CooperRiis

Ryan Lucas

I was a resident at the farm in Mill Spring and in the community program from ‘15 to ‘16. I just recently visited the farm and it was a tremendous experience as when I was a resident. The hospitality was tremendous as I had lunch with Lisbeth, Eric and current and staff members whom were there when I was a resident. I am truly grateful to visit where my early beginnings in recovery began.

Marie Masse

I needed help for severe anxiety & complex PTSD symptoms, but knew that the core of my problem was that I'd been living in burnout as an ADHD + undiagnosed Autistic woman. My family didn't see it. My PCP didn't see it. I felt it and I wanted that diagnosis. So in February 2022, I went to a residential facility in Tennessee that claims to care for Autistic individuals. They told my husband, "We've worked with Autism for 20 years. Your wife is not Autistic." THEY DIDN'T EVEN SCREEN ME! I never spoke with a diagnostician. June 2022, after a very long and thorough assessment (as it should be), I was diagnosed Autistic (formerly Asperger's / High-Functioning Autism). My psychologist is a 30+ year ASD specialist not local to the area. Yesterday, I had the privilege of touring CooperRiis. Let me tell you. THIS place walks the walk in serving neurodiverse individuals. They're setting the bar for what all dual diagnosis mental health recovery centers should be doing as standard care. The best part—when I spoke with their Autism Program Coordinator, Alison Hamrick, I asked her, "What education/training informs your staff?" I expected to hear big clinician, researcher, or foundation names.... No. She basically said: "Books by neurodiverse voices and listening to what they have to say." The staff couldn't be more down to earth. In terms of engaging with local mental health care professionals who "get" Autism, I felt more seen and heard at CooperRiis on my TOUR than I have as a patient anywhere else around here. Consider them. You're incredible, CooperRiis!

Katherine Kearns

I had an incredible experience in the CooperRiis program. It enabled me to work very hard on myself uninterrupted (in a beautiful place with lovely people who truly cared about me and my well-being). I went through all stages of this program. I would highly recommend going through each level, including the community program and living in your own apartment with support. I'm almost 8 years away from discharging from this program. In those eight years I had so many accomplishments.... And I continue to accomplish each day each year! I give a lot of credit to this program because of the continued success I've had outside of this community. If I had not done the work on myself, I would not be where I am today. I am happily married. My husband and I have adopted four animals, and we bought our own home. I went back to school and am close to earning my degree this December in human services. Not just earning a degree, but making a 4.0 in my program. My mind is clear now and I have been able to learn so much easier without the fog of many medications. I was able to cut back my medications in half. I have also recently been able to get off benzodiazepines. I'm almost 8 years sober. My husband and I planted an amazing garden. I have gained a lot of other skills that I loved being able to practice on the farm. I am now a case manager and I am happy helping other individuals with similar experiences. This place, CooperRiis, is one which recovery truly happens. And it happens from the start of showing up and being wrapped around with care, to 8 years later were you still feel a part of the family and the CooperRiis community. I have also been able to flourish in my own family system and learning how to be the person I was always intended to be prior to my mental health diagnosis. My relationship with my parents and sister and other family members are night and day and truly a blessing. This does not mean I don't still have anxiety, or I don't still have some depression, but I am able to manage all of this and live my life in a beautiful and fulfilling manner. Thank you, CooperRiis 🌻💓

Thomas Franklin

I'm a psychiatrist who has been referring people to CooperRiis for 15 years. Recently I was finally able to visit in person and I was floored by the dedication of the staff, the beauty of the setting, and how comprehensive the program is including: nutrition, life skills, psychotherapy, socialization, psychopharmacology and more. I'm inspired by what they have built at CooperRiis and how they help people heal and then find out what that are really capable of with just the right amount of support.