Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Ramos-Cryer.
Hi Barbara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Argentina, and was brought to the US when I was 13 by my parents. I didn’t have much choice in the matter. It was a really hard transition for me, and it started showing with my behavioral struggles as a teen. I often felt misunderstood and alone as a teen. My family also struggled with being in a new country, and none of us spoke the language or understood the culture. In my teen years, I experienced domestic violence, dating violence, and racism. I didn’t graduate from high school; I took my GED and then started college at SLCC. I decided to go into social work, with the hopes of supporting teenagers in ways that I was not supported. I didn’t want other kids to go through what I went through.
I started school in 2008, the same year my son was born. I went to school full-time, worked full-time time and raised my son. I got my associate’s from SLCC, then got accepted into the University of Utah for my bachelor’s in social work, and then Boise State University for my master’s in social work. During my bachelor’s, I was pregnant with my daughter, and I gave birth to her two days before I walked at my commencement ceremony.
Then, in 2017, after years of abuse, I decided to end the relationship with my children’s father.
That began a whole new experience, which included years of custody battles, something I am still currently dealing with.
I met my husband in 2018, and then in 2019, we blended our families. He has five children, and I have two.
The experience of leaving my children’s father, blending a new family, and coparenting led me to see that there was a gap in services for children, teens, and families going through divorce, custody, and civil legal matters. This led to me opening Beehive Family Services in 2021.
I started alone, providing services solely online, then my best friend, Mary Elizabeth Lente, joined me as a mental health provider to support me on my journey as I opened a physical location.
I have run every aspect of this business since day one, and it has been an amazing learning experience. I went back to school and obtained my Masters in Legal Studies, with the goal that eventually I can also provide affordable legal support in the family practice field.
Currently, Beehive Family Service has me and five other therapists providing services to children, teenagers, and families. We all have different experiences, but we are all equally passionate about helping our community. We spend time together outside of the office, going to the lake or having paint nights.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road; it has been hard for my family, my mental health, and our finances. I’ve had to learn everything there is to running a business, without having a mentor to guide me through it. For the past six years, my husband has been going to school, so I’ve been the primary breadwinner. There have been many tears shed.
I could not have made it this far without my husband, my best friend, and the amazing team at Beehive Family Services. The business and I are still a work in progress.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Beehive Family Services?
Beehive Family Services is a mental health clinic dedicated to providing exceptional therapy services tailored to meet the needs of individuals, couples, and families navigating the complexities of life. Our clinic is distinguished by its team of highly skilled therapists, each forensically and trauma trained, including AFCC, CBT, EMDR, DBT and more, ensuring a deep understanding and expertise in a wide array of therapeutic approaches. We specialize in addressing emotional trauma, relationship challenges, identity issues, and a spectrum of mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression.
At Beehive Family Services, we believe in the power of a supportive, inclusive environment to facilitate real and lasting change. Our commitment to creating a safe, and welcoming space which allows clients of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to feel truly seen and heard. Whether facing the intricacies of non-traditional family dynamics, co-parenting challenges, or personal identity exploration, our therapists offer compassionate, personalized care to promote healing, growth, and empowerment.
Our services extend beyond individual therapy to include couples counseling, family therapy sessions, custody evaluations, parent training, and reunification therapy, all aimed at providing comprehensive support for our clients. By employing evidence-based practices and innovative therapeutic techniques, we strive to equip our clients with the tools they need to navigate their journeys successfully.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beehivefamilyservices.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeehiveFamilyServices
- Other: https://beehivefamilyservices.clientsecure.me
