Mary Louise Thielbahr, a true trailblazer denied the naysayers and listened to the Lord's calling 25 years ago. Mary Louise lit the torch and today it burns brighter than ever. With the help of an incredible staff of dedicated professionals, Mary-Louise rose to the top of the mental health and behavioral health industry despite facing incredible odds. Thank you Mary Louise for 25 wonderful years, and may God continue to bless you!
This year we celebrate our Founder, Mary Louise Thielbahr, and her 25 year legacy of healing. Mary Louise has served thousands of teen girls and their families for 25 years. Mary Louise has been "restoring future's" for a long time now, and we believe her best is yet to come.
In every struggling child, Mary Louise sees a masterpiece just waiting to be set free. Like Michael Angelo who looked upon a marble slab and saw the beauty within the stone, Mary Louise also sees the beautiful image inside each struggling girl. When she meets a struggling child Mary Louise immediately starts chipping away at the outer crust because she knows something spectacularly awesome and beautiful is just underneath the pain.
“If Mary Louise has taught us anything it's this… every Clearview student is truly a masterpiece just waiting to be introduced to the world.” Jason Thielbahr
Mary Louise Thielbahr started Clearview Girls Academy 25 years ago with a firm belief that through hard work, faith, perseverance, and a whole lot of love any child could be restored and redeemed.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
As Mary Louise would say, “I was fortunate to have helped restore and reshape the lives of hundreds of young women. What a humbling honor it was to be a part of each precious life.”
Clearview Girls Academy is a Christ-centered residential treatment center for teenage girls troubled with life-controlling issues or misbehavior that may be threatening their future.
What an accomplished life Mary Louise has led. And in honor of all that she's accomplished and all that she personally sacrificed, we are taking a step back in time this year to relish the many incredible accomplishments of Mary Louise Thielbahr and her incredible staff at Clearview.
"Mary Louise is an example of faith. She’s a fearless leader of strength, and so compassionate, always ready to forgive everyone. You can trust her with your heart - that's Mary Louise, and that's Clearview." Jeremiah Guidos, Clinical Director
Mary Louise Thielbahr is the ultimate role model for women of all ages, having graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern California.
"Mary Louise faced every fear and overcame them all and she did it with love. Mary Louise was all alone and she fought an uphill battle. In everything she does, Mary Louise is our example." Tina Sawyers, Director of Academic Programming
Mary also holds a Masters Degree in Special Education from California State University, Los Angeles, a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology from California State University, Long Beach, and a Masters Degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from Azusa Pacific University. Mary Louise met John Thielbahr in 1968 and they were married in 1970. They had four outstanding children, Jason, Jeremy, Angela, and Scott.
"Mary Louise is unapologetically intellectual, hard-working, and has an enormous heart for the rebellious, entrepreneurial young women." Jeremy Thielbahr
Mary Louise has overcome several challenges and knee-bending moments in her life. She was Polio Abused Inferiority Complex as a pubescent adolescent, she overcame a Near-fatal ski accident in 1998, and survived life-threatening blood clots after her first child was born in 1971. Essentially, throughout her life, whenever personal tragedy struck, Mary Louise Thielbahr not only survived but she thrived. Instead of crumbling or retreating, Mary Louise did what she always did, and she turned outward in service toward those in greater need.
As Mary Louise puts it, “out of the ashes came the beauty we all enjoy today as Clearview Girls Academy.”
In 1996, Mary Louise created and launched the first “women-led” and “women-owned” therapeutic program for troubled girls in the entire United States. Staffed by Mary Louise and her “all-star team of dedicated women,” they were way ahead of their time. Mary Louise Thielbahr, and her closest girl friends, and their combined beautiful hearts launched Clearview Girls Academy.
Today Clearview helps young women solve difficult issues such as attachment disorders, attention deficit, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, self-destructive or antisocial behavior, and issues involved with adoption. Clearview helps adolescent girls get past their emotional and trauma-related struggles. Clearview provides innovative therapy, including individual, group, family counseling, and specialized help for students dealing with drug addictions and/or abandonment issues.
"Mary Louise is an entrepreneur businesswoman who persevered against all the odds to BE THE EXAMPLE for young women everywhere. Mary Louise is the standard barrier, the stalwart, the pioneer, and the trailblazer. And what's more, she will lead this transition to the next 25 Years with the same grace and truth and compassion as the first 25 Years." Craig Rogers
Back in 1996, Mary Louise paved the way for young women everywhere to find a safe space for healthy change, thus “lighting her path.” Today, Mary Louise mentors our therapists and direct care staff to work with girls who are acting out or making inappropriate decisions due to emotional issues stemming from: major trauma or loss in their life, physical or mental abuse, death of a loved one, or attachment disorders related to adoption.
The goal at Clearview is to uncover the psychological factors contributing to the student’s unhealthy behavioral choices. The Clearview girls learn therapeutic tools that will assist them for the rest of their life, to be healthy, strong, confident women.
"Let’s celebrate a life full of love and compassion and commitment to others. Mary Louise is truly one of a kind, a trailblazer, an example for us all to follow if we dare." Jason Thielbahr
Mary Louise Thielbahr made it natural for young women to empowered overcomers; confident, kind, hard-working, and influential young people with a strong voice, a clear purpose, and the strength and resolve to overcome all adversity to complete her mission.
Mary Louise Thielbahr is a maverick, an entrepreneur, and a visionary… the tip of the spear for adolescent mental health treatment." Janice Miller
As Mary Louise prepares to pass the torch to her incredible transition team (her dream team), she said, “I have been blessed beyond imagination. have lived a full professional life filled with love, but more importantly, through me and many others God built a legacy that will continue to bless young women and their families long after I leave this earth. The time has to pass the baton and let the next generation complete what we started.”
Mary Louise Thielbahr is a true heroine of our day. And we believe, someday soon, Mary Louise Thielbahr will be inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
"Mary Louise is an example of faith. She’s a fearless leader of strength, and so compassionate, always ready to forgive everyone. You can trust her with your heart - that's Mary Louise, and that's Clearview." Cyndi Gerstenberger
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About the Author:
Jason Thielbahr
Head of Schools
Jason was born in Santa Monica, California. Jason has a...
Jason was born in Santa Monica, California. Jason has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Occidental College where he was an...