Testimonials:
“I was in a very unhealthy marriage and during the divorce process I moved to Lawrence to start over. Looking to find ways to pick up the pieces, I found Alva Dean Consulting. I am very grateful for the community and integration services, they've helped guide me to a better, calmer place in my mind and life. Through their coaching process I've navigated caring for an elderly parent, found more engaging work and a loving relationship. I'd recommend these services to anyone seeking healing and teachings. ”
— RB.
“Ian’s consulting work has impacted my life in profound and unexpected ways. I have found community and inspiration through his formation of the Lawrence Psychedelic Society. Additionally, his input and support have been greatly helpful for my personal journey towards education and development. Within the last year I have been able to orient my professional goals and restructure my social life, either of which I would not have been able to achieve without Ian’s work. His creativity, practicality, and abilities as both a listener and communicator means he was able to meet me where I was, and is able to consult on a variety of issues. I would look to him again for further guidance in the future.”
—— LB.
TT
What changes have you made since we've been working together?
“I have gotten better at not smoking as much most of the time but I have hiccups once in a while.”
What is working well for you/what needs improvement?
“My meds are working well and I need to improve on my continuing to exercise more regularly.”
What am I doing well/where can I improve?
“I believe your ability to communicate and have open conversations makes you very easy to talk to. I personally don't think you need to improve on how you have worked with me. You are like a best friend that I have known for years. Which makes opening up and talk to you so much easier and the fact that you are also open about your own experiences. I greatly appreciate that you can ask and be asked questions in all of our talks it makes it seem so much more open and friendly!!!”
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KC
“You are good hearted. You are also very flexible in helping me with my needs. You are a good nonjudgmental listener. A sense of humor seems to come natural to you. You help me stay on track when I am talking off base.”
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BM
What changes have you made since we've been working together?
“I have decided that I wouldn't be the guy to reach out to my nontalking boys. I have gotten back into my monthly work with my counselor and I am keeping my appointments with my med provider and getting on better psych meds.”
What is working well for you/what needs improvement?
“Staying active has really improved my life. Making sure that I am accountable with my weekly activity with you. With Mathew and the woman who has blue hair. I always tried to get out of my meetings with them and I have never wanted not to participate in our meetings.”
What am I doing well/where can I improve?
“You make sure that you are explaining things in a way that I fully understand. You make it a point to make sure that we talk every week, unlike Mathew and blue did. I don't see that you need to make any adjustments in your schedule for me. Plus you have given me a good insight on how I can make sure that I have something good to eat. You seem a good fit with me. You made it happen and I was able to make a home here.”
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CD
What changes have you made since we've been working together?
“I’ve been able to set better healthy goals for myself (sometimes bouncing some ideas off of you)”
What is working well for you/what needs improvement?
“I liked when we first started meeting that we would set some goals for me (writing them down before you leave). I’d like to start doing that again.”
What am I doing well/where can I improve?
“I really appreciate the extra time you give when your able to and helping me with things. I like the fact that you listen to what I have to say and that if I have a problem or issue you help me try to problem solve them. If we don’t have a solution by the time my time is up you, you stay in contact with me throughout the week to see what I’ve come up with and we talk about it the next week when we meet.”
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CM
What changes have you made since we've been working together?
“My goals: losing weight, working on anxiety and depression, exercise/weightlifting, getting to work with someone besides my mom, separation anxiety disorder - independence. Night eating and portion control. Changes I am is working on: scheduling times to eat or not eat, managing anxiety, portion control and good sleep.”
What is working well for you/what needs improvement?
“What is working well for me: losing weight - down 14lbs, helping with portion control, more independence. Work is going well. Working out and deciding what to do during our sessions. Not having as many sever outbursts, not having to go to emergency services as much. I need improvement on: Staying in bed and going back to sleep. Portion control outside of eating home meals.”
What am I doing well/where can I improve?
“Keeping me on track, checking in with questions about progress. Always friendly, working out and talking. You are a calm presence. I need more help reviewing notes and follow through.”
“I knew I needed help navigating the psychedelic space. Alva Dean worked with me to understand my emotional needs and the psychedelic treatment plan from my provider to help me navigate a new and sometimes bewildering world. Eighteen months later, I’m still finding new insights and resources as I continue integrating supportive practices on my healing journey.”
— RG.
MM
What changes have you made since we've been working together?
“I’ve changed my attitude and now look forward to the future.”
What is working well for you/what needs improvement?
“What’s working well for me is my sobriety and my desire to serve others.”
What am I doing well/where can I improve?
“You’re doing well in the ability to help others and give your undivided attention! Nothing needs improving!”
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TB
What changes have you made since we've been working together?
“Keeping my appointments”
What is working well for you/what needs improvement?
“Getting out when I can”
What am I doing well/where can I improve?
“Listening and helping me with things I need”
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EJ
What changes have you made since we've been working together?
“I'm standing up for myself and saying lose my number and blocked and deleted them […] I know I need to take solitude with me and Angel and take care of myself first and but I'm not afraid to love someone totally unconditional love no strings attached no expectations they don't have to say and act the way I want, I appreciate them for who they are and you basically just show me just treat me the way I like to be treated; the Golden rule”
What is working well for you/what needs improvement?
“You reminded me you can change your life through mindfulness determination making a choice and you know you accept my faith-based approach and smart recovery is the greatest thing I'm starting to study […] you taught me a lot of firsthand experience of knowledge that's gnosis in Greek, that's true wisdom and encouragement for me you know and I've really become a person that I often just say thank you for being in my life to people. You accept me the way I am too and that helps too that's working well acceptance positive affirmations just because you're positive and non-judgmental and just help me work on the stuff I've always been working with but life gets in the way.”
What am I doing well/where can I improve?
“Just being yourself is constant improvement with helping me you're perfect the way you are you're born perfect and I just appreciate you 110% forever you know I hope if you stop being my case manager and life coach that we run into each other […] you're always improving you're always there in the same way positive and you know if I say something rude you forgive me because you know I sparked out when I left my therapist she goes yeah he's a really good person he's been traumatized and I'm ever hopeful and grateful […] you’ve drawn strong boundary lines like when you made your decision stop drinking and smoking you just did together with your companion and you found new friends that like a clean lifestyle.”
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FD
What changes have you made since we've been working together?
“I have been able to do some things for myself but with all I’ve got going on, get through all this.”
What is working well for you/what needs improvement?
“Meeting weekly works well but I need to remember all the things I’m supposed to do and really still don’t know what to do or who to call about a brain injury. I need help still.”
What am I doing well/where can I improve?
“A lot of times I don’t know what to do and who to call because I’ve never had to know. I’ve never had a brain injury. And because of this, I’m at a loss. Pain is a big deal and I know we’re working on this but I’ve been in pain and had to deal with it on my own in the past and still feel alone. I would like you to go with me and be more involved so I don’t feel so alone. You know I’ve been doing this on my own and I really do need help.”