Story of Hope: Meet Jennifer

December 01, 2025

Life Before HopeWay

Like so many others who walk across that bridge, I was at one of the lowest points in my life when I came to HopeWay. I had recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After months of trying to manage the ups and downs through weekly therapy, I was barely functioning. I couldn’t get off the couch, go to the grocery store, or even take care of myself. One day, my therapist said the words that changed everything: “I think we need to look at HopeWay.”

Committing to the Healing Process

I was terrified. I didn’t know what to expect and didn’t believe anything could pull me out of the hole I had sunk into. On my first day in the Residential Program, I sat in the cafeteria completely frozen, unable to talk to anyone. Eventually, another client walked up and asked if she could sit with me. She said, “The first few days are really hard, but stick with it.”

In that moment, I made a deal with myself to give it five days - but I was certain I wouldn’t make it past day three. Much to my surprise, the days came and went, and I was still willingly there. By day five, I knew HopeWay was going to change my life.

Transitioning Through HopeWay's Treatment Programs

Not only did I keep my five day promise to myself, I fully committed to the process and went through every level of care HopeWay offered. I transitioned from Residential to the five-day-a-week program, and then to the three-day-a-week Trauma Program. Each level of care built upon the last, giving me new skills and deeper insight into my diagnosis and how to manage it. The transitions between programs felt seamless. I continued working with the same treatment team throughout the entire process, which made each step feel safe, supported, and familiar.

The Power of Connection and Group Support

For me, the most impactful part of treatment overall was group therapy. People came from all walks of life and with all kinds of diagnoses: depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, trauma; but we learned so much from one another. Over time, we became united as a group. We laughed, cried, encouraged each other, and celebrated even the smallest wins. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged somewhere.

That sense of belonging extended beyond my peers to the entire HopeWay team. From the admissions staff on day one, to the aftercare team who helped me plan my next steps, and everyone in between. Every person was kind, attentive, and genuinely cared about me. Even the small details, like staff remembering my name or behavioral health tech checking in when something seemed off, made such a difference. HopeWay made a difficult process feel manageable. Not only for me, but also for my family, who was navigating it alongside me.

During my last week, I noticed a new client sitting alone in the cafeteria, just like I had been that first day. I sat down next to her and shared the same words that once gave me hope: “Trust the process. It gets better.” As I watched her begin to open up over the next few days, I realized just how far I’d come, and how the circle of healing was continuing.

The HopeWay Difference

Reflecting on my journey, I’ve come to realize there is no place like HopeWay. You won’t find another program that cares about you this deeply, that understands mental health the way they do, or that helps you find your way back to yourself.