Research Psychiatric Center

Melanie Sage

#justTransThings I'm transgender. During admission the white cisgender male doing intake left the room to have a discussion with coworkers in the other room about if gender matters. He couldn't understand why anyone would choose to take on this label, and further expressed his confusion about non-binary genders, saying it was the same thing as androgyny. When he asked me, I couldn't explain it to his satisfaction. I need to dilate every few days. A nurse with the ally pin told me I couldn't have my dilators because she was adamant they were vibrators. I asked her to show me one vibrating so I would believe her, but she simply repeated the assertion they were vibrators. After they received my insurance information, the nurses wanted to move me to a different room but needed my consent. They said it was in the same (female) wing, and I questioned the purpose of this until it was revealed the new room would actually be in the male wing. I'm legally female. During group I was asked if my now legal name was my "real" name. Another patient picked up on the microaggression and demanded an apology on my behalf. They were taken away and injected with a sedative. #justTransThings-end At no point did I say I was planning to kill myself. This was an involuntary stay. This could be my final review, since involuntary stays are associated with an extreme increased risk of actual suicide. Don't do it! The website says that individual therapy is provided, and every professional I spoke to prior to admission confirmed that it was guaranteed daily. After admission I was told it was not guaranteed. I never received individual therapy. I tried to discuss suicidal thoughts in group, but I was shushed by the group leader and told not to say things that might trigger other patients. Group therapy consists of activities such as shooting baskets, drawing, listening to music, and playing UNO. I can do that at home. There are sometimes psychoeducation classes in which the provider passes out an information sheet and we read what's on it. Save yourself $6000 and just google "therapy techniques worksheets". We did get led through an exercise by a practitioner who confessed a lack of knowledge about polyvagal theory, instructing us to use methods suited for hyperarousal after all of us stated we were in hypoarousal. According to polyvagal theory, doing this will maintain the depressed state. I received an intramuscular shot (estrogen) into my fatty tissue, which is not where that goes. I had nausea for the next two days as a result, which has happened before and is why I told them that that's not where that goes. I wish that we had the ability to vote with our wallets so that places like this no longer exist. Instead we have to pay for abuse whether we want it or not.

Cynthia Saffold

My son never wanted to talk & being her helped him see that talking helps. Staff was always available as they could be for me to talk to them. I hope parents know that this center is the beginning of treatment for their children. Also that their kids are not broken so don’t expect them to come home “fixed”. Visit your babies even if they’re there for 72 hours. I appreciate the resources and fresh perspective given to my son.

H Halverson

My 16 child was in this facility for 5 days and they treated her very well and helped her get back on track. Checking your child into any hospital is difficult because you are worried about how they will be treated. My child reported to me that the staff was nice and treated her well. I visited every night and always saw positive interactions between staff and patients. The front desk and security staff that check in parents for visits are also great to work with. I would recommend this facility to any parents that find their adolescent needs metal health treatment.

Heather halt

I stayed in the Journey unit and had a great experience. The doctors , nurses and group therapist were amazing. I felt listened to , cared about and that I could eventually get better. The reason I didn't give it five stars was my doctor was awful, if you get Dr. Puluga please ask for another one! The food was delicious as well. I highly recommend them. Another great thing is it is very structured but not restricting.