Testimonials
This is what people have said about working with Cynthia and attending her meetings:
"I have been attending the SMART Recovery Toronto meetings for over 3 years. I met Cynthia back in 2020 and have been going to her online meetings ever since. She is extremely committed and has such passion for the work. She goes above and beyond to ensure her participants feel heard and safe within the community and we leave feeling supported. Her Thursday meeting has been and continues to be one of my anchors in this recovery journey. Not only has Cynthia supported me, but she has also supported my friends and family through this process when she and her husband David ran the SMART Toronto Family & Friends program. I am so grateful and proud of having the opportunity to know and be supported by someone like Cynthia! Sincerely, L.P."
"I'm writing to share my experiences as a participant. I've been attending Cynthia's groups since May 2022. I keep coming back for so many reasons. I learn so much from the way she runs the groups; there is so much opportunity to learn from others. Sometimes when I'm in groups, I find it can be a complicated negotiation to support everyone's participation and make sure the space is shared in a healthy, supportive way. When I'm in Cynthia's groups, I never have this concern. She shares her knowledge based on her own experiences in a way that I have found so relevant to support my recovery. She brings in compassion when responding to people's shares, and does so without ever being patronizing. She navigates people's shares to promote a safe space and one that stays focused on recovery. I love that she starts the meetings with a topic in mind; however, this can change as we complete our check-in. If she notices a theme, she asks the group how they feel about shifting the topic slightly to include what was brought up. I love that this makes me feel heard. It makes me feel like what I have to say matters. Recovery is tough. I've had my share of struggles. So, to attend a group where I know it will be managed respectfully, where I know what to expect, where everyone's voice matters, and with a facilitator who makes sure that the code of conduct is adhered to each meeting is very important for me. I recommend Cynthia's groups. If I cannot attend, I feel like I’ve missed out. Cynthia is generous with her knowledge, her compassion, and her time and I have learned so much from attending her groups; I know I have much more to learn. Thank you, T.J."
"We learn from Cynthia's meeting that we are like-minded people who are 3 days into recovery and 4 years into recovery. We can learn from everyone in different stages."
"The peer support at Cynthia’s meeting is helpful, and I can relate to everyone there, which elevates me from isolation and builds relationships with everyone from different people who are in different stages in recovery."
"Cynthia’s meeting provided education and a community that I didn't have before. Without this community, I don't know where I would be."
"I appreciate that recovery makes me responsible for my choices, and using science-based evidence, I get to be accountable for my life. REBT and CBT are so helpful in my recovery. And I get to be in control."
"The Thursday meeting has been everything to me. When I first met Cynthia, I felt dead inside and out. Take away the drugs, and I realized that it wasn't the drugs. There was so much work to do, and I am on that path with recovery. There are many good and bad days, and I can deal with it. I've learned to set boundaries with people. I never knew I could have this life right now, and I am so grateful for this work. It's hard, but I have faith after being here at these meetings."
"I don't feel alone now. I can ask questions, and I feel like I am with people who accept me, love me, and I know I won't be judged."
"The thing I appreciate most about Cynthia’s meeting is how much it teaches me about myself. The tools can be used in multiple ways effectively, and I learn something new in almost every meeting. I appreciate the pragmatic approach in her groups, and the bonds formed are what keep me coming back each the week."
"Cynthia’s meeting is a place that allows me to ask questions, and the answers are based on science, which I appreciate. You don't get that everywhere. The more meetings I attend, the more I learn that there is exposure to so much. I've met great people, new friends who understand me, who accept me, and this provides me a life free from addiction."
"Dear Cynthia, I found great value in attending your meetings. The way you connect with all participants and create an open, transparent space is unique. I know organizing and maintaining such a community requires a lot of hard work. Thank you, N.H."
"Cynthia’s meeting helped me get my life back. I am a science guy. I don't mean to knock 12 Steps because they help so many people too. But I didn't believe in a higher power being able to help me years ago. I love the evidence behind these tools that proves this has been helpful for so many people. It is a huge part of my recovery. I do meetings in the facility where I work. I am now mentoring others. This positive approach helped save my life, so I enjoy passing that along to other people too. C.M."
"I love the positive reinforcement in Cynthia’s meetings. It inspires me to move forward and keep pushing on."
"Bonjour! I wanted to email you directly to let you know how much I have appreciated everything you have done for SMART Recovery in Canada! I started attending your meetings almost three years ago, and if it were not for your help, I feel that I would not be clean and sober! My parents and spouse are also extremely grateful for the for attending the friends and family meetings you and your husband hosted. This allowed them to get a better understanding of addiction and mental health disorders. It has allowed us to be able to work together for optimal chances in my recovery. I know you have been instrumental in my recovery, and I wanted to specifically mention how grateful I am to you personally for my recovery. I appreciate all of the time you put in, and your passion for what you do is clearly evident. Merci! M.G."
"I've done so many rehab programs, and so many different recovery groups. When you have a setback, you don't lose recovery time. It's not about losing days; in Cynthia’s meeting, it's about picking up and moving forward."
"No one in Cynthia’s meetings is better or worse. We are all the same, and we are equal. We are all human and make mistakes."
"The evidence-based tools Cynthia shares are awesome. They are life skills I wish I learned before because these are skills I would have benefitted from years and years ago."
"In my addiction, I was often led to be around scary homeless people, being around those people no one wants to be around. But when I come to Cynthia’s meeting, I feel like I am in a non-judgmental place. I can relate to the people here, and I feel safe and welcomed."
"I just really like the great meetings. Cynthia has so much knowledge to share. She is challenging us, and it is so educational. That is how I grow and learn. I love how Cynthia thinks about recovery and how it inspires me to want to do better and do what works for me."
"My life has changed so drastically since coming to Cynthia’s meeting. My life was so tough before, but now I have a balance, and I've learned to reconnect with people in my life and have so many beautiful moments that wouldn't have happened without attending these meetings."