My daughter Valentine had been struggling with severe anxiety and depression. She hadn't been to…read moreschool in over two years, was isolated, self-harming, and had survived two suicide attempts. As a parent, it was terrifying and heartbreaking. I knew she needed more support, but I was apprehensive about intensive outpatient programs--many feel clinical and understaffed, and I feared that wouldn't help her.
From the first evaluation, Newport stood out. Tiffany, the Program Director, recommended inpatient treatment, but after explaining the trust I had built with my daughter and my concerns about breaking it, she listened. She agreed to let us try outpatient care first--and I'm so grateful she did.
It wasn't easy at first. Valentine resisted the program completely--she'd refuse to get out of the car, isolate during group sessions, and even walk out into the parking lot during the day. But her therapist, Meighan, built a connection. That relationship became a lifeline. Slowly, Valentine started opening up in individual sessions, then in groups, and we began to see glimmers of progress at home.
What sets Newport apart is the comprehensive care they offer--not just therapy. Valentine had access to equine therapy, yoga, cooking classes, and holistic services like Reiki and mindfulness practices. They treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.
By the end of her program, my daughter was no longer scoring as depressed or anxious. She gave a speech to her peers and the staff that still brings me to tears. She became a leader in the community there. And while the road after discharge wasn't perfect--there were setbacks--she had the tools, the confidence, and the resilience to keep going.
Today, Valentine is thriving. She's back in school, at the top of her class, surrounded by friends, and fully herself again: creative, funny, sharp-witted, and loving.
To any parent who is scared and doesn't know what to do: you are not alone. Newport Academy is a place of healing, hope, and transformation. I will be grateful for them every single day of my life.