Rockland County’s Pathway to Peace, also known as Derech Shalom Center, is a non-profit mental health clinic offering professional support to help individuals navigate complex mental health challenges across New York State. What began as a local non-profit offering case management services for families in crisis quickly evolved into an expansive support network of various therapeutic interventions for families and individuals.
Pathway to Peace is committed to accessible and inclusive mental health services for all age groups, including children, teens, adults, families, and seniors. They offer services in multiple languages and accept all insurances to ensure affordability for everyone. Their specialized programs address substance abuse and recovery, LGBTQ+ support, postpartum care, and court-mandated services, helping diverse communities navigate life’s challenges.
The HR Director, Yael Zola, highlights the complexities faced by families experiencing divorce. “In dealing with families going through divorce, we noticed a trend: There are significant mental health issues for both parents and children,” said Zola. “Nobody seemed to be addressing it, so we decided we needed to.”
The clinic started by offering emotional, social, and societal support for children impacted by divorce. Founded in 2021, Pathway to Peace is now an Article 31 Mental Health Clinic that extends its services beyond divorce-related matters to address issues such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma, family crises, couples counseling, and more.
The center is located in the historic Montebello Mansion, eliciting a sense of warmth and communal support–a stark difference from the clinical feel of most mental health clinics. Before evolving into Pathway to Peace, their services were based in New City. The purchase of the Montebello Mansion was a strategic move to create a home-like setting and positive environment for therapy. “The idea is that therapy should feel like home, with warm, friendly, and cozy rooms,” explains Zola.
Pathway to Peace offers in-person, virtual, and home visits to meet each client’s unique needs. Their friendly team includes licensed therapists, case managers, psychiatrists, and peer specialists. With its fireplaces and couches, it offers comfort, while the presence of security on-site adds the feeling of safety and professionalism.
The clinic’s accessibility and inclusivity efforts were highlighted in a podcast interview done by Montebello Media between Pathway to Peace and the Rockland County Times on the YouTube channel, @MontebelloMedia6278. Tiana Hernandez, HR Coordinator & Community Engagement Specialist, emphasized their commitment to making services accessible. “We want to ensure people feel heard and supported throughout the entire process,” said Hernandez.
In an initiative to create an open dialogue around mental health issues, the media team visited New York City to raise awareness about available mental health resources. Hernandez emphasized the significance of understanding the public’s perspective on their needs from a mental health support service. “It’s crucial to know what resources are available, how accessible they are, and what people want out of these services,” expressed Hernandez. At Grand Central Station, they engaged the public to put on a creative display, spelling out “Therapy” to emphasize the benefits of mental health support.
To register for therapy services, clients fill out a registration package with their basic information and insurance details. They then speak to the intake team for a brief consultation to match their needs with the appropriate services. They can be reached at 845-523-9300 and ptp@thedscenter.org.
Pathway to Peace continues to evolve, committed to meeting the diverse mental health needs of Rockland County with compassion and dedication to their clients.
Pathway to Peace is open seven days a week at 75 Montebello Rd, Suffern, NY 10901, near Suffern High School. For more information, visit, (https://peace.pathwayto.org).
Making a Difference: Pathway to Peace Mental Health Services in Rockland added by BQE Admin on
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