Personal Impact Stories

School was a struggle for 14-year-old Ana, both socially and academically. Withdrawn, unmotivated, and isolated from her peers, Ana had to repeat the eighth grade and was dreading the start of high school.

Then one of her teachers referred her to Beech Brook.

Jessica Spore—a Clinical Behavioral Specialist in Beech Brook’s School-Based program, and a licensed music therapist—saw how Ana’s low self-confidence and overwhelming anxiety prevented her from forming healthy friendships or positive coping skills. Recognizing Ana’s love of music, Jessica used her expertise in music therapy to facilitate emotional expression, problem-solving, and confidence-building to improve Ana’s outlook on her future.

And it worked. After only a few months, Jessica helped Ana learn to verbalize and understand the sources of her anxiety, building her confidence and clearing a path toward self-acceptance. Ana is now excited to start high school—something that seemed impossible to her only a few months earlier—and has a better foundation for forming authentic friendships. Once lost and unmotivated, Ana now exudes hope and optimism towards her future.