Erin K.
Ed S.
Been seeing Dr. Kimball since last summer, and it has been transformative to say the least! I am confident he can help anyone who is open to changing their life for the better. Align with the solution, not the problem. Thank you, Dr. Kimball!
I am a 68-year-old marine Vietnam veteran 1968-1970. Was wounded twice and during my year in Vietnam. I did and saw things that were horrific. Upon my return to the states and discharge from service I had all these feelings of guilt and remorse but no one was there to help. Vietnam was such an unpopular war, except for a few friends and family no wanted to talk about it. The attitude was that we were baby killers and shouldn't have gone, so all those feelings and emotions were just stuffed deep inside guilt, shame, remorse, why I made it back and so many others didn't. I had difficulty sleeping had dreams and night terrors often. I started drinking to have a good time so I thought, but in reality I was drinking to forget. I became an alcoholic and although I was able to gain a job and manage to hold on to it thru the years, my social interactions were terrible including multiple marriages ending in divorce. In 1997 thru the help of A.A. I was able to quit drinking and although many things were better in my life my Vietnam memories seemed greater than ever. 40 plus years I still slept horribly and the feelings of guilt, remorse etc. remained.
One day I was golfing and a guy in a foursome mentioned he to was a vet. We started talking and he asked if I ever considered the possibility that I may be suffering from PTSD? Now I remember hearing on the news about persons and gulf war vets dealing with it but I really didn't even know what it was. So I got some info on PTSD the more I read the more I realized that the majority of symptoms I had felt like I could be the poster child I was floored.
So I called the V.A. and set up an appointment, and was diagnosed with PTSD they then said I could apply for compensation and should seek help either with them or outside their system so I applied, and the V.A. had me see a psychologist of their choosing for about an hour. During that evaluation it was explained to me that this was just an evaluation only, and he to suggested I seek help. I thought to myself how could anyone in just an hour's time accurately determine my condition?
I decided to get proactive and have an outside source evaluate me. I went on the Internet and found someone whose credentials said he worked with PTSD. That person was Mike Kimball .I remember my first session with him I was nervous and didn't really know what to expect, I just figured I'd have him fill out the forms from the V.A. and that would be it, but as we started to talk about my Vietnam experiences he stopped and said “Ed do you really want to work on your troubles?” I nervously said yes I started seeing him weekly and now can only say where was this guy 40 years ago?
He was able to help me finally put things in their proper place I WAS ABLE TO LET GO of so many things that were buried deep inside. Mike was able to converse on a one to one level; he really understood what I was going through.
My quality of life has improved so much it's sometimes overwhelming. I'm so lucky to have found someone like him. I don't know what will become of any compensation as that is still in the works but it doesn't matter I've already gained something back that's priceless “my life.”
THANKS ED S.
Erika S.
Four years ago I lived in the ruins of my past. I had just decided to leave a life of prostitution, drug addiction, and deception behind but didn't know how to possibly start over. Then I met Mike. He saw me in a way no therapist ever had, for who I really am. He spoke to me in a way no person ever had, with potency and honesty. He encouraged me not to bury any of my pain, no matter how ugly it was. He invited me to accept myself fully and completely, no matter how impossible that seemed. Regardless of my pain and the things I had done. He taught me that I was worth loving. and that I deserved to be happy. I COULD be happy.
He was right there with me while I dug tirelessly through years of hurt, self-loathing, and crippling fear. He never looked away, not even for a second. I was less afraid because Mike was there with me. I grew bolder, more confident, and happier with each day. I found strength in vulnerability and light in darkness. I used to think I was a victim of my circumstances, at the mercy of the cruel universe and everyone around me. I used to pray to not wake up in the morning. Today I hold my power with a solid grip and see the solutions instead of the problems. I know I have a choice. I smile because I know how incredible I am and how wonderful my life can be. I have the tools to take on any and every situation I may be faced with. I know that no matter what, I will be ok. Mike has been my greatest teacher. He shared with me the most valuable information that exists. The bond between us is one I never thought possible with a therapist. If you met me now you wouldn't even believe the life I used to lead, or the hurt I used to carry. There is hope.
YOU CAN be happy, NO MATTER WHAT your life has looked like up to this point.
Do yourself a favor and meet Mike.
K.S.
I first met Mike when my life was stuck in a cycle of self-sabotage. I had seen other therapists who didn’t help much. Mike worked differently from any therapist I have experienced.
Especially in group therapy, no one sat back and just talked about their issues. We tackled our problems head on. Mike helped me work through my emotions with the support of others.
Mike taught me how to change the language I used when I thought about or described myself. He helped me get rid of my negative self-image. I still use the things he taught me everyday. Peace of mind is priceless, and I will forever be grateful to Mike for teaching me to be my own best advocate.