Center Building - Institute of Living

Perhaps a year ago-ish, I was admitted to one of the Institute of Livings IOP programs. It was ran by (mostly) 2-3 women, social workers I believe? And it was oriented towards young queer adults. Notably, for most of my experience within said program, I was the ONLY person of color. This is whatever to me, in all honesty, but it's the general fact that I noticed they treated me... differently. My "peers" (if that's the nicest word I can use) constantly would make remarks that were over-the-line and uncomfortably pointed―just when I was sharing my emotions and experiences. I'd inform the social workers of this, they'd dismiss me. It would happen again and again, to the point I barely made an effort showing up anymore I was that uncomfortable and felt so utterly unwelcomed. They confronted me about this, understandably, and to their credit they did try and work with me on improving this avoidant behavior. However, when I did chime back in on the reasons WHY I was so apprehensive to simply BE in the room consistently enough with peers that made me uncomfortable, it felt like they avoided and dismissed the issue AGAIN. I tried, I really did. But then it escalated to passive-aggressiveness from (mostly one) of the social workers themselves. They'd cut ME SPECIFICALLY off whilst it was my turn to check in, for alleged time-sensitive reasons, then allow my peers to go on for TWICE as long as I did and more. Unbelievable. Then when it comes back to the fact I had to stay in the room, we compromised on a way for this to happen, just for THEM to neglect and seemingly forget this compromise. Insane. Overall, the staff I knew were... nice, but ignorant, in my opinion. They tried branching out with engaging activities often, and they tried proposing thoughtful conversations and sharing.

I’m giving a review as a former patient. I was hospitalized voluntarily for about four days in the mid 2010s, which may have been a while ago, but I was a teenager and never got around to posting a review. I went in for panic attacks and anxiety, I was fearful and scared. I look back in shock, disbelief, and horror at what I saw and experienced. The children were drugged up and planted in front of a TV, there was no individual therapy offered whatsoever. Group therapy occurred once or twice, and quickly devolved into patients arguing and staff struggling to maintain order. I was further traumatized by what I witnessed, children being forcibly restrained and controlled by staff as if it was a prison. We were given no privacy, even patients who are not a harm to themselves or others. At one point, I was changing my pad when a nurse barged into the bathroom to check on me. It was extremely humiliating, especially as somebody who was already feeling so badly about myself. They also made me squat and cough naked. It was absolutely disgusting and horrible to experience as a teenage girl. Completely unnecessary for what I was admitted for. The staff also turned a blind eye to other more aggressive, disruptive, sicker patients bullying me about my acne and shyness. All because they wanted to placate unruly kids. They chose not to defend me and my self esteem plummeted lower than it already was. Even though I entered voluntarily, and was not a danger to myself or anyone else, I was also forcibly medicated. The psychiatrist that I interacted with was extremely awful and dismissive towards me. When I expressed hesitations around taking an SSRI, this person mocked and belittled me, saying I would never get better. You got by and received privileges if you follow the rules to a T. I was quiet and kept my head down, thankfully I got out after only a couple days. I left with my trust regarding the mental health system completely destroyed. If you have a child, and they’re struggling, please think twice before sending them here.

The IOP was very helpful for me. A majority of the staff were very supportive and helpful. There is one woman there “beau” I think is how you spell her name. Always giving me dirty looks, I would wave at her and no response. It made me very uncomfortable in a therapeutic setting.

IOL has been there for me when I was at rock bottom. My first time there in December 2023 was ok, the staff was kind except for one tech from the adult unit... When I went back last December, I ended up staying for Christmas, and the staff did their best to make us happy with gifts, games, etc. I stayed for almost a month and started becoming myself again with help from my favourite tech and my favorite nurses. This was the first place that actually treated me like a human being while being in a psych facility. Most of the staff were still there from the first time and they had a better understanding with what was going on. I was so happy they remembered what had helped me last time.

Giving 2 stars only. For the few nurses and staff inside the inpatient ward who are compassionate, they deserve a raise but they are indeed, as rare as diamonds. The one head of psychiatry in Donnelly adult ward, female psychiatrist, is pretty no-nonsense about her job. Not the friendlinest but not exactly Ratched either. Your mileage may vary--are you voluntary? Mandated? Can you just do as you're told without a fuss? Social workers are hit or miss here regarding their missions. The IOP one should be very wary of, they like to pencil-whip shameful diagnoses in only knowing a brief glimpse that stay on a record for life. Again, perhaps YMMV on that one. Perhaps not the worst psych facility in the nation, or maybe even the state, but...when you look at the history of mental health care in American history, none of it has been pretty and that's not liable to change in the foreseeable future without aggressive reform from the INSIDE out. (dismantling and restructuring the entire system, but let's be real: this is America, all health care is for profit)

The Institute of Living's Intensive Out Patient (IOP) program is outstanding. Very qualified and caring staff with expertise in my, and many other specific needs. Evidence based treatment approaches, cognitive and dialectical behavior therapy, individualized treatment plans, a safe and supportive environment, a thorough intake process and the ability to address co-occurring conditions, different levels of care and substance abusive. Quality therapy sessions like coping skills, self esteem, family issues, stress management, etc. IOL is an outstanding 200 year old institution with a seller reputation.

I was a patient there for 2 weeks. It was like being in a nursing home. I didn’t receive any one on one therapy until day 11. Group therapy was basic and just dumb. Total waste of my time. The nursing staff were mostly fine. My psychiatrist was so nasty she’d make anyone wish their sueside attempt had been successful. I CANNOT recommend