"My wife and I had the pleasure to work with Laura Spiegel during the second phase of the COPE Program. We both found Laura very easy to communicate with and she was always very knowledgeable and professional. Laura has extensive experience helping people who are dealing with PTSD. She was able to help us expand on the lessons we learned during Phase 1 of the COPE Program, and she gave us many other tools to help us with our day-to-day life. We both feel that we are in a better place now than we were when we started the COPE Program. Phase 1 was an eye opener for us and Phase 2 with Laura was outstanding. Thanks for everything Laura. You have helped prepare us for a successful and exciting future together." Blaine Thurston, Oakfield, Nova Scotia , COPE Participant
"COPE is 100% engaging couple coaching/counselling and the way to go to manage PTSD. Given we have 4 younger children at home and one of us is working full time outside of the home, we found it challenging to put aside the time to actually make the calls. But because our coach Anita Watts was truly amazing, every time we got off the phone we were excited and energized... we have tried so many different professionals and techniques ... this works!
We cannot put a dollar figure on it. We want to send you so much gratitude for what you have done for us... your approach by far the best we have ever had ... you have helped us more than you will ever know. This opportunity opened-up a whole new level of intimacy, support, partnership, and love in our marriage. Our children are much better supported, and we can see a huge difference in how we interact with them. Our home is happier. Our children are happier. Thank you COPE we are forever grateful!" Debra and Jason Fortune, COPE Participants
"We just finished our last Coaching session with our coach Laura Spiegel. We found the coaching with her to be a great experience and we actually looked forward to our sessions with her. Laura ended up being perfect for us.
I can’t express how much the COPE experience has helped us. We still have a few challenges but what we have learnt from this experience has made our challenges much easier to deal with, especially for me. Thank you for such and amazing program and all the work you put into it. We feel very fortunate to have been able to be a part of it." Sandy H, COPE Participant
"On behalf of my husband and myself I would like to take this opportunity to explain our post- COPE experience over the past 6 months with our life-coach Anita Watts. Shortly after completion of our 5 day COPE program were delighted to be paired up with her. My husband
was a former police officer and Anita was the "perfect fit" for us!
From our very first session, Anita was extremely easy to talk to...very professional, knowledgeable and courteous. Throughout our sessions she remained patient, astute, mindful and empathetic regarding our situation and concerns. She always explained her methods and why she was using them at the time. Anita was our constant "cheer-leader"! Ever enthusiastic and positive. She was always giving us a morality "boost" and offering nuggets of wisdom to help us utilize our COPE tools. She provided interesting exercises and techniques to keep us focused, pumped and open-minded throughout our 6 month sessions. All the while, her keen perception and sense of humour kept things lighthearted and
positive.
Jim and I always looked forward to our upcoming appointment with Anita...confident that she would be able to guide us wisely on whatever issue we needed to focus on at the time, yet each session was skillfully built on the one before. Throughout our coaching sessions Jim and I have learned to respect each other's feelings and thoughts, express our feelings honestly with each other, how to handle "triggers" when they arise and how to deal with conflict in a calm and mature manner.
Jim and I are confident that Anita helped us reach most of our COPE goals! We realize that we have a lifetime challenge ahead but thanks to COPE and Anita, we now have extended knowledge and 6 months of practice under our belts as a base to continue this on our own and with the guidance of our own local psychologists. We believe Anita enhanced our coaching experience by giving us timely advice, tools ,confidence and greater communication skills.
Jim and I are optimistic that we can continue to grow and utilize these newly acquired skills to the best of our abilities and on a regular basis from here on in. In addition to all the above, Anita was always very accommodating in regards to booking or re-scheduling appts. around our needs and time zone. Although our coaching sessions have ended, I wouldn't hesitate to call Anita in an emergency as I know she would "be there" if the need arose. We sincerely hope that we may one day meet her in person as she has be such a wonderful mentor during our PTSD journey! Jim and Rosanne Butler, COPE Participant
"In speaking with Anita Watts, it forced me to think, listen and clearly articulate responses because of her excellent listening and communication skills. Anita invigorated clear and thought provoking conversation. She has outstanding listening skills that shapes conversations towards achieving personal goals. I certainly can say that when a person rationally and respectfully communicates and receives the same in return, that was a powerful process for me to experience with Anita.
Anita always focused on the solution. We didn't dwell on the past or the problem, but continued to look at solutions. Anita had a way of communicating that stimulated my mind and forced me to be more open and able to rationalize more effectively and think more clearly. Her coaching has drastically contributed in giving me the ability to "focus" and define my "purpose". Exposure to her skills have enabled me to focus on what matters in life for me and my future." Charles Solomons, COPE Participant
"My husband and I want to extend our thanks again for your wonderful coaching. We are very grateful to have the opportunity to benefit from Nathalie Laurin's experience. Every time I get off the phone with you I find myself saying, 'wow, she's really good'. I have talked to a lot of different people throughout this whole journey, from family and friends to professionals, and I have to say that I haven't gotten as much out of them in all this time (3 years) that I have gotten in our short time coaching so far. You have an amazing way of putting things into perspective and really offering some solid techniques to help deal with it. I have found that with some others, there tends to be an explanation of what is happening but I have found myself still saying at the end of the session 'yes, but what do I do now'. Of course I am thankful for all of the support I have gotten over the years and I am sure that me feeling much better recently is a culmination of several things but I just wanted you to know how much you have helped us both in such a short time." COPE Participants
"Our main takeaway while working with Anita Watts, is the realization that we do more deeper communication with each other and we are more open and honest with each other. John's main goal at the beginning was that he wanted to be more heard and at the end of the 6 months he feels that their messages come across differently to each other in a way that he is being heard and is at a 9 on a scale of 10. Allie feels she is listening more and has gotten much better at understanding John's condition.
Both Allie and I feel the program has definitely been worth having and doing. Having weekly check ins has made it that much more successful. When I look at similar programs that are a weekend or 10 days, once it is over, thats it! Had we just had the weekend program without the follow up coaching we would not have followed through with the skills that we learned plus we learned even more with the added 6 months of coaching.
We now do our own modified PITT - what it has done for us is opened the lines of communication. We are still together and function much better now. We will continue to keep doing the things we have been doing through this process. Keeping it simple will be the key for us."
John and Allie, COPE
“Coaching sessions with Laura Spiegel helped me to see my partner as an ally and work towards better understanding each other. We set goals to grow as individuals and as a couple, and achieved what we set out to accomplish." Jane Arbing, RSW, Social Worker, COPE
“I see my life as an arena, and as I stand in its centre, curve balls get lobbed at me: love, death, birth, retrenchment, beginnings, endings, happiness, sadness. Being involved with a military spouse with PTSD has been like trying to hit a cannon ball with a badminton racquet or trying to catch a fly ball with the sun in my eyes. I was so concerned with the size and type of ball (problem) being thrown that I forgot that I had the reflexes, knowledge and savvy to catch it, look at it from all angles and become so familiar with it that I was no longer afraid of it.
Laura Spiegel helped me to find my strengths and guided me to use them to overcome my weaknesses. Instead of ducking away from the ball, avoiding it, running out of the arena and hiding or attempting to hit it back to where it came from, Laura coached me to see it, anticipate it, and plan what to do with it. To hold my hands out, to catch it and to be in control of where it goes to from there. That power and game plan has allowed me to control my reactions and reflexes in every relationship arena in my life – my family, my friends, my sports, recreation, marriage and our PTSD challenges. Laura has guided, coached, listened, and understood what my needs were without judgment, without condescension and without putting me in a “category”.
She personalized the coaching to my quirks, my moods, my needs, my highs and lows and my end goals. She has given me suggestions, practical advice and plenty of tools to use in every situation. As with all tools – they do not work unless you use them. I am very grateful to Laura for guiding me so gently and skilfully to the light switch and giving me the strength and confidence to turn it on."
Carmen Hamel, COPE Participant
The follow-up coaching with Anita Watts was life-changing. She helped us reach a deeper level of understanding of ourselves as individuals and as a couple. She had this amazing tickle-trunk of tools and exercises and knew exactly what to pull out of it to challenge us to new levels of understanding, problem solving, communication and self-awareness. During the months of follow-up sessions, we were able to discuss and address stuck-points that had been plaguing our relationship for several years. Today our relationship is stronger than ever, and we experience more joy and connection in all areas of our lives. We think it's fair to say that without COPE and especially the time spent with Anita, we would probably not be together today and definitely not getting married next summer. PTSD is still a reality in our relationship but it has finally moved to the back seat and is no longer the primary focus. We are managing it and not the other way around.
We highly recommend Anita as a life-coach for individuals and couples. From the first time we spoke to her on the telephone, we were comfortable and confident that we could trust her to guide us on our paths. She is very compassionate and understanding and has a great sense of humour yet is always professional. It took only a few sessions before we felt like we had known her all our lives, and we were disappointed to realize our final session was just around the corner. We cannot say enough about the valuable contribution she has made to our recovery. The COPE program was excellent but it was the follow-up coaching with Anita that brought it to life and allowed us to make it a part of our day-to-day lives. Patricia & Russ, COPE Participants
"Sophie's coaching is so empowering! Whether you are trying to rise above a setback or initiate something new in your life, she gives you the tools to make it happen. She helps you define the behaviours to adopt, and teaches you the needed skills to acquire so you can reach your goal, experience positive self-growth and have more confidence in your journey. Love her.” Dominique Y. Frataccia
"In only six months, Sophie proved to be an incredible coach with an exceptional presence, even on the phone! She was able to help me find my own answers, awakening me to my strengths and personal qualities so my inner essence could emerge freely. The expertise and kindness she displays in her coaching have allowed me to connect to my deepest self.” Hélène Gravel
"COPE is 100% engaging couple coaching/counselling and the way to go to manage PTSD. Given we have 4 younger children at home and one of us is working full time outside of the home, we found it challenging to put aside the time to actually make the calls. But because our coach Anita Watts was truly amazing, every time we got off the phone we were excited and energized... we have tried so many different professionals and techniques ... this works!
We cannot put a dollar figure on it. We want to send you so much gratitude for what you have done for us... your approach by far the best we have ever had ... you have helped us more than you will ever know. This opportunity opened-up a whole new level of intimacy, support, partnership, and love in our marriage. Our children are much better supported, and we can see a huge difference in how we interact with them. Our home is happier. Our children are happier. Thank you COPE we are forever grateful!" Debra and Jason Fortune, COPE Participants
"We just finished our last Coaching session with our coach Laura Spiegel. We found the coaching with her to be a great experience and we actually looked forward to our sessions with her. Laura ended up being perfect for us.
I can’t express how much the COPE experience has helped us. We still have a few challenges but what we have learnt from this experience has made our challenges much easier to deal with, especially for me. Thank you for such and amazing program and all the work you put into it. We feel very fortunate to have been able to be a part of it." Sandy H, COPE Participant
"On behalf of my husband and myself I would like to take this opportunity to explain our post- COPE experience over the past 6 months with our life-coach Anita Watts. Shortly after completion of our 5 day COPE program were delighted to be paired up with her. My husband
was a former police officer and Anita was the "perfect fit" for us!
From our very first session, Anita was extremely easy to talk to...very professional, knowledgeable and courteous. Throughout our sessions she remained patient, astute, mindful and empathetic regarding our situation and concerns. She always explained her methods and why she was using them at the time. Anita was our constant "cheer-leader"! Ever enthusiastic and positive. She was always giving us a morality "boost" and offering nuggets of wisdom to help us utilize our COPE tools. She provided interesting exercises and techniques to keep us focused, pumped and open-minded throughout our 6 month sessions. All the while, her keen perception and sense of humour kept things lighthearted and
positive.
Jim and I always looked forward to our upcoming appointment with Anita...confident that she would be able to guide us wisely on whatever issue we needed to focus on at the time, yet each session was skillfully built on the one before. Throughout our coaching sessions Jim and I have learned to respect each other's feelings and thoughts, express our feelings honestly with each other, how to handle "triggers" when they arise and how to deal with conflict in a calm and mature manner.
Jim and I are confident that Anita helped us reach most of our COPE goals! We realize that we have a lifetime challenge ahead but thanks to COPE and Anita, we now have extended knowledge and 6 months of practice under our belts as a base to continue this on our own and with the guidance of our own local psychologists. We believe Anita enhanced our coaching experience by giving us timely advice, tools ,confidence and greater communication skills.
Jim and I are optimistic that we can continue to grow and utilize these newly acquired skills to the best of our abilities and on a regular basis from here on in. In addition to all the above, Anita was always very accommodating in regards to booking or re-scheduling appts. around our needs and time zone. Although our coaching sessions have ended, I wouldn't hesitate to call Anita in an emergency as I know she would "be there" if the need arose. We sincerely hope that we may one day meet her in person as she has be such a wonderful mentor during our PTSD journey! Jim and Rosanne Butler, COPE Participant
"In speaking with Anita Watts, it forced me to think, listen and clearly articulate responses because of her excellent listening and communication skills. Anita invigorated clear and thought provoking conversation. She has outstanding listening skills that shapes conversations towards achieving personal goals. I certainly can say that when a person rationally and respectfully communicates and receives the same in return, that was a powerful process for me to experience with Anita.
Anita always focused on the solution. We didn't dwell on the past or the problem, but continued to look at solutions. Anita had a way of communicating that stimulated my mind and forced me to be more open and able to rationalize more effectively and think more clearly. Her coaching has drastically contributed in giving me the ability to "focus" and define my "purpose". Exposure to her skills have enabled me to focus on what matters in life for me and my future." Charles Solomons, COPE Participant
"My husband and I want to extend our thanks again for your wonderful coaching. We are very grateful to have the opportunity to benefit from Nathalie Laurin's experience. Every time I get off the phone with you I find myself saying, 'wow, she's really good'. I have talked to a lot of different people throughout this whole journey, from family and friends to professionals, and I have to say that I haven't gotten as much out of them in all this time (3 years) that I have gotten in our short time coaching so far. You have an amazing way of putting things into perspective and really offering some solid techniques to help deal with it. I have found that with some others, there tends to be an explanation of what is happening but I have found myself still saying at the end of the session 'yes, but what do I do now'. Of course I am thankful for all of the support I have gotten over the years and I am sure that me feeling much better recently is a culmination of several things but I just wanted you to know how much you have helped us both in such a short time." COPE Participants
"Our main takeaway while working with Anita Watts, is the realization that we do more deeper communication with each other and we are more open and honest with each other. John's main goal at the beginning was that he wanted to be more heard and at the end of the 6 months he feels that their messages come across differently to each other in a way that he is being heard and is at a 9 on a scale of 10. Allie feels she is listening more and has gotten much better at understanding John's condition.
Both Allie and I feel the program has definitely been worth having and doing. Having weekly check ins has made it that much more successful. When I look at similar programs that are a weekend or 10 days, once it is over, thats it! Had we just had the weekend program without the follow up coaching we would not have followed through with the skills that we learned plus we learned even more with the added 6 months of coaching.
We now do our own modified PITT - what it has done for us is opened the lines of communication. We are still together and function much better now. We will continue to keep doing the things we have been doing through this process. Keeping it simple will be the key for us."
John and Allie, COPE
“Coaching sessions with Laura Spiegel helped me to see my partner as an ally and work towards better understanding each other. We set goals to grow as individuals and as a couple, and achieved what we set out to accomplish." Jane Arbing, RSW, Social Worker, COPE
“I see my life as an arena, and as I stand in its centre, curve balls get lobbed at me: love, death, birth, retrenchment, beginnings, endings, happiness, sadness. Being involved with a military spouse with PTSD has been like trying to hit a cannon ball with a badminton racquet or trying to catch a fly ball with the sun in my eyes. I was so concerned with the size and type of ball (problem) being thrown that I forgot that I had the reflexes, knowledge and savvy to catch it, look at it from all angles and become so familiar with it that I was no longer afraid of it.
Laura Spiegel helped me to find my strengths and guided me to use them to overcome my weaknesses. Instead of ducking away from the ball, avoiding it, running out of the arena and hiding or attempting to hit it back to where it came from, Laura coached me to see it, anticipate it, and plan what to do with it. To hold my hands out, to catch it and to be in control of where it goes to from there. That power and game plan has allowed me to control my reactions and reflexes in every relationship arena in my life – my family, my friends, my sports, recreation, marriage and our PTSD challenges. Laura has guided, coached, listened, and understood what my needs were without judgment, without condescension and without putting me in a “category”.
She personalized the coaching to my quirks, my moods, my needs, my highs and lows and my end goals. She has given me suggestions, practical advice and plenty of tools to use in every situation. As with all tools – they do not work unless you use them. I am very grateful to Laura for guiding me so gently and skilfully to the light switch and giving me the strength and confidence to turn it on."
Carmen Hamel, COPE Participant
The follow-up coaching with Anita Watts was life-changing. She helped us reach a deeper level of understanding of ourselves as individuals and as a couple. She had this amazing tickle-trunk of tools and exercises and knew exactly what to pull out of it to challenge us to new levels of understanding, problem solving, communication and self-awareness. During the months of follow-up sessions, we were able to discuss and address stuck-points that had been plaguing our relationship for several years. Today our relationship is stronger than ever, and we experience more joy and connection in all areas of our lives. We think it's fair to say that without COPE and especially the time spent with Anita, we would probably not be together today and definitely not getting married next summer. PTSD is still a reality in our relationship but it has finally moved to the back seat and is no longer the primary focus. We are managing it and not the other way around.
We highly recommend Anita as a life-coach for individuals and couples. From the first time we spoke to her on the telephone, we were comfortable and confident that we could trust her to guide us on our paths. She is very compassionate and understanding and has a great sense of humour yet is always professional. It took only a few sessions before we felt like we had known her all our lives, and we were disappointed to realize our final session was just around the corner. We cannot say enough about the valuable contribution she has made to our recovery. The COPE program was excellent but it was the follow-up coaching with Anita that brought it to life and allowed us to make it a part of our day-to-day lives. Patricia & Russ, COPE Participants
"Sophie's coaching is so empowering! Whether you are trying to rise above a setback or initiate something new in your life, she gives you the tools to make it happen. She helps you define the behaviours to adopt, and teaches you the needed skills to acquire so you can reach your goal, experience positive self-growth and have more confidence in your journey. Love her.” Dominique Y. Frataccia
"In only six months, Sophie proved to be an incredible coach with an exceptional presence, even on the phone! She was able to help me find my own answers, awakening me to my strengths and personal qualities so my inner essence could emerge freely. The expertise and kindness she displays in her coaching have allowed me to connect to my deepest self.” Hélène Gravel
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