Client Stories
How can you thank someone who changed your life forever? Ian helped where many others had failed. He cares deeply about his clients, being thorough and open in his approach. Ian freed me from a decade-long addiction that started in my childhood. He provided tools and guidance that allowed me to continue my recovery independently. After my success, two family members also saw dramatic improvements with his help. Initially hesitant about therapy, I now see it as one of the best decisions of my life. I feel emboldened and confident, no longer bound by fear or shame. Ian’s lessons have impacted nearly every aspect of my life. I am truly grateful.
Raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I struggled with pornography from age 8 and developed severe depression, anxiety, and sex addiction by my 20s. Despite initial control, my issues worsened, leading to a long-distance affair and deepening despair. Referred to Ian and Karyl, I felt hopeless initially, but their guidance helped me uncover that my problems were rooted in deep shame. They helped me realize my intrinsic worth and divine love, transforming my life. Within months, I went from despair to finding peace, joy, and daily connection with my Savior. I highly recommend Ian and Karyl for anyone ready to heal and find hope.
I started working with Ian and Karyl during a time of extreme emotional overload and numbness, struggling with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. In our first session, they quickly identified the root causes of my issues. Their guidance was invaluable in helping me process my situations, recognize my role in unhealthy habits, and adopt new tools for improving my thought processes and self-love. A year and a half later, my life has transformed. I’m now happy, aware of manipulation and emotional abuse, and able to set healthy boundaries. I’m deeply grateful to Ian and Karyl for helping me see things differently and rediscover my belief in myself.
My wife and I needed help navigating my addiction. Grateful for Ian who brought a completely different way of approaching this and helped me understand how to overcome it. Ever since I was a teenager, I battled with pornography addiction and had no idea why. Ian was an incredible source and guide to address the real issues and seek recovery. Forever grateful. There’s that line in Star Wars, “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.” That’s how I feel about Ian. After over two decades of battling this addiction, Ian broke down what was really going on and provided actionable steps to seek healing. Ian taught my wife and me how to talk about this addiction. No other counselor or therapist was able to break it down like Ian. It felt like the sky’s opened and we had light coming through. Finally, I could address the true source of my addiction.
I struggled to understand and integrate crucial principles of addiction recovery into our lives. I was convinced my husband's addiction was entirely his problem and that it was something he alone had to deal with. Ian helped me see that my role in his recovery was vital, not just his. I had to embrace my own growth and progress to truly support our marriage. Ian guided me through focusing on the overall progress rather than getting discouraged by daily setbacks. Realizing that these setbacks were part of the healing journey helped me maintain hope and foster compassion for my husband. Thanks to Ian, I’ve learned valuable principles that have not only saved our marriage but also improved me as an individual. My husband and I are deeply grateful for Ian's guidance
Before I worked with Ian, I had been fighting 10 years of addiction that started in when I was 11. My life was plagued by the same issues where others had failed to help me. I was skeptical about therapy, but Ian's intense dedication and thorough approach soon proved me wrong. Ian didn’t just help me overcome my addiction; he provided me with the tools and guidance to sustain my recovery independently. His support also led me to refer two family members to him, who experienced significant improvements in their own lives. Ian’s methods have empowered me to face life’s challenges without fear or shame. I now possess the techniques and mental resilience to handle not only my addiction but also other trials life throws my way. The invaluable lessons I learned from Ian have positively impacted nearly every aspect of my life. I am profoundly grateful for his life-changing support. In our first session, they quickly identified the root causes of my issues. Their guidance was invaluable in helping me process my situations, recognize my role in unhealthy habits, and adopt new tools for improving my thought processes and self-love. A year and a half later, my life has transformed. I’m now happy, aware of manipulation and emotional abuse, and able to set healthy boundaries. I’m deeply grateful to Ian and Karyl for helping me see things differently and rediscover my belief in myself.
"As a result of bad choices I got caught into addiction, I was desperate,hopeless, and depressed. I did not forget myself of all my bad acts and thought I was done. Ian's therapy helped me first to forgive myself and then helped me to get out of my hopelessness and depression. Ian had to move out of town but he left me on the right path towards my recovery, I am very grateful to him."
Before Ian, my situation was challenging, and I struggled to find inner strength on my own. Ian's guidance revealed mental and emotional tools that proved invaluable, far beyond any price. Despite the difficulty of the process, Ian's support showed me that it was worth every effort. Looking back, I would choose Ian again and again for his impact on my life. Thanks to Ian, I am now a stronger and more capable woman. His help was crucial in equipping me to navigate life’s complexities and find my role in the grand symphony of existence.
Before working with Ian, I was struggling with a 15-year addiction and had tried to overcome it on my own and with the help of loved ones. My initial hesitation about counseling faded as I realized how crucial Ian's role was in my recovery. Ian helped me uncover and address underlying emotions that were fueling my addiction—emotions I wasn’t even aware I had. His guidance led me to understand and manage these triggers, empowering me to battle my addiction with renewed strength and commitment. One of the most challenging yet transformative parts of our work was a 40-day media fast, which initially felt daunting due to the omnipresence of electronics. However, this period helped me reconnect with my family and discover more meaningful activities, such as spending quality time with my kids and reading books. I am immensely grateful for Ian's support and cannot recommend him enough. His approach has significantly changed my life for the better.
Ian has been crucial in my life over the past couple of years, helping me with a 15-year addiction. Initially hesitant about counseling, I'm now incredibly grateful I chose to work with Ian. He helped me uncover and address underlying emotions fueling my addiction, emotions I hadn't even recognized. By identifying these triggers and working through them, I gained the strength to battle my addiction effectively. Ian also challenged me to complete a 40-day media fast, which was tough but ultimately rewarding. This fast led me to reconnect with my family and rediscover life beyond electronics. Ian’s guidance has truly helped me find more meaningful aspects of life.
You played a significant role in my recovery journey after my excommunication, helping me overcome my self-forgiveness struggles. With your therapy, I managed to pass through that difficult phase. Despite this progress, I struggled with my addiction and my acceptance of being gay, which led me to rebel and lose faith in God. My life worsened until I discovered resources from the Church’s Gay Man site and North Star. Hearing testimonies from others in similar situations impacted me deeply. I began to believe that God did not make a mistake with my identity, and I stopped suffering. I joined Sexaholics Anonymous (SA), found support, and am committed to the 12-step program. I've been integrating practices from the SA big book and the Book of Mormon into my daily life. My involvement in SA has connected me with inspiring people and supportive groups, including a new Hispanic SA group. I now practice surrendering to God when facing temptation and have found peace and happiness. My relationship with Sandra has greatly improved, and I'm focusing on my recovery through my relationship with God and the 12 steps.
Ian made a huge difference in my counseling journey. Before working with him, I had seen many counselors, discussing the same issues—death, divorce, sexual abuse—without feeling any real progress. I feared it would take years to move on, if at all. With Ian, things progressed quickly. I found much more peace and relief, and was able to read through old journal entries about my abuse without significant emotional pain. Ian’s tools are incredibly valuable, offering lifelong support for any issues or feelings that arise.
I first met Karyl during a group workshop, where her caring and welcoming nature, combined with her matter-of-fact and confident approach, immediately stood out. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, this experience led me to seek one-on-one sessions with her, and she offered to provide couples coaching for my husband and me. Despite thinking we were fine, I trusted her and agreed. Initially reluctant, my husband and I were amazed after our first session. We looked at each other with a warmth and happiness I hadn't seen before. Since then, Karyl has equipped us with valuable tools to improve our communication, resolve conflicts, enjoy each other's company, and strengthen our love. The positive changes in our relationship are evident to us and to those around us. We’ve faced significant challenges that we could have never navigated without Karyl’s insightful techniques. Karyl's intuitive nature allows her to identify underlying issues without placing blame. She shows compassion for both sides and genuinely works as part of your team. She is dedicated to your success, providing tools to foster independence and growth. Thanks to Karyl's kindness and expertise, our future family will benefit greatly.
“If you want real help with relationships or want to support your friends or family, Ian and Karyl are your God-send! They don’t sugar coat things; you’ll be held accountable and confronted with what you’ve brought to the relationship. But they will also support you in overcoming your weaknesses, share hope for a better life, and guide you towards meaningful change. I didn’t think there was hope beyond divorce, but they made a difference. Their teachings are profound and transformative. It’s not easy, but investing in yourself and your loved ones will be worth it. Contact the Vassilaros today and change your life!”
I don't know if words can express the changes you have wrought in my life and shown me I can achieve. I am still healing, uncertain of the end, and aware that I may have a long journey ahead. Yet, I remember the beginning—when I was so suffocated by shame and guilt that living felt painful. The beginning was before you guided me to understand that I don’t deserve abuse, before I even thought life could be more than just "success," my prison. The beginning was when Karyl saw me as I was, recognizing my potential beyond what I was capable of seeing, and seeing in me who she used to be. It took faith to believe in you, to trust that you would ask the right questions and lead me to freedom from shame and self-imposed barriers. You and Ian are so knowledgeable, so kind, so firm in your boundaries, and so loving in your approach that denying your help would have meant lying to myself. I am profoundly grateful for how you persisted, gently guiding me down the path of healing, even when I didn’t believe I deserved it. To everyone reading this, there is no one I trust more with my life and my secrets than these two individuals. They have transformed my life forever, and I am confident they can guide you to the same liberation I’m experiencing. There is still much to be done, long paths to walk, and deep wounds to heal, but I know they are here for me, caring for me as friends. My love and gratitude are immeasurable, and I hope these words convey my appreciation fully.