice, I felt better. Sheila has a way of making you feel comfortable and loved right away. Every session I've had with her has brought me relief, support, and seemingly impossible clarity. She loves this work. Her magical compassion makes her great at it.”
— Katheryne Penny, New York, NY
“I’m 59. I wish I had this work 30 years ago. I’ve been in therapy for over 20 years and I learned more from Sheila in six weeks than all the therapists I’ve had. When I started with Sheila, I was fixated on what other people thought of me, worried that I would be criticized. Now I own my decisions with confidence and I’m not going to second guess myself. I also used to wait for other people to make me happy. Now I know that I am responsible for my own happiness. Everything Sheila told me was succinct and concrete. It’s science but it just felt like common sense. It was so much easier to put into practice than I thought it would be. Sheila shared so many powerful and relatable things that I go back to all the time when I’m stuck. I never thought I could change so quickly.”
—Michele Di Brito, Evanston, IL
“As a nurse, it was important to me that Sheila’s guidance is grounded in well-established concepts of behavioral medicine. Her coaching is a partnership that made me feel excited and empowered to take action.”
— Beth Penny, BSN, San Diego, CA
“Sheila has a gift. A gift of listening. And not just to words, but to the intention and layering that lies beneath those words. She is truly compassionate in helping you figure out what makes us feel stuck, in the rut and releasing that obstacle to set you free to be the best version of yourself. And the beautiful thing about the way she works is that with her life skills and guidance, she creates a safe place for you to figure out those answers you crave from within. So then, you truly get to feel the accomplishment of figuring your obstacles out yourself. She’s just there to offer a tool you may not know you’ve been missing all along in your own tool box. Because she listens. Truly listens.”
—Alison Smith, Los Angeles, CA
