Fairwinds saved my life. They changed up my medications and stabilized my severe depression. The staff, therapists, nurses and doctors are all terrific. Mental health definitely is secondary at Fairwinds, so you may have to advocate for yourself. read more

I entered this program after trying to end my life. It was advertised as being able to help Mental Health disorders, addiction, and eating disorders. What I found was a chaotic and frenzied place with schedules that did not match, and little to no focus on the MH patients. When we would have classes for MH patients they would cancel them because there was no staff to cover them. Or they would replace art therapy with coloring in a child's coloring book. Communication between staff was disconnected at best and no one was ever on the same page when it came fo my treatment plan. Several MH patients continued to advocate for ourselves in this area but we were dismissed. It was always the same old "I hear you, I validate you, but..." and then no change. Many times when I did advocate for more MH inclusivity or there was confusion about my schedule (that they messed up with and set me up for failure) I was glared at. There were several moments where a tech would say to me "unfortunately you're not a substance abuse user" when referring to schedule, and patients would come to my defense at Say "FORTUNATELY" I ended up passing out twice with chest pains and hand tremors and they placed me in a wheel chair. When I asked for a doctor (for three days straight) none was brought to see me. When I finally was able to speak to my therapist about everything, he immediately got defensive and combative and said I was treatment-resistant. I reminded him how much courage it took for me to voluntarily go into rehab and he told I wasn't made for Residential treatment instead of just admitting that there were gaps in their program that could use some fixing. I shared with him several staff that had mistreated me and he said in no uncertain terms when I asked, that he would not be addressing it and that it didn't matter. I was dismissed and hurt by my experience, and mental health help is already difficult to come by, there is no need to spend all of that money on a place where you feel like a second class citizen. This is not only a place I would never come back to in the unfortunate event that I did, but it is also a place that I would never recommend to anyone else. read more

I stayed here for a month 20 years ago. In retrospect I felt great here and loved talking to the councilors, very "real" people. Hopefully it remains as nice read more

I don't normally write reviews, but I need to get this out & share my experience. I was at Fairwinds in June, July, & Sep -mid Oct. I left AMA in June & July. I'm an anomaly, the one Black Women with an eating disorder (not)... I didn't think / know that I did. I went through bouts in college, but because I'm normal weight now I figured that I was ok. It took years & a Dr via telemedicine (who I was seeing for grief due to the sudden death of my mom in May), to refer me to treatment. Statistically, Black Women are not referred to that type of treatment... unfortunately! Initially, I went to Fairwinds to prove that I didn't need to be there. I'll tell you now, I am not & was not the model patient in June & July. By Sep, & going to & leaving another eating disorder facility AMA, I finally caught on that I do indeed have an eating disorder... I'm still ashamed to admit it & I won't go into detail regarding all of my ED behaviors, but some will be mentioned. Firstly, I want people to know that eating disorders don't just effect affluent White Women. Also, given our (Black People) experiences with the medical world, it takes a lot to trust, be vulnerable, etc... Sep 3, I was admitted to Fairwinds. I was desperate, confused, still skeptical, but hoping to leave better than than arrival. I was saddened because I was in treatment for my children, dad, & my birthday. I wanted to AMA multiple times, but I was determined to stick it out & leave better than the day I arrived in Sep. I had made tremendous sacrifices to my career & family. It had to have an outcome that was worth it! Oct 21 I ran away from, & was kicked out of Fairwinds. Less than 6 months after my mom's sudden death, with a limited aftercare plan, my eating disorder completely running me. I was severely dehydrated, fasting & purging, scared, misunderstood, & crying my eyes out begging for help! They actually wanted me out the week prior. I got really upset that a tech came into my room & removed something that their staff had previously allowed. Most importantly, he removed (Downey) without respect to even advise me of anything! When I found out (via my roommate) I was livid & told the tech that I'd break his hand if he touched anything else in my room without my acknowledgment! Yes, this was bad to threaten! However, mentally I wasn't stable, which is why I was there. My therapist asked administration & my doctor to allow me to stay. I was so grateful, & holding out for hope! I was scared, begging for compassion, help, understanding... Fast forward to a week later, I'd gotten my behavior agreement which stated that tube feeding would be discussed on Mon (Oct 21). I was so scared, which perpetuates my fasting, my ED was controlling me & I was pleading for help! My ED thoughts were my only thoughts... I ran (walked) away the morning of Mon Oct 21. Sun Oct 20, I threw pasta at a patient (who has kept in contact with me since I was kicked out). The dietitian was NOT pleased with me! I was not pleased with myself... I was being a clown because I was feeling so bad & I wanted to make others laugh... I also commented on the dietitians nice bottom. I was in rare form! Eating disorders & fear make you do crazy things! When I walked off on Mon Oct 21, my plan was to die. My head was spinning, dehydrated, fasting, purging, I felt so weak, but safe in my ED. I walked to Publix for chewing gum. I kept walking, weak, but my body kept moving. After I knew that I could still push my body, I turned around, back to Fairwinds. I knew that the dietitian may be angry, I was angry at me for following my ED voice, but happy to chew gum... afraid that I was a lost cause... When I got back to Fairwinds, they asked me where I was. I said that I was walking around, smoking cigs (partly true). Immediately, I was pulled into Dr. Aziz's office, with my therapist, & advised that I needed to leave that day. I cried, my body would not stop shaking, pleading for help, apologizing profusely, afraid, feeling hopeless, abandoned again. I had sacrificed too much to leave worse than the day I arrived in Sep! Unlike lighter complexed patients prior to me, I was kicked out, devastated, confused, sad, defeated, hopeless, suicidal, & sent me home when I most likely needed to be tubed (although never being before or wanting it)! After acknowledging that I had done so much better than the AMA's before... Administration discharge. After all cauliflower & broccoli are foods. I think that had I been the typical ED patient, things would have panned out differently... I actually know a lighter complexed person who ran multiple times but wasn't kicked out... so Black Women with eating disorders, be aware! If you're not a model patient & do everything they say, they'll kick you right on out!! If you can do everything they say, save your money & do that at home! read more

Mostly well qualified physicians (two medical directors with lots of experience, coverage not as much), good auxiliary clinical staff (some of the longest serving employees), fairly qualified nurses (do care very much, but aren't treated as well as they deserve), barely qualified therapists (only one fully licensed, two interns), poor non-clinical administration (owner's relative). I've known some people to do okay here, but not very many. It is not somewhere I would recommend someone I know to go to. There are many far more effective options within a reasonable distance. Other than the aesthetics, it is not worth the high expense. read more

Admitted for an eating disorder. Excellent physicians (especially Dr. El-Yousef), therapists, nutritionist (specifically qualified for ED), nurses, & MHT's. ALWAYS available to assist. FTC incorporates nutritional education, outings, yoga, & meditation into the treatment plan. They mostly use CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) which is an effective method for all types of addictions/disorders. Inpatient program & PHP ( partial hospitalization program) excellent. Now transitioned to IOP (intensive outpatient) in Tampa. I'm glad that I admitted myself because now I have the tools I need for my recovery. As a healthcare professional, I highly recommend this treatment facility for patients with alcohol addiction, drug addiction, mental health disorders, and eating disorders. read more

I don't understand why the previous yelper have such low review. This place is by far the best thing ever happened to my family! This is not a locked facility, so if you're bringing a minor for treatment, make sure he/she are cooperative and willing to get the help. The place looks more like a big vacation home in the woods. Nice, clean and quiet. I felt well received from the moment of admission. Minors are supervised 24/7 by staff. It's been only two weeks since my kid got admitted here and we already have seen some improvement. I love how much the Psychiatrist keep digging into all health issues my child has besides mental and behavioral. Long-short, her therapist Russell, he is amazing! Everyone is so nice and always are helpful with my child as well with my family. I am confident of the outcome thanks to the services, approaches and lessons they're giving my child and my family. This place is recognized statewide for their highly qualified staff and for their eating disorder program. read more

Fairwinds Treatment Center - Front view from the parking lot. Nice clean area. - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

If I could give this no stars I would. This was beyond the most unprofessional, unethical, and ineffective program I've seen by far. The staff truly doesn't care whether you go to a group (that's has someone running it or not), there are no "real" rules in check meaning if you have an eating disorder- you're on your own. They don't care if you finish your meal or not. They prescribe medications that shouldn't be in use for patients with addictions. One of the biggest problems is they don't take the time to get to personally know their patients or care to. In essence, all they see is dollar signs and that's how they treat their patients. The result of which is why they have the statistics they do resulting in multiple relapses. read more

The ED program here is phenomenal. CD program is good too. Amazing staff, especially the dietitian. She is an absolute angel. She is the sweetest, nicest, most down to earth clinician I have ever met and I still see her on an outpatient basis. I not only trust her with my food, body, and weight, I would pretty much trust her with my life at this point. I know her role is pretty much the most hated on the eating disorder treatment team and it makes me sad to see all of these reviews talking mad shit about her, but this woman has been a strong force in aiding my recovery. The nurses and techs are so understanding and kind as well. Fairwinds will always hold a special place in my heart. read more

I'd like to give Fairwinds​ a great review because when I went there I did get the help I needed. I am Bi-Polar​ and needed help getting my meds on track.​ Dr.​ E was awesome and is a good diagnostic dr and got me the meds I needed to be able to get back on track. Here lies the problem they didn't​ have any suggestions for a dr out of state for after my release.. so if you live here perhaps you'll​ get the continued help you will need​ for post-program​ But if you don't​, don't​ count on them doing the work on your behalf My family lives in Fla. and I come to be here for​ a couple of months​ over the winter months I have contacted them over the years asking​ for a Drs. recommendation​ while I'm down in Fla and​ each time I was met​ with a​ "We will call you right back" and both times I haven't​ received​ a call​ back. One time I was in tears due to the fact I needed​ my meds adjusted . Once you're​ out, You're​ OUT. Seeing that they treat three different​ types of issues,​ ​substance​dependency, eating disorders along with​ mental health issues, I am perplexed as to why they​ treat each person the same post-treatment​.​ I believe they know there is plenty of support out there for substance​ abuse and for eating disorders But there is nothing out there for mental health issues.​ Seeing in most cases it's​ just a chemical in the brain that needs readjusting. I don't​ think there​ is​ any support group out there that can help with this. I am very disappointed​ in them I have reached out twice and each time someone told​ me to hold on that they would get back to me after lunch or by the end of the day. My suggestion to anyone is to have a post-Dr.​ lined up for yourself before entering so you have someone who can monitor​ you post-program​.​ Don't​ depend on them to do it. They won't​ or don't​ want to do the work read more

We have worked with Fairwinds for as long as we've been open and find them to be an excellent resource for our patients that need inpatient care. It's a shame that there are not more facilities that treat eating disorders. read more

I would have to strongly disagree with this person's assessment of Fairwinds. As a professional in the community who has referred several patients to this facility, I am highly satisfied with the professionalism of the clinical staff and drive to help their patients in recovery. I know first-hand the amount of effort it takes to work with this population and the diligence required to formulate a strong aftercare plan. When dealing with such a battle like Anorexia or Bipolar or any number of issues, there must be a strong level of willingness in the patient. Failure to accept and overcome is one factor that can lead to relapse. Some patient simply are not ready to do the work it takes to have a healthy lasting recovery. I've had several patients "slip" or relapse, and generally, they affirm that they failed to let their therapist work on certain issues that may have contributed to a relapse (such as a trauma or abuse). If they need to head back into treatment, they choose to go to a place where they feel safe, and comfortable- like Fairwinds. read more