As the Director of Embark by Calo, it's important for me to share my passion for working with families and a little about our families journeys with us. I originally started working with Calo in 2012 as a girls therapist and left some time in 2014 after giving birth to my daughter. After that, I was employed as a counselor in the school setting, and also did outpatient therapy, and while I loved working with my students, and clients, I wasn’t feeling quite as fulfilled as I did while I was at Calo.
There was just something about Calo! The people, the connections, the care for one another, and most of all the families and students I had the honor of working with. In the Fall of 2015, Rob Gent, Chief Clinical Officer for Calo, called me and shared his ideas about developing Embark by Calo, a 5 day family intensive for families struggling with the effects of early life trauma. I loved the idea. I knew that families would greatly benefit from a short term program designed to divert from residential care or provide differential diagnosis, and was excited about the potential of being a part of Calo again. It wasn’t until the spring of 2016 that both Rob and I decided it was time. I joined the Calo family again as the Director of Embark by Calo, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be a part of the team.
To date we have worked with over 35 families. Each family that I have the pleasure of working with has a unique and individual story that touches me personally, and constantly reaffirms why I do the work that I do. Not only are parents satisfied, I myself as a clinician am satisfied too! It brings me joy having parents leave their "family intensive" feeling encouraged, hopeful and truly grateful for their experience with us. Because of the great feedback, we know we have doing exceptional work. This is why we offer Embark by Calo, so we can provide families with life transforming experiences. We profoundly change lives, and create joy; one family at a time. Our most recent family just sent me this note this morning describing their experience:
“I want to express, once again, how amazing it was to be involved in Embark and how eternally grateful I am to have this opportunity. It not only helped our families' perceptions change regarding our child, but allowed us to safely face and tackle many years of unresolved issues between all of us that have, no doubt, changed our lives. You are both (Cecily and Christy) very, very good at what you do and your guidance and ability to remain professional and at the same time exert a level of comfort so strong that we could feel such vulnerability and confidence is amazing!!! “ -Calo Preteen Parent
Both Christy Maher PsyD, Embark Facilitator and I do this work, because we love it, and we know what we are doing works. Being able to see families transform their perspective, gain new tools and leave with a greater understanding of one another is truly rewarding for us. Each week comes with its own unique challenges, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. To learn more about Embark by Calo go to Embark by Calo (embarkbycalo.com).Cecily Mitchell
About Calo ProgramsCalo (“kay-low”) Programs is a behavioral and mental health provider specializing in healing the effects of complex developmental trauma. Calo is comprised of Calo Teens, Calo Preteens, (both residential programs located in Lake Ozark, MO predominately serving adoptive families), New Vision Wilderness, trauma informed outdoor behavioral health programs in Wisconsin and Oregon ("NVW”), Calo Young Adults, a transitional living program for young adults on Winchester, VA and Embark by Calo, a therapeutic workshop and family intensive assessment and treatment program for those reeling from issues of trauma, attachment and adoption.