Testimonials

These parent and professional testimonials make it easy to see why the Lucy Daniels Center was named a "Top-Rated Education Nonprofit" by GreatNonprofits.com in October 2010, one of only 90 in the country to receive such a distinction. Click on the icon at left to read more rave reviews--and to leave one of your own!

Read more in-depth quotes from and stories about LDC families here.

"As a parent, I was struck by several things that make this preschool program different from others. First, it's an 11-month, half-day preschool. For us, this has provided a consistency that made going back to school after break easier. It's a secular program with a good mix of students from a variety of backgrounds. They also have smaller than required classes. The most important thing for us was the phase-in program, which allows you to slowly transition your child in at the beginning of the year by staying increasingly shorter periods until the child is comfortable staying on their own. For kids like mine who are incredibly attached and have a difficult time with separation, this is a wonderful thing in making them feel safe and secure...  I can't say enough great things about the Lucy Daniels Center, and I strongly encourage those of you looking for a preschool to consider them."

-Beth Messersmith, parent of a Child Enrichment Program student

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"Finding out about the Lucy Daniels Center changed all of our lives. Not only did we find help for our son, we found a network of child psychologists, phenomenal teachers, and the support of other families with similar issues. We are so proud of our son and know that he is where he is today because of the help we all received at the Lucy Daniels Center."

-Leslie Huffman, parent of and Early Intervention Preschool student
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"Contacting the LDC was the best decision I ever made for my son. I can't begin to thank you and your staff enough for giving us a chance to find out what my son's real problems were and how to work through them, rather than just putting a band-aid on it."

-A. Owens, parent of a Family Guidance Service client

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"Recently our family had the privilege of receiving services from [a child therapist in SecurePath]. Over approximately four months, she provided us with professional and compassionate support as we tried to understand our daughter’s social difficulties. Having her expertise, perspective and suggestions made our lives less stressful at a time when we were searching for solutions and next steps… She was consistently responsive to our needs and always asked how she could help further. It takes an insightful therapist to know how to make parents feel like team members.

Please know that our experience with SecurePath was invaluable. We would highly recommend the services to parents who are facing the challenging task of finding help to address their child’s behavior."

-Stacey and James Owens, parents of SecurePath client

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"At Lucy Daniels, we found a group of experienced, insightful, incredibly dedicated professionals willing to take a very deep look at what was happening in the inner world of our child. Our daughter was treated as a real person with real feelings, a child crying out for help, not a "spoiled brat." The incredible teachers and clinical staff have worked closely with our family on a daily basis--we are a team working to support her and challenge her growth at the pace that is right for her. Our daughter is now finishing her last (of two) year in Lucy Daniel's early intervention program. It wasn't a quick fix and it hasn't always been easy. We still have our struggles. She still has her quirks and probably always will but Lucy Daniels Center has given my daughter back her life and returned sanity to our family. Because of Lucy Daniels, our daughter has a fair chance at a truly happy, fulfilled, productive life. We are forever in their debt."

-Parent of an Early Intervention Program student

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"To make a long story short, we had a great many difficulties with our daughter, when my husband and I relocated our family to the Triangle area from Canada. Our daughter and my husband and I worked with one of the Center's Family Guidance therapists and the result has been enormous success. The Center provided us with outstanding service, and our daughter has continued to blossom long after we completed our work at the Center. "

-Parents of a Family Guidance Service client

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"I recently watched the interplay of students and teachers in a Lucy Daniels Center classroom with awe and delight. I thought how fortunate that these boys and girls have such gifted guides to help them over the really tough bumps on their developmental roads. I know the Center sees itself as a collaboration of parents, teachers, and psychoanalysts. What a wonderful collaboration it is!"  -Judith Viorst, children's author

"I have visited many therapeutic preschools both in the U.S. and abroad, but your program is the most impressive that I have had the privilege to observe. The facility is superb and ideally suited for the care of children. It is, however, the program and the staff that is most inspiring. The Lucy Daniels Center is a model institution destined to touch the lives of countless children. The mental health community and the children of America owe a debt of gratitude to the staff and philosophy of the Lucy Daniels Center."

-Marvin Margolis, M.D, past president of the American Psychoanalytic Association


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"The toll of a loved one's death, divorce and chronic illness can so complicate the lives of a child and his/her family that each day's burdens feel unbearable for all involved. Aches & pains, aggression and shyness may be so exaggerated that typical daily living feels almost impossible. As a pediatrician I see young children and talk to parents regularly. I often spend time explaining my view of the contributors to illness.  It is not "just" a virus, a bacteria, or an accident.  One's emotional state also plays an important role in defining illness.  Ignoring this contributor can leave young children inadequately treated. When everyday tummyaches, headaches, aggression, fears of sleep and separation become too exaggerated for a family to move forward, having the Lucy Daniels Center as a resource can feel like a life line on a sinking ship."

-Kathy Merritt, pediatrician, Chapel Hill, NC