Chris Delaney, Parent
“ Stine is awesome! Our 9-year-old son was having difficulty dealing socially in school. It was surprising to us because he is relatively popular, has some good friends, good athlete, does well in school, etc.; all the things you would think lead to a kid being happy. However, despite all his gifts, he was truly miserable. He became very depressed and struggled greatly with the routine events of a child’s day. We tried everything we could to help him ourselves. We also enlisted his school counselor. But, it was when he began coaching sessions with Stine that we really started to see our son come out from under the dark cloud he created. Stine has a way of getting through the walls he put up and giving him the tools he needs to deal with situations which previously caused such misery. He has grown to think of her as a confidante and friend. With the help of Stine, he has returned to his previous, happy demeanor. Our entire home has benefited and is much more relaxed thanks to her work. She has been the perfect fit for us and we can’t thank her enough.“
Kimberly White-Burnette, Parent
“Hi Stine,
I wanted to take a moment and express my gratitude for the time you have spent with Lauren thus far. Every week I feel the shift within her and in her energy; it’s really beautiful to witness.
Something really cool happened tonight at dinner and I wanted to share with you. I’m sure you already know that Lauren has a 14 year old sister, her name is Abby. After a very full weekend we sat down together for Sunday dinner. Abby was tired, a bit crabby and had little room for patience with others.
Durning our dinner conversation, Abby blurted out, “I hate ignorance and the stupid things that so many kids do.” Immediately Lauren aligned with Abby and responded, “I know what you mean Abby. I use to feel the same way but let me tell you something that Stine taught me that has helped a lot.” Lauren continued, “Stine said that I get noticed when I preform in a play or sing on a stage and you Abby, you get noticed because you are an amazing Soccer Goalie – but some kids Abby, light up a cigarette in the hallway at school to be noticed, some girls have sex to be noticed and some kids try to commit suicide be seen.” “We all want to be seen Abby, to be noticed and good or bad, people are going to do something to be noticed. Those stupid actions use to upset me too Abby but now I just feel sad for them.”
WOW! Did I feel a rush of pure joy run through my veins. My heart filled up with gratitude and there was a great peace & comfort in witnessing Lauren’s transformation out of her anxiety and into this confident, compassionate, peaceful wisdom.
An throughout the conversation, her face was relaxed, with a warm, calming smile. Again, it was really beautiful. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!”
Caryl Borger Mix, Parent
“I wanted to send some great big love and gratitude out to Stine Falkenberg Schmidt for taking the time to talk with me about my daughters and my sons anxiety.
Especially discussing the importance of self confidence and self esteem and how to build that with them, and most importantly, my need to practice becoming a consulting parent and their Mumma first, for my children, instead of a coach to them was key…..such a major shift for me and a weight lifted off of me. I feel like I can start moving in a direction that is best for THEM but still have my mumma bear needs met too.
I am so grateful!”
Heidi Bengaard, Parent
“After just a few sessions with Stine, Laura became a happy and more positive teenager- feeling stronger than ever and ready to embrace life with joy. I can not thank you enough for making this transformation possible. I am so grateful.
Laura`s comment this morning: ” Why am I feeling so happy …. I just woke up !!!!!”
Charlotte Heckmann, Parent
“What you do is very impressive. I am the mother of two children aged 8 and 10 years. They have both over different periods, worked with you and still are, and most certainly will do so in the future.
You are that one person who can separate their “everyday problems” and their “everyday challenges” that occur at school and in their development. You manage to get in there – behind the surface, open them up, and give them tools they can use. It’s amazing to see what it does. You have been crucial for my children and I, and for that I am deeply grateful.
My daughter, you have managed – through your talks – to turn from being a girl who had severe social problems in her class, only a few friends and not thriving, into a girl who has got both feet solid on the ground, is not afraid to say NO and now has a lot of friends at her new school. The belief she has in herself, is your credit. Her belief in herself is AMAZING. The other day she said to me: “Mom, it is much better to talk to Stine. She explains things so I can understand them.” Although I know I say almost the same, it’s just different when you do it. You apart, so they get a clear picture of who their “opponents” are.
She was dying of fright the first time she had to do an assignment you gave her. We talked a lot about how she could do. And again, is was SO impressive to see her shine after completing the first task. She beamed and since then one has taking the other.
My son is completely different. He hates to talk about what is hurting deep inside. And he did not think of me as the world’s best mother, when he had to talk to you the first time. He hated going to school, he did not think he had any friends, everybody was teasing him or was mad at him. He was not thriving at all and his self-esteem was at the lowest. He wanted me to be right next to him the first time you talked with him, and I was very excited to see if you could connect with him and get him to open up. It is usually not easy. It took you only 10 minutes to get behind his shell and he was talking. I sat so I could hear everything from your call, as I had promised him to be near. It was not long before my tears rolled down my cheeks. Again it was amazing to vitness what you were doing. Already after your first conversation it was like a heavy weight had disappeared from his shoulders. Even his best friend could see a change even though he had no clue what had happened. My son talked and talked and was able to separate things and challenges.
The gift my kids have received through you, I have no words or emotions to describe. The only thing I can say is – never doubt and think less of your skills … I would wish for all who are faced with a child who does not thrive in one way or another to try this. As parents of children who do not thrive, for one reason or another, this is a great method and possibility for two reasons – 1. The children can be at home in their comfort zone while talking to Stine. 2. Your children will not be looked at as ‘Sick’ as if they were seeing a psychologist.
It hurts so much and so deep when your child is not feeling well.
I warmly recommend you to everyone I know: O)”
“Det du kan er imponerende. Jeg er mor til 2 børn på henholdsvis 8 og 10 år som begge over forskellige perioder har benyttet dig og stadig løbende gør og vil sikkert gøre det ud i fremtiden.
Du er for dem en person som kan skille deres “hverdagsproblemer” og deres “hverdagsudfordringer” ad, som opstår i skolen og i deres udvikling. Du formår at komme ind bag ved og åbne op og give dem værktøjer de kan bruge. Det er så vildt at se hvad det flytter. Det du kan har haft afgørende betydning for mine børn og jeg er dig dybt taknemmelig.
Min datter har du formået via af jeres snakke, at vende fra at være en pige, der havde store sociale problemer i sin klasse, få venner og dårlig trivsel. Til en pige der har fået begge ben på jorden og tør sig fra og har nu fået en stor vifte af venner på sin nye skole. Den tro hun har fået på sig selv, er din fortjeneste. Hendes tro på sig selv, det er så vildt. Hun sagde til mig en dag. Mor det er meget bedre at snakke med Stine for hun forklare tingene så jeg kan forstå dem. Selvom jeg ved jeg siger næsten det samme er det bare noget andet når du gør det. Du skiller tingene ad, så de får et klart billede af hvem deres “modstandere” er.
Hun var ved at dø af skræk den første gang hun skulle “udfører” en af de opgaver du havde stillet hende. Vi snakkede meget om hvordan hun kunne gøre. Og igen hvor var det vildt, da hun havde taget det første skridt og løst den første opgave. Hun strålede og siden har det ene taget det andet.
Min søn er en helt anden støbning. Han hader at snakke om det der der gør ondt inden bag i. Og han syntes ikke jeg var verdens sjoveste mor, da han skulle snakke med dig første gang. Han var meget ked af at gå i skole, syntes ikke han havde nogen venner, alle drillede eller var sure på ham. Han trives bare ikke og hans selvværd var helt i bund. Jeg skulle være med på side linjen første gang og jeg var meget spændt på om du kunne lukke ham op og få lov at komme ind bag ved. Det er normalt ikke nemt. Der gik 10 min så havde du arbejdet dig ind bag ved skallen og han snakkede. Jeg sad så jeg kunne høre Jeres samtale, da jeg havde lovet ham at være i nærheden. Der gik ikke længe før min tårrer bare trillede. Igen det var så vildt det du gør.
Efter den første samtale var det som en stor sten var forsvundet fra hans skuldre, selv en hans bedste ven kunne se en forandring uden han viste hvad der var sket. Han snakkede og snakkede efter jeres første snak og kunne skille tingene ad.
Den gave de har fået gennem dig, har jeg ikke ord og følelser at forklare med. Andet end betænk ikke din kunnen…Og jeg vil ønske for alle der står med et barn der ikke trives på den ene eller anden måde at prøve dette. Som forældre til børn der ikke trives af den ene eller anden grund, er dette en fantastisk metode og mulighed af 2 grunde. De kan sidde hjemme i deres trygge omgivelser og snakke med dig. Og ens børn bliver ikke sygelig gjort som skulle de til psykolog. Det gør så ondt når ens børn ikke har det godt.
Jeg anbefaler dig varmt til alle jeg kender :O) ”
Laura Nemiroff, Parent
“Just wanted to say thank you for all you’ve done for us in helping Sami find more stability from within herself. I have appreciated your staying consistent even when we are running in several different directions at once. Growth is pain many times but I think its something that all of us here have needed to do. I know there will be many more days of struggle ahead but I there will also be days of great success due to our new-found inner confidence in ourselves to speak our truths and stand by them with conviction. That is empowering! “
Mette Kuhlmann, Parent
“Dear Stine,
Before Mathilde started with you, she felt that she was never good enough. It culminated on a vacation where she opened her heart. Mathilde cried for a long time that night, but Mathilde also put into words what was hurting and why it was hurting so bad.
Mathilde felt that she was not as good as her friends. There were several reasons for Mathilde’s despair. The two main reasons were:
• Mathilde had become aware of her classmates overtaking her professionally as Mathilde has dyslexia.
• Her best friend turned her back on her over and over again. The choice her friend made was simply so painful and went hurting deep into Mathilde’s heart.
As parents, it was hard. It just hurts so much to see your daughter so sad. Her dyslexia we could help her with, we can understand that sometimes it can be difficult to read. Here we could do something concrete to help Mathilde both reading and do eye exercises.
But with the fact that Mathilde’s friends were turning their backs on her, was a choice other kids made that we could not do much about. We could not decide who the other children were to play with. It was hard because it was hurting so bad inside Mathilde. We could see her pain, but we were just on the sideline.
We had no doubt that Mathilde needed help. But what help exactly was a tough one, as we needed Mathilde to be in ‘the right hands’. Therefore, the choice fell on Stine, a choice that we have never regretted.
Mathilde has been sitting in her own room, and talked to Stine through Skype, which made it less dangerous to open her heart.
Through Stine Mathilde found herself. She found the girl she truly is, she found a girl who was far stronger than she thought she was. She found her own strengths and courage to say, I know I’m different, but I like myself. She found her true self. Her self-esteem went from all they way at the bottom to now being great.
The transformation within Mathilde is so obvious, she is definitely not the same girl anymore. This is solely due to Mathilde (and her parents) were “seized” of in the right hands. Without you Stine, Mathilde would not have the confidence, self-esteem and belief in herself that she has today.
Stine, you’re a great coach, a beautiful person and a wonderful person, that we can only warmly recommend to anyone who needs to believe in themselves and find their inner strengths. Many hugs, Mathilde, Lars and Mette.” – Mette.
“Kære Stine,
Før Mathilde startede hos dig, følte hun, at hun ikke var god nok. Det kulmineret på en ferie, hvor hun åbnede sit hjerte. Mathilde græd meget længe den aften, men Mathilde satte også ord på, hvorfor det gjorde så ondt.
Mathilde følte at hun ikke var ligeså god som sine veninder. Der var flere årsager til Mathildes fortvivelse, de to største grunde var:
• Mathilde var begyndte, at blive bevidst om, at hendes klasse kammerater overhalede hende fagligt, da Mathilde har samsynsproblemer / ordblindhed.
• Hendes bedste veninde valgte hende fra gang på gang. Det fra valg gjorde simpelthen så ondt langt ind i Mathildes hjerte.
Som forældre var det hårdt, det gjorde simpelthen så ondt, at se ens datter være så ked af det. Hendes samsynsproblemer kunne vi godt hjælpe med, vi kunne godt forstå, at det til tider kan være svært at læse. Her kunne vi konkret gøre noget for at hjælpe Mathilde både med at læse og lave øjenøvelser.
Men det med at Mathilde blev valgt fra, det var jo et valg andre børn tog som vi ikke kunne gøre så meget ved. Vi kunne jo ikke bestemme hvem, de andre børn skulle lege med. Det var hårdt for det gjorde så ondt inden i Mathilde, vi kunne se hendes smerte, men vi stod ligesom på sidelinien.
Vi var ikke i tvivl om, at Mathilde havde brug for hjælp. Men hvilken hjælp det var svært, fordi vi havde brug for at Mathilde blev “grebet” af de rette hænder. Derfor faldt valget på Stine, et valg som vi aldrig har fortrudt.
Mathilde har siddet på sit eget værelse og talt med Stine via Skype, hvilket gjorde det mindre farligt at åbne sit hjerte.
Igennem Stine fandt Mathilde sig selv. Hun fandt den pige hun er, hun fandt en pige, der var langt stærkere end hun troede hun var. Hun fandt sine egne styrker og turde sige, jeg ved godt jeg er anderledes, men jeg kan lide mig selv. Hun fandt simpelthen sit indre jeg. Hendes selvværd startede med at være i bund, men det er det ikke mere.
Forvandlingen med Mathilde er til at se, hun er absolut ikke den samme pige. Det skyldes udelukkende at Mathilde (og hendes forældre) blev “grebet”, af de rette hænder uden dig Stine ville Mathilde ikke have den selvtillid og tro på sig selv, som hun hun har i dag.
Stine, du er en fantastisk coach, et smukt menneske og en dejlig person. Som vi kun kan anbefale til alle, der har brug for at tro på sig selv og finde sin indre styrke frem. Mange knus, Mathilde, Lars og Mette.” – Mette
Morten Knudsen, Parent
“Too good to be true.”
“For godt til at være sandt.”
Samantha, Age 12
“I know this is a little late but Happy Holidays! At the beginning of our sessions, I felt really low. I had terrible organization and productivity habits. Not to mention that I was suffering from social anxiety and depression. Now, I have great techniques to not only help me with organization and procrastination, but with anxiety and dangerous urges. A little while ago, one of my friends said she wanted to cut. She messaged me and I was able to talk her out of it. I’m really glad that I can both keep myself happy, and help others feel happy as well.
Thank You and Merry Christmas!”
Laura, Age 16
“The first time I had a coaching session was at the end of last year, 2013. All through that year, I felt so terrible with myself. My parents were going through a divorce and I had friendship problems at school. I was confused with all these emotions and I honestly did not know how to handle them. I was sad, then happy, then sad again, falling into the ‘Crazy Eight.’ I was blaming myself mostly for the problems that there were and I kept putting all this unnecessary weight on my shoulders, and on top of that, I had to deal with a recent panic attack.
When I first heard that I could get a coaching session that could help me get back up again, I was all for it. Since my mum was also becoming a coach, I already knew a little about how a session would go. I was thinking, “Alright, I need to do something about this, and it should be now!” But at the same time I was thinking, this may not turn out how I want it to.
Because of the time difference, I had to get up at 6am, but let me tell you something. After the first session, I could feel a HUGE difference with myself. It was almost like this massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt light, and so full of energy afterwards and for the first time in a long time, I felt happy about the person that I was.
After each session I kept reflecting on what Stine had said and I really took it in. After about three or four sessions, one of my friends even came up to me and told me that she had never seen me so happy before and she was extremely happy to see me always walk around with a smile on my face.
It has now been around four of five months since I had my first coaching session with Stine, and I am so happy to say that I am now a much happier and brighter person to be around than I was half a year ago. I know myself a lot better and I know where I am heading with my life now. It can only get better from here.
Thank you so much Stine for all the help and support that you have given! I am so thankful and grateful to have met such an amazing person like you! I cannot thank you enough!”
Amanda, Age 14
“I have truly appreciated working with you, you are an incredible person, very skilled and really great talking to. Already the first time we talked I felt understood and I trusted you right away. I felt safe opening up and being honest. To me you were the perfect help. Really appreciate all your advises too :))”
Daniel & Stina, Parent
“When we first contacted Stine, it was an almost impossible situation for us. Our daughter Anna had just changed schools as we have moved, and the old patterns from the old school surfaced again. Every time Anna was involved in a conflict, she got so upset, angry and sad and the rest of her day was ruined. It happened more and more often and we were in despair. We were referred to Stine by a teacher of Anna’s, and we have not for a second regretted this. From the first session, Stine had a great connection with Anna and she managed to talk with our daughter and help her in ways that we as parents never had a chance to even get close to. The sessions with Stine have clearly given Anna more confidence and self-esteem, she now believes that she can handle the tasks and challenges she’s facing. Anna has always expressed great pleasure in talking to Stine, and the conversations that we as parents have had with Stine have always been open and rewarding. One feels one is safe in Stine’s hands. ..”
Abby, Age 14
“Words of hope for people trying to live out their dream or do what they want to do, what they want to accomplish. My number one thing I think I can say is that for one, it gets better. When you’re going through middle school, high school, heck maybe even college, whether it be two years or four or eight, those are chapters of your life, and those aren’t your book. I was once told that every day is a page, every era is a chapter. You live that’s the first page, and you die that’s the end. there’s no point living your life through your book, if when you get to the end of your book, you look back to the end and think wow what just happened? What did I do? What was that chapter? What was this chapter? What was that page? What was this? I was told to live a life that’s significant. To be happy. To really I guess enjoy your 100 years, your 50 years, your could be 16 or 17 years that you have of your life.
Each page is like a whole new story. You take time to turn the page. That’s your life. You have one day to turn each page. You look back and enjoy it, and think about each chapter. This isn’t a four disc series. It’s not the twilight series. There’s not going to be another book. There’s your book and whatever you’re going through right now is your chapter and it’s not going to just end that way. Just don’t think high schools so rough that I can’t get through this. “This guy bullies me. This girl picks on me, and this teacher is a piece of you know what, you know I hate going to gym because I just don’t fit in. I would rather do something else. You know I hate my parents, I hate my home life, I cut myself or I’ve tried to kill myself or I ran away from home.” You know, anything of that sort of chapter.
You feel like when you’re there, the chapters are going to keep going. Well, they don’t, and I wish someone would have told me what I’m saying now, because I feel like every chapter I was living was a book, and that was my entire book. But it’s not. I feel like I’m on my fourth chapter, fifth maybe. Hopefully I’m not on my 10th or 11th yet. I think to give you hope is to know that it’s either going to get better, or it’s going to get different, and I can guarantee you that you just have to stay strong. You have to remember who you are, even if you don’t know exactly who you are. I’m still not sure exactly who I am quite yet, but you can know who you want to be, or you can know what you want to find. You can know what you want to do. And if you don’t know what you want, you can dream. Dream big. If you want to do six different things, then do them all because you never know what could happen, or what life has to offer. I just know it gets better. So enjoy your chapter. Enjoy your page. And don’t finish your book without getting the most out of it.”
Julie, Age 14
“I felt terrible. I was experiencing anxiety. I was affraid of loosing people that I’m close to and I was afraid of dying myself. Nightmares would wake me up very often and I had a hard time going to sleep. My parents divorce made me really sad and I worried a lot about all four of us.
I had respiratory challenges on a daily basis and it got worse when I got really sad and upset.
The girls at school had some conflicts going on and it was aweful.
Now I feel so much better. Rarely think my stupid thoughts and it feels great. My life is much better, and I sleep heavily without nightmares when I do my exercises. My Mother and I have both noticed that my breathing has improved.
The conflict between the girls is resolved and I have found out that I should just be myself and trust that it’s the best. In fact, some people now come to me for help as they trust me. I keep getting new good friends.
You’ve been a great help. I feel so much better than when we started. You are nice to talk to, you are comforting to talk to, and you’re good at putting yourself In my shoes.
I will definitely recommend you to others!
The best part is that you have helped me so much. I am so grateful!”
Danielle Louvres, 30
“When I first met Stine I was in a complete “mess mode” as I say. I had moved away from my country, giving up my friends, family and job, and my not even 1 year marriage was already falling apart; I was completely lost about who I was, and what I represented in this whole context. Stine made me see my life and my marriage in a different perspective, and helped me find strength and understanding to fight for a new beginning. She showed me a better version of me, and I could not have come to where I am today without her help. All I can say is that you were an angel that showed up when I was on my breaking point, and I have nothing but a lot of THANK YOU to you! You rock!!
I hope this testimonial really shows how I feel about our sessions, and I hope it can help people to see how great you are. I am really grateful for the opportunity of being coached by you. You deserve all the success in the world!
Julia, Age 13
“Stine, I just want to say that you have helped me big time over the last two months and I’m so grateful. You truly are an amazing human being.”
Sickan Bardrum, Parent
“It was a pleasure to be there for your talk for us parents. You did a great job, very inspiring and made it so alive. My daughter (14) really really liked the talk for the students too…”
Amanda, Grade 8
“I really liked the talk. I think it made everyone reflect that we are all human, and we all have a heart. Most people will look back at the talk and remember it for a long time I’m sure. Thank you!”
Daniel, Grade 9
“Thumbs up! First talk about bullying that kept me awake. You had me hooked with your stories! ”
Julie, Grade 8
“Amazing talk, it almost felt like you told my story. I think it made people reflect and will be something we’ll remember and talk about for a long time.”
Charlotte, Teacher
“First time I have seen 350 kids be so focused and quiet. They just took it all in. They really connected with all the stories you shared.”