Deborah was very patient and supportive. Non-judgmental about my bipolar and spoke to me as a person, not a mental illness or a child. That means a lot to me. She took time with me to talk about my feelings and emotions. She was not angry or bitter at me for having had thoughts of suicide and self-harm. She helped me see that I have a place in this world and that I deserve to be here. I did not feel like I deserved to be here when I arrived. I felt worthless. I felt like a burden to everyone.

Over the following days, she helped me see that I was loved and not a burden. I began to love myself gradually again. What a life-changing experience. Her kindness and patience forever changed me, gave me my heart back, and opened it up. It was because of her that I chose to continue on to residential care and continue to explore my worth and learn to love myself unconditionally.