My experience at this facility was deeply disappointing and, at times, traumatic. Rather than…read morefeeling safe and supported during a vulnerable period in my life, I experienced sexual harassment from another client, racial bias, negligence from staff, and an overall lack of professionalism.
One of the most serious incidents involved ongoing harassment by another client. This individual managed to sneak pills into the facility and repeatedly harassed me. When I reported the behavior, I expected the staff to prioritize my safety. Instead, I felt dismissed and blamed. Rather than taking meaningful action to protect me, they allowed him to remain in the program. Even after my psychotherapist advocated on my behalf, the harassment continued. I was told that a solution would be implemented the following day, but nothing was ever done. It felt as though the staff were more concerned about protecting the individual who was harassing me than ensuring my safety and well-being. I was treated as though I was the problem simply because I stood up for myself. Another incident is where one of my peers caressed my leg and told me he wanted to move in with him. That was sexual harassment and I had to keep that incident to myself because they wouldn't have done anything. This client was known to disturb every woman and even kissed my other peer on her face without her permission too. She went to tell staff and THEY DID NOTHING nonetheless.
The main clinician, Shanna, handled my concerns with negligence and a lack of compassion. When I expressed how frustrated and unsafe I felt, she minimized my concerns and made me feel as though I was overreacting. She even referred to me as nothing more than a "gossiper," which was incredibly hurtful and unprofessional. When I decided to leave the facility, Shanna saw me gathering my belongings but never acknowledged me, offered an apology, or attempted to address everything that had happened. Her silence spoke volumes about the lack of accountability within the program.
I also experienced what I perceived to be a racist microaggression from Aubrey, one of the counselors. After returning from an appointment, Aubrey questioned whether the Apple Watch in my backpack actually belonged to me, implying that I had stolen it or was being dishonest. This accusation was especially offensive because my Apple Watch had been documented on my belongings list when I was first admitted to the facility. There was absolutely no legitimate reason to question my ownership of it, and I found the interaction both discriminatory and degrading.
Another staff member, Cassy, was consistently rude and unwelcoming. She never introduced herself to me or to other clients and instead made us feel inferior. During one incident, another client ate my food. Rather than holding the person responsible accountable, Cassy blamed me for "coming downstairs late," even though I came downstairs only after Aubrey instructed me to do so. She never apologized after Shanna informed her of how her actions had affected me. Her unwillingness to take responsibility demonstrated a troubling lack of professionalism.
I also observed what appeared to be favoritism and unequal treatment among clients. Staff often gave certain clients significantly more leniency while holding others to stricter standards. It seemed that some clients were treated differently based on their diagnoses, while those of us who were considered more capable were expected to take on responsibilities that should have belonged to staff. We were frequently expected to clean up after other clients, supervise or assist them beyond what should reasonably be expected of fellow residents, and complete tasks that were part of the staff's responsibilities. Rather than receiving consistent therapeutic support, many of us felt as though we were doing the work of the employees. The environment often felt less like a professionally operated treatment program and more like a system where clients were expected to compensate for inadequate staffing and supervision.
The facility also failed to enforce its own rules fairly. Clients were prohibited from having vapes, yet staff openly vaped in front of us, creating a clear double standard and undermining the credibility of the rules we were expected to follow.
Throughout my stay, I repeatedly felt dismissed, invalidated, and unsupported. My concerns were minimized, promises to address serious safety issues were not kept, accountability was lacking at every level, and the standards applied to clients were inconsistent. Instead of receiving the care and protection I needed, I left feeling retraumatized by the very people entrusted with my well-being.
