Client Testimonials

Dear Dr. Sandy,

From my first conversation with Dr. Matthews, I felt like I was moving forward instead of being stuck in a never-ending drain.  A traumatic divorce had tilted my life-view. Dr. Matthews actually gave me helpful exercises to help me work on issues that were paralyzing me with fear.

During our office sessions, there were always guided interactions and questions instead of me simply reciting my story or my problems.  Dr. Matthews helped me discover the “Why?” or the “How?”  She gave me several visual pictures to represent problems or situations that I needed to let go of…I had been a control freak in a big way!  These pictures helped me to understand and then eliminate overwhelming fears that were literally paralyzing me and physically affecting my health.

Dr. Matthews helped me turn the corner and move forward with my life.  The past was just that.  Her insight and guidance helped me to forgive myself.  That, and forgiving others who had hurt me, was critical to my emotional healing.  Today, I rarely have to recall those visual representations, but they are there if I need them.  

--Mary Kay M.

Dear Dr. Sandy,

Thank you for everything you have done to help us over the last 4 years.  Individually we have both discovered new things about ourselves that has helped us improve how we deal with all aspects of life.  As a couple, you helped us move from the brink of failure and divorce to having a great marriage at every level.  It is an amazing feeling to know that you are married to a person who is your true partner in life, lover, and best friend.  We could not have gotten to this place without you.

--L.S. & M.A.

Dr. Sandy and her straightforward, solution-oriented approach helped me see a lifetime of patterns and "old ideas" that just were not working anymore. I felt like a failure at relationships and was pretty beaten down by the time I found her through a friend. I am so grateful to her and know today that the solution is inside of me and her therapy insight really helped set me on a path to my authentic self. Thanks Sandy!!!!!

--Deborah B.

Dear Sandy,

I should have written this letter a long time ago and hope that I have expressed how grateful I am to you in other ways throughout our sessions.  I look back on my life when I started seeing you as a patient – almost 17 years ago and cannot believe how much I have changed my mind/life for the better – and you were a tremendous catalyst in that change.  

When I began that journey towards wellness I felt so low and approached people and situations in an unhealthy manner.  I really did think I was worthless.  You guided me towards believing that these thoughts were untrue and with practice and commitment to a better life I would find myself in a good place – and I have.  One of the many kernels of knowledge you gave me was to remember that life happens; I will stumble sometimes but will always have a chance to do it better the next time.  Living well truly is a matter of reminding myself to look for the good and know that I control how I feel.  

So now I’m glancing over to the corner of my desk where my “The Four Agreements” cards sit with this week’s card on top of the box reminding me to not make assumptions.  I peeked ahead to next week’s card where I am reminded not to take anything personally.  I would have missed that or not looked for the beauty in simple truth had you not been there to show me how.  Thank you for helping me to live my life happy.

I wish you and Marvin all the happiness of living your dream in Florida.  Don’t be surprised if we run in to each other in Publix or at a little seaside café as John and I will be just down the coast in Cedar Key.

--Renee & Jim W.

We began seeing Dr. Matthews at a time when divorce seemed inevitable for us. We were both searching for the answers to help us stay in our marriage despite an overwhelming feeling that there was no way it could be salvaged due to the destructive actions and words exchanged. Dr. Matthews provided us a forum in which we could openly discuss our thoughts, needs and emotions so that we could understand the root causes of our behaviors. Through a metered and patient approach, we were each able to learn about ourselves, be comfortable with ourselves and openly discuss those issues together. Our goals were to “be happy” and “feel whole”. Dr. Matthews helped each of us realize what that means for us, as individuals, and helped us determine how those goals may be achieved together. Without hesitation, we would refer Dr. Matthews to any friends or family.  Signed, Married twelve years with three children.

--Rob & Lisa H.

I first started talking with Sandy in 2013, after my 35th birthday. I was that girl who was continually hearing from well-intentioned friends and strangers, “How in the world are you still single?!” I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure it out either. Didn’t I have a great career? Wasn’t I fit and attractive? Wasn’t I a nice person? I was that good friend at weddings showers, bachelorette parties and baby showers who always showed up with a smile. But deep down, I was sad. Despite having a wonderful career and a strong network of family and friends, I wanted more than anything a man to share it with. And I wanted children. Yet, I felt like I could never get it right in the Love department. Though I was putting myself out there, allowing setups and had an online dating profile, I was also still in regular contact with an ex who had led me on for 4 years. He wanted to stay friends after the breakup and I went along with the friendship, even though it hurt. Interestingly, other men I dated had similar commitment issues and hangups. All I can say is thank goodness for Sandy. I don’t even want to imagine where I’d be today without her guidance. It is as though she lifted the cloud that surrounded me and I could finally see exactly what held me back from having the life I dreamed about. She was so compassionate and supportive, always patient, and NEVER judged. I knew I could tell her anything, no matter how embarrassing or shameful. She got to the heart of what I really needed, which surprisingly wasn’t a man (or children), but a huge dose of self-esteem and a wholesome feeling of goodness within. I needed to be able to see in myself what others saw in me and to draw boundaries with those who made me feel anything less. I started weeding out those toxic people and formed even closer relationships with loved ones. 2014 was a life-changing year for me. On Easter, I met an amazing guy; on Christmas, he proposed! Today, I am so happy. Words can’t really describe, but all I can say is thank you, Sandy, from the bottom of my heart!

--M.A. Boston, MA