The Refuge, A Healing Place

"I had an awesome experience at The Refuge. I met many great people and made some friends for life. In my opinion, the program works but you have to do the work. It’s works if you work it…. And that’s true. I gave it my best efforts. I leave with a lot of tools to cope with the outside world. The only thing I would advice anyone is that, you live in a bubble and no matter how prepared you think you are for the outside world, the transition can be very tough."

"I was a client of The Refuge in January 2024. I was someone who wanted to make a change and decided to try an in-patient program. I read the reviews and was nervous but ask some questions and learned that The Refuge is under new management. No place will be perfect but I can say that The Refuge is a beautiful place to take a moment for yourself and heal. Places like this only work if you show up every day and try. It isn't a vacation and it's not suppose to be a 5 star hotel. The people I worked with did care about me because I wanted to do the work and was honest. I was accountable for my actions but expected the same in return. There are still some things that are being worked on, like staffing and medical, but what I saw was a staff that was trying very hard to listen. I was always safe, well feed, given opportunities to share and speak, allowed the time and space for myself, and given kind words and support while I was there. I am happy with my decision because it was that, mine. It was a choice I made and yes, I had to give up some of my control to stay there in a way that was safe. I got a lot out of my stay and met so many great people. I am sorry that others feel different but I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to stay."

"I've been waiting to write this review because I wanted it to be thought out and informative to future clients and their loved ones. After taking some time to truthfully reflect on my experience at The Refuge, I truly cannot warn people enough about this facility. I read all of the negative reviews on here before I went, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt. I thought: "Well, there are always a handful of unhappy folks no matter where you go" and "People only come to the reviews to complain." I wish I had listened to these though (and I mean the recent ones; The Refuge has gone so far downhill from what it used to be). This place is dangerously understaffed and with the exception of maybe one, the staff that they do have are not qualified. Look at the clinicians on their website. Most are interns - even their head therapist! There is an extreme lack of professionalism and inappropriate therapist/client boundaries. Don't expect actual treatment modalities happening either. You will spend the majority of your time complaining about The Refuge to staff members that can't do anything about it, wandering around campus trying to find the group leader that didn't show up, or doing craft projects that they pretend is art therapy. There were so many nursing and medical errors during my time here as well. I was frequently given the wrong medications due to the nurses mixing up names or accidentally dispensing too many pills. Dr. Hernandez spoke to the incorrect client for a good 10 minutes before somebody came in and informed him that he in fact had the wrong person in front of him. We weren't even anywhere close in age! The amount of inconsistency and lack of communication made me feel uneasy around the clock at this place. There is so much more I could go into, but the bottom line is: look for someplace else. The photos online are gorgeous and at a first glance, everything seems wonderful. Those looks are deceiving though, and after having to leave AMA just to get out of there, I am so relieved to no longer be behind those black gates. I had such high hopes for The Refuge, but it was frankly a big waste of time, money, and sanity. I hope I can preserve you that."

"If I ever need to go back to treatment, I will 100% return to the Refuge. It was life changing and I will never forget my time here and the care I received from so many incredible people. The techs, the staff - they have all changed my life and made a huge imprint. I am forever grateful. (Oakhouse Mar-May23)"

"Please do not go to this facility. I was there in August 2023 for 15 days. I did not see a therapist one time, and their form of trauma groups consists of people reading letters to perpetrators in front of a group with no feedback from therapists. The treatment facility that recommended me to this place is now being paid by The Refuge in order for them to “get back in good graces” so they can have clients referred there again. There is no individualization of care, and clients, HUMANS, that are in crisis cannot be purchased. They were sure to apologize to another agency and send money for future money, yet they weren't willing to take the time to ensure quality mental health care. Quality of care should change, The Refuge should have followed through with their word that wrongs would have been made right; however, all their clients are is a paycheck. Please do intense research on these facilities before you or your loved ones attend. ***UPDATE: I sent an email to the provided contact below over three weeks ago. I responded with open ended questions that would prompt a response, and left my contact information, including my phone number, so that I could be contacted to resolve this matter. It seems as though their responses to reviews are a one size fits all response just like their program, and their responses to inquiries go unanswered just like their treatment plans with patients."