BEWARE OF GLOWING REVIEWS FROM EMPLOYEES. Reviews on a business should be from a customer perspective. Not from those who work for the business and are likely going to be "encouraged" to give 5* reviews. This is one of the biggest reasons I am not a fan of Yelp. It's terribly manipulated and allows, even facilitates, bias. There's one bad employee review from Andrew J here as well. Although, it also goes to bias, at least it shows some insight on this business. In regards to MY experience with ASTC, I think ASTC is the epitome of the state of our mental health system in California. It's unfortunate, and I think businesses like this are exploitive and not as helpful as "advertised." My son was there for nearly two years and although he was "safe" from harm, I believe the ASTC is a common business model of simple warehousing of the mentally ill. There was very little, if any, "rehabilitation" or "transitionary" resources, therapy, or "treatment" which ironically, IS IN THEIR NAME. I've found many of their policies antiquated, useless, and in some cases downright counter productive. Unfortunately, there are very few choices for Californians suffering from mental illness in the residential care establishment. Most are financial machines that merely manage their population by sedation. It's impersonal and NOT a "treatment." Certainly, not anything "Special." The residents have NO access to classroom programs, rehabilitation programs, vocational programs, or anything else that appears to prepare them for transition to independent living and life skills. They have no access to computers, cell phones, or Internet access in any form. Visitation is very limited and on most days in an inadequate environment, and you can't even enjoy your meal with your loved one. I've read the reviews from the employees that were not happy there, and it comes as no surprise. My experience with the staff was not always pleasant and the low morale was apparent. In fairness, they were not ALL unpleasant. People are all individuals and handle things differently. However, if you have anything to say to staff I almost forgot to mention, I saw no evidence of any encouragement of physical activity or access to a recreational facility aside from a caged in (15' X 30' maybe) patio with table and chairs, but NO exercise or recreational equipment to speak of. You don't have to be a doctor to know that physical activity is directly correlated to mental health. Someone should also speak to their "dietician" and dramatically change their diets. Every meal and snack time my son spoke of was full of carbs and sugars. The only restriction I witnessed was their policy on caffeinated drinks. Again, that's great. But, seemed like more of a self serving interest for the staff to not have their residents given anything to counter their ability to manage them. It's a warehouse and your loved one is inventory. read more

Alpine Special Treatment Center - R I P Marco - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me - Alpine, California

My daughter was at Alpine for two years and made great progress. In one day, without any heads up to me, she was released by Alpine via Telecare and placed in a board and care right across the street, in the same neighborhood, where she was in a previous ILA and got into a lot of trouble. In 2 months she's back to delusional and risky behavior in her old neighborhood. She has no spending money from Telecare after 2 months and is getting her needs met with questionable people. Thanks a lot Alpine, for undoing ALL of my daughter's progress by releasing her too early!! read more

I worked here for several years and saw the up's and the down's of this place. And unfortunately the good times are quickly and fully devastated by thoughts of the bad times. the complaints about being underpaid are true. I've been invited to sit in on employee councils where this issue is brought up regarding staff retention, only to be met with a decisive indifference. You won't get hardly any PTO, you'll be paid under the amount of work expected of you, and your mental health may take a huge blow, as mine did. I've had promises made to me for my hard work, which was rewarded only with lies and gaslighting. I put 100% into this job because I loved the people I worked with and felt like I was making a difference -- or at least, wanted to. But all of us became united by the same feeling of being dispensable. One brave person at ASTCI told me something that I'll never forget: "you don't value yourself enough, and neither do they (the administration team)." I pondered this for months. I used it as a mantra when I had a mental health crisis because of my employment at ASTCI. Working here brought me to a point where I almost hurt myself because I felt so useless and drained. Even now I feel a twinge of fear because of the feeling of power they had over all of us. It took me having to work somewhere else where I'm valued as an equal and not a body on the floor that I realized everything in perspective. And it took the thoughtful comment by Megan earlier to make me feel like I ought to address the many grievances written. Yes, the staff turnover is horrendous. Much above 50%. I don't know the exact number because it's only ever referred to as being "more than 50%." I'd wager it's closer to 80%. It's for all the obvious reasons. Pay is horrible. Almost no PTO. Leadership on the floor often aren't well-trained and struggle with almost all the same struggles as floor staff. Stressful working conditions, stressful client, limited resources. Any desire to do things better or differently are almost always shot down without consideration. Yes, a staff member in a leadership position did sleep around with someone beneath his station. And this happened with several staff members. And everyone knew about it. And any mention of this, despite it's being wrong, was actually likened to "bullying" instead of being an actual concern. And this person in leadership position did not get reprimanded because Megan said it right: they were moved to an even higher position just beneath the Administrator. Yes, staff did sleep with the residents. And this is a big no-no, we all knew it. When it happened, it was handled. It has happened more than once, however. It was even rumored to be happening while I was in the process of leaving. Yes, the staff are not treated well. Imran stated they are treated "like dogs" and I think that I felt that way, especially later in my employment. Like I said, I tried very hard and put a lot of myself into it. I wanted to make a difference. I ignored a lot of red flags. No employer is perfect. But never have I felt so demeaned than working at ASTCI. Never have I experienced so much misery. I've never experienced someone close to me committing suicide, until I worked at ASTCI and we all lost a fellow coworker who killed himself. A note was written about his wanting to hurt himself in the employee grievance box; a note that was only discovered weeks after he took his own life. Many of the staff genuinely care about the residents, but all of us were so tied up in expectations pressuring us down. There were so few of us and so many residents, it felt like we could only give the bare minimum. And for many of us, that's what we did. COVID shook the entire world of healthcare, but it revealed many of the cracks at ASTCI. For me, it revealed one of my biggest complaints with the world of healthcare administration: that ASTCI is for-profit and very much feels that way. We watched our residents during covid be denied visitors for over a year. This includes people providing groups. This includes people coming to provide haircuts. Our residents became haggard and unkept for the sake of protection from COVID, which wouldn't be a problem if it was consistent. At the same time as all of this, the Admin team were having their luxury cars detailed or their designer dogs groomed. Not the residents though. There are some memories that I will forever treasure at ASTCI. There are friendships that persist even until now. I met many interesting people and really learned a lot about mental illnesses. But I also learned a lot about my own tolerance for abuse and my lack of self-care. I learned that I can be vulnerable to gaslighting situations suggesting that I cannot do better. I learned that I can feel like I can do the job of someone making twice as much as I did and get nothing for it. I learned that in a country where money is the cornerstone for healthcare, it will take precedence over good, honest care. read more

Had a very good experience at A.S.T.C., was where I turned my life around, very knowledgeable and helpful staff. I'm doing much better because the program works, I made alot of very good friends there and I miss everyone all the time... I know what you're thinking, a mental hospital?? But this was a great step to a better life for me and I know alot of other really great people!! I love you guys thank you -----chloe Hernandez read more

I completely agree with Imran H. The experience I had at Alpine Special Treatment Center was absolutely frightening and depressing. Thank goodness it was brief, though I had been there many years before for almost a year and had luckily blocked the majority of that time out of my memory. The place is a nightmare. Unless you are so severely mentally I'll that you you are completely unaware (as most residents seem to be) , avoid this place at all costs! Do whatever you can (hire whoever you can) to stay away from this place! read more

This is not a place of rehabilitation, and have witnessed first hand how patients are treated very inhumanely. There is no compassion or empathy that lives within this place from the clients right down to the staff who do not receive any substantial clinical training. Also they pay the staff the very bare minimum and invest the bare minimum to keep money circulating through here. There is also no strategic planning or investment to improve the operations, staff retention/morale, or organization of this place because it is only for financial gain and to profit off of the most vulnerable of populations. I do not recommend this business or services to anyone. read more

Alpine Special Treatment Center (ASTCI) is a very unique facility that offers excellent job opportunities with room to grow. ASTCI is committed to providing the best client care available and opportunities for employees to gain incredible experience working with individuals with chronic and acute mental illness. The work environment can be fast paced at times, and stressful in certain moments. However, the Program Department's management is very supportive and helpful. I can honestly state the Program Director and Assistant Program Director are the best supervisors I have had in this field. Beyond that, the "direct care staff" care for one another and help each other out when working on the units. The teamwork at ASTCI is beyond excellent and the training ASTCI provides ensures that staff are well trained. In addition, veteran staff and supervisors offer ongoing training and support after the initial formal training period. At ASTCI one has the opportunity to grow as a clinician and person. There are frequent salary raises and self care bonuses, as well as annual raises based on performance factors. The pay is standard for mental health in San Diego County. Having worked at other companies within mental health in different counties, I am confident that Alpine Special Treatment Center is the best place in mental health I have worked. It is frustrating to read the poor reviews coming for a minority of disgruntled past employees who left because they were not good at their jobs. Please take them with a grain of salt. Alpine is a great place to work, learn, grow and mature in the mental health field. read more

I worked at ASTCI for 5 1/2 years. I really must say, it was one of the best jobs I've ever had. It was the first place that I've worked, in which I actually enjoyed, and looked forward to coming in. Over the years, I met several incredible co-workers and supervisors, including administration and the owners; they looked out for their troops to say the least. My supervisors (Program Director, and Assistant Program Director) were extremely knowledgeable and supportive. They made me feel like a valuable asset on a daily basis, and helped me grow in my field. Administration was awesome; always throwing us parties and giving us bonuses. The benefits are outstanding as well. If you're looking for a career, that is truly rewarding, with room to grow, than look no further. read more

I have worked at ASTCI for about a year now. I have a lot of experience working in both outpatient and inpatient facilities and with a variety of supervisors and staff and I have to say that this is one of the best places I have had the opportunity to work. The training is individualized and allows you to get very in-depth on the job training as well as ongoing supervision and training focused on helping all of our staff develop communication skills and enhance our ability to work with the clients at the facility. I feel as though our staff really works well together and helps out one another. This is a high stress environment however, I feel safe knowing that our team members are highly trained at crisis prevention and that the safety of our clients and staff is a priority. The clinical director has an open door policy and is extremely supportive and always there to brainstorm and provide guidance and feedback. All in all, I am very impressed and ASTCI has definitely exceeded my expectations for not only a safe and welcoming work environment but one where I feel that I actually grew as a professional in this field. Even if my career takes me elsewhere I am proud to say that I worked at this establishment and will hope to work at a site that comes close to my experience at ASTCI. read more

During the last two years I have had the privilege to work at Alpine Special Treatment Center and have developed a stronger understanding of the dually diagnosed and mentally ill population. Most importantly, I have enhanced my professional and clinical skills and am provided with positive feedback, assistance, and support from my supervisors. I have worked in several different agencies and by far ASTCI offers the best experience and training in various areas such as developing and utilizing preventions and interventions, clinical documentations, diagnosing various disorders, mandate reporting, education on the various treatment/therapy modalities such as CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, etc, and client care. They provide various trainings to staff throughout the year to help you understand and be more effective in your everyday work performance with the clients. The hours they provide are good and all employees are eligible for a quarterly incentive bonus. Additionally, working at ASTCI you have the ability to get promoted within the company. There is room for advancement and promotions, which is a huge plus!! I was initially hired as a Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS) where my responsibilities included overseeing staff (PSRSs), facilitating psycho educational groups, participating in treatment team meetings, etc. Recently I was promoted to a Clinical Specialist and have been able to continue to learn and applying my skills in writing behavioral health assessments through Anasazi (Cerner), developing treatment goals for clients, facilitating treatment team meetings, and conducting psycho educational groups, etc. At ASTCI I was also able to gain my clinical hours towards my MFT licensure and receive supervision on site every week (individual and group). There are many reasons what makes ASTCI so unique and a pleasure to work at. The one that strikes me the most is the high level of support you receive from your supervisors. The Program Director and Assistant Program Director are extremely kind, genuine, knowledgeable, and supportive. When issues or questions arise they are quickly to help you problem solve, which makes the work environment even more rewarding. As far as co-workers, everyone is great! The staffs there are very helpful and have a "teamwork" approach, making every day at ASTCI a successful day! Administration is also supportive and appreciates the staff there. They provide incentives for staff such as bonuses, gift cards, and holiday party provided with lots of food. Overall, these last two years at ASTCI have been great!! I have gained lots of skills and knowledge about the mental health field. read more