Integral Care’s Psychiatric Emergency Services

"My son went in as a walk through and the uncle who is afraid of him took him. And lied. My son hasn’t come back they admitted him my son has a hard time making decisions. They won’t release him and he is going to miss his real doctor appointment. Because they won’t let us have him. He wants out. He had no one to explain to him about this. They won’t release him. Please don’t use this place. I’m going to contact fox 7 and tell them also. I’ve called the cops they are looking for him. So I ll keep fighting. He was basically kidnapped by his uncle that can’t stand him. Sandra livingston"

"(Part 3) Upstairs: My most recent trip left me so very disheartened. Why did I return? That's a fair question. I have fallen on hard times. I lost my job, I have absolutely nothing and am facing homelessness yet again. To avoid an emergency visit, I came in on my last day of medication. I arrived at 9am and was seen on and off during the day. My final assessment was completed around 430pm. Overall, my experience was positive. The front counter social workers were very kind. The nurses were sweet. James, the first person I met with (hippie dude with long hair) was really cool. He didn't force me to discuss my CPTSD history, was straight to the point. After that, I met with their psychiatrist David. Unusual last name I cannot recall. He was quite thorough and good natured. He was insightful and had a pleasant and quirky sense of humor. My medications were sent to the pharmacy. 30 days supply with a full understanding that I had come to them with not a penny in my pocket. As was the case with the majority of patients there. I myself have been waiting on receiving my Mapp card. Anyway, I honestly left with an increment of faith restored. I thought, "Perhaps this place isn't so bad after all… at least upstairs anyway." The next morning, with a sliver of hope blossoming through my heart, I went to pick up my medication at my pharmacy. The technician returned with my items in hand and said, "Alright, that will be $70." …… Hmm… there must be some sort of miscommunication error. I was encouraged to call integral care. I walked to customer service to use their phone. After being on hold on and off for 45 minutes, I was told, "I'm sorry. I understand your frustration. I'm not sure why you were told this. The providers are not available. Would you like to file a complaint?" ………..…. At this point, I was in utter disbelief. My detailed information given to each and every single person the day before clearly had gone completely unnoticed. My voice, once again, had been shoved to the side. Once again, I was just a minuscule, nobody. Unworthy of having my basic needs met. A mere puke stain on 6th street, taking up their time. Never mind that without my medication I become 1. Suicidal 2. Psychotic and paranoid 3. Get flashbacks 4. Mood swings. 5. Dizziness 6. Nausea 7. Shakes 8. Brain shocks 9. Etc. I begrudgingly walked to the ER for help. My perturbed state was palpable but I assured the receptionist I was in no way shape or form attempting to take an increment of it out on her. After hearing of my situation, kindly, she urged me to go to a hospital to avoid the high cost of the ER. I left a message at integral care. I told them I found their actions immeasurably counterproductive. I said I would more than likely be forced to see them at The Inn in a few days when I began feeling suicidal and upon doing so, would actually be given my medication anyway …… It's strange that unless you have a gun to your head, you will be treated like gum on the bottom of their shoe. My advice, dear soul is this: LIE. Lie like they do. Go in, deny that you have a plan to harm yourself so they don't force you to stay at the dreaded Inn. But lie and portray hysterical symptoms. "The sky is falling!!! The sky is falling!!!". The squeaky wheel gets the grease, my friend. And if you have absolutely nothing but the shoes on your feet, calm articulation will be meaningless in their eyes. Shout, proclaim the world for you is ending or your needs will simply fall by the wayside. If your circumstances do not "appear" to be an emergency (regardless of your words) you will be treated like a nobody. As for the facility as a whole, I have unfortunately learned that it is merely a place to be discriminated, brushed aside and left for dead. Do not expect integrity from integral care. Not now. Not ever."

"(Part 1) OH SWEET SOUL! DO NOT GO HERE!!! PLEASE, DO NOT GO HERE!!!!! Go to St. David's Austin Lakes, an ER… The most troubling thing is that you will more than likely end up here. Mental health care in Texas is an other worldly joke. Still, I would try every other route before going to this facility. Here, empathy, compassion, assistance and integrity are an absolute mockery. You will not be treated with an increment of dignity. Your voice, meaningless. Your needs, not guaranteed to be met. Welcome to the 1800s asylum beneath a blanket of modern day jargon and grey paint. I have received "services" upstairs and have stayed at The Inn on several occasions. Both are abysmal. I will elaborate. The Inn(emergency psychiatric hospital): Upon arrival, they will count your items. Some items may get lost. So, don't bring anything valuable. Also, some other patients may sneak in your room and try to steal things. Next, they will confiscate your medicine. You will get it back when you leave. For the first couple of days, even a week or more, you will be without medication. Regardless of how severe your withdrawal symptoms are, your cries for help will go unheard. Once you receive them, take them when scheduled. I once asked an evening nurse if I could take mine in 15 minutes. This woman screamed at me from behind the glass. I was mortified. I asked her, "Why are you screaming at me? Don't you see how harmful of a thing that is to do to a patient in psychiatric emergency care?" She continued to scream at me until I walked away and cried. There are 3 women who will orchestrate your intake appointment. All of which are painfully apathetic. You will more than likely be placed in the hands of a woman named Yoshi. She is unenthusiastic to say the least. You will be treated like an infant, sarcastic remarks will ensue and her curmudgeon demeanor will seep through the halls while you follow her to your appointments. Amidst the To Do list, you will be expected to go to group meetings. These are usually run by social workers, case workers and various staff. I have zero recollection of any of these meetings being remotely helpful, educational or healing. One time, a staff member who worked up front (cannot remember her name), short hair, ex addict, horribly sadistic small young woman had us draw in detail our triggers… No resolution. No coping strategies. We were told to draw our worst experiences and discuss them. Sick. This same woman also lied to patients, telling someone napping she would save their lunch only to walk back to her desk smiling having done nothing of the sort. I informed the kitchen staff myself. Speaking of kitchen staff, good luck on this front… the man who works there is a scrawny Hispanic man who will more than likely only show you decency if he finds you attractive. His expression almost always reads, "I hate my life". I can sympathize with him. After all, who would want to work here? Still, his treatment of patients could use improvement. You are treated like a prisoner and God forbid you have dietary restrictions! You will be subjected to a deathly hallow glare and the most minimalistic serving size possible for your "outlandish" request. Next, the case workers..."