Being There Now

“Very valuable…
Should be required for
all humans!”
David Cinolotac
Accountant, Beverly Hills, C

“The class discussions were really valuable and stimulating. This program was very useful in reflecting on my current and prospective work.”
Rev. Helen Henderson
Idyllwild, CA

“The team training (with co-trainers) added extra dimensions and depth. Excellent program!”
Tom Crehan
Attorney, Palm Desert, CA

“Being There has enriched my life both personally and professionally. It takes you beyond intellect and offers the steps necessary to help others in time of need.”
Midge Nordella
Bereavement Minister
Emmanuel House Palm Desert, CA

I have never reviewed a program like this. Not because I avoided it, but something like this never came my way for review before. Is it part of the self help breed ? I’d say yes but the idea behind it wont be found anywhere else. Read on and you’ll see what I mean.

We have all been in a situation at some point in our lives where we’ve had to comfort someone following a death, serious accident, or trauma of some description. Think for a minute of how uncomfortable you felt at a wake when you had to come face-to-face with the bereft. Probably you’d come up with something like… “Oh um I’m sorry yer sister died” while you stare at the ground and shuffle in your seat. Even worse, how do you handle the same situation when the death is in the immediate family when you will be around each other every day. How do you help each other (as well as yourself) come to terms with it? Not easy huh? Nope.

This is where Dr Derek Smyth and Mr Robert Jones come into their own. They have come up with Being There: Sometimes good intentions are simply not enough. It’s a guide / reference / wake up call for everyone. The thing I like about it is that you don’t have to be going through a traumatic time to avail of its services. It wont try to change your values or thoughts on whatever subject, that’s not the goal. Its there to help. I spoke to Dr Smyth briefly about the program and he hit the nail on the head with his idea of what it should be about. “It’s like a first aid kit, most households have a first aid kit, this is just an addition to the kit.”

There is so much to the program I wont go into everything. Suffice it to say that it’s a one stop shop on how to handle and understand problems that we face everyday. From knowing the signs of suicide and abuse to understanding grief; learning how to listen to, and understand someone who needs your help or an ear.

Its all in plain language, no pretentious crap here. Straight to the point and concise, I guarantee whoever avails of the program will find it a help in some form or another when it comes to the struggles of everyday and family life. Top marks to the Dr and Mr.

Marty Flynn – Dublin Ireland.