What Are People Saying?

  • “Don has mastered the ability to balance listening, coaching and sharing in a way that best serves his clients. Lived experience can be a gift in helping others if a person learns from and integrates the experience. Don is an exemplary example of how to face adversary, experience the emotions, learn and find posttraumatic growth. He is resilient, insightful and kind. He is a role model for others who have suffered a similar challenge. I am thrilled to support Don as he continues to grow and serve. The helping profession is blessed to have Don Lipstein as a servant and I am blessed to know him.”

    Kim Ruocco, MSW, Previous TAPS Vice President of Suicide Postvention and Prevention

  • “Don Lipstein helped me understand how helping myself, first and foremost, would allow me to help my son and strengthen all other relationships in my life.  I felt I could be very honest with him and never felt judged or looked down upon as a result.  I highly recommend Don if you are looking for a life coach to assist you with reconnecting with your true self.  He will definitely help you dig deep inside yourself to find your own solutions.”

    Virginia G. 11/22/2020

  • “He reached out to me when I was confused and lost after the death of my stepson and personal health issues. Don’s always uplifting, has unending patience and energy with passion. His smile is sincerely infectious as is his caring, comforting words and empathy.  His listening skills and responses have helped my personal growth.  I am not alone in my praises for him as I’ve seen him so many times helping others and have heard their accolades.”

    Paul G. 10/9/2020

  • “I started working with Don in February 2021. In the beginning I didn’t know if he would be able to help me because I thought my problems were too big. However after our first coaching session was complete I knew he was in fact a perfect piece to my recovery plan. He helped me see the abilities that I have in myself and he has done that in such a short period of time. He’s a man that is easy to open up and talk about heavy stuff with and he has always made me feel excepted throughout the process. I would recommend coach Don to anybody who is struggling in a dark place in their life or anybody who wishes to enhance their life in general.”

    Shane L. 4/10/2021

  • "I have known Don Lipstein for eight years. He is one of the kindest and most supportive people that I have met. For the past few months he has been my Coach in working on myself towards a better relationship with my son who has an alcoholic abuse problem. Don in his very great wisdom has encouraged me to focus on self-care such as daily exercise, meditation and journaling. This time that I have set aside for myself has increased a feeling of peace. In turn, when I interact with my son, I am less drawn into his reactivity. My son is full of blame and resents and Don has shown me that I do not need to go down the ‘rabbit hole’ with him. By modeling a peaceful mood, hopefully some of this approach to life will rub off on my son. Don is a gentle and encouraging coach. He asks probing questions which truly result in behavior change. And I am always in a better mood after our talks!”

    Lloyd B. 4/10/2021

  • “When I first met Don in 2018, I had only then started to deal with my loss, and grief from 24 years in the Marines with the combat infantry and the death of my son in Iraq. I was a hot mess but to look at me you would never have known it. There was something about Don that I felt comfortable to open up to him in addressing my grief. In my case my emotional baggage even had baggage being deployed over 15 times and losing men in combat I trusted like a brother before I had lost my son in Iraq. Like a brother Don always had the right words that allowed me to understand the things that had once troubled me. Through Don I gained a strength leading me into the light. He was and is always at my side knowing when I ask a question, he had the answer. The change that has come from working with Don has changed my life for the better. Of the greatest changes in my life, he helped heal my family bring us together like never before.”

    Perry M. 12/20/2021

  • “Don’s genuine calming, nonjudgmental, and caring presence easily lends it to opening up and sharing the most challenging parts of one’s life experiences.”

    Claire H. MA CT

  • "For the last eight years, Don has been a mentor, a colleague, and a friend. Early in my grief journey, I was wanting to do something to make meaning out of my loss and everyone told me that I should speak with Don and that he would help me in becoming a TAPS Peer Mentor. He has the wisdom to know when to push someone, but also the wisdom to not push too hard. He has a steady strength that offers guidance, and clarity, when it is difficult to clearly see the path to take. I can honestly say, that I would not be who I am today if it had not been for Don’s caring support through the years."

    Jennifer K. 1/6/2021

  • “What a miracle that Don and I connected at a very low time in my life- after the suicide of a very close friend. Don is absolutely amazing! He helped me thru the grief, guilt and loneliness and, not only am I ok, I would say I am mentally healthier than I have ever been, even before the suicide rocked my life. Don's insight is remarkable and the exercises he had me work on produced results that literally just set me back and say “Wow!” Too bad I waited til tragedy struck to seek his help. Imagine being as content and healthy and insightful the prior 60 years of life as I am now? We are taught reading and writing from a young age, but not shown how to feel and respond to, or in, our world. I would highly, without hesitation, encourage anyone to reach out to Don. It’s worth your happiness. Trust me!”

    Sarah M. 8/7/2022 

  • "At a time when I felt the world was collapsing upon me, Don Lipstein was there offering a strong shoulder to lean upon. Empathy has been such a gift to me knowing that both of our sons passed away while serving in the military. Don knows just the right time to speak up when advice is sought and is so willing to just listen when warranted. Wisdom exudes out from him and I am so thankful that I have him alongside me on my grief journey."

    Greg J. 8/22/2022

  • "I didn't think anyone could help. But Don's ability to ask thought-provoking questions in a caring and genuine way helped me share my story. He was non-judgmental, appropriately empathetic, and shared just enough of his own story to show that he understood my pain. And he offered practical ways to work through it. I am stronger today because of his guidance. If you feel like no one will understand and no one can help, give Don a call."

    Joanne G. 9/12/2022

  • "Following the death of our son, Tyrone Anthony, Don Lipstein contacted me on behalf of TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors). More important than his valuable coaching and encouragement was Don’s empathy. Don knew the road I was walking and was willing to be my companion on this journey. Through his valuable coaching, Don empowered me to begin to acquire the tools and skills necessary to embark on a healthy, life-long journey that includes moments of grief. I am forever grateful to Don Lipstein for sharing his wisdom and good coaching with me."

    Timothy J. 9/22/2022

  • "Don is the consummate nice guy, a gentle giant who is thoughtful, caring and the guy that could be everyone’s brother, father, best friend and confidant. His ability to hold space for others is simply inate, born from within. If safety, home, sound, secure could be a person, it would be Don. Couple all this with happy and funny, his laughter is infectious as is his smile. This is just some of the many ways he tenderly navigates his ability to make even strangers feel like life is good. You’d never know by talking to him that he lost his precious son, because he’s turned all his pain into recovery support for others through his practice, Imagine Family Recovery. Imagine that! He has coached me through some pretty thick weeds in my own life, he doesn’t mind weeds. No problem too big or small for Don. If you’re considering a coach who is full of compassion, a great listener, has lived experience and holds multiple coaching certifications, Don is your guy, you’ll feel right at home with his casual yet highly professional coaching approach! An indomitable spirit!"

    Monique W. 11/17/2022

  • "I’ve never been more thankful for, not only Don, but, for myself. I reached out for help because I knew I needed this. I needed to learn how to process these emotions to be a better Mom, wife, friend, daughter, sister and overall person. Don helped me see that I was already taking the right steps even when I felt like I wasn’t. He helped me see so much positive in what I was doing and he helped guide me through the whole process. My grief journey, while still hard, is so much more positive than it was a few months ago. My biggest take away from this experience will always be: allow yourself to cry, allow yourself to rest, allow yourself to grieve. It’s always okay to ask for help... please, ask for it."

    Amanda K. 12/14/2022

  • "I wanted to write to thank you for your support over the past 4 months. After my daughter's death on Sept 2nd, I really had no idea where to turn. Luckily my daughter Morgan found you. Our weekly sessions have helped guide me on my grief journey. You have a comforting way of blending open discussion, suggestions and sometimes just listening. Knowing that you understand the devastating grief of losing a child helps. I know that you are not just speaking from training, but actual personal experience. You have guided me on my journey rather than direct me. This approach has been very effective. But most importantly, it is obvious that you truly care. I know I would not be as far down this road without your support and guidance. I will miss our time together but know that you will always be there for me if needed."

    Mark B. 1/12/2023

  • "On my first call with Don I could barely speak without breaking down into tears. I was barely holding my emotions together, and my day to day life was an absolute roller coaster as I struggled to navigate being a mom of three while being married to someone in active addiction. After working with Don as a BALM coach these past few months, I have experienced a transformation. Don’s compassion, wisdom, guidance, and life experiences have helped bring me to a place of peace I didn’t think was possible. I am more centered, more peaceful, and feeling stronger than I ever have before, and I know this change has had a positive impact on my entire family. I hope to continue the work he has helped me to start for the rest of my life."

    F.G. 6/8/2023

  • "Donald has been walking by my side for over a year. He showed up in my life shortly after I lost my Loving husband and partner of 30 years. Don’s compassion and understanding of the Human Grief process resonates with me so deeply. When I share my inner pain with him, I feel validated, acknowledged and loved. He understands the messy roller coaster of grief from his own experience, even if we a do have different variations to our journeys. I am able to be totally me in his presence. My gratitude to God for bringing Don into my life is endless."

    F.H. 3/4/2024

  • "Don is a rare individual that, can listen, empathize, and lead a group, creating an atmosphere that helps the participants pull through grief together. I was not prepared for the grief that was thrust upon me. In the past year Don facilitated the navigation of the complexity of suicide and loss of a son. I now understand how grief and loss will forever be a part of my life and that being self-aware of limits were important elements of coping with loss."

    J.B. 11/19/2023

  • Don has been a great resource for me to lean on with regards to my son and his abusive behavior. He repeatedly provides me with a fresh reminder that I don’t have to go to every fight I am invited to. Additionally, he encourages me to find ways to show up as the best person I can be for my family and others, including my son. He offers options to me that otherwise I would not have thought of to help support my son and his struggles, and I am forever grateful God put him in my path on this crazy journey called life to provide me with the hope and encouragement I need to show up as my best self…

    M.W. 11/8/2024