feature story / 15 multitude of antidepressants she had tried. Her ultimate low point came when she had an adverse reaction to Zoloft and landed in the hospital. Doctors told her that ECT – shock therapy – was her last option. Unwill- ing to take that path, and desperate to move past her prolonged depression, Goldman weaned herself off of the med- ications that she felt weren’t serving her. During this time, Goldman and her therapist, Karen Herrera, created a new strategy which included connect- ing with different parts of herself, one of which was her spirituality. Seren- dipitously, Linda Hom, a friend from their sons’ Little League days, invited her to join a book club with others who are interested in a deeper spiritual con- nection. When her best friend brought up the same topic, Goldman took it as confirmation to join the group. Herrera and Goldman also worked on breaking out of her isolation by- reaching out to people. This led Gold- man, a brilliant artist, to re-enter the workforce as a graphic artist for Whole Foods, making beautiful chalkboard illustrations. She also started identify- ing areas of her life where she required help, concluding that she needed a team to support her. As she puts it, “Every day something had to happen so I could interact with life.” Through this process, Goldman came to the realization that asking for help is a strength because we all need each other. Anxious to tackle the mountains of paper that had piled up on her dining room table, Goldman hired an organizer as well as a book- keeper. For organizing, she turned to Diane Thomson of Thomson Blueprints for Life, who took on a coaching and organizing role in early 2015. Observing that “Leslie’s entire life appeared to be on hold,” Thomson and an assistant helped clear and declutter her space, and guided her to be “confident and competent to handle day-to-day things.” After a year and a half, when Goldman still had trouble managing the un- ending flow of paperwork, Thomson, who has a back- ground in mental health, gently asked if she’d be willing to be evaluated for ADHD. Goldman says, “I really had never considered that for myself, but once I looked back at so many situa- tions in my life, it completely fit.” To act on the paperwork, Gold- man hired Hilda Silverman from an ad in her temple bulletin. Together they dealt with her bills and created a filing and tracking system that would work for Goldman. Silverman also helped her file estate taxes and tackle whatever odds and ends came her way. The two have a close connection, Silverman commenting that they are “really made for each other.” Concerned about the 70 pounds she had gained over the past three years, Goldman asked friend and nu- tritionist Linda Hom of Eat to Nur- ture to help. Hom encouraged Gold- man to take baby steps to adjust her eating habits and adopt an exercise plan to lose the weight. Believing that food changes the way you think and show up in life, Hom slowly helped Goldman to taper off the foods that weren’t serving her, substituting whole- some foods to nourish her body. It’s been more than two years since Goldman convened her team. She marvels at the healing she’s experi- enced through the good work of these women when the medical community ran out of options for her. She still de- Free Gii Wrap Open Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 5:30 pm or by appointment Eileen and John Dilley 973-763-3166 89 Baker Street, Maplewood, NJ www.beeandthistlegifts.com Hostess Housewarming Home Décor Gift Certificates Chair Repairs From esthetics to implants, we offer the latest and finest in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Don’t wait until retirement, start improving your life today! Our practice provides preventive dentistry for your entire family. We specialize in Implant, Sleep and TMD Therapies. We’ll Give You Something to Smile About! Kevin F. Muench, DMD, MAGD 140 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood 973.763.2221 | MuenchDental.com | AS SEEN IN 2 0 1 1 5 TOP DENTISTS 2 0 1 5