Endorsements and Rave Reviews

Truehome technology has been a decade in development. Many homes were designed and built using Truehome during that time. Images of those homes are used throughout this website. A few success stories are printed at the bottom of this page.

Many specialists have reviewed our technology during that time. Here’s what clients, real estate agents, architects, psychologists, and academics have to say about Truehome.

Real Estate Professionals

"I felt like a participant in the process, not just a client. I discovered the true depth of my value for, and attachment to, my home."

Frank Johnston,
Owner Heritage Texas Country Properties (Also Truehome design client)

"Selling real estate is about listening and developing trust. Truehome asks all the questions up front that top producers have learned to ask their prospective buyers, because top producing Real Estate Professionals helped develop it. Truehome helps us understand what properties might truly be a match for our clients, even when they are not sure themselves. That saves us time, and helps them understand we are listening and doing our best to serve them."

Sandy Reed,
Sandy Reed & Associates - Past Vice President Houston Board of Real Estate Professionals

Psychologists and Academics

"Truehome is a credible tool that seeks out the design that will prove to be nurturing to our needs, allows us to heal when necessary, to take refuge from the stresses of work and the world at large, and to regain our equilibrium. Clinical intuition supports Travis' work in this regard but, more importantly, the behavioral and brain sciences both lead me to believe it will be effective as a strategy for the design of positive, progressive, healing environments for living."

Cecil Reynolds, Ph.D.,
Internationally known expert in psychological testing and assessment, author of The Handbook of School Psychology, and the Encyclopedia of Special Education, Past President of the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the author of many psychological tests including the Test of Memory and Learning (TOMAL) and the Behavioral Assessment System for Children, one of the most widely used psychological testing tools in the United States.

“I have been particularly impressed by how Truehome was built with a sophisticated psychological theory at its core to create a set of exercises that are engaging and intuitive without sacrificing rigor or depth. I believe that Truehome, more so than any conventional design process, will help clients create spaces that match their personalities, ultimately resulting in happier, healthier lives."

Sam Gosling, Ph.D.
University of Texas behavioral psychologist, research scientist and internationally known expert on personality. Author of The Secret Language of Stuff.

“People mostly look upon their homes as structures in which to live. But what if the home was much more, a living extension of the people living in it? What if the home could adapt to the physical, emotional, and physiological needs of its occupants? Wouldn’t we all be happier if our homes served us, rather than the other way around? Truehome is an innovative approach to home design and remodeling that incorporates cutting edge cognitive, ecological, and physiological principles in a way that puts the homeowner in control of the place she inhabits.”

J Scott Turner
Associate Professor of Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry. Author of The Extended Organism: The Physiology of Animal-Built Structures and The Tinkerer’s Accomplice: How Design Emerges from Life Itself.

"Chris Travis has uncovered an often overlooked factor in home building and remodeling; that each project is to become the home of a living, breathing, feeling family. A home is not just boards and nails...it cradles a family."

Jack Greeson, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist, Jack Greeson and Assoc. (Also Truehome Design client)

"The Truehome Workshop and training manual are excellent practical tools."

Oladele A. Ogunseitan, Ph.D.,
M.P.H. Department of Environmental Health, Science, and Policy, University of California Irvine

ARCHITECTS

"We were the beta testing site for Truehome. It lowered our production costs radically. Our clients love it and it makes our job much easier. It allows you to tailor a home to a family system. Environmental psychologists and practitioners have talked about merging psychology with architecture for decades, but these guys have actually done it. It's a tool that really works!"

Robert Brett Pitt A.I.A.,
Sentient Architecture, LLC

As an architectural programmer and planner, I have long thought that a project could be raised to a higher level of success and satisfaction if a client had an awareness of various factors that influence his architectural sensitivities and decision making. I certainly agree with the Truehome Workshop that the resultant design can be enhanced if a client's DREAM can be understood, developed, and reflected in the final programmatic product.

Via your 'journey,' the client is focused, fully invested, will probably make some interesting discoveries about himself…and the designer will get a magic glimpse inside his cabeza."

Harry Harwood,
Architect

Design Clients

"As a 'graduate' of the Truehome Workshop, I can tell you now that we are in the house, the method has worked beautifully for us and we are total believers. Sitting in those window seats is a joy!!! I feel like I know every nook and cranny, and it is all so familiar. The whole process has been so good for us."

Lynn and Ralph Youngblood,
Executive New Home

"I love my house and the history it represents. Chris instructed me to design a dream home I knew I could not afford…after a while a pattern begins to evolve. To me, it was very relaxing."

Carol Doell, Historic Restoration,
Executive New Home

“Truehome truly guided us and created a home about who WE are, not someone else’s perfect home. We are delighted by our floor plan that would have not been nearly as successful without this program, and look forward to many happy and nurturing years in our home.”

Sarah Chisholm,
Executive New Home

Only after working through the entire process did we have clarity on our dreams for our home. This house has been in our family for over 60 years. Our home renovation was completed last week and we love the light, the space and the way we feel when we walk in the front door. This is our TRUEHOME!

Laurence Dempsey,
Major Remodel of Family Home

"You made us think about what we wanted before construction began. If you hadn't made us sit down and consider lifestyle, living spaces, furniture etc., we wouldn't have ended up satisfied. By knowing beforehand our personal needs, we were able to reduce future stress."

Harold Yarnold - Major Remodeling Project,
Executive New Home

"It was smooth from design to building. I was 700 miles away so this was a big advantage. (The greatest benefit was) …making the lists of what I must have, and what I would like to have if money was no object. Both lists were fulfilled. I got exactly what I wanted and much more. For me, it couldn't have been better."

Mavis Hampton - New Home,
Executive New Home

"Considering that we began by describing our needs as a simple restoration, and ended up redoing everything and adding 2000+ sq. ft., I would describe the benefit of doing all that homework as paramount. Of greatest value was our recognition of our need for large porches…nothing short of a miracle!"

Lynda Adams,
Remodel of farmhouse w/additions, Executive New Home

“We participated in Truehome and learned a lot about ourselves. We always expected to realize our dream of wintering in Texas…but we never expected to have that dream include a new home perfectly suited to our needs. Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable process and for designing a wonderful new retreat perfectly suited to our lifestyle.”

John and Linda Dickey
New Home

“Your process really saved my life and opened (her husband’s) eyes so that he has begun to work with me on my healing journey instead of against me. How does one say thank you for that?”

Rosemary Burkhard
Research Client

"If the client takes the time to participate seriously in the process, they will not be disappointed in the results."

Bruce Frenzel - Befco Engineering,
New home, Executive New Home

SUCCESS STORIES

(Note: The names of those involved in case studies are changed to protect their privacy.)

Carolyn

Carolyn was a busy advertising executive and professional events manager seeking to build a new home that catered to her tastes and lifestyle. Through her experience with Truehome, Carolyn discovered how some issues from her childhood had greatly affected her feelings and goals for her ideal home - and indeed, her decisions about her life.

Carolyn's father's alcoholism often turned family gatherings around the dinner table into unpleasant experiences, and as a child, she deeply resented this intrusion into what was in many ways a pleasant family life and she felt that she had no control over the situation.

Carolyn learned through the Truehome exercises that she had carried forward into her adult life an adaptive strategy that was an unconscious response to the situation. She had become a social butterfly, a polished hostess who put enormous energy into entertaining and creating pleasant social occasions for family and friends. She was essentially trying to control in her adult life what she had been unable to control as a child.

As a result, Carolyn's Truehome was designed for entertaining, which not only fit her lifestyle but also allowed her to feel relaxed and in control of her environment.

Carolyn was raised on the West Coast, and had happy memories of her years in California. She was also an extensive traveler who had especially fond attachments to her experiences in Italy, particularly in reference to the relaxed social life that revolved around food and drink. She learned through the Truehome process that she associated both the Arts and Crafts architecture common on the West Coast, and Italian architecture, with those positive experiences. As an adult, she subconsciously saw both as models for the type of dining experiences she had missed as a child.

As a result, Carolyn's Truehome contained architectural elements which reminded her of both California and Italy. This not only suited her conscious aesthetic preferences as an adult, but created a firm foundation for her emotional health.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker

In the process of designing a new home, Mr. and Mrs. Baker were at loggerheads because Mr. Baker had become very attached to a particular design solution that involved what he called a basement. The building site was on the side of a hill and he wanted the first floor to be partially below grade. Mrs. Baker emphatically disliked this plan. They found themselves at a standstill, unable to resolve their conflict. He thought she was being unreasonable, and she thought he was being stubborn.

Then, through the exercises in Truehome, it became apparent that Mrs. Baker had actually suffered a serious childhood trauma with which she associated enclosed spaces. Her association was so strong that she could not enter any enclosed area without feeling intense anxiety. Her current home had a walk-in closet, and she literally dashed into it to get her clothes while holding her breath, and ran out as soon as she could collect her things.

Upon completing the Truehome process, Mr. and Mrs. Baker had designed their Truehome, which contained no walk-in closets or other enclosed spaces, and no basement. What it did have, however, was an expansive back porch that reminded Mr. Baker of loving times with his mother when he was growing up; lots of windows, open to the sky so he could see the stars; and architectural cues throughout that Mrs. Baker associated with being safe and secure.

Thanks to Truehome, Mr. and Mrs. Baker were better able to understand each other's needs. They were able to create a home that truly nurtured and inspired both of them and their marriage.

Anita: Self-Care Breakthrough

Anita and her husband were in the design stage of building a new home. Anita was responsible for the care of her disabled husband, who was unable to participate in the decisions surrounding the design of the home, because a stroke had left him unable to communicate.

Naturally, their home design needed to meet his needs; however, nothing about the home was "hers." Anita was completely focused on creating a home that met his needs, and in the process, was ignoring her own needs.

Through the Truehome process, Anita realized that her parents' attitudes about martyrdom, condemnation of selfish behaviors, and conditional love had been instilled in her. Now, in middle age, she was unable to make her own well-being a priority because of her past. Truehome helped her to recognize this pattern, and as a result, Anita was finally able to work with her design team to create a home that met both her needs, and her husband's, and nurtured them both.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Smith had hired an architecture firm to build their dream home. However, Mr. Smith had strong aversions to any design element of the home or yard that might possibly involve maintenance. His aversion was so extreme that he actually planned to cut down a beautiful grove of pecan trees on the property because the trees periodically lost limbs.

Through the Truehome process, it became clear that Mr. Smith's strong reaction to anything requiring maintenance stemmed from attitudes and requirements projected by his mother around her visions about how a "good and productive man" cared for his property.

Not only had Mr. Smith internalized an aversion to doing household maintenance, he felt inadequate and insecure about it when maintenance chores needed to be done. He couldn’t relax and feel comfortable in his home for fear that something would require his attention. Learning this information about Mr. Smith was an eye-opening experience for both him and his wife. The new home was moved to a site away from the grove, and the pecan trees were saved. It did wonders for their relationship - and for the Truehome they built, which was designed with very few maintenance requirements.