Testimonials

Therapy

Compassionate, non-judgmental, approachable, safe, stable, secure, honest, caring, empathetic, emotionally intelligent, authentic, and truly committed to helping to alleviate suffering in the world. These are just some of the things I admire about Annie Wright. She has a gift of really making me feel seen, heard, held, and loved. I highly recommend Annie if you are in search of a therapist who will be a committed partner to your process.

L.K.

Annie has a way of being in the world that is beautifully intuitive, warm, compassionate, and comforting. Yet she can also get right to the heart of an issue with a fierce kindness that few people truly embody. I highly recommend Annie as a therapist and coach. She is one-of-a-kind and actually walks her talk.

J.K.

Annie is a wonderful therapist and human being. I have always been impressed by her intelligence and profound ability to connect to people in a deep and meaningful way. She is articulate, funny and engaging and passionately cares about the people she works with. Enormously talented, she has also the ability to analyze situations and solve complex issues with warmth and intellect, a rare combination.

T.S.

In addition to having a warm, open personality she is very intelligent, gifted and passionate. My trust in Annie began with a large piece of group work where she helped me get in touch with parts of myself that were previously out of reach. My admiration for Annie also developed during that experience and from being in contact with her empathic abilities, collaborative style and overall strength. Annie is a fantastic clinician and partner in healing.

D.B.

Annie has a vital presence that cuts through the mental clutter. She is intuitive and insightful and will not hesitate to communicate what she knows and feels when the timing is right. Annie has an ability to feel and articulate what is not being said. Any individual or couple looking for a straightforward, aligned and gifted therapist is in good hands.

V.T.

Annie is so wonderful and I highly recommended anyone needing a little extra support in their lives to reach out to her. You will be in good hands!

S.G.

[I] was immediately struck by her warmth, openness and optimism. She lights up the room when she enters and her magnetism makes everyone around her feel loved. The care she places on her work is extraordinary – her passion for working with girls and women to help us become whole and achieve our dreams is truly inspiring. Whenever I have the opportunity to sit with Annie, I feel truly heard and inevitably feel better about myself after our time together.

K.G.

Annie blends professionalism with compassion and walks the profound line between the individual and the communal. Her eye is focused on one person one at a time and yet her vision leads toward health for the whole. I am in awe of her personal integrity and balance, her intelligence, wit, and care. Annie cares. I recommend her wholeheartedly.

S.L.

I’ve worked with three therapists since I was a high school student and, far and away, working with Annie was the best therapy experience I’ve had!

H.G.

I love Annie! Every time I speak with her I feel listened to and respected. She has been a valuable confidant and supporter in my process of self-discovery.

A.W.

I have worked with Annie for several years now, and have the utmost respect and appreciation for her in her practice. I find her communication style to be warm when needed, funny when appropriate, diligent in timing, and direct when most helpful. I consider her one of my more helpful resources in life, and would highly recommend her to anyone in need of guidance, support, continuity, or change.

B.M.

Annie truly is a gifted, intuitive and amazing therapist. During our time spent together, we embarked on a journey of self-exploration and unfoldment. I admired her innate ability to hold the space in a refreshing and warm light – with compassion, heart-centered kindness, empathy and nonjudgment. Steering away from solely diagnosing and fixing me, Annie allowed my process to unfold organically and naturally as we moved along the continuum of self-discovery without forcing something to happen or striving to arrive at a particular destination. Swimming in a sea of unresolved woundings and unmet longings, I was broken, forlorn and defeated. The transformative process with Annie allowed us to gradually move from the constricted mind down into the expansive heart – bringing forth profound sense of inner contentment, acceptance, nonattachment and purpose. Together we have unearthed my peace, love and light within. I cannot thank Annie enough for the time we spent together and know that her heart-centered approach will be a guiding light, helping countless others along their path of self- discovery, healing and wholeness.

J.M.

Annie is a sincere and warm-hearted person and has a natural ability to connect with people. She is truly dedicated and alive in her own life, and this reflects in her as a professional as well. I have turned to Annie in one of my toughest and most painful times in life. Her compassion and understanding filled my heart, and her deep response to me was one of the reference points of support that helped me get up everyday and keep working through it. She allowed me to say something incredibly painful, and she let me know I wasn’t alone. And most of all, she heard me. Somehow her empathy gave my heart a deep acknowledgement it needed. I felt some piece of landing after that. The gratitude I feel for Annie goes far beyond the meaning of the words, thank you. I would feel absolutely confident sending my daughter, or any family member, to her. I recommend Annie without hesitation.

K.S.

I saw Annie after a particularly intense breakup when I was struggling to reorient myself while dealing w/a tenuous living situation and difficult (but rewarding) job. She was amazing. A complete joy to speak to. She met me where I was emotionally and logically rather than trying to force me to conform to her world view (an issue I had with previous therapists and counsellors). Her empathy and care felt tangible and created a safe space for me to share and feel heard/understood. Honestly, if I had the money I’d continue to see her weekly for the rest of my life. Just a great addition to my overall wellbeing even after the initial issue was addressed.

M.W.

I am currently on the search for a therapist and Annie was extremely supportive on my journey. She was available, curious, and supportive. While I’m not a client, I was taken aback by her consistent communication with me as I navigated dealing with my insurance. I would highly recommend her services.

S.M.

Annie helped me – to put it in her words – “fully step into” my life, after helping me escape from a very unhealthy relationship. If I hadn’t moved overseas (a huge life decision that her sessions assisted with immensely), I would have continued my weekly sessions with her indefinitely for my overall mental health. Highly, highly recommended!

R.W.

Annie is a strong therapist. Her ability to hold an individual’s experience is tremendous and she does it with kindness and an open heart. She offers a safe place for growth and transformation.

J.S.

It’s an absolute pleasure to recommend Annie as a therapist. She’s extremely knowledgeable, and has a kind, warm presence you can feel from the minute you meet her. She provides supportive care designed to help you understand deep family issues, and move beyond older wounds. But she also helps you heal from more present issues, like anxiety and depression. Just spend some time reading through her beautiful writing on a variety of topics — I’m sure you’ll find she’s the therapist for you. Five stars all the way.

A.N.

Should you have the pleasure of working with Annie, you will experience her keen ability to tune in to people’s experience, hang out with them there with empathy, and gently guide them toward the balance they seek. Her warmth and positive regard are almost palpable. If you are seeking a highly-skilled therapist with whom you will feel cared for, I highly recommend Annie.

N.G.

Anyone looking for trusted guidance and support would be in excellent hands working with Annie.

K.B.

When my “inner critic” was getting the best of me, Annie’s presence and acceptance helped me tame that voice. I learned a lot about myself through my relationship with Annie, and I think you will too.

R.C.

[Annie] is a caring, dedicated, and skilled therapist. If you are looking to increase your well-being with the help of a therapist – contact Annie. If you are dealing with relationship problems, depression or anxiety or you want to foster a more loving relationship with your self, increase your self-esteem and/or develop a more positive relationship with food and body image – With Annie you will be in excellent hands.

H.G.

Annie has such a warm, authentic presence. I felt immediately comfortable with her the moment I started talking to her.

L.F.

I would trust her with my deepest secrets and demons. She is a rare individual with whom you feel completely at ease with. It’s not just her voluminous cache of professional and academic accomplishment and it’s not just that she represents the crest of a movement of independent/strong women who do not allow gender to define who they are as people… but it’s her genuine and sincere approach to creating and nurturing human connection. She wants to help. She wants to make the world a better place on a micro AND macro level. Want to talk to the best, be advised by the best – and feel completely safe and comfortable – then call or visit Annie. Trust her. I do.

G.R.

She is an amazing listener, compassionate, warm, open and very dependable. She is also extremely professional, authentic and did I mention she is so easy to talk to?! I adore Annie and you will too.

B.P.

As a therapist she is caring and attentive. Annie is incredibly smart and her ideas, suggestions, and guidance have been incredibly helpful over the years. I would highly recommend Annie has a therapist.

R.R.

I think she is just marvelous. She is a compassionate and kind and beautiful human being. She is very smart, and cares deeply. I would strongly recommend her to anyone looking for a good psychotherapist.

B.M.

I was initially struck by her unique background. After spending time at Brown, Esalen, in the Peace Corps and at CIIS, she seems to have a very rare – perhaps wider? deeper? more inspiring? – view of creating happiness than most people. To add to that, she really walks her talk. She really is dedicated to exploring and experiencing the healing options she offers, so it seems like she gets things that many therapists may only learn about in a textbook sort of way. This seems to add a lot of practical wisdom to her therapy and coaching style. Overall – in Annie I think you’ll find a very dedicated ally, with a uniquely uplifting, understanding, realistic perspective. Whether you’re interested in coaching or therapy definitely check her out. *She is also tapped in to a ton of great resources – particularly on relationship issues, parent-child issues, and building up body love/esteem.

J.K.

I love Annie’s work! She’s warm and encouraging and always make me think. Since she has personal experience with intergenerational trauma, she is uniquely equipped to advise on these challenging and often overlooked topics such as holding boundaries with difficult family members. This re-parenting one’s self is difficult work and I am thankful for kind-hearted souls like Annie who make me feel like I can not only heal but flourish. I only wish I’d found her sooner!

B.E.

I feel really validated by your work, as someone seeking to break the cycle of family dysfunction and shame. Understanding how even a childhood without intentional abuse, with a parent who themselves was traumatised, can lead to depression and self doubt, has helped me enormously. There are lots of resources available about this, but you seem to really understand it, I trust your take on it!

S.T.

For a long time I thought that my family of origin was “normal.” But when I got married and started my own family I knew I wanted my children to have a different childhood than mine. Through Annie’s work I have learned what healthy boundaries look like and recognized how dysfunctional my “normal” childhood was. Annie’s work encouraged me to look at difficult family relationships with curiosity and compassion not judgment and I was able to set boundaries with difficult family members. They haven’t changed, but the the trauma of those interactions is less because of my boundaries. My relationships have improved in theory and practice. By setting boundaries with my parents I am much more relaxed when I visit and it no longer takes me weeks to “get over” it.

M.M.

I worked with Annie for a few years during some really tough times when I was dealing with really bad anxiety and needing to make some major decisions with my life and I’m so grateful I did!

Basically, I was really unhappy in my career and trying to decide between leaving my industry and going back to grad school, plus I was facing the possible end of a relationship and was contemplating moving out of the Bay Area (which I ultimately did). It was a LOT to say the least.

I hadn’t been to therapy before and was a little skeptical and didn’t even know what to look for in a therapist to be honest. But when I first called Annie but she was great at answering all my questions on the call and even took more than the 20 minutes of her free phone consult to take more time to explain to me how therapy worked.

I liked speaking with her, she seemed kind and professional, so I booked a first session with her.

In our sessions, she helped me clarify my goals and name my wants versus my “shoulds” (to use her language) and helped me change my thinking about certain situations and to see that I had more options than I thought. She was great at helping me feel my feelings, sure, but she was even better at helping me change my outlook on my life (specifically in feeling less powerless) and make a plan for moving towards what I wanted.

Long story short, I did leave my job and went back to grad school, moved out of the Bay and found some courage to start dating again. The therapy work wasn’t easy and it wasn’t a silver bullet – I did a lot of work outside of therapy to make these big life changes.

And while I hated having to end my work with Annie because I left California, but she helped me find a new therapist in my new city which was a huge help (starting over with someone can be overwhelming!). I miss my work with her and highly recommend her, especially if you’re a first-timer to therapy like I was and are afraid of getting stuck with someone who’s a little too California woo-woo. Annie’s really solid and practical and a good fit if you need someone who’s skilled but also grounded and warm.

B.P.

Executive Coaching

Online Courses

Hi Annie! I just wanted to drop a quick thanks for the class. I’ve been doing the work with the harder members of my family. My dad called me today crying and we had a good quick conversation where I told him what I need and he responded very well. I was talking to my therapist about it and she congratulated me on the boundaries I set and have been holding. I appreciate your work so much and the class. Whatever happens, moving forward it feels great to be so honest with my family in a way that they can hear me. I hope you enjoy your weekend and you get all the love and support returning to you that you so freely give to others. My dad has never done what he did today. Not even close so it seems like my healing is throwing a wrench in the family system. Thanks again!

B.S.

So I was initially concerned that the course would not address my family of origin concerns. I was trafficked by my mother and grandmother, and both sides of my family were really hard. I was actually pleasantly surprised in the course that, even though the topic of trafficking was not directly addressed, all of the course content, as well as the course bonuses, actually felt supportive and extremely supportive in my particular circumstance.

A.M.

I definitely thought my family dysfunction would be way too hard for this to really make any difference so I figured if it didn’t work with my family it would still be good for work and other relationships. boundaries feel the most difficult with family members but the tools in this class are incredibly useful in less complicated relationships and it’s helping me to learn how to set and hold boundaries when I wasn’t taught how to do it. Getting to learn this with such great support in a warm and soothing environment was just too good of an opportunity to pass up. We have to learn it eventually anyway so might as well do it with a gifted therapist in a cohort of like-minded companions.

B.T.

As a therapist, I’ve seen many wonderful, big-hearted clients struggle to navigate difficult relationships with loved ones. There can be strong love and attachment, or a sense of obligation, that conflicts with toxicity dating back to childhood. Many of my clients say something like, “I know I need to set boundaries…but how? What exactly do I do?” It’s a complicated question with a unique answer for each person, and Annie is absolutely the therapist and teacher to help you find that answer. Her warm, supportive presence and doable lessons will make boundary setting both clear and possible. On a personal note — for years I’ve enjoyed and found incredible value in Annie’s weekly words of wisdom that deliver to my email inbox. I’m thrilled that she’s created this guided course to help the many of us who struggle with boundary setting to finally find a way to free ourselves from feeling trapped in unhealthy relationships.

K. N.

The only thing that was holding me back from enrolling was money but I knew I could sell some old stuff lying around my house for cash and make it up for the course fee. It took me a few days to really go for it but it was all worth it! It feels like I need someone to tell me that I did the right thing to set the boundaries with toxic relationships and toxic family members. I love Annie’s support and accountability in the course. She helps me feel heard and be seen. And The FB community is priceless! It’s so lonely when you don’t have people who support you but the people in the group show support and create the invisible bond that I know I’m not alone. I highly recommend the course!

Jen

Your course was expensive for me, but I simply have to view it as an investment in myself. I really need to make a decision about the course my life will take and I believe I’m going to need some new tools to work with to succeed.

E.R.

The price was holding me back from enrolling –I’ve been unemployed for a while and am *just* starting a new job this week, ack! — but I am really glad I joined. The course has been worthwhile, especially because of the community and finding others who “get it.”

K.O.

By the end of the course, I am actually re-evaluating and re-examining one of my boundaries because I feel stronger and more capable about taking that risk. For me, that’s real, tangible progress. Learning about boundaries has given me that space to not be so afraid to put myself out there. I have learned from the course that I am empowered by setting boundaries.

R. W.

I am better able to disengage from my mum when she crosses boundaries/becomes abusive and feel like I’m less affected by it in terms of spiralling. I am so excited to continue working on the communication skills that I learned in the course AND to continue the journal 🙂 I love journalling!

E. L.

I feel more and more I am finding more people like myself. The worst part of making changes is not having people in your life that agree and support you in your difficult relationships. So this helped so much with that. You gave me tools, so that with reasonable people I can overcome my inner fear and find the words and phrases to say and be able to speak with better authority and feel more like a grown-up than a 58 year old small child – which is very shameful.  I gained great tools and it was settling to go through all the questions and still validate my choices. But i think most valuable, the encouragement that this doesn’t have to be forever and that we can change our minds and the parameters at any time.

And then looking at it from different perspectives was very enlightening. I had totally different attitudes when taking in the role of a mother defending her child than I did confronting mom on my own and even more different from the perspective of my little child and deciding she had been through enough and was much more important to me than patching things up with my mother. You gave great advice, great tools. This is something I’ve been struggling with a long time and I feel more grounded now. I haven’t left any stone unturned. I can face the consequences of my choices with a clear conscience if not a sad one. It is sad. But my little person inside has been waiting a long time to be paid attention to. And she is my priority now.

S. P.

I feel reassured that I’m on the right track. I really got a lot out of the myths section and hearing about how functional families welcome boundaries. Thanks very much for offering this course. I’ve already recommended it to others.

E. W.

Your blog and this course have helped to open my eyes to more than I even realized that stemmed from my relational trauma! This community has been so helpful also….to read posts that word for word describe situations I have experienced is so healing!

A. H.

A big reason I joined this course is to connect with other people struggling with these sad, sad options of how to relate to our difficult families. I’m so glad you posted about it. I don’t know yet how to cope better with this situation, only that acknowledging it and connecting with others who understand is a healthy thing to do.

S. A.

I joined yesterday and browsed through the modules and bonuses today and have to say “Thank you, Annie, the content is so rich (in loss for a better word)! I can see how this is your life’s work so far. I really appreciate you sharing this so humbly.”  Looking forward to going through the modules.

A. H.

Annie’s work has provided me with an understanding of my place within my birth family, guidance on being true to myself and caring for myself, and tools for thoughtfully and compassionately dealing with my family before and after my father’s illness and death. Annie helped me come through two rough years much more prepared for a future of positive relationships.

M. K.

I am a few months into my new job and I have to tell you boundaries are the best! I’ve had some hard moments with the new environment and adjusting to new co-workers but I started the class over again about a month ago and I’ve seen a real difference. I’m so much happier! It took a lot of work in the beginning but I’m noticing other people are starting to change now as I’ve held firm. This feels so much more sustainable to be telling people what I need, what works for me, what’s not working for me, and being really clear about others’ impact on me. Consequently, I’m not getting as pissed or upset. I also have a lot more energy and time for myself. Just advocating for myself seems to be letting some of the anger and frustration dissipate. Incredible! I’m sure this is all why you designed the class but it seems so mind-blowing to me! I really appreciate all this work so much. I can’t begin to thank you enough for your work on this class. It’s given me so much hope and agency and most importantly finally disrupted some big patterns in my professional life.

You are the greatest! I am so glad I found you and this course.

B. S.

The Newsletter

Dear Annie, Thank you so much for your generosity in freely sharing your journey and what you’ve learned along the way through your blog posts. May the countless ripples of kindness you’ve started here come rolling back upon you, bringing blessings even greater than all those you have cast out into the world. I can’t even tell you how many times since I found you that I’ve taken something you wrote into my own healing, and/or shared it with my bestie and more, and/or recommended your blog to fellow travelers. And that’s just me. There’s no way you could ever quantify the love and healing that you are spreading in this life. To me, that is the ultimate measure of success. Thank you again and beyond all words for your healing touch in my life.

D.A.

A big thank you. Your articles are really helpful and useful. Thank you for sharing your great knowledge in this form. I subscribed, and although I do not diligently read all of the emails I receive from you (which is a shame because it’s a pure gold and you are offering it for free), it often happens that, when I am in need of help or I just need a reminder that I always can use many available to me tools/techniques to feel good, it just pops up in my inbox right on time. Thank you so much for this, Your help is greatly appreciated and you’re much valued.

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Yes, I will keep reading your blogs because they are powerful and definitely resonate. Keep doing the great work that you’re doing. The world of trauma survivors needs you!

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Thank you for validating me continuously through your writing. Looking forward to watching you continue to help the world of trauma through your posts, your emails, and your beautiful website. Your work portrays an incredible amount of honesty and integrity. And you do it all with no shame, just complete understanding for the human organism who walks on earth with a tortured mind, heart and soul! You personally give me understanding and compassion. I could never thank you enough for the work you’re doing and the generosity of giving back in all the ways that you do.

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I want to say how grateful I am to be able to read and learn so much from your posts, and ESPECIALLY today’s topic! I truly believe your blog will make a tremendous difference and initiate healings for many of your readers. So, all I can say to you is, THANK YOU!

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Thank you so much for the support! I find your work to be extremely refreshing specifically around adulting and relationships as I navigate my late 20’s. Your work couldn’t have come at a better time, thank you so much!

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Mostly, I just wanted to thank you for offering substantive, thoughtful, and caring material for those of us seeking it on the great wide web. Family estrangement has yet to be the subject of much study and literature. I feel like I have read much of what exists, and your material has been foremost as a source of not only knowledge but comfort. So a heartfelt thank you to you!

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I am very thankful for your work. The articles you post on your blog, I can tell they are written fully with purpose. I feel the sincerity of your words! I do not take it lightly, you have a beautiful gift!!

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Your words and support definitely matter to me, and I’m sure many many other people too. I’m very grateful for your work, and I hope you keep doing what you’re doing.

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Thank you wholeheartedly for your beautifully written piece that is so soothing to my soul. I just wanted to send you a hug and can’t wait to read your entire catalogue of posts! You’re the healer the world needs and awaits. More power and love to your beautiful caring soul!

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Wow Annie, what an incredibly powerful post! Thank you for sharing your story with such vulnerability – I’m sure it will help so many people who are struggling. ❤️✨You are amazing.

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Your writings are so full of meaning and wisdom, Annie…I savor them. Thank you so much for the thoughtfulness, effort, and caring you put into them.

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Annie, This is the most amazing post among all your many others…I am literally crying right now. Thank you so very much for sharing your deep wisdom and insights in every post, but especially here when you will obviously face some pretty harsh personal blowback.

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I’m a man of few words, however, your article inspired me to say how powerful the information was for me and how it helped me with completing a deeper self-reflection about my relationship with my wife and more importantly with myself. I greatly appreciate you for your service provided through your work and willingness to share that with us! Thank you very much!

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Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have put into words the feelings I have been trying to express for some time now. I will be bookmarking this post.

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While nearly all of your posts seem to magically meet me exactly where I am and tend to articulate thoughts as if you were taking them right out of my head, none have done so as poignantly as this one. I’m finding it hard to not see it as more than just a coincidence that in a moment on a day during a weekend in which I was in the throes of a battle within my mind, fighting suicidal thoughts that have become far too familiar lately, your email arrived and was enough. Enough to get me through another moment. Another day. Another weekend. I don’t really have any reason to send you this note other than to tell you to please keep writing. Your work matters.

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Thank you for your blog. It’s helping me continue healing after a rough childhood and some traumatic things that have happened in the past few years. Everything from your powerful feminism to helping me acknowledge that abuse doesn’t have to be physical to count is awesome and helpful. I always look forward to your next post and find comfort in the archives.

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Thank you so much for your generosity in freely sharing your journey and what you’ve learned along the way through your blog posts. May the countless ripples of kindness you’ve started here come rolling back upon you, bringing blessings even greater than all those you have cast out into the world. I can’t even tell you how many times since I found you that I’ve taken something you wrote into my own healing, and/or shared it with my bestie and more, and/or recommended your blog to fellow travellers. And that’s just me. There’s no way you could ever quantify the love and healing that you are spreading in this life. To me, that is the ultimate measure of success. Thank you again and beyond all words for your healing touch in my life.

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Annie, You don’t know me from Adam, but I am a long-time subscriber of your newsletter/blog. While nearly all of your posts seem to magically meet me exactly where I am and tend to articulate thoughts as if you were taking them right out of my head, none have done so as poignantly as this one. I’m finding it hard to not see it as more than just a coincidence that in a moment on a day during a weekend in which I was in the throes of a battle within my mind, fighting suicidal thoughts that have become far too familiar lately, your email arrived and was enough. Enough to get me through another moment. Another day. Another weekend.

I don’t really have any reason to send you this note other than to tell you to please keep writing. Your work matters. I know I’m only one small little person and it probably doesn’t make an iota of a difference to you for me to tell you that, but I felt compelled to reach out anyways.

E.M.

Dear, dear Annie,
What a beautiful gift you have offered to women of ALL ages today…
I am 64 and women having babies in the ’80s could have used your compassionate wisdom and sharing. I am a mother, a retired nurse, and a retired master’s level social worker. From all 3 vantage points, your words are a blessing to anyone who is pregnant or will be in the future. I understand your hesitancy to write and acknowledge your vulnerability. Thank you so much for your courage to share such a beautiful piece with your readers. Somehow I think you will guide your own daughter In a deep understanding should she ever need it.

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Your writings are so full of meaning and wisdom, Annie…I savor them. Thank you so much for the thoughtfulness, effort, and caring you put into them.

M.M.

I am hitting “reply” because I find your emails very helpful. I have been in and out of therapy since I was thirteen years old because of the PTSD of my childhood. However, most of the therapists that I have seen over the years were barely able to scratch the surface of the emotional pain that has been had. There are a lot of parallels, and to just name one, I too ran to California to find a “happier” me.

I feel blessed that I somehow stumbled upon your website in my quest for knowledge.

A.B.

Hi Annie! I just want to thank you for everything you do, but especially for these newsletters. They are lifesaving for me at this point. I feel seen, I feel validated every time I read them, so thank you for that.

E.C.

Thank you so much for this. Tomorrow I am going back into work after an extended absence for mental health reasons. And I am honestly very anxious about how I will be received. The reality is that in this moment, I need to know that “it will be okay”. And because of that, I googled precisely that in question form. I typed in “will it be okay?” Because in this moment I needed to hear that it will be okay. And your blog is what came up and stood out to me. It turned out to be exactly what I needed in the moment. I want to be honest and tell you how much this blog post has helped me and made me feel like “it will be okay” tomorrow. Going in tomorrow may seem like a small challenge, maybe it wouldn’t bother someone else as much or the same way it has me. And my reality was I was terrified about going back in tomorrow. So much so that because this blog post reminded me of the reasons that “it will be okay” I ended up crying – in a good way. They were tears because I wasn’t sure if it would be okay. It might sound weird, but I was like in a pretty dark place, and this post brought me into a much “brighter” one. That is why I cried. This post gave me what I needed in the moment. Thank you.

C.M.

Miscellaneous

I consider you to be a new generation Louise Hay. Kind and gentle with helping others to deal with sharp edges from their past!

K.K.

I’ve been positively impacted by Annie’s teachings on boundaries in that I am now mindful of my boundaries and am now more comfortable enforcing my boundaries and leaving a situation once I feel they have been compromised. I am also much more comfortable keeping my parents at arm’s length since the only thing they ever seem to do is speak harshly and critically about the way I live my life. I also find myself staying neutral and non-committal when they start with the guilt trips about not seeing them more, being more involved in the day-to-day workings of their lives, etc.. It’s very hard to be around them without feeling traumatized and spiraling into a depression. I’ve come to learn boundaries are super important! One thing I appreciate about Annie’s work is her tone. I never feel like I’m being preached to, lectured, or blamed. Other therapists that I’ve had have taken a harsher tone with me, and I found that I was less willing to open up to them and less willing to share my true feelings because I was afraid of being blamed for my emotions or having my feelings dismissed. I really like how Annie approaches topics in a gentle and friendly way.

K.L.

You have given me encouragement that I’m on the right path towards a more healthy state of mind. Everyone needs to practice good boundaries!

M.S.

Creating boundaries with difficult family members is never easy. I’ve worked with quite a few clients and have friends who have struggled with the feelings of loss, guilt, and shame when creating and maintaining those boundaries. When sharing my conversation, Unbinding Family Ties with Annie Wright, I’ve heard back from clients and friends how helpful it was. They told me that they felt truly validated in their choices around whether or not to maintain difficult family relationships. I appreciated Annie’s depth of knowledge and her personal experience with when and why it’s important to set healthy familial boundaries. She’s a great resource!

E.C.

Annie’s work has provided me with an understanding of my place within my birth family, guidance on being true to myself and caring for myself, and tools for thoughtfully and compassionately dealing with my family before and after my father’s illness and death. Annie helped me come through two rough years much more prepared for a future of positive relationships.

M.K.

This has been externally the hardest year for me and it’s also been the richest and most joyful internally. I’ve benefited a great deal this year from your brilliance, comfort, care, and wisdom. I’m so appreciative of you and I feel entirely blessed to have stumbled upon your work a few years ago. I can’t thank you enough for finding this work and giving it your all. I’m enjoying this journey so much more with you in my back pocket!

B.S.

Thank you, Annie, for supporting my journey.. Rest assured that, every single day, your work is creating ripples of healing and hope far beyond your wildest dreams!

D. M.

I love your blog, and the resources that you make available have been really important for me especially at the very beginning of my healing journey, when I was still discovering what was causing my suffering. Even now though I still look forward to your emails. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the work you have done for yourself and the work you now do for others!! And the hope and encouragement that your own story of overcoming and thriving embodies.

N.B.

I have followed your blog for quite some time and am very grateful for all the work that you do…There’s a lot of things in my past that I think about and am not really sure how to deal with. Your quiz helped me to begin to question myself and what I went through. I appreciate you sharing your story and it helped me to feel understood and less alone.

A.B.

Family estrangement is not a new concept for me. I’ve experienced estrangement in my personal life and work with couples navigating their own family estrangement in my psychotherapy practice. For years, I struggled to find resources that spoke specifically to this unique situation. I felt helpless as I attempted to navigate my personal estrangement and hated that I only had my personal experience to draw from with my psychotherapy clients. Then I found Annie Wright’s blog! It felt like a ray of sunshine illuminating the treasure chest I had been searching for. Annie does an excellent job weaving her personal experiences with her professional knowledge. Her writing feels relatable, vulnerable, and speaks directly to the heart of the reader. Annie is on the front lines of creating a roadmap we can all use to improve our boundaries and navigate relationships with difficult people. I am excited to see Annie expanding her offerings beyond her blog and cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us!

M.M.

Several years ago I made the hard decision to end my relationship with my only sibling after years of trying (and failing) to enforce good boundaries. This was a difficult decision, but honestly, I have felt great relief since ending this relationship. The real trouble has been trying to maintain a relationship with my parents, who don’t understand or respect my decision to cut off from my sibling. I was already considered the black sheep of my family – now I’m the black sheep whose (healthy) boundaries cause everyone pain and suffering. This journey has been complicated, painful, and lonely. When I found Annie’s blog, I felt I had connected with a kindred spirit. Suddenly, I wasn’t alone and realized that I was far from the only person coping with a difficult family. Annie’s articles have helped me build a toolbox of resources and ideas I use to navigate this never-ending drama with my family. Annie’s articles have been a sanity saver for me and I cannot wait to see what else she creates for those of us struggling with family estrangement.

J.R.

Annie’s work on the identified patient and the commonplace nature of family estrangements gave me permission to release the heaviness and let go of the shame and guilt I’ve been carrying. I’m grateful to her for her wisdom and relatable writing!

W.S.

As a therapist myself, Annie’s work is my go-to resource for my clients with complex relational trauma. I can’t count the number of times I have assigned a client the homework of, “read Annie Wright’s blog”. Without fail, after reading Annie’s writings, my clients report back feeling seen, understood, and hopeful. It’s as though a lightbulb goes off for them. My clients seem to have a sense of relief; they can now understand why they are the way they are in relationships and they are ready to change it. I typically see a surge in their self-compassion and in motivation for changing their difficult relationships. As my clients put Annie’s strategies into action, they are consistently amazed by how effective the strategies are. Suddenly things feel easier for them. They no longer constantly dread seeing a text come through from a difficult family member. They gain newfound mental bandwidth and just seem lighter, less burdened, and encouraged. It is evident Annie knows her stuff. I am extremely particular when referring my client to resources. I refer my clients to Annie’s work without hesitation.

S.B.

I am a survivor of both physical and emotional abuse. To this day, Mother’s Day is still incredibly difficult for me. Your work about forgiving someone when I am ready and to be gentle with myself and how to be there for yourself if you didn’t have a loving mother figure help. Your work has also helped me to speak out to my family members about painful issues and, using the approaches and methods you have written about, I’ve worked through these issues, while still keeping my boundaries.

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I love Annie’s work! She’s warm and encouraging and always makes me think. Since she has personal experience with intergenerational trauma, she is uniquely equipped to advise on these challenging and often overlooked topics such as holding boundaries with difficult family members. This re-parenting one’s self is difficult work and I am thankful for kind-hearted souls like Annie who make me feel like I can not only heal but flourish. I only wish I’d found her sooner!

B.J.

Annie first captured my attention in her work about complex relational trauma. From this work, I began to realize the many maladaptive thoughts and beliefs I’ve been carrying throughout my life and the problems they were causing me. I’ve continued to follow Annie’s work as she offers realistic suggestions about how to heal through relationship, which has encouraged me to deepen my work with my therapist.

J.W.