When Jennifer Summers, a therapist at our HopeSprings Counseling Services, opened her email on a recent Friday morning, she wasn’t expecting to be moved to tears. But there it was—an update from a former client whose journey she had witnessed from uncertainty to empowerment, proof that what began as a mustard seed of hope had grown into a powerful future rooted in resilience and possibility.
“Mustard seed faith”—a New Testament metaphor from Jesus (Matthew 17:20, Luke 17:6)—suggests that even the smallest measure of genuine faith can grow into something powerful, capable of overcoming what once felt impossible.
“I was so overwhelmed with joy when I received her update,” Jennifer shared. “This is an amazing example of how we can continue to observe the wonderful things clients do after they have been discharged from our services. She continues to harvest and replant from the original mustard seed.”
*Mya, the young woman at the center of this story, began therapy at HopeSprings at 18 years old. She struggled with undiagnosed ADHD and attachment-related challenges tied to family addiction and estrangement from her father. Diagnosed with epilepsy at 15, her stress-triggered seizures limited her independence, including driving. Uncertain about her future, she relied more on her mother than she wanted and had limited support after close friends moved away. At community college, she faced ongoing challenges with motivation, procrastination and maintaining relationships.
Jennifer began to identify Mya’s trauma history and symptoms associated with trauma including depression and anxiety. Eventually, with some additional observation, intervention and assessment, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was found to be an underlying diagnosis. The turning point came with clarity.
“This was the pivotal moment change began to happen,” Jennifer said. “Once Mya increased her knowledge, her self-esteem began rebuilding.”
With support, Mya grew more confident, engaging in family sessions, advocating for herself medically and understanding how to manage stress related to her seizures. When her father moved closer after years of absence, old wounds resurfaced.
“She spent time absorbed on anger and resentment,” Jennifer explained.
Through Dialectical Behavior Therapy—a type of talk therapy that helps people manage intense emotions, build healthier relationships and cope with stress more effectively—Mya learned to slow her thoughts, challenge negative self-beliefs and respond to difficult emotions with intention rather than impulse. These skills helped her develop mindfulness, strengthen emotional regulation, increase distress tolerance and communicate more clearly while setting healthy boundaries.
Mya’s mantra became radical acceptance and not to suppress feelings, but to move forward with strength. One breakthrough moment came when she expressed her feelings to her father.
“She no longer hid from her emotions,” Jennifer shared.
After earning her associate’s degree, Mya faced another setback when she was denied admission to her chosen university. Instead of giving up, she sought an unpaid internship in social services and returned to classes to improve her GPA. A year later, her persistence paid off when she was accepted into a social work program.
Now, more than a year after discharge, Mya is finishing her degree in clinical social work and preparing a Master of Social Work (MSW) application.
“I will always look forward to Mya’s updates,” Jennifer said. “Her resilience and determination to harvest what is provided to her will no doubt plant the mustard seeds for tomorrow.”
*Our story is real but name has been changed and photos chosen to protect privacy.