Testimonials
Sharon Katherine: “I listened and remembered how you touched my spirit as you have such a perceptive ability to see deep into the waters and all the variables in the ocean that are affecting the situation. …”
Joanne Kent: “As for me, I continue to be deeply grateful for the joy and love that is now an underlying current running through my life. Happiness is so much more than I imagined! …”
Colleen Milne: “I am pleased to include my comments about the work of Joel Brass! As a result of working with Joel …”
Colin James: “In my late forties my life was totally unmanageable and I realized it was necessary …”
Elyne Johnson: “I have been both a participant in Joel Brass’s “Work Of Love” Seminars and …”
Peter Miles: “I am feeling alone; I am feeling loved; I am feeling empowered. When I became a …”
Robin French-Greenslade: “I started taking individual counselling sessions with Joel two and a half years ago. I was in a desperate state after …”
Linda Ganchar: “Paul & I seem to be of the same belief lately, in the place of starting to realize at a much deeper level, how grateful we are…”
Paul Douglas Easton: “I saw Joel as a client for a little over 2 years doing his Relationship, Inner Child and family of Origin workshops…”
Debbie Clyne: “After the breakup of a relationship that I thought had such potential yet turned out to be so unhealthy…”
Jill Comber: “Working through a painful childhood of emotional and sexual abuse was not easy…”
Lorna Alvaro: “Approximately four years ago I attended the “Relationship Seminar” by Joel Brass. Being a psychology major with….”
“I am pleased to include my comments about the work of Joel Brass! As a result of working with Joel, attending all his workshops, most more than once, and applying the tools and understanding I gained from his program in my daily life, I enjoy the following:
A greater sense of who I am in the world.
More peace.
More joy.
I’m a much better parent.
Deeper and more meaningful relationships with my parents, siblings, and people generally.
I find it much easier to make choices.
A clear understanding of my wants and needs.
A deeper sense of spirituality and connection to others.
And, most significantly, I have a clear and effective ‘model’ to work with when difficult times come up in my life (as they continue to do)!
I thank God for Joel Brass and his “Work of Love” programs each and everyday!”
Colleen Milne
“In my late forties my life was totally unmanageable and I realized it was necessary for me to give my life over to a Higher Power. Within two weeks I met Joel Brass. He was speaking about his work and it was as though I had finally tuned into a radio station that was making sense to me. I worked with Joel over a two year period and I was able to start to unravel the mess my life was in. I started to understand why it was I had never really been able to live my life. It wasn’t easy and Joel did not do my work for me.
What he did was give me the tools, show me new ways of understanding myself and guided me with concepts to go deep within myself to discover my pain, anger and rage. I discovered my inner child and I started to take responsibility for the state my life was in. My healing began. Today my life is much more manageable, but I know there is still more healing to be done. However, thanks to Joel I am coming from a place of knowing who I truly am and that is such a gift. For 45 years I really didn’t know. This work has helped me to develop my spirituality and open up an even greater connection with my Higher Self. The benefits of this time with Joel have changed my life and I am indebted to him.”
Colin James, Vancouver, B.C.
“I have been both a participant in Joel Brass’s “Work Of Love” Seminars and a client in his Private Practice. I began my healing journey many years ago by attending his weekend “Inner Child” Seminar.
Much later, I entered therapy. Now, looking back, I remember that the two most important goals I worked towards were attaining ‘peace of mind’ and an ‘intimate committed monogamous relationship’.
In hindsight, both lofty goals. Believe me, in my case, it was certainly not a quick fix. However, I am very proud to share that over time both of my goals were attained. And, more importantly, I received a gift I hadn’t even dreamed would be mine. As a result of working with Joel, I now have within me a deeply ingrained set of principles that (if I choose to) I can draw upon and put into practice.
Simply, I can use these principles to get ‘back on track’ in any area of my life. However, as nothing is ever that simple and as my still healthy ego necessitates, I have also been required to learn how to respond to others observations/criticisms in a useful manner. As it turns out, I am not always my own best judge. In fact, my partner is often more aware than I of my own internal well-being. This is a truism I’ve have learned to live with – small price for happiness really. I took full advantage of the time I spent working with Joel and continue to follow his footsteps.
As for today, I remain very consciously deeply indebted and grateful to Joel for his many gifts. I acknowledge him not just for being a tremendously talented teacher and therapist but, actually mostly for his personal and professional example of “walking the walk ” in his own life.
I believe this is the essence of the successful therapist and human being. Lastly but, certainly not least of all, I am also conscious of and grateful for the contribution of Joel’s wonderful family. The constant love and support for him by Marim, Adam and Simon make all of this a possibility.”
Elyne Johnson
“My name is Peter.
I am feeling alone;
I am feeling loved;
I am feeling empowered.
When I became a non-smoker on January 26, 1995, I couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to be a non-smoker for five months, never mind five years. Then as the days passed I began to know how it felt after the first week, first month, first year, and so on. I realized something similar this past Sunday evening. Two years ago I didn’t know what it would feel like to do this work or how it would effect my life; I was either living in the past (feeling depressed) or in the future (feeling anxious). But today I have more love and contentment in my life than I have ever had before. If working on myself for these two years brings me to feel this way, then how will I feel in the future as I continue this work? I find that an exciting question. So exciting in fact that I really want to stay in the present and enjoy each feeling. Each year seems to go by faster and faster.
All I want now is to be present, feel the love and let the rest go.”
Peter Miles
“I started taking individual counseling sessions with Joel two and a half years ago. I was in a desperate state after I had failed my third marriage. After a few sessions Joel told me I had love addiction. I thought he was nuts. He wasn’t. I was. Love addiction is a type of relationship addiction. It manifests as terror of being truly loved. It has nothing to do with love. It is all about fear. It is not uncommon; books have been written about it.
After 18 months of private sessions with Joel, taking the Inner Child Seminar four times and the Relationships Seminar three times, I enrolled in Joel’s one-year Open Program in Healing Your Relationship With Yourself and Others. Along the way I chose to become Coordinator of Joel’s seminars. This work rescued my life and gave me the facility to love others and allow them to love me. As with any addiction, I am always on the lookout for recurrence. As of today, I am not in addiction, still a little obsessive, but not actively addicted. I have acquired a number of dear friends, and am, in some respects, a mentor for a few.
This work is not for the faint of heart. It requires courage and commitment to do whatever is necessary to heal. For those, like me, desperate enough to commit, or, even more courageously, those who commit to the work even though to all outward appearances they are successful, this work rescues lives. I cannot think of a life’s work more loving of self and others.”
Robin French-Greenslade
“Paul & I seem to be of the same belief lately, in the place of starting to realize at a much deeper level, how grateful we are for the places that you have been able to take us.
We continue to realize that there really aren’t too many people out there that do this work to the depths that you do and that are as committed to healing, yours and others.”
Linda Ganchar
“I saw Joel as a client for a little over 2 years doing his Relationship, Inner Child and Family of Origin workshops.
In that time I learned more about the ego I had constructed to keep me safe and keep pain out of my life. I also learned about the child I had constricted — keeping joy out of my life.
I am happy to say that at this point in my life I am able to deal with any sadness or pain that has come my way by allowing myself to feel it as fully and completely as possible.
Through Joel’s skill and wisdom I have learned a set of communication skills based on my feelings that have allowed me to be in a relationship with my partner Linda (we have recently celebrated our 5th anniversary of being together), as well as creating other intimate relationships.
Over the last few years I have called Joel and gone in to see him for a tune-up (making sure I am staying true to myself).
I, as well as my partner Linda, have assisted Joel in many workshops.
I believe in Joel’s workshops. I recommend it and encourage clients and friends of mine to explore it. It has been life-saving and life-giving to me.
Thanks Joel for having the courage and fortitude of doing your own inner work.”
Paul Douglas Easton
“After the breakup of a relationship that I thought had such potential yet turned out to be so unhealthy, I knew I had to stop my pattern of picking the wrong men. I had been to two therapists during the relationship, but both had simply told me to dump him. Then I heard a talk show host — Joel Brass — speaking words I knew I needed to hear. While my pain was fresh, I made a call to him and my life changed. Instead of just empathizing with me, he challenged me to take responsibility for my life. Instead of telling me what to do, he taught me to find my own answers. Joel supported me while he taught me the tools to continue to do the work on my own. Now I don’t seek answers from my friends anymore. I have stopped picking men who are bad for me — or leave as soon as I realize it. I don’t feel the frustration and need to control my teenage daughter anymore and that relationship has improved 100%. I now understand what an intimate, committed, monogamous relationship is and I seek nothing else.”
Debbie Clyne
“Working through a painful childhood of emotional and sexual abuse was not easy. Joel did not do the work for me but his unconditional love, exceptional insights and practical tools gave me the courage to face my own darkness. It was relatively easy to blame my parents and my partner for the Spiritual, Emotional and Physical mess that I was in. It was much more difficult to assume personal responsibility for the state of my affairs and implement the changes required from me to become healthier. The skills I learned in Joel’s workshops have allowed me to feel confident and capable to handle whatever occurs in my life.
Looking back it amazes me how patiently and skillfully I was guided. Joel spoke to my heart in a way that felt like I was coming in from the cold. His humour, warmth and commitment to confidentiality create an atmosphere of trust and safety necessary for personal growth. His unconditional love for others is genuine and continues to grow as he walks his own path to self-discovery and self-growth. He never preaches, he models and shares what he has learned to heal his own life. That knowledge is extensive, creative and brilliant. He has the instincts of a surgeon and the keen intellect of a scholar. I will be grateful all of my life for the time we’ve spent together.”
Jill Comber
“Approximately four years ago I attended the “Relationship Seminar” by Joel Brass. Being a psychology major with a keen interest in human dynamics, I immediately found Joel and the subject matter mesmerizing. However, in truth, I was only there because my boyfriend wanted me to attend and I wanted this relationship to work out. I was a very interested observer until it was my turn to speak and Joel asked “can I coach you”? Joel looked right through me into my deepest of wounds and uncovered significant men issues, stemming from a very dominant and aggressive father. With further group seminars and one-on-one sessions with Joel, I have made leaps and bounds in every aspect of my life. I have been able to commit to my job and earn more than ever before. All of my relationships have dramatically improved with my new found ability to tackle challenging and emotional issues. For once in my life I am complete within myself. I am no longer looking for a relationship to fill my life. I have never felt such a sense of peace and tranquility. I have found home.”
Lorna Alvaro
“As for me, I continue to be deeply grateful for the joy and love that is now an underlying current running through my my life. Happiness is so much more than I imagined! Believe me, the Work of Love is the cornerstone of both of our lives and we are so very grateful for the unexpected riches it has brought us. While one anticipates and experiences the benefits personally, the deep and unexpected joy of true unconditional love in relationship is beyond description. Bev and I share a reverent and deeply felt mutual respect and appreciation for each other as human beings committed to walking the walk, hand in hand, both when the “path” is clear and when it is not. Trust and safety are the foundation of our partnership along with truth. I have learned to accept that the truth is not always easy to hear or say and often hurts, but it can be told in loving and respectful ways. Sometimes, it threatens to pull me into that well of despair (the good ole pit!), but I am so surrounded by love that my ego can no longer get the ammo she needs to keep me there. This little, persistent inner voice reassures me of the reality, the truth – that I am loved, no matter what. Such is the strength and beauty of commitment with another human being.
Without your loving guidance and willingness to reveal your own vulnerability, none of this would have been possible for me, Joel. Your work not only saved my life, it gave me my life – the ability to live it, feel it, revel in it and be humbled by it. There are not words to describe the gratitude I feel for what I received from you and through you. So, when you have those moments of self-doubt, please read this and know that the work that you do, that you have committed your life to, saves lives and opens the door for many of us to satisfy the deep longing of our souls for love, joy, peace and connection. I hope you will share this with Marim, the invisible heroine behind all that you do. I am very aware that without her love, support and dedication, none of this would have happened for me and many others. So, Marim, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will always cherish the times we shared together in your home in between sessions with Joel.”
Joanne Kent
“Just recently I have had some new challenges in a relationship and today I pulled out some tapes I had made of “Love Matters”, when you did the show on CFUN. I listened and remembered how you touched my spirit as you have such a perceptive ability to see deep into the waters and all the variables in the ocean that are affecting the situation. You then translate what you see gently and with great clarity and simplicity to the fish that is lost and trying to tread water in order not to drown. What I really admire is that you make the fish responsible for their part in the dance yet you still exude compassion towards the fish and offer genuine acceptance.
Thank you so much for continuing your work as I think you bring so much to this world. And thank you for being a source that resonates a tune that reawakens the truth in me that I may have forgotten.”
Sharon Katherine