Guest Profile

Debbie Gail

After losing her beloved son to mental illness and addiction, Debbie Gail Zane transformed her life by turning her pain into her purpose of helping other parents of teens and young adults with mental illness and/or addiction.  Through finding her calling, she was able to find healing for herself.  

 

Debbie’s journey of love and loss includes raising three children as a single mom, her oldest son being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol, and losing him when he was twenty-six.  She has been through challenges with her oldest son’s mental illness and addiction and cared for him, supported him, fought for him, and loved him through his journey.  She is so grateful that she had a close loving relationship with her son and every day she cherishes her memories with him.  

 

Debbie always knew she wanted to contribute to other people’s lives in a meaningful way.  Throughout her journey, she sought to turn her pain into serving others.  This motivated her to become a life and relationship coach and start Debbie Gail Coaching in 2018.  She received a Certification as an Advanced Relationship Coach from the Center for Strategic Intervention, a Certificate as a Practitioner of Excellence for completion of Strategic Intervention Boot Camp Training through the Center for Strategic Intervention, and a Certification as an Activation Method Group Coach.  Strategic Intervention was founded by Cloe Madanes, Mark and Magali Peysha, and Anthony Robbins.  

 

After experiencing tragic loss, Debbie did a lot of soul searching as to what is her purpose.  She knew she was meant for more.  Debbie is passionate about helping parents in their relationships with their teens and young adults and decided to take her coaching business in a new direction and coach parents of teens and young adults with mental illness and/or addiction.  She is so excited about helping parents to build a positive loving relationship with their children and not have to feel confused or paralyzed with fear when handling the challenges that arise.

 

Another way Debbie supported others was through service in the Alanon community.  She has chaired meetings, sponsored members in the program, been a group representative, and volunteered at Alanon events.  

 

Debbie holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law and an LLM from the American University Washington College of Law.  

 

Debbie is currently writing a book - By sharing the story of her journey of the love and loss of her son through his mental illness and addiction and how she turned her pain into her purpose, she hopes to help parents have a new understanding of how to navigate their challenges with love and compassion and the inspiration to go on after tragic loss.