I am around 50 years old and suffer from Bi-Polar Disorder with Social Anxiety Disorder since about 1995. About three years ago I had a complete breakdown at work and was contemplating suicide. My psychiatrist changed my meds again as usual and I agreed to 11 ECT treatments. This ended the suicidal tendencies but left me completely depressed and hopeless. At this point in time I began to see Debbie. She was a beacon of hope for the first time in many years. Debbie would actually listen to me and could understand what I was feeling. Her compassion and insight gave me a hope that no one else had been able to give me. She was able to draw me out with gentle questions and help me to explore what was at the root of many of my negative emotions. Over time I have learned several coping mechanisms and have been aided to understand and avoid situations that can trigger an episode. I would never have gotten to this point without the help of my beloved counselor Debbie Kalinyak.

I don’t believe in coincidences, therefore, the fact that Debbie Kalinyak was put in my life does not shock me. What is so remarkable is the manner in which Debbie counsels, She doesn’t tell me what to do, as I was hoping she would when I first met with her. Instead, she gives me valuable tools to use in order to handle the situations that life brings my way. More importantly, she has taught me to forgive and love myself.

She believes in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual balance, and brings that into her counseling through her educational expertise, her rock solid faith in God, and her own life experiences which you can read about in her book titled “Hope For The Wounded Heart”. God has blessed her with the tremendous gift of healing.

My journey so far, has been incredible. As I grow, I change, and vice versa. I am becoming a well-rounded person because I sought her counsel. She is my angel from heaven. I am immensely thankful to her for her caring, compassionate heart, and immeasurably grateful to God who put her in my life.