"I cannot really express how significantly my daughter improved after attending and completing Valenta’s Depression Recovery Program!"

“Participating in the depression group was hard at first, as I did not like group settings, but as I continue to go, all of the therapists are encouraging and helpful. They helped me find a voice that was lost a long time ago. They help me understand feelings from reality. I often use the tools that I learn from group.”

IOP gave me a sense of community while helping me develop useful skills to help manage and address my mental health as well as help with communication with those around me. I feel much more confident in myself and my well-being with the lessons I've learned in group. I liked being able to talk to people going through similar situations and getting their thoughts on things as well as hearing their stories.

When I first came into the assessment, I was angry and didn't want to do the groups. I figured these problems were my own and nobody's business. I wanted to be left alone and thought I could handle it on my own. My parents enrolled me in this program, and over time, it really did help. I was still upset at times, and I learned that having a group to talk to helped me think more clearly and work through my feelings.

I kept thinking I was really ready to be done, but the day I graduated from program, I realized I was going to miss this support and talking through my problems like this. I was shocked to realize that I had learned over 20 coping skills that I can keep using! I'm really glad I did this, it's helped a lot to learn more about myself and how I communicate with my family even when it's hard.

I am still not happy with my parents and I learned this was OK. Pretending like everything was fine and we were the perfect family felt like I was living a lie. The best, and hardest, part of the work I did at Valenta was being willing to communicate with my parents. I was scared of being honest. I was scared I would not be honest. My therapist supported me and supported my parents to have open honest conversations.

I took a leave of absence from college because my depression was so bad I didn't have the energy to attend any of my classes. This program taught me a variety of skills that I use daily to help combat my depressive thinking. I am now returning to school and feel equipped to handle the obstacles life will bring.

My husband attended group for his anxiety. The program hugely improved our relationship and how we communicate. I love watching him be playful again with our kids. I strongly recommend this program to anyone suffering with anxiety!

At first it felt weird to be in a group and share personal things. As I got to know the other adolescents, I felt more comfortable and they gave me a lot of support to be healthy and challenge the thoughts I was having. Now I have skills that I can use no matter where I am and it helps me a lot.

It was hard to ask for help, but I'm really glad I did. Valenta helped me manage my anxiety so that I could feel more comfortable around other people. I don't feel as sad anymore either. My therapist helped me make a "relapse prevention plan" so that I know what I want to do when those feelings come back. I know that even if I have tough days, I have tools I can use to help me.

My partner and I have struggled with depression for several years. At first we thought we could address this ourselves with proper "motivation" and pushing through the darkness. When our PCP recommended we discuss our issues with Dr. Nasont it felt like a weight was released. Depression is not about lack of motivation but rather an illness and there is recovery. Dr. Nasont worked with us to set clear expectations and the focus helped us recognize the importance of professionnal help. It worked for Jon and it saved our relationship.

I have struggled with asking for help my entire life. If asked - group therapy was not for me - why would I want other people to know how screwed up I am. And then I finally talked with Dr. Nasont and it was the beginning of the greatest change in my life. She helped me accept myself and where I required help. This was not "failing", but rather a sticking point where I have incorrectly judged myself my entire life. Being part of a group that helped me recognize and accept the issues allowed me to be active in addressing my depression. I am so thankful.

The Valenta team provided a warm and welcoming environment for me as a trans-person. I was hesitant at first to open up in groups and to my peers, but everyone was respectful and I realized that everyone is there for their own reasons, so we all chose to support each other. I am leaving program with a lot of skills to confront my depression and anxiety, and the values-based lessons helped me connect more with the version of myself that I most want to be. I have a lot of growing still to do, and Valenta helped me take that first step.

“My child has grown tremendously since starting and completing program. While she will always be a quiet person…, participating in program really encouraged her to blossom in how she interacts with others. She had gone from withdrawn, avoiding eye contact, not engaging in conversation, to asking questions, maintaining eye contact, and generally being more engaged with others and things going on around her.”

“While we were well intentioned prior to program, we didn’t realize how we were contributing to and feeding our child’s OCD… Now we all have a shared language, and that has been invaluable.”

“I will be forever grateful to Valenta for helping us to help our daughter and for teaching her the skills she’ll use for the rest of her life.” Thank you!

"We would recommend Valenta to any family who has a loved one suffering from an eating disorder."

"Their professional and caring staff is truly wonderful and saved our daughter's life. I wish to extend my sincerest thanks to all of them for everything they have done."

"This is not easy, but Valenta gave us the support, tools and education to cope and excel in preparation for our daughter's recovery."

"Once she completed the program my husband and I understood better how she perceived our actions and how we could effectively communicate and support her in her ongoing recovery – Thank you Dr. Mar and the staff at Valenta, you saved our daughter's life and our family!"

"They demonstrated their commitment to their medical treatment and to our daughter's recovery that we had not experienced elsewhere. Because of the family sessions we now have the tools and knowledge that an eating disorder is an illness, and not a choice, this knowledge helps us every day as we continue to recover as a family. Thank you Valenta!"

"Well this past May was my daughter's 2 yr anniversary from completing your program and she is doing absolutely wonderful."

"She has maintained her weight for the last year, she eats whatever she wants and she truly loves food now, hallelujah! We haven't seen ED in her at all. The first yr was ok, still saw ED appear once in while but, this last yr it's like something has clicked with her and she is back to her old self. She has a job working at a pet hospital....she is a kennel girl, plus she is still going to school. She's involved in a college youth group at church which she really enjoys. She goes to her therapist once every few months just to get a tune up and she see's the psychiatrist every 2 mos to monitor meds. I've been wanting to let you know how she has been doing and to let you know how much my husband and I appreciate everything you have done for us. We feel blessed to have had you and Dr Mar and Valenta in our lives. Hope life is treating you well...you deserve it."

"My family and I are thankful that we found Valenta."

Our teen would hardly communicate with us, particularly with me, her step-dad. But after just a few of the family nights, we learned the "I Feel Statements" and now we use them several times a week and it's changed how we all talk with each other. Just that alone has made such a huge difference in our family - this program has been so helpful!

Going to Family Night has been very eye-opening; especially learning about Cognitive Distortions. I realize I have a lot to change. The program is well crafted and expertly delivered. I liked the regular flow of information that was afforded to us via email as an outcome of Covid-19. I'm very grateful for the extra time and dedicated attention.

Before coming to Valenta, we felt so helpless as a family. We had tried things on our own, and even had our son in individual therapy, but there was still a big disconnect. Valenta's adolescent program, especially the family night, helped us learn so much about one another, and gave us helpful tools to use when we communicate. Thank you, Valenta, for not only helping our son, but for giving us tools as his parents as well!

Thank you, Valenta, for helping my daughter! I feel like I understand her better now and we don't fight as often. Throughout the course of program, I saw her grow a little bit each week. The skills she was learning were so helpful that I started practicing them too! We are so grateful for the time her therapist spent with us one-on-one in support sessions. Both of us have grown as a result of her attending program.

To the entire team at Valenta, thank you. You have brought our son back to us. You have started the process of our family healing together. The stress we felt and imposed on ourselves was ripping us apart and only burdening our son. Thank you for your time and knowledge to walk us through addressing his, and our, anxiety. It has been a game changer in a year of unprecedented events!

"I can truly say without any exaggeration that I don't know where I would be right now without Valenta."

"Maybe I would have died from the eating disorder, or maybe I would be leaning over toilet vomiting for the zillionth time, but I know I wouldn't be anywhere near recovery like I am today. Today I can tolerate negative feelings knowing that they are temporary and don't have to control my life. After treatment I went back to school, earned a master's degree, and I feel satisfied with my career. My relationship with food is not always great, but it has drastically improved. I can go to parties and participate in social activities that involve food and actually have fun without worrying about how much I ate or where and when I will be able to purge."

"I learned that my negative feelings are extremely painful but they will pass."

"I learned that food does not make me fat and that it is possible to enjoy eating. I learned that I'm a strong and capable person with a lot of really positive qualities, and people can learn a lot from me. I learned that it's possible to cope with my negative feelings. This has been helpful because life still brings problems, whether or not I am in a treatment program, but now I can manage problems and be healthy at the same time."

"Allow me to be blunt, this is the best ED program out there by far (and I've been to a few)! I am a recovering ED patient, living a "normal" life like I have never known it before. My relationships are better, life is better (not to mention my health) and I finally feel at peace about who I am and where I am going."

"HUGE THANKS to the Valenta staff for helping me through the past 6 weeks. At times, it was a rough road, but now I feel like a much stronger person. I thank each and every one of you for helping me turn my life in the right direction."

"The staff at Valenta, especially Dr. Mar, saw my determination and they helped me to get up and stand on both feet. Now I am strong, I have my power back. I have a life and I can do anything I want."