Clear Horizons Brings Fresh Approach to Mental Health

A new kind of event is coming to Front Royal, aiming to change how people think about mental health. Clear Horizons, a local counseling and support practice, is planning a community gala that blends music, movement, and conversation to demonstrate that healing can take many forms.

Matthew Rosario and Mike McCool speak in the studio about Clear Horizons’ upcoming community gala focused on mental health and connection.

Dr. Matthew Rosario, clinical director of Clear Horizons, recently shared details about the effort during a local studio interview. Since opening in June 2025, the practice has focused on helping adolescents at risk and individuals dealing with substance use, while also offering support groups for the wider community. Today, the organization serves about 120 active patients.

Rosario says the goal is simple: give people a place to talk and feel understood. “We are not in the business of fixing,” he explained. Instead, therapists help people see different perspectives and make their own decisions.

That same idea is shaping the upcoming gala. Rather than a traditional sit-down event, the evening will be active and interactive. Guests will experience mental health through music, storytelling, and shared activities.

“Therapy is all around us,” Rosario said during the interview. “It’s sports. It’s music. It’s a conversation.”

The gala is set for May 2 at 5 p.m. at Reitano Vineyards. Organizers promise a lively atmosphere with performances, guest speakers, and community leaders. Among those expected to attend are sports executive Dr. Richard Miles and award-winning journalist Kelsey Nelson, who will host the event. A live violinist and dance performances are also planned.

But the event is about more than entertainment. Clear Horizons hopes to raise $50,000, with all funds returned to the Front Royal community. The money will be shared with local nonprofits and individuals in need.

“We’re not raising that for us,” Rosario said. “We’re raising that for the town so we can continue to pour back into the town that we truly love.”

That focus on giving back comes from Rosario’s larger mission. He founded the Clear Horizons Foundation to promote equity and support in communities of all sizes. His journey to Front Royal began far from the Shenandoah Valley. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Rosario served eight years in the U.S. Navy, with assignments ranging from Norfolk to Hawaii and even the Pentagon.

When he left the military, he chose Front Royal as a place to raise his family. He quickly grew to appreciate the town’s strong sense of community.

“What we truly like is how we are always trying to work together,” he said.

That spirit of connection is also at the heart of his concerns about modern life. During the interview, Rosario spoke about the growing impact of cell phones and social media, especially on young people. He described how constant notifications can increase anxiety and make it harder for people to connect face-to-face.

In one workshop, he asked students to stand each time their phones went off. Many stood up more than 15 times in just 30 minutes. The exercise showed how deeply technology shapes attention and emotions.

Still, Rosario believes events like the gala can help people reconnect in healthier ways. By bringing the community together in a shared space, he hopes to remind people that support can be found not just in offices, but in everyday moments.

The May 2 gala is designed to do just that—offer a space where people can relax, enjoy themselves, and see mental health in a new light. Organizers say guests should expect surprises, thoughtful details, and an evening focused on connection.

For Clear Horizons, it’s another step in building a stronger, more supportive Front Royal—one conversation, one experience, and one community event at a time.

Find out more on the Clear Horizons Facebook page.

Get your tickets here.

Town Talk, sponsored by National Media Services, Inc., is a Royal Examiner series that introduces you to local entrepreneurs, business owners, nonprofit leaders, and public officials who help shape Warren County. Conversations cover a wide range of topics about our community and the people making a difference.