Mary`s Center

Our later years are full of transitions, from retirement to managing our aging bodies to loss of loved ones. These changes can be hard to process, especially when you add in the isolation and stress brought on by the pandemic. According to the CDC, 20% of people over age 55 have mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression.

Mary’s Center supports older adults in dealing with these challenges and improving their mental well-being.

Meet Elizabeth Byam, Mental Health Therapist for Older Adults

Elizabeth specializes in addressing the unique mental health needs of older adults. As an older adult herself, Elizabeth is very sensitive to the issues this community faces. Her interest in mental health began in college with the psychology courses she took, but she did not pursue a career as a mental health therapist until her husband passed away unexpectedly.

During her grief journey, Elizabeth was fortunate to have a caring therapist, and also became aware of the lack of resources for older adults and the lack of understanding in our society around the realities of grief. As a result, she felt compelled to pursue a career in mental health counseling with a focus on the needs of older adults. Elizabeth connected with Mary’s Center at the same time Mary’s Center was actively working to better support this population.

Elizabeth provides services at our two Senior Wellness Centers in the District of Columbia that provide free services for any DC residents 60 or older: the Bernice Fonteneau center in Ward 1 and the Hattie Holmes center in Ward 4.

Drop-In Individual Therapy:

For participants just starting out with therapy or those who are curious how it works, Elizabeth hosts drop-in individual therapy one hour a week at each Senior Wellness Center. In individual therapy, participants can talk about any issues they are dealing with, such as loneliness, grief, anxiety, or depression. The drop-in hour is at Hattie Holmes on Mondays and Bernice Fonteneau on Wednesdays from 1:00-2:00pm.

Individual Therapy Sessions:

Participants looking for more continuous individual therapy can schedule weekly 30-minute sessions with Elizabeth at Hattie Holmes on Mondays and Bernice Fonteneau on Wednesdays.

Mental Wellness Groups:

Elizabeth facilitates discussion groups for participants who prefer a communal setting:

The Mindful Monday (Hattie Holmes)/Mind Over Mood (Bernice Fonteneau) group helps participants feel more empowered about their mental health. In this group they talk about mental wellness topics applicable to older adults and discuss personal implications and thoughts.
The Mental Well-being (Hattie Holmes)/Mental Health Matters (Bernice Fonteneau) group is a mental wellness psychoeducational group with presentations on mental health issues and coping strategies.
There is a confidential grief processing group at Bernice Fonteneau that meets every other week.

Join Our Senior Wellness Centers

To get started, walk in to either of our senior wellness centers to complete an intake form Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:00pm. In addition to mental health services, you will gain access to a variety of free in-person and virtual opportunities to exercise, learn health and nutrition information, play games, dance, or learn a new skill together.

We hope to see you soon!

Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center (Ward 1)