Women are pulled in more directions, juggling more roles than ever before. There is more pressure than ever on women to measure up to impossible ideals—to have perfect bodies, designer homes and exciting full-time careers, to manage their home and work lives perfectly, and to do it all with constant confidence and good cheer—and if they can't accomplish all these things, to blame themselves for their "failure." I believe that women today are doing an amazing job doing more and more with less and less, and deserve congratulations and support, not more pressure on how to be even "better."

I'm Dr. Helene Brenner, psychologist, Inner Voice Coach, and author of I Know I'm in There Somewhere. As much as women truly want to grow, deep down they're also sick and tired of feeling like they must constantly try to fix and "improve" themselves. And they're right.Women in our culture are sent double messages all the time. For example, they are often denigrated for being "too emotional" or "too sensitive" (or worse yet, "high-maintenance" or "hormonal"). But sensitivity is a strength. Think of scientific instruments. The more sensitive the instrument, the more useful and valuable it is. And have you ever noticed that women are praised for their emotional sensitivity — as long as they use it to understand or take care of others? But the minute their sensitivity causes them to get angry or upset at something done to them, they get criticized. This isn't exactly fair.

My purpose is to help you learn to listen to yourself and follow your inner voice in every aspect of your life. It is to help you use your emotions and sensitivity for yourself rather than against yourself. It is to help you strengthen your sense of self, because it is easy to lose that sense of self amid all the pressures and demands of everyday life. It is to help you find the balance between caring for the people who matter to you and paying attention to your own true needs. Finally, it is to help you get in touch with what you truly want out of life and support you to pursue it.

Despite everything you've been told, real, true, lasting change doesn't come from "trying" to change or improve yourself. It comes when you open the door to your inner self; when you begin listening to your own inner self with open ears and an open heart. That's when you open yourself to hearing, and living from, your Inner Voice. That's when you begin feeling better about yourself and making positive, lasting changes in your life that come from deep within your heart and soul.

I am currently accepting new clients for individual psychotherapy by phone or at my office in Frederick, Md. I work with women, couples and men as well — men also need to learn to listen to their inner voice and follow it.

Since writing I Know I'm in There Somewhere, I have been privileged to work by phone with women from all across the United States and Canada. While not for everyone, many people have found that individual work by phone, based on the principles described in I Know I'm in There Somewhere, can be every bit as deep and healing as meeting face-to-face.

If you are interested in working with me, please e-mail me or call me at 301 695-5858. I look forward to hearing from you!

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