The therapists and psychiatrists are very good at what they do, despite the fact that they all…read morestill cling to the marginalized theories of psychodynamics (derived from the theories of Freud, who is himself a marginalized figure). IMO, psychodynamic theory is great for diagnosis. But as for treatment, I'm not sure if CBT is superior or not. Sadly, the front office has decided to lie (by omission) to all new patients. They will tell you that the average person stays for 3 to 6 months (or something like that). But they fail to tell the truth, that the average length of stay for A PERSON STAYING AS LONG AS THEIR THEROPIST RECOMMENDS is more like a year or more. The 3 to 6 months figures include people who dropped out early (usually because they can't afford it). So, if you plan to go to Austen Riggs and stay as long as the therapists will recommend, plan to be there for about a year and plan to pay about HALF OF A MILLION DOLLARS. (that's approximately $500,000), assuming you're not lucky enough to get insurance to help out, or if you can get a financial need discount.

I spent 3 years of my life here. At the time, I could have given a laundry list if everything I…read morethought was wrong or unjust with the place. But in reality, this place gave me the opportunity to save MY OWN life. It was because I understood that after a long history at countless facilities throughout the US, no one, no pill, no magic method could do this for me. I had to want it. I wanted to be better, I just didn't know how to not want to die.But by the time I got to Riggs, I was ready to put in the time, ready to get uncomfortable, and ready to work my ass off. And it sucked. A lot. Most of the time. But I would absolutely do it over and over again. I have a life now that I don't want to end and a future I never thought I'd want. To me, that's worth every second. (I can only bring myself to give 4 stars because the mismanagement during lockdown and covid was extremely difficult and downright irresponsible, specifically to those patients such as myself, who were no longer living on site and were essentially an afterthought for several months. This highly impacted my psychiatric well being during that time.)

Misrepresented her services; encouraged me not to do a third session I had paid for and take a…read morecrappy recording instead. Made me very anxious during session with "advice" and did not ask for feedback during session as claimed in another post. Her approach was aggressive. The clincher is making me pay in advance for multiple sessions. Her free consult is not in line with what she actually offers. Avoid!

Ruth Ann has since contacted me to make me whole after her last comment…read more I wrote down the days and hours and requested to be reimbursed for the sessions, I provided my address to her. Ruth Ann indicated she made payment and did not understand why I had not received it yet. RUTH ANN requested that I pay to stop the payment I told her no and that she could stop her own payment and resend my my money to make me whole. Months, months have gone by. I have not received anything. Please, seriously think about ItI would not like to see this happen to another person. 10/16/19 - still have not received anything and still reside in same place I have been since this has started. Angry, yes. She collects money in lieu of checks. 5/10/20 ~ Still have not been repaid by her. 7/6/29 ~ She still has not made good on her words to make me whole.