A Story of Hope: Meet Kate

June 28, 2021

I walked through the doors of HopeWay as a depressed, co-dependent person with no self-esteem. After six weeks of treatment, I left HopeWay strong, confident and comfortable in my own skin. It did not happen overnight and it was very hard work, but it was worth it.

I’ve struggled with mental health issues and addiction for the past 12 years. Things had gotten really bad, and I was drinking hard every day just to turn my mind off. I felt like I was “going cuckoo” and could not stop it. My husband and my outpatient psychiatrist recognized I needed a higher level of care after I disclosed contemplating suicide. I was not ready to leave home, so with the agreement of the clinical team at HopeWay, I entered the 5-day-a-week treatment program (PHP) for six weeks.

Based on previous experiences with mental health providers, I struggled with trusting the professionals. I was shocked by the attentiveness of the staff. By the second day, everyone was calling me by name. Most days I did not want to get out of bed, but I knew I had to be at HopeWay in order to heal. Group therapy became my “safe place” to open up and process my emotions.

All of the group therapies, including the integrative therapies, allowed me to finally let out what had been flooding my mind for so many years. I could be my authentic, raw self and the therapists would simply look at me and listen without judgement.

I entered HopeWay on nine psychiatric medications, several of which I was taking very high doses. With the help of my HopeWay psychiatrist, I left with only 2 prescribed psychiatric medications. My psychiatrist made me feel like it was going to be okay. For the first time, I felt like I was in a partnership with my psychiatrist, and the goal was to get me well. I also was able to maintain sobriety for the first time in 12 years. The staff and my group members checked in daily about my drinking, and I was proud to say I had gone another day without using.

Just two weeks ago, my husband and I lost our precious dog to cancer. It was an extremely hard and sad time, but because of HopeWay, I have coping skills I did not have before. I have been able to manage and take care of myself through the pain. My husband and family have noticed a stark difference as well. My husband describes me as present, confident and task oriented. We are now partners in our marriage, and I can support him as much as he supports me.

HopeWay and the skills I learned completely changed my outlook on life. I now look forward to the future with confidence and my head held high.