We all want to know about where we might be going or whats out there available for treatment and always have a lot of the same questions so the goal of this place is for people to share their experiences and build a database of reviews, q/a’s, what have you that will hopefully help people in making the best decision and provide feedback for others.
This is a non -profit site and not a pro-ed forum in any way.
The new professional forum is where you can ask the treatment centers direct questions and they are able to reply.
The consumer listings is where you can write reviews, try to be objective, and ask for questions of others who may have been there. There will be a residential/IP column, and the PHP/IOP listings are in the works.
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My hope is this will begin a unique and valuable resource for both patients and clinics alike. While comments will still be moderated under the same rules, still feel free to express your honest opinions.
Please email me if the center you are looking for is not yet reviewed or you would like to start it! Thanks!
BELOW IS A LIST OF QUESTIONS TO GET YOU STARTED ON SOME REVIEWS
If the list of questions is too much, you can just write a paragraph of your experience, but here are some things to think about answering..
Due to recent issues that have come up, please try to abide by the guidelines and keep comments directed at reviews. I am trying to remain this a place to be as vivid as possible, however, please try to remember the following:
Please refrain from using names of patients, doctors, or staff personnel.
Please try to stick to the facts and keep it to your experiences, not here-say.
-No numbers, wts, calories, etc. It’s fine if you want to say they look to gain 1-2lbs a wk, but just staying away from numbers is safe in general.
-Refrain from openly mentioning any tips or unhealthy behaviors you may have used on the open discussion board at a facility. Feel free to state, “it’s easy to get away with things there” or something along those lines, I just don’t want to give others ideas. At the same time I want you to feel as though you can be open and honest as possible.
Everyone has been extremely respectful and it is YOU that have made this a resource. So thank you very much and thank you with your patience with the transition. Below is a general list of questions that might help you get started.
Please still feel free to answer honest critiques. If you have any questions please email me. Thank you again!
Ideas of things to answer:
When were you there:
How many patients on average?
Does it treat both males and females? If so, is treatment separate or combined.
How often do you see a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist (therapist), nutritionist, etc?
What is the staff ratio to patients?
What sort of therapies are used? (DBT, CBT, EMDR) etc?
Describe the average day:
What were meals like?
What sorts of food were available or served?
Did they supplement? How did that system work?
What is the policy of not complying with meals?
Are you able to be a vegetarian?
What privelages are allowed?
Does it work on a level system?
How do you earn privelages?
What sort of groups do they have?
What was your favorite group?
What did you like the most?
What did you like the least?
Would you recommend this program?
What level of activity or exercise was allowed?
What did people do on weekends?
Do you get to know your weight?
How fast is the weight gain process?
What was the average length of stay?
What was the average age range?
How do visits/phone calls work?
Are you able to go out on passes?
What kind of aftercare do they provide? Do they help you set up an OP treatment team?
Are there any resources for people who come from out of state/country?
Other?
BELOW ARE SOME GUIDELINES MEANT TO KEEP THIS A SAFE PLACE.
**please don’t post personal heights and weights, thank you!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WRITE A REVIEW OR PARTICIPATE BUT REMAIN ANONYMOUS, PLEASE MESSAGE ME!
You can do a review of your experience there without being biased…just state the facts of what occurred,what the program was like (schedule,meals,groups,,ect.).Since there have recently been a lot of changes there it could be really helpful to those considering going there to get a clearer picture of what the program is like so they can make a more informed decision.Obviously you shouldn’t feel obligated to do a review if you don’t want to but I doubt anyone is going to be offended because you found the program to be unhelpful.
The only comments that are usually seen as “biased” tend to be either:
a) extreme over generalizations (i.e. “Nobody cold ever possibly recover here!!!”)that are then not supported by any actual examples of things that happened or specific elements of the program that cause the reviewer to feel so strongly.
b)glowing reviews that are written like a marketing brochure and that usually appear after a program has received negative reviews,as if to directly counter these reviews but without actually refuting any or most of the facts stated in the negative review(s).These posts just seem suspicious and create doubts as to whether they are written by actual former clients as opposed to someone who works for the treatment center.
c)posts written by people who have never actually been to the treatment center being reviewed that warn people against going there and/or make negative claims about the center based solely on what the poster has “heard’ versus what s/he actually experienced. <em>However, some people can come back possibly still in their honeymoon phase and have that glowing feel. Admin is trying to moderate and check these as much as possible using various methods.</em>
d)those who repeatedly post either to bash or praise a program and make comments invalidating and/or attacking anyone who disgrees with them about that program making it a appear as if they are posting because they have some sort of personal agenda.
<strong>For those of you who know DBT it’s sort of like trying to stay in your wise mind and being non-judgemental…just the facts. I think sometimes it can be appropriate to offer a semi-opinionated response like, “if you don’t like to be confined 24/7 or would like a more real life experience…” that would be appropriate.</strong>
Basically,the intended purpose of this site,as I understand it,is for people to share their experiences in order to help others better able to make informed decisions when seeking treatment.As long as your review is written with this purpose in mind,it is very unlikely to be seen as “biased” and will probably,in fact, be quite appreciated.