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Testimonials There has been great
success with these workshops since they started running two years ago. Upon follow up many attendees have indicated being
able to overcome their fears and phobias and found the workshops to be a valuable experience. Below are some of the testimonials.
"The thought of learning about and how to handle/control/overcome/remove
fears and phobias interested me a great deal and the fact that almost the entire course was devoted it I was very pleased
with. I like to ask a lot of questions, so as to understand everything completely and this is what I did, I asked a lot of
questions. Kari was always happy to answer them and doing so every point was clarified along the way. Nothing was hurried
or rushed; it all moved forward at a steady pace and never lost its interest, quite a feat for the whole course. Your rapport
with the audience, you eye contact, your emphasis on key words and key points made for the best presentation I have attended
to date. Your knowledge of the subjects is infallible. I would strongly recommend others to do this course. Kari Sotamaa has
a very personable way about him which instantly put listeners at ease. Six weeks of thorough professionalism is what I experienced.
A beautiful communication style expresses the facts and theories in a most easily understood manner. You are entertained,
curious, surprised and refreshed all at once. I learned how to see my fears, understand them, control or remove them when
they occur or at present and move on with my life. The course is positive. No one point can I single out, it was all of interest
and relevance. If you want to create a future freedom and possibilities allow Kari the opportunity to show you the way."
Rob Woolley, Christchurch, New Zealand This is the second class I have attended of Kari’s. I also attended a weekly depression group
he runs and I sometimes see him one on one. When I think of Kari I think of the song ’I can see clearly now the rain
has gone’ as for me he has lifted the fog (rain) that consumed me all day and now I can start to see clearly what I
have been thinking and feeling and doing for years that has led me to the state I was in.
Kari is a fantastic person, he is very knowledgeable, has a lot of insight into things, has had a tremendous amount
of personal experiences of his own. He is feeling satisfied and eager for next week’s class to start. He gives out homework,
which I feel is very beneficial as it keeps us on track, and makes us go over things we covered in class. Thus reinforcing
it.
I feel it is not very often that you can say that someone has made
a genuine difference in your life in a positive way. But I can honestly say this about Kari. I am so grateful that he came
into my life and that I have been able to spend so much time with him. Keep up the good work Kari. Well done!
Cheryl Kerr, Oakleigh, East, Victoria, Australia
Life was showing me the worst of all times. I was stressed out, burned out
and unable to cope. I needed help to get me through so I searched the internet for treating psychologists in whose care
I could confidently put myself. Positive Psychology seemed to offer the services I needed and conversations with Counsellor/Retreat
Facilitator Kari Sotamaa filled me with confidence that I would find what I needed there. My first impression of Positive
Psychology was of the warmth and approachability of their practitioners, and before long felt like part of the family.
Having now spent several weeks in an intensive treatment program in their clinics I have
been equipped to face the worst that life can throw at me. Under their guidance, my physical health has improved measurably.
Early in the program I gave up smoking, alcohol, caffeine and meat and very soon I was less tired in the daytime and needed
less sleep at night. Gradually my skin improved and I suffered less from my various chronic illnesses so that I no longer
needed any pain killers or other medications. A program of gentle exercises and learning how to breathe properly have
also contributed to these benefits.
The feel good factor is fantastic, and it’s not just a passing sensation it’s a prolonged
state of mind. But it took more than physical gains to get me there. I have learned to let go of feelings that
cause distress and that makes things a lot easier. I look back in disbelief at the bank of bitterness I was holding
on to; every dirty deed that had been done to me over the years was carefully catalogued and every moment of joy was skilfully
forgotten. How had I justified expending so much energy on feeling bad? But letting go wasn’t easy, my state
of mind was defensible and familiar, and felt right, but by changing my perspective I came to realise that it would be a good
idea to do some things differently in order to ensure future happiness.
So I
have started to make peace with the world and with myself. I know it’s going to take a lot of time and patience
and hard work before these new behaviours feel natural to me, but it’s comforting how right they feel and that gives
me confidence that I can transform myself.
Matt,
Australia
"Kari is a good + interesting speaker. The
course is interesting + varied + held my attention. I went into the course with no expectation + an open mind. I came to realize
that my own fears and phobias are very small part of a bigger picture. I was highly privileged to have been able to attend
this course. There is more than enough good information for me to digest + put into practice, + I know it will enrich my life.
I recommend the course to other with a desire to advance their self development. The workshop is full days and good value
for money."
Bruce Whitfield, Christchurch, New Zealand
"I attended a two-day workshop given by Kari Sotamaa. A wonderful experience!
First class in every way! He fully empathized with the workshop participants.
He is able to explain his own recovery, in terms which other sufferers can understand. Very professional! A profound experience
for us. Not to be missed ...honored to be participant and left feeling deeply moved and at peace. Very highly recommended."
Nina Whitfield, Christchurch, New Zealand
I participated in a one-day course facilitated by Kari and I really enjoyed it. I was not sure what to expect when
I committed to participate, but expectation were exceeded. Kari seemed to regard helping people resolve psychological problems
as his mission in life, and was totally committed to it. His articulateness and skill with technology was impressive, and
there were many opportunities for audience participation. Kari, I think you could make a relaxation recording and sell it!
I was very to have such a professional facilitator! The course was an inspiration."
Stephen Hoare-Vance, Christchurch, New Zealand
"Kari is an extremely fine facilitator. Not only does he display great empathy, patience, and understanding,
he is also a very kind young man. Sensitive, well chosen background music accompanies many exercises thereby enhancing their
mood + momentum. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity of participating in 2 Kari’s workshops. He is a fine young
man, mature beyond his years. So I can certainly recommend his courses in every way. Thank you Kari!"
Sylvia Ronayne, Auckland, New Zealand
"Kari
workshops were very supportive without judgments. I didn’t expect to experience such breakthrough in my personal journey.
Kari has great charisma and radiates love and acceptance which made me feel comfortable to explore my vulnerabilities and
issues. I throughout enjoyed his workshops and learned a lot!"
Charlotte,
Auckland, New Zealand I joined the Fears and Phobias class not because I though I
had any hit I had had other sessions with Kari and found him to be very interesting, honest and open about his own experience.
This I appreciated greatly. I wanted to spend more time with him and learn more to help myself. When the class started I suddenly
realised I had several fears and phobias. During the class I learned a lot and started to enjoy new experiences, talking in
front of people, using the computer, looking up dating sites and actually talking to other men and enquiring about different
courses and jobs I could do. I learned that I could do these things –successfully. I grew as a person, and the others
in the class were very supportive and interesting as well. I can’t thank Kari enough and I look forward to doing other
classes with him soon.
Cheryl Kerr, Melbourne, Australia
Overcoming the Fears and Phobias course organised by Kari Sotamaa was good. The atmosphere was relaxing and that was mainly
due to the effects of Kari who conducted it well. I always felt relaxed after the sessions. There was a bit of homework, but
that enabled us to understand the root causes of fears and phobias.
Overall it was relaxing, rewarding and enabled
us to think and reflect in the causes and how to brake them. A lot of advise and techniques were given during the course.
I could overcome my stage fright and that opened up new things to experience in life.
Hamilton Perek, Melbourne, Australia
I found Kari’s Fears and Phobias group to be very
good. Kari creates a laid back but professional group. Knowing Kari has gone through similar problems makes you listen even
more. Thanks Kari,
Regards
Darren
Findlay, Balwyn Victoria, Australia
I found totally inspiring
to hear Kari's stories of what he have gone through and how brave he has been to keep pushing himself through barriers,
when its so easy to sit back and not push and challenge ourselves as it is too uncomfortable and scary. Some of us seem to
enjoy things to be simple. By pushing ourselves we meet other people that are just like ourselves facing the challenges that
life presents to us. So by joining Kari's workshop was great for the soul and hopefully a lot more people hear about his
workshops and learn from the experience.
Val Morgan, Auckland, New Zealand
Kari has exceptional skill of making sense even to the most difficult issues. He's
way of using metaphors helps to understand feelings that would otherwise be hard to process. My personal life and growth in
profession has gained very much from conversations with Kari and his unconventional support. Kari's understanding on human
behavior and sensibility makes him one of the kind.
Pekka Holma, a
film maker, Helsinki, Finland
"I can most warmly recommend Kari as
a facilitator. I’ve had numerous coaching discussions with Kari and yet many of those have been very profound and therapeutic.
Kari is brave enough to speak about things using their right names, unlike many other therapists as far as my experience.
Especially, I respect the fact that he comprehends profoundly psychological phenomena and concepts because of his education
and vast life experience way beyond his age. As a character Kari is courageous, open, and always willing to help. I can honestly
say that Kari educates himself all the time in order to give the best for his clients. He does everything for his clients
and I’ll be always grateful for that!"
Anna, Helsinki, Finland
"When I first met Kari I immediately felt at ease. He made me feel
comfortable enough to be honest and express my true feelings and emotions. Kari has a sense of warmth, compassion and true
caring about him. I can easily tell how passionate he is about his profession and how he genuinely wants to help people better
their lives. It was also great to hear him talk about his own experiences and give examples about his own journey through
life. Kari has helped me see aspects of my life differently and has given me ideas, tools and motivations to make positive
changes for success in my life."
Briana Lawrence, South Australia
Contribution
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