A little over a year ago I experienced a situation that came close to convincing me hopelessness and despair might just win the day--in my mind and my marriage. I hardly slept and was profoundly hurt and angry at having been verbally ripped apart once again by the person I love most in the world.

I truly believed I was in danger of caving in to despair (privately entertaining some actions that would have SO grieved the heart of God had I acted on them) when I first went to talk with Cindy Heck. Her kind, yet firm approach in helping me look at my situation from a fresh perspective based on the truth of God's Word and the graciousness of His Spirit, eventually enabled me to begin walking out my life with more discernment and courage.

There were a number of times I know I was not the easiest of patients, yet she persisted in her kindness and honest approach in dealing with me. Her real-life parables gave me much to think about until I'd see her again. As I pondered the things we discussed in counseling, I began recognizing and countering the lies of the enemy with the truth of God's Word more fervently.

Through many bittersweet times of repentance, Jesus worked through Cindy to truly pierce through my darkness with a ray of hope that is still pervading my life today. She is deeply understanding, an attentive listener, full of godly wisdom, and sincerely humble, as well as QUITE PATIENT. Not your typical professional counselor who believe themselves to be more brilliant than God Himself!

What a blessing she is to those of us given to "too many" moments of deep introspection, and therefore prone to self-decpetion. She will challenge you to keep your eyes on the truth, and nothing but the truth, but with much grace and mercy cushioning those words that may be hard to hear.

The following is a testimony submitted from a client who graduated. He was first seen by Dr. Fred Antonelli through Life Counseling Center and then referred to me to concentrate on stress management issues. Below are his words.

"After my diagnosis and exploration of my problem, Dr. Fred brought in Cindy Heck, who worked with me on various coping mechanisms that helped determine where my emotions were at any given time and how to deal with them before the anxiety began to control me. Her kind but firm manner helped to keep me on track in my recovery while instilling in me the importance of these mechanisms and when to use them.

It's been two very good years for me since I graduated from Life Counseling Ceter. I've waited until now to write this to illustrate the lasting value of their help. Once I knew where my problem came from and how to deal with it, a new world was opened to me. I realize I'm not cured, however keeping my finger on my emotional pulse allows me to live the life I want to.

Business Man in Talbot County, Maryland

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1994. The doctors told me what I had, but not how to live with it. Before I learned the principles Cindy teaches, I had a very difficult time with guilt (because I couldn’t do everything I wanted to or everything I thought I should) and anger about why I got sick. Thanks to the things I’ve learned from Cindy I now know how to pace myself, how and when to ask for help, how to talk to my doctor so I can get what I need and the benefits of therapeutic activity. I’ve learned how important it is to laugh and that it is okay to rest. Is it still hard sometimes? Sure it is. But thanks to Cindy, I have a quality of life that I did not think was possible before I learned the pain management principles she teaches.

Cindy has suffered with chronic pain her teaching is filled with compassion that only a fellow sufferer can have. She really understands pain. I highly recommend any seminars, books or classes that she teaches.

--Cindy H.
Liberty, MO