Just a little back story.. back in 2023 i was 16 and made some rough choices which eventually landed me in sundown ranch.. where on my first night i met a beautiful young girl and i wont say her name for confidentiality reasons and personal respect for her and her family. But not even 1 month into being there the girl lets call her Ava.. her insurance was cut off and they SENT HER HOME before she had any time to understand what had actually happened in her life. She died 3 weeks after returning home to a fentanyl overdose.. Ava never got a chance. And she wasnt given one. This needs to change. Sundown got public funding just to keep us there. We were ALL under 18 of course they did. She deserved better and i will fight for better for her because she cant. On other notes.. sundown ranch did help me learn alot about myself but sundown ranch also created alot of the trauma for me now. I still wake up at night thinking the assistant counselors are standing over my bed with a flash light. Yes i understand safety precautions but whenever teen girls are coming in from the streets and have ptsd and or just simply are scared of the little things they should have been more mindful. I was forced to take meds because i was previously on other medications but they changed them all because they weren't up to their standards. I went on to wake up in the morning so nauseous that i would crawl to the bathroom and proceeded to put me on a covid quarantine.. when really it was just the cocktail of meds i was on.. and not a terrible thing but i hated that they had drug counselors that HAD NEVER even smoked weed before.. you are not in my shoes please leave me alone. But i am happy to say ive been clean for almost 3 years now and staying out of trouble. Have my own place and car at 18 so i think im doing okay. But i would definitely say that some things need to be addressed and changed at sundown for those kids. I was in sundown for 175 days.. thats about 6 months.. i couldnt say this in a better way it was not worth all of that time. read more

I will post the same review here that I left on Google. Sundown is on my mind today after sharing my experience with someone who is making a documentary about the abuse that happens at Sundown. Solitary confinement is not an effective correctional tool for clients who are a danger to themselves. In fact it creates lasting psychological damage. I beg any parent considering Sundown Ranch to read the multitude of traumatic experiences detailed here and elsewhere online. Every adolescent treatment center is going to have mixed reviews because obviously it is common to have a disgruntled teen who is angry that their parents forced them to attend treatment. I speak from first-hand experience when I say the abundance of traumatic stories online about Sundown are very real and the shear amount of them should give pause to any sane person. Please compare the reviews here with any reputable treatment center. Read the articles and reddit posts about the horrors experienced here. Sundown is not the only treatment center I went to as a teen and I have nothing but positive things to say about the other places I went. There are hundreds of treatment centers out there helping parents and teens to heal and get their lives on track without using the harmful, barbaric methods used at Sundown Ranch. As a grown man I cannot imagine experiencing the things that happened to me here as a child. I was tackled and physically restrained for raising my voice in a group meeting. I was held in solitary confinement in a locked pink room with no windows or human contact for periods of 5+ days at a time, multiple times. I came to Sundown as a survivor from a violent abusive household and I was only further traumatized when I left. I am now a sober adult in my 30's. Living with the PTSD I incurred from Sundown is one of the greatest hurdles in my recovery. Words cannot express how much Sundown takes away from children and families who need real help. There are thousands of adults living with trauma because they were sent to Sundown as teens. Read around online, call around to people in the industry, Sundown is notorious for the abuse that happens there. There is not a shred of research that supports solitary confinement as an effective correctional tool. As I said before. it is proven to cause further damage. Which should be obvious to anyone with a brain or a heart. They are masters of manipulation and they prey on families who are in a state of crisis, profiting by selling hope to desparate parents. If you work for Sundown and you are reading this you should be ashamed of yourself, but I know you are too brainwashed to accept that kind of personal accountability. read more

I just wanted to take the time to make this review. Maybe it will help someone. Fortunate that I never had these problems with my kids. But when I was a kid, I was the definition of a troubled teen. And if it wasn't for Sundown Ranch, there's a good possibility I wouldn't be around to make this post today. Although this was many moons ago, 1997. But it being that it's still around today tells me that its fundamentals haven't changed. Is it glam whistle summer camp, no. It's still a treatment facility but compared to inner city facilities their approach and environment is the difference. It's light years apart (I went to all available in DFW at the time). Not only did it help me recover from severe addiction and depression. Social anxiety the list goes on. But it also gave me tools to deal with obstacles still to this day in life. So if you're having issues with your teen do not look away because of negative reviews coming from patients that likely couldn't cut the mustard and or get honest w themselves . This place and the staff truly saved my life and I am forever grateful. read more

If you deeply care about your child and want them to receive proper treatment, do not send them to Sundown Ranch. As a 16 year old, I was there for 65 days and it still haunts me. Sundown believed in shaming, humiliating, and punishing you for any and all mistakes you made. No matter how small or big. It felt like the staff enjoyed having power over us. I was forced to wear hot coveralls over my clothing in the heat of the Texas summer, put on ghost so no one could speak to me and I couldn't speak to anyone else, had to carry around a box of heavy books to represent my emotional baggage. The list could go on and on. Other clients had to endure these same punishments as well as other ones. I was also threatened with being sent to "the unit", which was essentially solitary confinement. My friend was sent to the unit twice and she described it to me as a white room with a mattress, the Big Book, a Bible, and a bathroom. The mattress would be put up against the wall during the day so you couldn't sleep. In the mornings, before we would leave our dorm areas, a staff member would ask us to lower our waistbands to check to see if we were wearing underwear. I do not know if the male clients had to do this. There was a staff member, Jason, who would act inappropriately towards many of us girls. He would make off-colored sexual comments and even privately took a female client somewhere off so he could see her upper thigh/hip tattoo. He made a few comments to me but I would just brush them off because other staff members didn't believe us girls. His mom who worked there protected him from getting in any trouble and he continued to work there throughout my stay. I had lice three times during my stay at Sundown and had to prove it by showing them a louse that I had killed and put in a piece of folded paper because staff didn't believe me. My medications were frequently changed and I was improperly tapered off of an SSRI onto an SNRI causing me to have extremely negative, potentially dangerous side effects. Almost all of us were put on Seroquel, an antipsychotic, which has the common side effect of drowsiness. I'm almost certain that the majority of us did not need that medication. Our phone calls and letters were closely monitored. We had to earn phone calls through their token system but the privilege was easily taken away. Because of this we were all too scared to tell our parents about the conditions of Sundown. Plus, would they have even believed us? So please, don't send your child to Sundown Ranch. They will do more harm than good. read more

I was 14 at the time when I was sent to Sundown Ranch in late october, 2022. And it was the most terrible experience of my life. I was often being accused for doing things I didnt do. going in and ut of the Intensive Unit. The longest ive been in the Unit was 5 DAYS. And I was there because I was accused of something, and after the 5th day, they found out it wasnt me. and they just let me out like nothing happened. And that was just one story. So DONT GO TO SUNDOWN PLEASE! read more

Sundown was the first Residential Rehab and Recovery program (following one other longer term and two short term residential facilities) that fostered a cohesive family focused community feel. This gave our child the safe place and trusted people needed to "really connect." "This was the first program where I really connected and felt like they cared about me.". When I picked up our child, they had grown so much in their ability to identify feelings, triggers and the role they played in their dark times over the last three years. They wanted to make amends and attend meetings and continue their sobriety and live a life not driven by anxiety.  They better understand themself as part of a family, and society, and have a better sense of why parents have rules. As any other teenager, our's doesn't love rules, but now they understand why they should be respected and that they DO apply. (YAY!! Status quo is not always right, but you must first understand societal norms in order to change those with which you disagree.) they have also learned, and are learning to incorporate, that we can't control and aren't responsible for other people's actions or feelings. We can only take care of our own actions and feelings, strive to do the right things, own our choices, and apologize and make amends when we screw up. The Sundown Ranch Covid protocols were exemplary. Picky eater, but loved the food (except fish, but at least they tried it). They loved the routine (okay, the school part wasn't a favorite, but it never has been). Mostly, they loved the staff and counselors. Fast forward one month from coming home. They have their 90 day coin. They've successfully made it through the first 30-day home contract, even with idle time waiting to start an after-care program and an on-line school. They earned their phone back and discovered a love interest they've missed for three months, had moved on. It is a really rough day, but they are still coping. Instead of punching walls or throwing a phone and breaking a picture window, they've taken a beat, identified how their feelings, and cried. A perfectly natural response. And Sundown? We reached out, after no real contact for a month, and the family counselor took our call and made an appointment to talk to him this afternoon. At Sundown, you are not a cog in a corporate-program's routine. Sundown meets you, family and individual, where you are at and they give the time, the care, and the space needed to walk off their dude-ranch turned recovery facility with a new perspective and a hopeful future. Thanks Sundown, thanks Sam, for helping our kiddo out of their anxiety into the light again. read more

This place is an absolute hell hole do not send your children here they will leave with more trauma than they had when they arrived. I was there for a month and a half, and will never forget it. I was treated terribly by the staff and unfairly because of my sexuality, these so-called manager named Kim is a terrible person the entire time I was there I felt unsafe, uncomfortable, and overwhelmed. I was threatened, unfairly, treated and talked down to every day when explaining this all to my doctors and therapist, I was told I was schizophrenic. Paranoid and put on seven different medication's, and one telling them about some of my past they made to where if my father came and tried to get me out, they would have him arrested I do think the owner is a good person, but I don't think they know what's really going on there the owners wife on the other hand not a good person. I was told I would be going to hell because of my sexuality, and was questioned if I was sexually abused, or had any other trauma in the past that made me this way if anyone has any more questions or wants to know more of what happened because a lot did I would be happy to share with you. You can contact me at garzajonathan988@gmail.com read more

Update--so far, so good...still clean; my "client" is a totally different person than he was when he entered. I credit Sundown for providing the impetus and tools for this life-change. read more

I was here in 2018 with no prior substance abuse issues. The place opened me up to an extreme amount of trauma which ultimately ended up hurting me when I discharged. There was a counselor named Jason there who was preying on some of the girl clients. He was passing notes back and forth between female clients. They made him leave so they wouldn't get in any court trouble or bad attention their way. The place is supposed so be safe and therapeutic but how can it be when they have a Counselor targeting young vulnerable girls going through a difficult time. Very disappointed in this place. Send your kids to a place that is SAFE read more

Please do not send your children here. This facility will do more harm than good. There is a better way, I promise.

All these people care about is 1) siphoning money out of your parents' retirement fund & 2) maintaining control over children by misdiagnosing them and force-feeding them all the exact same schizophrenia medication. 1) Most people stayed at this place for roughly 40 days until their insurance ran out (or sooner if their insurance wasn't as generous), but if your parents were willing to pay after your insurance ran out, you stayed much longer. For example, I stayed over 90 days despite following every rule they imposed on us and having zero behavior problems - I was told by multiple staff members that they didn't know why I was there. They don't care if there is absolutely no evidence that your child may have a serious drug problem. They just want your money. My parents wasted thousands and thousands of dollars after being continuously fed lies by the administration that I was schizophrenic and needed unreasonably extensive supervision... which brings me to my second point. 2) I found it concerning that the majority of kids there were prescribed a schizophrenia medication known as Saphris. I understand that many kids there suffered from a wide range of mental illness (both in type and severity) - however, I find it suspicious that we were all prescribed a drug that made us overwhelmingly sleepy, foggy, and much more obsequious. I am not schizophrenic. I have never had hallucinations or paranoia of any kind. I did not meet anyone else there who was actually schizophrenic - yet almost all of us were prescribed a schizophrenia medication... To make matters worse, not only were we essentially turned into mindless zombies, but many of us suffered dangerous side effects. Every evening after I took the medication, my body would be so weak and exhausted that I often fell to the ground or my face would smack down onto the table at dinner. Other people had to start carrying me to bed so I wouldn't fall and suffer a concussion. I even spoke with another girl who fell and fractured her cheekbone while on the medication. This place will lie to you, steal your money, and threaten your child's health and safety. read more

After my teen daughter experienced a trauma, she began needing expert help. Our journey eventually led us to Sundown Ranch. Everyone there has been amazing! I've seen such a huge change in her coping skills and thinking process. Sundown Ranch has been responsive to every email, phone call, question, and worry. When she first checked in, I called the counselors everyday (all hours of the night and weekends) just to hear about her day because I was worried about her. I never once felt like I was burdensome to them. They gave a detailed report of every step of her day including her merit/demerit balance and explanation, what she ate for lunch, what the group sessions were working on, how she slept, whether she was struggling with anything that day, and if she had any successes in her recovery process. The weekly family sessions were extremely helpful. I felt heard and I came to understand my daughter's struggles better, and learned how to help all of us heal and move forward. Educating us as parents was every bit a part of the treatment as treating the patients. When her recovery progressed to PHP, they worked with me on finances. She was able to come home on weekends to help her integrate back into the household. They walked us through that process step by step. They answered my worry about not knowing how to take over her treatment myself when she got back home. In the week preceding her homecoming, our family sessions increased to meet our needs. We had several sessions to go over the Home Contract so everyone felt safe about her coming home. The contract laid out a step by step plan specific to my daughter's needs and our needs as parents. Everyone agreed to it and she came home. Once she was home, we had a quick panic of not knowing how to handle real life hitting us again. We emailed her counselor at Sundown to ask questions about how to implement the contract in our specific situation. Even though she was no longer a patient at Sundown, the counselor called me and walked me through it. I appreciate that Sundown Ranch treats us as though they truly care about us. I never got the feeling that we were merely an income source for them. They follow through with their promises. They deliver real results. They really care. I don't know what the future holds for my family but I know we are better equipped for it because of Sundown Ranch. We are truly grateful. read more

My daughter has been in and out of hospitals/rehab for the last 5 years, and this is the first place that saw through her "fake it to make it" bs and really worked on why she is so unhappy. I can't tell you the difference I have seen in my daughter! They really help the "whole" self and push the kids to go past their walls. The counselors are the best I have ever encountered. They can really tell who is BSing or not, and help them feel safe in telling what is really in their mind without felling like they are going to be judged. The ROPES program they have also is great for kids that do not have any confidence or trust anyone. My daughter started off slowly, but is now really working on her trust issues due to ROPES and the counselors follow up after ROPES. The parent weekends once a month are in my mind essential to helping the parents learn more about the diseases of addiction/psych problems, and trying to see it through your child's eyes. As a parent, you don't understand why your child just can't do the "right" thing. You have tried may different places, but always get the same result. You child is "good" for two to three weeks, but then reverts back to their "old" behavior. SR really works on helping the parent's have the tools to help your family live once your child comes home, instead of repeating the same habits from both of you that you have done over and over in the past that do not work. They also give you worksheets for you and your child to help change how you deal with your kids at home. You have to listen to how your child feels about a situation. Reflective Listening or Mirroring is VERY helpful. I am copying this from the document I got from SR that has been so helpful to me in trying to understand my daughter and our communication problems. We have both been using this formula, and it really helps in communication with your child instead of just getting upset and then repeating the same old patterns of being pissed because they do not do what you think they should do and yelling at them out of complete exasperation. read more

This place was the worst experience of my life. You aren't treated like a "client" you're treated like a convict. People were often sent to "The Unit" where it was basically solitary confinement. I understand places like this need to be strict, but this place went overboard. For instants I was told multiple times that wearing my hat indoors was considered gang affiliation. I also didn't consider myself to be religious. Throughout my entire 2 1/2 months there every time I met with the counselor they would try to push God on me, I repeatedly told them I wasn't religious but it was like they weren't even listening. They coach your parents that you are nothing but a ticking time bomb and that you will relapse once you leave. Some counselors were decent in general, however it was the assistant counselors, or ACs, that were the biggest problem. For example in one group a girl came out and said that she was bi, after the group the AC called her a dyke. To any adult who is thinking about admitting themselves I would strongly recommend you look elsewhere. To any parent who is considering sending their child there I would recommend the same thing read more

This is probably going to be the most honest and fair review you will read about Sundown Ranch. I worked at the Ranch for about 10 Months and today was actually my last day. Lets start with the Powers family. Jeff and Leslie are amazing people that really care about the Kids and would do anything for them. They have a spirituality group 2 nights a week and it is optional for the kids that want to go and if not they go to an AA meeting. I have read in other reviews that they try and cram religion down your throat and that is simply not true. I loved working with the kids and most of the staff. There are certain people that are defiantly overbearing and shouldn't be working with kids but for the most part the AC's are good. The Counselors here are amazing and loved working side by side with them. Bev, Cindy, Rachel, and Sam are amazing! Madison is also an amazing Shift Supervisor as well as the daytime AC's. The night shift needs some work and the turnover rate is really high. The cafeteria staff are great and the food is really good. The problem with this place comes from the top. The husband and wife team have been here for 30 years and still have that old school approach. The curriculum and rehabilitation style should be updated. This place could be so much better with new leadership. I felt like me and my coworkers didn't have a voice. Employee and clients were called out in front of others and not handled in a professional or constructive way. Some staff would yell at the kids at the top of her lungs and it is very belittling in my opinion. There needs to be a more hands on approach with the kids. Upper Leadership couldn't make up her mind on what the rules were and they seemed to change every week and it was impossible to keep up with. At the end of my employment it was getting out of hand and I felt that it was no longer safe envirnoment. Kids are allowed to talk to staff anyway they wanted, depending what kid it was, with little to no consequences. I really loved my job and working with the kids and if management changed I would go back in a heartbeat. read more

This place was evil. I went here as a 15 year old and am returning at 19 to give a warning to anyone looking into this place. This place scarred me and I will never forget how awful it was. Everyone was placed on medication for diagnoses of schizophrenia did they did not really have. Everyone who I asked was on lithium. I have never been diagnosed with schizophrenia and have never had any symptoms. The doctors tried to put me on schizophrenia medication but my mother refused it knowing something was wrong. When she tried to speak to the doctor who prescribed it they would not let her. I do not believe any doctor actually worked there. My mom immediately pulled me out of sundown and took me somewhere else. I truly believe they drugged the kids to keep them complying and too out of it to see what's really going on while they take parents money and lie to them that their kids must stay extremely long amounts of time. Its completely a scam. It's more sinister than a scam. The counselors abused the children on top of drugging them. These people are evil. Save your children from this place and find somewhere with actual medical competence and compassion for people with mental health issues and addiction issues. read more

If I could give Sundown Ranch a -star I would. I attended sundown ranch at the age of 14 for 70 days and again at 15 for 170 where my mother actually ended up pulling me from their care due to how bad the treatment was. I weighted 115 pounds and was 5'2 and they had me on 1500 mg of lithium which is an out of date medication and most doctors I tell that to now are completely disgusted by the dosage and the drug being used. I was on 2 other medications just to keep me on lithium. Come to find out every other client was also on lithium, so I believe they had a contract with lithium and we're making money off of drugging kids with this medicine. Don't even get me started on their "unit." They strip you of all your clothes and put you in white scrubs, you have a metal toilet and a bed built into the wall. It is VERY similar to jail and completely uncared for. The walls are white and you can't journal or read or do anything productive. if you ask me kids with drug addictions don't need to be isolated and treated like they're bad kids they need to feel loved and heard. They have had many scandals including a employee passing notes with a 16 year old client and they didn't even press charges because they didn't want the negative attention. They had bed bugs in boys dorm and told boys dorm they were misbehaving instead of just being honest with the clients. ALSO this is a coed youth rehab. They put boys and girls (who have self-esteem issues) on the same team and then get frustrated when they begin passing notes or flirting. They're teenagers?? There is a reason why every other rehab EVER separates boys and girls. They're just asking for trouble to keep your child in their program for your money. Think twice before sending your kid here. All I ever got out of sundown was more dealers. I received better treatment at Terrell State Mental Hospital and Merridell achievement center. read more