When Paula first interviewed Hedy for the “Loving Out Loud” summit almost two years ago, something crystallized inside her soul. There was a feeling of recognition, as if she was hearing her own truth spoken by another human being. This is a rare gift. Paula has the kind of raw courage and passion that will not be satisfied with excellence when something brilliant and profound and life-changing appears on the horizon. When she is called, she goes. And so Paula has pursued learning with Hedy Schleifer since that day. She has read and watched everything Hedy has created. She went to Miami to assist her in a 3-day couples’ workshop at her own expense. Together, we went to Toronto for a therapists’ training in Hedy‘s own model of couples’ therapy. We were both so inspired that, a month later, we went to Washington, DC to do a 2-day private intensive session with Hedy. And Paula (without me this time) is traveling to NYC this weekend to study with Hedy. Paula and I are not the same couple today as we were before our intensive. Paula is not the same. She now knows this work inside every cell of her being and she lives it every day in our marriage. Paula has a special gift for working with couples. Couples are her passion. Until I met Hedy, I had not met anyone else who had that uncanny ability to see, with absolute clarity, not only what is happening in a relationship, but also how to move into entirely new ways of being in relationship with each other. Hedy Schleifer is a visionary. And Paula M. Smith is too. This is really what I want to say to you today. Our world needs visionaries like Hedy and Paula who have the practical expertise to create, nurture and strengthen connection between people. We suffer so much from disconnection. Our children suffer. The nations of our world. The planet itself. What Hedy and Paula both offer is a vision for healing and transformation through (re)connection–beginning with the couple.
Watch Hedy’s video now. Share it with people. Invite them on this journey. Write and tell us about your own experiences. Ask questions. And come meet with Paula. Or Paula will come to you.
It’s time to take action toward healing our world and healing starts at home. I know this because I am living it–with Paula.
With much love and gratitude,
Yael S. Bat-Shimon, M.A., LMHC
