Adam

(Federal Police Officer)

I look forward to working with Sylvie again the next time she returns to my area. Her work with me took me from sitting on the edge of my bed, holding a loaded handgun and searching for a reason not to shoot myself, to a genuine, legitimate desire to live each day to the fullest and to be on this earth as long as I possibly can. I’m not exaggerating when I say that Sylvie’s work with me saved my life and I will be forever thankful to her for that.

​

I was brought together with Sylvie through a previous client of hers because he saw how dark of a place I was in at the time.

 

I had undergone multiple personal traumas and losses, coupled with workplace stressors and my mental health had deteriorated to the point that I was regularly and actively considering suicide as an escape from the pain.

 

I have been a police officer for 13 years and improperly handled the traumas I experienced over that time. This was due to a multitude of factors, I was naive and thought i was tougher than any other police officer ever was. I was also never given the tools by my agency to deal properly with the experiences I had. I had lost multiple colleagues and friends to suicide and was finally able to identify and understand why they turned to that option for some relief.

 

My good friend had seen how depressed and dark a place I was in and suggested that Sylvie may be able to help. I was initially skeptical, as I had been prescribed antidepressants and even anti psychotic drugs, all to no avail. I had reserved myself to a life of depression and planned that once my children had grown up, I would then end my life. I did not see myself growing old with my wife of enjoying being a grandfather in the future.

 

I had two sessions with Sylvie via zoom prior to her being in my area. Both these sessions were very heavy as I recounted my past 15 years of trauma and experiences. Sylvie immediately had me at ease given her past history and the common ground we found we shared. She genuinely cared to hear my story. The preparations she gave me prior to the ceremony were detailed and she answered all my questions.

 

I went into our first session hopeful but with very low expectations. I didn’t think it would work for me. I felt completely relaxed, calm and overall safe throughout my entire session. There was no timeline, I felt like Sylvie was giving me all of her attention and care throughout the ceremony and even afterwards as we shared some food and just talked for a few hours.

 

Sylvie took great care to make sure I was capable and safe to drive home afterwards due to the long ceremony, late night and overall effect it had on my system, ensuring I messaged as soon as I got home to let her know I was safe.

 

Her follow up has been incredible, from the integration sessions following the ceremony, to simply a random text out of no where asking how I have been doing, she genuinely cares about those she helps.