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About Us
Our Story
Bright Path exists because someone said, “There has to be a better way.” In 2019—on the brink of a global pandemic—Dr. Pamela Perkins, Psy.D., a psychologist, practice owner, community member, and mom, saw what too many teens were experiencing: unnecessary hospitalization when what they truly needed was a safe, structured place to struggle, stretch, and be supported. She opened Perkins Partial Hospitalization Program as an alternative—one rooted in dignity, developmentally appropriate care, and the belief that teens grow when they are met with both honesty and compassion.
When the pandemic intensified the mental health needs of adolescents, that call only grew louder. In response, Dr. Pam expanded the continuum of care by launching a virtual Intensive Outpatient Program, allowing teens to continue receiving support from home and creating a more flexible and responsive pathway for families navigating complex moments. As soon as it was safe to gather again, she reopened her doors for in-person PHP and IOP, marking the beginning of a new chapter in accessible, teen-centered care.
In 2022, Perkins PHP became Bright Path Behavioral Health, reflecting a bigger vision: forging a different, brighter path for teens when once-weekly therapy isn’t enough, but hospitalization is too much.
In 2023, Dr. Pam entrusted that vision to Dr. Shantel Sullivan, Ed.D., LCSW—a therapist, leader, and mom—who stepped into the role of CEO with a shared conviction: doing this work well means doing it differently.
With over a decade of leadership experience across adolescent residential treatment, adult outpatient care, and academia, and a doctorate in transformative leadership, Dr. Sullivan knew that Bright Path couldn’t simply replicate the industry standard. Instead, she implemented an Organize-to-Learn model—one that prioritizes curiosity, reflection, and continuous growth—building a team that is clinically excellent, deeply human, and committed to ethical, collaborative care.
Together, Bright Path continues to answer the original call—with a deeper clarity now guiding the work: We don’t just believe there has to be a better way. We choose to be it—walking beside teens and families as they find their own path forward.
Our Vision
Make Mental Health Care the Norm
We envision a future where pausing to care for your mental health is not only accepted but expected. Where teens can access the support they need without stigma or delay. Where programs like ours are part of a thriving network of support, not just the safety net when everything falls apart.
Our Mission
Forging brighter paths with Teens
We provide a space where teens can experience feeling welcome for who they are and where their ideas and autonomy are honored throughout the treatment process. Growth doesn't end when treatment does, so we empower teens with the skills and self-awareness to keep walking forward after they leave our doors.
We do this through:
- evidence-based clinical practices
- developmentally appropriate care for adolescents
- an ethically grounded, judgement-free environment
- meaningful partnership with teens and families
Our Values in Action
Unconditional Positive Regard
Be Open Hearted & Open Minded
We are intentional about shifting our bias and setting aside our own ego, so that no one has to feel judged or has to hide who they are. We meet everyone with whole-hearted curiosity and compassion... especially when life is heavy. You’re already worthy, already welcome.
Integrity
Do the Right Thing
We stand firm in our ethics even when no one is looking. We are not pushed, pulled, or pressured by societal expectations or politics. Doing what’s right isn’t always easy, but we don’t do it alone. With courage and compassion, we speak up—because how we do things matters just as much as what we do.
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Stewardship
Care Deeply, Share Freely
We care for what has been entrusted to us with wisdom, integrity, and a long view. Whether it’s a person, a story, a resource, or our collective mission, we commit to nurturing it with intention and accountability.
Empowerment
Walk Beside People
We believe healing happens when people feel ownership, agency, and the safety to take real steps forward.
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Self-Compassion
Be Gentle with Yourself
Self-compassion means meeting your own struggles with the same kindness, honesty, and care you’d offer a friend. It’s about accepting your humanness, honoring what’s hard, and giving yourself permission to begin again.
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Dignity
See the Whole Person
Every teen, parent, and team member is already worthy—no need to earn it, prove it, or hide who they are. We meet people with respect, desiring to know who they authentically are, even when they're struggling, grieving, or not at their best. Dignity means treating every person as human first, especially in systems that often reduce them to a label or a diagnosis.
About Bright Path
Meet Our Team
At Bright Path, our team members form genuine and authentic therapeutic relationships with teens and families.
Primary Therapists
Provide one-on-one therapy supporting each teen in building insight, safety planning and application of coping skills.
Psychiatric Providers
Psychiatric Providers offer medication management, as well as psychoeducation on the physiological effects of mental health including sleep hygiene, nutrition, personal hygiene, supplements and medication side effects.
Group Therapists
Facilitate psychoeducation groups, skills-based groups and experiential groups
Family Therapist
Facilitates sessions with PHP families that prioritize communication, limit setting and skill coaching for caregivers. This person is separate from the teens individual therapist.
Education Liaison
Manage school coordination and help assess any barriers to academic engagement including reviewing IEPs and 504s as well as advocates for school-base accommodations upon re-entry.
Teen Care Advocates
Provide non-clinical support to families as they navigate their treatment journey.
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Aftercare Coordinator
Works with each teen and their caregivers to create a soft landing after Bright Path which not only includes outpatient therapist and medication managers, but also non-clinical, social and emotional outlets that speak to teens' hobbies and interests.
Mental Health Technicians
Frontline staff that provide day to day support to teens and ensure each teen is safe throughout the programming day.
Clinical Program Manager
Clinical Program Manager serves as site leadership for day-to-day operations.
Clinical Director
Oversees all treatment planning and level of care assessments
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Bright Path FAQs
Bright Path is one of the few teen-exclusive treatment centers in North Carolina. Our program was intentionally designed to meet the developmental needs of adolescents. Our approach is grounded in working with the teen, not on the teen, creating a more collaborative approach.
No! Bright Path's medication providers work with you and your teen to determine the best medication approach. Providers will help you and your teen make an educated decision on starting medication, changing medication or discontinuing medication. Your teen will meet weekly with their medicaiton provider regardless of taking medication.
We will help you! Bright Path is designed for teens who are experiencing mental health symptoms that are impacting their lives. Bright Path may be right for your teen if they need therapy once a week, if they are having trouble attending school, if they are experiencing suicidal ideation or thoughts of self-harm, if they are isolating, or if they simply need more intensive support. We also recognize that Bright Path may not be the right fit for some teens. If that is the case, we will help you find the right path.