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When Tonya first connected with The Up Center’s, she had been living in isolation, afraid to leave her home. Fear for her safety had slowly taken over her life, keeping her disconnected from others and unsure how to begin rebuilding her confidence.

With gentle encouragement from her clinician, Tonya began to take small but meaningful steps forward. At first, it meant simply walking outside and practicing coping tools to manage her anxiety. As she grew stronger, she started submitting job applications and resumes, determined to create a new path for herself.

Today, Tonya is joining support groups and continuing to build new, healthy relationships. She is learning effective tools to manage her mental health, and while she continues to grow her natural support network.

Tonya’s story is one of courage and renewal—a reminder that healing often begins with the smallest steps, and with the right support, even the quietest moments of bravery can lead to lasting change.

For more than 30 years, Amare lived with a phobia that shaped nearly every part of his life. He tried therapy many times before, hoping to overcome it, but each attempt ended in disappointment. The fear remained, and over time, it grew heavier—wrapped in shame, frustration, and self-criticism.
When Amare came to The Up Center in late 2024, he was tired of running from his fear but unsure if healing was really possible.

Through outpatient counseling, he began to explore not just the phobia itself, but the years of pain that had built up around it. For the first time, he was met with a team that encouraged him to slow down, to understand his emotions, and to show himself the same compassion he’d always given to others.
Progress hasn’t been instant—but it’s been real. Amare has started to face moments that once felt unbearable, supported by a counselor who believes in his strength. Most importantly, he’s learning to treat himself with kindness instead of judgment.
After decades of fear, Tom is finally discovering something more powerful than avoidance: the peace that comes from understanding and self-acceptance. His journey reflects what makes The Up Center’s outpatient counseling so special—care that looks beyond symptoms to heal the whole person, with patience, empathy, and hope.

When Imani first came to The Up Center, her days were ruled by self-doubt. She struggled with severe body dysmorphia and allowed the number on the scale to define her worth. Each morning began with anxiety, and her relationships often reflected the same pain she carried within herself—leaving her feeling unseen and unworthy of real care.

Through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and open, honest conversations with her clinician, Imani began to shift her focus. Her clinician encouraged her to notice how she felt rather than what she weighed, to listen to her body’s needs instead of criticizing them. Slowly, she started to believe that she deserved kindness—from others and from herself.

As her confidence grew, Imani found the strength to walk away from toxic relationships that drained her energy and eroded her self-esteem. She began prioritizing her own happiness, building a life that reflected self-respect and emotional healing.

Today, Imani no longer lets the mirror or the scale dictate her worth. She feels empowered, grounded, and grateful for the care that helped her rediscover herself. Her journey is a powerful reminder of how healing begins—with the courage to believe that you are enough, just as you are.

When Emma, a quiet teenager, first came to The Up Center, she was struggling with deep social anxiety and depression. It was her very first experience in therapy, and she found it difficult to speak, connect, or express what she was feeling. Sessions were often filled with silence, and it was clear that she needed time, patience, and the right approach to begin opening up.

Her therapist didn’t give up. Instead, she reached out to her colleagues across The Up Center—drawing on the collective experience, creativity, and specialized training of the wider clinical team. Together, they brainstormed strategies and interventions to help Emma feel more comfortable and supported in her sessions.

With this collaboration, Emma’s therapist was able to try different approaches until something clicked. Slowly, week by week, Emma began to trust the process. She started sharing her thoughts, participating more in sessions, and even setting her own goals for therapy—something that had once felt impossible.

In just a month, the transformation was clear. Emma had gone from sitting in silence to actively engaging in her own healing.

Her story is a reflection of what makes The Up Center so unique: a team that works together to ensure every client receives the care that fits them best. Through collaboration, compassion, and expertise, The Up Center helps individuals like Emma find their voices—and begin to believe in themselves again.

When Brian first came to The Up Center’s Outpatient Counseling program in partnership with the Western Tidewater Free Clinic, he was struggling with overwhelming anxiety surrounding his insulin injections. Though he knew how vital they were for his health, the fear of giving himself injections had become paralyzing—putting his well-being at serious risk.

Through months of counseling, Brian worked closely with his therapist to understand and manage his anxiety. Step by step, he learned techniques to calm his mind, desensitize his fears, and rebuild confidence in caring for his body. Slowly, the fear that once felt impossible to overcome began to fade.

As his physical and mental health improved, Brian began setting new goals for himself. He started applying for jobs and, after several setbacks, found full-time employment close to home—a position that offered both stability and pride. With structure and purpose back in his life, he began to feel more in control than ever before.

Today, Brian continues to check in with his counselor through monthly sessions, using them as a space to reflect, maintain progress, and stay grounded. His journey from fear to freedom is a reminder that healing doesn’t just change one part of a person’s life—it transforms the whole picture.