Breaking Barriers in Mental Health

Mental health care is changing — and Dr. Matthew Rosario, founder and Chief Clinical Director of Clear Horizons Counseling Group, is helping to lead that transformation. In a candid and wide-ranging conversation on The Valley Today, host Janet Michael and co-host Niki Foster from the Front Royal/Warren County Chamber talk with Dr. Rosario about his passion for community-based care, his mission to make therapy more accessible, and why empathy and structure are the true foundations of healing.

A New Model for Mental Health Care

Dr. Rosario founded Clear Horizons to address the gaps he saw in traditional therapy. Rather than confining care to an office, his team meets clients where they are — literally and figuratively. “We’re helping humans, not numbers,” he explains.

Instead of relying on the conventional 45-minute session, Clear Horizons offers community-based mental health and substance abuse treatment for youth and adults, including those involved with the Department of Juvenile Justice and Department of Corrections. By immersing themselves in their clients’ real environments, Dr. Rosario and his staff gain a deeper understanding of the struggles people face each day.

He emphasizes, “It’s not just about talking. It’s about seeing, listening, and walking alongside someone in their reality.”

Therapy That Meets People Where They Are

Dr. Rosario rejects the idea that therapy should end when the clock runs out. His team remains available to patients, even outside business hours. “If a client needs me at nine o’clock at night because they’re in crisis,” he says, “I’d rather they call me than end up in the hospital.”

That human-first approach extends to Clear Horizons’ payment model as well. The organization does not deny care based on a person’s ability to pay, nor does it charge copayments. “If insurance pays, great,” he notes. “If not, we still serve you. I’m not here to work for the insurance company — I’m here to work for the person.”

Beyond the Couch: Therapy for All Ages

Clear Horizons operates offices in Front Royal, Fredericksburg, Richmond, and soon Norfolk, serving clients as young as six years old. Through play therapy, young children learn emotional regulation and critical thinking skills in a fun, interactive way.

“Five-year-olds aren’t going to sit down and spill their emotions,” Dr. Rosario explains with a smile. “But through play, they show us how they feel — and that’s where healing begins.”

For adolescents and adults, therapy may involve more direct dialogue and structured interventions, but the goal remains the same: to help clients recognize patterns, challenge excuses, and grow through self-awareness.

The ADHD Conversation: From Diagnosis to Empowerment

When the discussion turns to ADHD, Dr. Rosario leans forward with conviction. As an ADHD specialist—and someone who lives with the condition himself—he challenges misconceptions.

“ADHD isn’t just being hyper or distracted,” he says. “It’s about executive functioning — the ability to organize, prioritize, and self-regulate.”

Too often, he notes, patients receive medication without therapy or coaching. “Medication can help, but it doesn’t teach skills. People need structure, accountability, and tools to manage their day-to-day life.”

He urges parents to seek ADHD coaches in addition to medical professionals, emphasizing that early intervention can make a life-changing difference. For adults, he offers hope: “You can’t outgrow ADHD, but you can learn to manage it. It can become your superpower.”

A Life Built on Service and Structure

Before entering the mental health field, Dr. Rosario served in the U.S. military, working at the Pentagon. That experience shaped his leadership style and his high standards for staff performance. “We’re here to go above and beyond,” he insists. “Our clients deserve our best.”

His structured approach balances empathy with accountability — both for his team and his patients. “I tell people all the time,” he says, “‘Life is tough. But what are you doing to change your circumstances?’”

Investing in Community Wellness

While Clear Horizons operates multiple offices across Virginia, Front Royal holds a special place in Dr. Rosario’s heart. It’s now his home and the organization’s flagship location.

He proudly reinvests 25% of company profits back into local nonprofits through sponsorships, grants, and community partnerships. “It’s not about recognition,” he insists. “It’s about impact. If we have the resources to help, we should.”

From sponsoring Reaching Out Now and the Phoenix Project to hosting suicide awareness trainings and Narcan events, Clear Horizons embodies the philosophy that community well-being begins with collaboration. “Mental health isn’t just what happens in therapy,” Dr. Rosario says. “It’s also showing love and support in the community.”

Redefining Resilience

As the conversation winds down, Dr. Rosario reflects on his own journey — from a childhood marked by loss and hardship to leading a thriving organization that transforms lives. “I was born addicted to drugs,” he shares openly. “My parents died when I was two. I faced every disadvantage, but I refused to become a product of my environment.”

Today, his message is clear: resilience is not about perfection — it’s about purpose. “Once you get through it,” he says, “you can finally breathe. And when you breathe, you can help others do the same.”

Learn more on their website: https://chfcounselingroups.com/, follow them on Facebook, or call [phone].