Break Free From Anxiety: A 9-Month Course on the Art of Living

“To wake up to daily email from Sheryl was like receiving a note of encouragement from a good friend, every morning! It was the nourishment I required to forge on ahead with my established, gone by the wayside, and aspire to have ‘practices’ to help me on my path of life. To have Sheryl as a guide for 9 months was not only the best treat I gave to myself since becoming a mum, but I too made some surprising ‘lifelong’ friends along the way (or at least I hope they will be!) – and this was not something I was expecting.

“The most illuminating part for me was the deep dive into ‘resistance’ in trying to understand all the complex ways she shows up and manifests for me, but I also loved the pace of the whole course. We got to revisit all the realms at each trimester, with ample time for ‘pause’ and the just right amount of playful food for thought and suggestion along the way to stir my curiosity.

“The group calls with fellow participants have a magical way of making me feel connected to my HSP tribe out there, and normalise so much of my internal world – that it is not only a priceless benefit – but quenches a deep thirst and makes me hungry for more!

“The small group calls (which were optional) are still continuing weekly and has wonderful plans of unions, holiday destinations and in person connection! I am so hopeful that one day it come to fruition – but for now it’s a comforting thought and so welcomed in my ‘dreams’.

“With so much gratitude – despite my inbox feeling a little blue now that it’s over – thank you Sheryl.”

Ruth, Edinburgh

I came to this course having already done the Break Free From Relationship Anxiety self-paced course, which had been very helpful. The 9-month course, however, was really something else and exactly what I needed in order to achieve a breakthrough. I cannot thank Sheryl enough for all the work she put in this course, and it fully delivered. Receiving an email every single day for 9 months gave a consistent influx of energy and resulted in my response to anxiety gradually changing – which I didn’t think was possible! The forum and the group calls (including the small groups) were also extraordinarily helpful in connecting with like-minded people and in receiving and sharing support.

The biggest change I noticed is that I have stopped being afraid of the anxiety itself. I never thought I would be able to become curious about what the anxiety was trying to say, but it’s exactly what happened. As a concrete result I finally had the courage to ask my girlfriend to move in together, which I had been postponing after several years of being crippled by relationship anxiety. Not only did the fear fade away, but it was replaced by a quiet excitement and optimism towards the future. I realized probably for the first time in my life that I was the one responsible for my own inner well being. It took a lot of dedication to get there, and this course was exactly the help I needed. I cannot recommend it enough!

Hubert in Toronto

“The thing I loved most were the online calls. The stories of other people all around the world helped me a lot to normalize what I was feeling – often removing that veil of guilt and shame I was used to feel towards myself – and often provided me with food for thoughts. In addition, Sheryl’s voice is already healing in itself! Would I do it again? Absolutely yes. The suffering is still there and also the unexpected as normal part of life but I’ve learned and I’m still learning to accept all of this and I finally feel like I’m in real control of my life as I can see what happen in my mind – as a response of what happen in life – and I can choose how to respond. It’s of course not always easy but at least I’m now aware I have a choice.”

Francesca, Milan, Italy

Sheryl’s approach is not a quick fix solution, but a true holistic approach into all aspects of one’s life – the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Sheryl has crafted the class to speak to many different learning styles, and the very fact that she takes this into consideration, is just one example of how thoughtful and unique her class is. I looked forward to reading the daily emails which are filled with not only substantive information, but examples from Sheryl’s own life, her client’s experiences (shared with permission) and other example scenarios so that you can easily apply it to your own life or understand how the principles she is teaching relate to specific incidents so then you are able to recognize it in the future when it appears in your own life.

My favorite part of the class were the group calls where Sheryl provides one-on-one support to individual callers. She provides more insight in a 15-minute conversation then any therapist I’ve ever worked with over the course of weeks or months. Also, it was incredibly helpful to hear about what other individuals are struggling with, and I was really surprised about how much I could relate to every single caller’s experience. It’s often difficult to recognize your own struggles/limiting beliefs/etc, but by listening to other callers, I could more objectively understand the points Sheryl was bringing up and then connect the dots to my own life. Sheryl creates the most welcoming, safe and open environment so that each caller feels that they can be vulnerable and it was always incredibly beautiful and touching to hear each caller’s stories. In a world where we hear such negative news every day, I always walked away from the calls thinking that people are sensitive and beautiful creatures. Also, if you are a highly sensitive person, each call was like someone else was reading your mind and that this group of people act and feel the exact same way you do. It was incredibly validating and comforting to know there are others that think identically to the “weird” way you think and live all around the world from big cities, small towns, and even other countries.

There are many therapists and coaches out there who are a lot of fluff and flash without a lot of substance – but Sheryl is the real deal! I’m a tough customer (a type A, lawyer, perfectionist), and this class really exceeded my expectations!’

Tracey, Los Angeles, CA

It was a true delight to wake up every morning to a new email from Sheryl for nine months. The information had time to drop in and percolate, which gave me many new insights. In particular, the module on resistance was eye-opening for me. It helped me identify all the sneaky ways resistance has held the reins in my life and has prevented me from making healthy choices, addressing old wounds and shifting faulty mindsets. Resistance wants to keep you stuck, and this course is the perfect medicine to get you unstuck… or at the very least, illuminate the mechanisms that keep you on the hamster wheel.

I also loved the small group aspect of this course. Our group bonded on a very deep level. We met over video chat weekly throughout the nine months, and continue to meet now even though the course is done. For the first time in my life, I feel safe in a group setting, and I’m building lifelong friendships with like-minded, creative, spiritual HSPs. I don’t know how I ever would have found a group of kindred spirits like this one if not for this course.

Whether you are new to Sheryl’s work or have been at it for a while, I highly recommend this course. It is packed with information and wisdom and support, while being infused with a sense of mystery and the divine. It felt like a sacred cocoon with Sheryl as guide. I may not be a butterfly just yet, but I’m starting to trust that the transformation is possible. ”

Alina, Los Angeles, CA

Christina, Germany

Emily, Chicago

“Off the top off my head, I would like to mention that this course began when I was in the midst of moving all the way across the world, and it was my anchor in reaaaaally tumultuous times. The emails were the most helpful for me because they reminded me every day to turn inward. I couldn’t make the group calls due to the time difference, but I could still feel like a part of a community somehow – knowing that others were getting these exact emails at the exact same time was really comforting to me. I loved the organization of the course, the rest days, the steps, the loving actions, the questions. I loved the videos the most because it felt like watching a teacher or a loving guide. The pace was also really well thought out and I LOVED the modules on Resistance; they really helped give me that little (or giant) push when it was hardest.

I’ve been a follower of your work for many years, and have taken three others courses. This course solidified and went deeper into what I had already learned beforehand. So not only did it help ground me in the information, but also went a lot deeper and into so much more detail. This said, I think that this course is also wonderful if you’re new to this kind of work! Simply because of how well its organized and how well you’re eased into all the information. Everything is explained beautifully, and I felt the course unfolded very organically. I fell of the horse a lot of times, but I always felt like that was okay. The emails would be there, and Sheryl made it feel like there was never any rush or end goal to begin with.

Overall, I really enjoyed this course. As a young 20-something that goes through an existential crisis what seems like weekly, this course has been an anchor as well as a teacher. So thank you, I would recommend it to anyone wishing to begin or go deeper into their growth/healing journey. Thank you so much, Sheryl.”

Diana Carolina, Tokyo

“This past year has brought about seismic shifts in my life for both personal (suicide of one parent, stroke in another) and professional reasons (I’m an ER doctor working in a covid-19 hotspot), and this past year has been one of the most challenging times in my life. I initially started by reading the “Wisdom of Anxiety,” and this was one of the foundational books that gifted me an anchoring perspective on what I was feeling that brought me much-needed peace and permission to feel/be. I then took the 9-month e-course that Sheryl offered, which was wonderful and very helpful in terms of content, direction, depth, and daily emails it provided. I would not hesitate in recommending taking this course, as it is an entry-way into learning about your inner realms and finding your anchors.”

Shahrzad, California

The BFFA course was absolutely transformational for me. Sheryl takes you on a personal quest and is the perfect, loving guide for the process. Trust Sheryl’s wisdom, show up for yourself, lean into the support provided through the course (group calls, your small group, the forum), and your own individual therapist if possible, and transformation will happen.

Amber in Tustin, CA (2020-21 round)

• Bryn in Boise, Idaho (2020-21 round)

Reading what you wrote today, I felt inspired to reach out and give a quick response. I’m really beginning to gain a deeper awareness and greater felt sense of what you mean by breaking free from the addictive thought cycles that have spun ceaselessly in my mind for many years — I’m now 36.

What I’ve come to realize through this course and doing other work is that dropping into and anchoring my awareness in my body – the felt, sensory, emotional aspects of life – opens up much more creativity in my thinking and new possibilities. And as you said, the key to doing so has been not to identify or judge my thoughts, just simply endeavor to practice self-observation w/out judgment. From that place, I see reality much more clearly and can deal with my problems effectively. I’m taking greater responsibility for my life, crafting a new way of being 😊

I could say much more, but I’ll leave it there.  Keep up the great work you do!

Matt in Jackson, MI

“Sheryl’s BFFA course has taught me about the language and needs of my soul and the value of my body- that there is truly nothing wrong with my body and nothing about it to fix. That it is merely trying to get my attention with its symptoms, and that it will even scream if necessary to get my attention. And that listening to it with compassion and care, the way Sheryl offers her participants on the calls, is what allows my body to feel safe enough to reveal its message. A message it has been wanting and needing so desperately for me to hear. 

Intrusive thoughts and anxiety have always appeared at key moments during my life: marriage, pregnancy, postpartum and now menopause, only during menopause nothing worked to fix my pain on the outside. Fortunately I found Sheryl Paul. 

On her course there were a couple of fundamental turning points which gave me courage to start healing. 

Owning my pain.

Taking Response-ability for the pain and going in to the dark cave to uncover what had been repressed for over 45 years …some gold I have found. My inner child. Self-trust emerging. A very, very loud dramatic 8-year old ego who will do anything to keep me quiet and make sure I’m a good girl and never cause pain to the people I love so I don’t feel pain. Embracing all my emotions. 

Intrusive thoughts. A big Carl Jung fan, Sheryl’s definition of these being an escape route from pain plus metaphors struck a chord with me. As it turns out I do believe one recurring thought has saved my life. 

This course is a game-changer. Something you need to do to make sure you put yourself first, live your best life and return to your sacred self – the self you were always meant to be.

Love you, Sheryl. Thank you for giving me the courage to find my way home.

• Bex in New Zealand

With the exception of a couple of exercises, there is no overlap between this course and my other courses. You will receive a fresh email every day and access to brand new videos and visualizations. 

There are several differences between this course and my other courses. 

1. While the mindsets and tools are foundational to all of my work, this is completely different material, which applies to all forms of anxiety. In other words, while my other courses are specific to sub-topics of anxiety (relationship anxiety, getting married, becoming a mother, lack of self-trust), this course pertains to general anxiety and will guide you through the daily practices and tools necessary to living a life closer to your true self. 

2. Another key difference is that you’ll be receiving the information DAILY, which will allow you to develop a consistent daily practice. This is essential to healing.

3. Thirdly, you’ll be receiving direct guidance from me, helping you to illuminate your stuck spots and work with the inevitable resistance that arises when we embark on a healing path. Keep in mind that a single, 50-minute coaching session with me is $295. If you pay monthly, this  course is $89 a month. The element of live support is worth the monthly fee several times over!

4. This course recognizes that connection and community are essential to healing. You’ll be divided into small groups and encouraged to reach out to each other through Zoom calls. Knowing that you’re not alone and connecting through shared struggles reduces shame and facilitates healing almost more than any other element. 

While the mindset and tools are similar to those presented in my book, none of the actual content is the same. In essence, this course begins where The Wisdom of Anxiety leaves off, so if you finished the book and were hoping to go deeper, this course is for you!

That’s really up to you. The daily emails will take anywhere from 2-15 minutes to read, and most of them include opportunities for reflection and exploration. Ideally, I recommend spending at least 20 minutes a day on inner work, but any amount of time your devote to your inner world will move your healing forward. 

Absolutely. Anxiety is the great equalizer, which means it crosses all boundaries and categories. No matter who you are, where you live, how old you are, and how you identify, if you struggle with anxiety, this course is for you. 

Yes, you will receive call-in information before each call that includes local phone numbers.

This is a non-refundable, 9-month commitment. I’ve created the monthly installment option to make it more financially feasible, but this is not a subscription service (where the implication is that you can stop at any time). There are limited spots, so when you sign up you’re taking a seat in the class.

Also, once you sign up, you’ll have lifetime access to all of the materials, including the daily emails, the interviews, the MP3s, the recorded calls, and the videos. This means that even if resistance kicks in big time, or life comes in and throws a curve ball which makes it difficult to complete the course, you can come back to it at any time. In other words, there’s no way to “fall behind.”

If you’re uncertain about the nature of my offerings, I recommend the following: 1. Read my book, The Wisdom of Anxiety. 2. Listen to my Free Webinar on this course. 3. Read as many of my testimonials as you can, which can be found on my home page and all of my course pages. 4. Watch my videos. 5. Read my blog, where you’ll find hundreds of free articles that expound on the foundations of my work. After going through these resources, you should have a fairly good sense of me and how I work, which will help you make a sound decision.

That said, if a financial emergency arises I’m always open to discussing it. For those of you who know me, you know I’m human first and foremost and I will always listen to your humanity first and foremost.