Port Byron Gets Mental Health Care Without the Long Drive

Sarah used to drive 45 minutes each way to Auburn for therapy, juggling work and childcare just to get the mental health support she needed. When life got overwhelming, the long commute became one more reason to skip sessions at the exact moment she needed help most.

Now families like Sarah's have a solution much closer to home. Brave North Therapy opened January 2nd at 2211 State Route 31 in Port Byron, bringing comprehensive mental health services to northern Cayuga County.

Founder Kimberly Fortin spent 12 years watching demand for mental health services surge in her solo practice. She made the leap to a group practice not just for growth, but to create sustainable, accessible care for her community.

"I wanted the new practice to be accessible for our clients," Fortin explained. "It's important that we accept insurance, there is adequate parking, and the space is welcoming and safe."

The practice offers individual therapy for anxiety, depression, and trauma, plus family counseling and couples therapy. Both adults and adolescents can access care through in-person visits or telehealth appointments, reaching clients across New York and South Carolina.

What makes Brave North different is its holistic approach connecting mental and physical health. Lifestyle therapy helps clients see how their daily habits affect their wellbeing, while ecotherapy takes sessions outdoors to harness nature's healing power.

The Ripple Effect

The practice tackles rural mental health barriers from multiple angles. Most major insurance plans are accepted, and self-pay options exist for those without coverage, ensuring cost doesn't prevent people from getting help.

The location provides easy access with ample parking, eliminating urban navigation stress. Telehealth services mean clients can maintain care even when traveling or managing complex schedules.

The group practice model solves another chronic rural problem: long wait times. Multiple therapists on staff can accommodate more clients and provide specialized expertise across different treatment approaches, something solo practitioners struggle to offer.

Fortin built support for her staff into the practice's foundation. "Therapists need to feel supported in their own lives and be able to prioritize self-care to prevent burnout so they can provide the best services possible to their clients," she noted.

For Port Byron residents, accessible mental health care is no longer a 90-minute round trip away.