I was a client at Angelus house (the adult program). I had been in many residential programs previously and I did not get better. I was still struggling. I came to Angelus house and I have to say I was unhappy. I hated the program director and I thought he was mean. Well, that all changed and so did I. I got better. Better than I ever had been. I worked hard and it was uncomfortable. I was taught to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I was taught to see the red flags before I take a nosedive. I was taught how to manage my illness and keep my head high. The program director is now the person I look up to most. He has kept me sane, productive and growing for years now. I still see him now and again as my outpatient therapist and I owe all my success to him. He saw what I could be when I couldn't see it myself. Angelus house built me up and kept me climbing so that I could get to where I am now. I am stable, and have been for years now. I am happy, content, productive, and all my relationships are healthy ones. I can set boundaries and take care of myself. I would not have been able to do any of this without the guidance and, sometimes tough, love from all the staff at angelus house, especially Dave. Of course, no one likes to be in treatment but, it is the best thing for those of us who struggle with mental illness. We can manage and get better. We just have to have the right people to guide us and the hard work and perseverance to get there. I found that at Angelus house. read more

Angelus house at Wellspring works for a very specific type of client. 18-22, Connecticut or New England-based, affluent, cisgender female, white, Christian. Clients who go off to college and struggle with the experience have done well there, especially when they can work up to going home on the weekends and transition back to their old lives with some new coping skills. Here's who I've seen struggle (perhaps why I struggled myself): those for whom several psychiatric medications have not worked, those who need medical care beyond the mental (did not see a doctor exluding phsychiatrist for almost a year), those perscribed benzodiazepienes (or any medication that 'we don't do here'), people with significant dietary restrictions, those struggling with extensive trauma. Angelus has a heavily family-focused approach. For some clients and situations, this works very well, for others, it does not. Carefully consider your situation and your long-term goals before making any commitments. read more

I was at the Beauvais House for my freshman year of high school. It is not all negative, I promise. Most of it is though. It was considerably one of the worst years of my life.The schooling quality is very far from on par with what your child would learn at their regular school. I, in fact, had to teach myself the entire Algebra 1 curriculum two weeks before the NY Regents. My biology class barely covered what I needed to know for the regents, even skipping over the entirety of the reproductive unit which appeared multiple times on the state test. Some classes, such as English and Social Studies were the most phenomena and interesting. Others, such as gym, which was taught by a school psychiatrist and was literally playing Just Dance every Thursday, and Study Hall, taught by a man who consistently wore shirts that exposed his always hard nipples. This class in particular was a pain in the neck. I was given an 84 because I didn't do career work in that class and didn't "utilize the support given" nor did I "advocate enough for myself. I was usually very emotionally regulated and didn't need as much support as other kids and I didn't have anything I needed to advocate for. The things I did advocate for were unavailable to me. I was also still a freshman. I would not be going to college for probably 4 years and I was stuck in residential and unable to get a job. His class single handle brought down my A average for such trivialities. One teacher in specific, the very old math teacher who was an ex-military man, had worked in an all boys Catholic school before Wellspring, called for support for himself more than the kids in his class did for themselves, called support for kids who said they didn't need it, had the temper of a 3 year old, and the teaching skills of a janitor, was a giant nuisance. Before my arrival, my friend who was on Constant Observation, had to have an adult in the bathroom with her. Instead of calling over a female staff to go with her, he left his class without supervision and did it himself. He also had a major crash out while I was out sick. He was yelling, crumpled a girls piece of work, claimed she was, quote, "off the rails", all because she had dared to speak up on the fact that she did not know how to do an equation. The girl and him had a very volatile relationship, which was comical, considering the age gap and the fact that he acted a decade younger than she was. After this incident, the two students that were there that day were transferred into another class. I, the only student remaining and the only one not there that day, was not. I returned under the impression that we were doing one on one to catch me up-- which was not like I needed it. This man was at least 6 feet four inches and from what I had experienced in class, extremely easily upset. I was, at minimum, terrified. When it was revealed by my ex-classmates that I was now alone, I immediately begged to be placed into another class. Thankfully my request was granted. He was continually frustrating, unable to teach, provoked by a literal smoothie, uncomfortable with the discussion of gay people and openly distressed with my friends shirt, which dared expose the smallest hint of cleavage. She was 12. I myself, on my birthday, was dress coded for showing my belly button. On the other hand, it was perfectly acceptable for others and myself to show up everyday wearing a Comfy, which was at its heart, a blanket you wore as a sweatshirt. The nursing there is a joke. They refused to send you home without a fever, consistent and rapid projectile vomiting, and diarrhea. The first time I was sick, I was informed that I probably would not have been sent home, but I had a fever of 100.4 which gave me the go ahead. The second time I had persistent fatigue and nauseous, coughing, sore throat, headache and stuffy nose. I was not sent home nor put on bed rest. Bed rest is essentially where you are put inside your room and you cannot leave or do anything for the entire day. It almost feels akin to solitary confinement. The person who I spent the most time with me, ending up contacting COVID 19 with the same symptoms. I requested testing and was refused it. This was in the time Covid wasn't big enough to constitute masks and tests, but big enough to quarantine someone for five days. They also did not allow me to have my psoriasis medication with me in my room. For those who have this disease, you know it's really an as needed thing and application can be erratic. Personally, the times I get very itchy and need these relievents were at night. Contrary to what they may say, they do not have an overnight nurse. So, at the hours of 2-5 am I was left unbearably itchy, my only option to put three pairs of socks on my hands. There was no space to be alone and every action you make will be monitored. The food options are very limited and there was no salad bar like advertised. If you want to know more, do not be afraid to reach out and DM me. read more

Simply put, this place needs to be investigated and shut down. I know far too many people who have had horrific experiences at Wellspring, myself included. The expressive therapy methods, which Wellspring swears by, have been proven to cause more problems, and multiple professionals have warned about these negative affects. Beyond the professional opinions, my personal experiences have left me needing more therapy from actual caring individuals to process everything that happened during my 10+ years in Wellspring's care. I suffered everything from verbal abuse, to inappropriate touching, to gaslighting and neglect all at the hands of the people at Wellspring. Keep in mind, the abusive staff weren't just a few people here and there. The very founders ignored what was happening in my home so that they could better use my family as their legacy. Please understand, my story was in papers; we were Wellspring's "golden family" and they were dead set on keeping us all together, even if it meant neglecting to address the abuse that was happening in my home. If I talked about it, I was verbally abused and shut down. Only one staff member cared about what I was saying, the rest led groups against me trying to leave my abusive household. Staff would lead my peers into calling me an idiot and they would ignore anything I said, even when I told them I was suffering. While I was in school, a kid I had been friends with murdered his mom. Another kid committed suicide. After I graduated in 2014, nearly everyone I knew from Wellspring struggled with addiction and a couple more people didn't make it. This is a place that brainwashes kids and families into thinking that the abuse is beneficial. This is a place that allows predatory staff to work there, and forces out the few people that actually cared. This is a place that employed the psychiatrist who laughed at my pain and joked about my suicidal ideations. This is a place that hired multiple therapists who knew something horrific was happening at home, but chose to let my parents continue their abuse. This is a place that reprimands kids hugging, but allows and encourages adults to swaddle and pet children. This place played a big part in my brothers suicide, and they will never acknowledge it. None of us were set up for success and those of us who have survived have done so in spite of, not because of, Wellspring. Avoid this place at all costs. read more

This place is terrible. Our family member went their a few years back for a few different issues. She had a lengthy stay and when she got out of the facility, she was more confused and troubled than when she went in. Two weeks ago, she died from an overdose. Ever since she went to this facility, her life got worse. She was at the facility for almost a year. Biggest mistake that we ever made. I would never recommend this place to anyone. They charge exhobinant fees and the counselors are terrible and don't make the patients stronger but try to feed them their own interpretation. Our family member came out of here with terrible self esteem and wished that she never went to Wellspring. The staff is terrible. read more

Place is horrible. At the time I attended the high school setting about 5 years ago, they treated us all horribly. I had very bad body image issues and extreme paranoia. They wanted me to get over this so much so that they took a photo of me and hung it up. It made me feel like complete shit! I wouldn't recommend this place to my worst enemy. I recall one day while in the little study room the resource teacher "JJ" was singing a little song... "You all are crazy you all are crazy" in the tune of you are my sunshine... This made me feel so angry and I just wanted to bitch slap her across the face. HOW could anyone treat another human like that?? This whole place was the concept of the staff rule and you're nothing more than a disabled loser who can't succeed. This place have me permeant PTSD and sometimes I still have nightmares that I'm back! I hate this place and I hope someday it burns up in flames like it deserves to :3 lol but in all reality don't attend this shit hole. read more

This place left me with so much trauma I'm not even sure where to begin. One of the therapists named Kevin (I don't remember his last name, as I was about nine.) actually encouraged my adoptive mother to buy books with "naked girls" in them for my baby brothers because they were undressing my barbie dolls and he felt that it was wise for a three and four year old to "satisfy their curiosity" via pornographic material. That very same therapist also condoned "re birth" therapy, which can be described as encouraging an adoptive parent to actually LAY ON TOP of their adoptive child- sometimes wrapped in blankets- or force said child to be held for hours by the adoptive parent in an attempt to recreate the same bond that children tend to form with their biological parents in the womb. This is child molestation. (Not to mention the fact that rebirth therapy is extremely controversial and has caused the death of at least one child.) These people encouraged child molestation AND the distribution of pornographic material to a FOUR AND THREE YEAR OLD. (My adoptive parents did not go through with that) If you care at all for your child and their wellbeing, you should steer clear of this place. read more

My son spent 11 months as a resident and 18 months as a day student, between the ages of 8-10. Before Wellspring he was in and out of other area hospital day programs and residential programs. The hospital told us they could no longer help him, that he will never be mainstreamed at school and will probably never be able to live at home again. He was diagnosed with early onset bipolar disorder at agamong other secondary's. His condition was very complex. He disappeared into the symptoms of a frightening illness and an overly aggressive and unhealthy concoction of medicines. We decided to send him to live at Wellspring. The doctors and therapists at Wellspring recognized the issues. They helped turn Michael's life around. They gave us our son back. It was wonderful to visit him in an alert state, no longer over-medicated-not drooling, sleeping, shaking, screaming or crying, like our hospital visits before Wellspring. Wellspring gave him love along with his other therapies. They taught the importance of creating and restoring relationships, building self esteem, and of bringing people closer together...not further apart. It was no longer an environment for just crisis management. Every single doctor, therapist, teacher, counselor, nurse etc. provided an environment where he could truly heal and create a path to a healthy future. The support and guidance they gave to my husband and I was incredible and life changing. We all learned, as a family, how to heal together. He returned to school and was able to live at home again and has continued to succeed. We cannot thank them enough for the gifts of hope, peace, love, balance, joy, and faith that replaced the deep feelings of despair. Wellspring, you saved our family and we will be forever grateful! read more

PLEASE READ. If you want what is good for your child or yourself, do not go to wellspring or arch bridge school. I had stayed in the Shiloah house for an entire year (2014-2015) and it took me a lot of courage to come out and talk about my experience here. The main problem is that I was sexually assaulted while attending arch bridge school by another day student. I came to one of the therapists for help, with other girls who had apparently seen it happen and experienced the same sort of behaviour from the same student. I had been interviewed by the principle the next day who basically asked me what happened so I told him. He dismissed me and didnt talk to me again for quite a while, and I still had to go to classes with this said student. When the principle talked to me once again he told me that I asked for it and wanted it and that I shouldn't complain. They never told my parents, which was illegal. They didn't get any law enforcements involved, which was illegal. They didn't punish the student and they let him stay in school. The student continued to yell and abuse other students, including me, and one day decided to drop out of school. Other problems, the main staff do not care about the kids. You would tell them what you felt, for example you would say "I feel really depressed", and they would tell you not to feel that way and that was all you'd get from them. My friend who also attended wellspring was suffering with a sensory disorder but since that single therapist didn't know much about it, everyone refused to acknowledge it and help her. They would force you to do gardening so their grounds would look good. They would force you to do activities that were religious. They were not good people. We weren't considered kids that needed help, we were considered work. If you need more reasons here are some more. I confined into a group therapy session that I saw messages on my dad's phone from another woman and I wanted to tell my mother. Every staff member told me not to, multiple staff persons telling me that I was imagining it. Because of what they told me I didn't tell my mother. Many months later I saw them again, I took a photo and showed my mother. My dad had been cheating on my mother for the past 10+ years. It left everyone in my home a mess. I had only just left wellspring so my parents thought it was a good idea that I went back to my therapist there and talk to her. My therapist told me what I did was wrong. That I shouldn't have told my mother, things like 'look what's happened now' and 'this is all your fault'. They are not good people there. There are so many more things I can talk about. If you want more information on wellspring you can contact me on facebook. Do not go to wellspring. It will only make things worse. read more

I was a client in Angelus house, the adult program. The house and grounds are beautiful and there's a barn and animals. I found the program and activities to be excellent and will say I did benefit a lot from them. However, I can't say the same for my overall experience because there is a BIG problem with the staff. The man who is the program director and the woman who is the assistant program director are both religious Catholics and bring this to their work at Angelus house in ways that made me very uncomfortable. They would make their religion-based opinions on controversial subjects known in a way that is very inappropriate for therapists treating very troubled young women in a facility that is marketed as SECULAR. As a client, any concerns about the program I had were psycho-analyzed instead of being taken seriously. Also the program director made me and many clients uncomfortable due to his yelling and harsh language. He says it is because it gets through to people and saves them but I would say that's not right at all because I ended up seeking treatment elsewhere and found that there are much better facilities out there and what happens at Angelus house is not normal for adult residential treatment. I suggest spending your time and money at a different residential treatment center. read more

My son is a student and I could not be more impressed with this school. He is starting sophmore year here in just over a month. I have read a lot of negative reviews posted previous to mine and am unfamiliar with the counselor that is consistently mentioned in the other reviews, so I would not discount what others have posted if he is still employed there, especially because the posts have been made by students whose testimonials are of the most importance. Upon our initial interview at the school with the director Ralph and Sabrina.. I was immediately sold when made aware that this school does not accept student applicants with a history of violence towards others. MANY "therapeutic" schools in Connecticut are structured similarly behavioral schools, and allow violent/aggressive students, something that in some cases could be dangerous for non-violent students struggling with a multitude of issues. My son has struggled with severe depression and social anxiety for quite some time. The start of his enrollment at Arch Bridge was challenging, as he has difficulty engaging with others and felt overwhelmed having to have started in the middle of the school year - being unfamiliar with the work the other students were being taught at that time. With constant prompting and support from his teachers and staff, by the end of the 2017-2018 school year he was able to bring all of his 4th term grades up 1-2 letter grades. This sense of accomplishment and pride in his work has instilled a sense of pride within himself that no past schools he's attended were able to contribute to. The school gives parents the opportunity to meet each other and staff during conveniently scheduled evening hours. During these meetings parents are able to share their concerns about their own children, hear those from other parents and offer/listen to suggestions on how to cope, support and effectively aide their children to ensure their future happiness and success. My experience at these parent meetings led by Sabrina (a staff member who is extremely passionate and plays an active roll in supporting all of the students enrolled) was positive, and even therapeutic for myself to be made aware that other parents are experiencing the same struggles with their own children. The opportunity to listen to the testimonials from other parents who have a child currently enrolled in the school and the progress their children have made was inspiring and I am grateful to the school for making these meetings possible. My son (prior to being enrolled at Arch Bridge school) was being counseled by KDiana, a counselor at a different Wellspring location. At the time of our initial interview with Arch Bridge I was unaware that KDiana was also a teacher at Arch Bridge. Her presence at Arch Bridge was an important factor for my son's ability to familiarize himself comfortably during his first few weeks. Although she has decided to leave Arch Bridge and Wellspring, her kindness and dedication as a Wellspring counselor and educator will never be forgotten by our family. Many public schools now utilize online email systems to make parents aware of their student's grades and assignments throughout the school year. Arch Bridge is the only my son has attended that not only utilizes this technology, but takes it a step further and gives parents the opportunity to email each individual teacher directly for feedback on their child's progress in the classroom, areas their children need more support with in school or at home and questions parents have regarding classwork. While my son is still battling his anxiety and depression, he has made more progress utilizing coping skills (both in school and at home) at Arch Bridge than any school he's attended before. He has made mention of his opinion of the director of the school (Ralph) and (unlike testimonials my son has made about the principals and authority figures at previous schools) I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the director is not only actively involved with each student, but makes himself available to students when they feel overwhelmed, have concerns of their own or simply need to vent. It is clear that Ralph's involvement with each individual student and the confidence he inspires in them to turn to him when they have an issue is refreshing and is a reflection of all staff members at Arch Bridge. Lastly, I was MOST impressed with Arch Bridge after attending the 2018 graduation ceremony. The school has a small number of students enrolled and requires all students (graduating or not) to attend the ceremony to show support to the graduating class. Not something most schools enforce but having attended the ceremony I am so thankful that Arch Bridge has this requirement in place. The 2018 Grad's testimonies were beautifully truthful, hope inspiring for all, and had every attendee in tears. Arch Bridge has been a blessing for our family and I have nothing but admiration and thanks for the staff and students. read more

I was a resident at Wellspring's Angelus House adult residential program for approximately 6 months from late 2017-early 2018. I came in feeling so depressed that I didn't care if I didn't wake up the next morning. My family and I had tried everything you could think of, treatment wise, to get me healthy. The moment I stepped into Angelus I was welcomed by both staff and residents. Being in a program with girls who have the same issues and are the same age as you really helped me thrive. Wellspring had many groups, programs, and activities throughout the week to teach us valuable life lessons. Things like culinary, work, animal, adventure, and expressive therapy groups helped mold me into the person I am today. I cannot thank the staff at Angelus House enough for what they did for me. They never gave up on me even when I so desperately wanted to give up on myself I am currently enrolled in college getting my bachelors in Elementary Physical Education, I am employed full time at a job I love, and I have the best relationship with my friends and family. Wellspring truly changed my life for the better. read more

I voluntarily went back into treatment for a second time at Angelus House from November 2017 to January 2018. I had started turning to old behavior again and knew I needed a tune up. This is by no means a reflection on wellspring, but rather a reflection on my willingness to let go of the things that made me sick. I'm going to be 3 years sober in October (thanks to wellspring) and because of my stay there this year, I've been the most well adjusted and stable that I've been in my whole life. Dave and Sara are kind, compassionate, and caring and they'll push you hard when you need it. Yes they shared things from individual sessions in group, I'm pretty sure that's part of what you agree to with the consent to treatment that you sign. A lot of the therapy is group oriented so if these things are not discussed in group, you're missing out on part of treatment. Very personal things about my relationship with my now husband were kept confidential and never mentioned in group because I specifically requested that it not be, and they respected that. I was asked to recall in whatever detail I felt comfortable my history of abuse in group and it was part of treatment. All the residents know each others stories, it was important to build a therapeutic community. I'm back in college, married, self-sufficient, confident, and living a fulfilling, meaningful life because of the treatment I received at Angelus. read more

My daughter just left Wellspring as a resident and is now participating as an outpatient. I have found the staff at Wellspring to be caring and concerned.They provide a nurturing environment while a the same time providing structure and,in my opinion, a necessary degree of house rules and regulations. The young women are taught life skills that the need to become independent (i.e. cooking) as well as how to get along with others. I feel the staff at Wellspring has really helped my daughter. They always have time for me as a parent and my calls are always returned promptly. My daughter is not "cured"; I have to face the reality that she probably never will be; but I feel that Wellspring has done an amazing job and continues to show true compassion and concern for her well being. I would definitely recommend Wellspring for young ladies with mental disabilities. read more

This place caused more trauma than it helped. They allowed a staff member to grow obsessively attached to me despite many warning signs (he would bring me gifts and single me out for chores). Then the rest of them decided I was a "seductress" and "attention seeker" using examples like the fact that I like to perch on the arm of a couch sometimes. Dave was actively condescending to me but really turned on the charm for my parents because obviously they were the source of the money. I was put on so many drugs by those people I could barely think straight and they tried officially stating that I was "unable to function in society" and should stay there much longer if not indefinitely. Unfortunately the only person who stood up for me was my abuser/social worker and he went around protocol to call my parents and suggest Dave had a personal grudge against me and that I would be better off out of that place. I forgot the names of the other staff members but there was definitely a conversation with staff on why the man should leave nicely and how I would be labeled not as a victim but the one who started it all for attention. Luckily my parents took the hint and signed me out (remember they tried having me deemed unfit as an adult, so it couldn't be my choice), I immediately stopped all their medication (not recommended to go cold turkey of course) and tried moving on with life but the man stalked me at my work and sent me strange handmade gifts. He tried to get me involved in his family by lying about my age to make him seem less like a pervert. No one helped me or believed me so I ended up leaving in the middle of the night to go cross country and start a new life free from harassment. He was a manipulative old man preying on the insecurities and psychological anguish of a young, highly medicated girl. I've tried to block this out for years, and almost believed them that I should feel the shame, but the times up on this enabling establishment. For the record I am now a completely high functioning member of society on no medications at all. I am happy and healthy, but my time there severely impacted my life in so many negative aspects, that many of the positive things from therapy and active "farm life" are moot. I would not suggest trusting your vulnerable children or selves there. That said I do know a few who had great experiences, but I wouldn't trust the odds. read more

There was something fundamentally screwed up about how this facility was run. I lived in the adult house, Angelus, for about 8 months. I left in early 2009 and continue this day to have nightmares about the place. From the beginning, the amount of smack talk the patients and staff engaged in was alarming. If they talk crap about several patients and their problems in such an unproductive and judgmental way, it raises the question why wouldn't they do that about you. I was continually forced to go to AA meetings, the belief that I was an alcoholic was continually shoved down my throat. This was despite me adamantly challenging this view, and continually stating that I felt guilty for being there when I couldn't relate to any of the struggles and feelings of powerlessness the addicts expressed. I started to believe them for a short while, but then paid attention to the facts and my natural feelings (not the ones they told me I had) and persisted in resisting the meetings. After perhaps 5 months or so they gave up trying to force me to go. Today, I am not an alcoholic or an addict. I share 1-2 bottles of wine per week with my girlfriend. Their forcing this process on me caused a lot of anger, angst, made me doubt/distrust myself, and left me feeling incredibly unheard. Additionally, the staff member in charge of all SA/AA activities was stupidly unfit to be in a therapeutic environment. Sally, was her name I believe. She was almost always aggressive and unapproachable with her tone and body language. Seeming as though she were on a pedestal, she was always right in her eyes which made us all ignorant, dumb, and wrong. She loved to talk crap about other patients, scoffing at them with pleasure. Rides to AA were filled with smack talk about other patients, sometimes started by Sally, and in no way discouraged. Sally was also very directly discouraging of me in regards to a transition I started while at Angelus. A transition that saved my life and gave me the opportunity to be happy and healthy today. Uninvitedly telling me her opinion of how what I was doing was wrong, in so many ways. As for the art therapist, Michelle, she fabricated written notes about me and gave no room to develop a healthy relationship with her. I took accountability for being an oppositional brat the first month or two of being in art therapy, as I thought she was less than intelligent, didn't like her, and was not interested in following the forced strict guidelines of her program. After I decided to give in an give it a go, she continued harboring the resentments towards me and wrote notes about me continuing to intentionally try provoking her (I wasn't at all, and I was doing the assigned tasks to the fullest without complaining). She wrote that I was malicious towards other patients, which was not observed by any other staff members and not reported by other residents. She allowed her personal shit to significantly affect her professionalism. Wtf? And I wouldn't have cared, because I still didn't have respect for her, but these notes are shared with all the therapists and that skewed the way they perceived me and led to an infuriating talking to. It got cleared up, because the notes were found false, but this made my tolerance for art therapy even less. And although I love doing arts and crafts in my own time, I now hold a lot of anger towards the idea of doing art therapy because of my so strongly negative experience here, which is a shame. I did not find this place to be nurturing or feel like an emotionally safe place. I did not feel supported or heard. When I experienced confusion about how I could help my self progress I was simply shamed, told I wasn't working hard enough, or ignored. Here, I was forced to stick up for myself relentlessly. Fighting who they told me I was, with who I knew I was. Not the way I had hoped it'd bring me growth. There were a couple staff members that I felt supported by, safe with, and guided by- Deb and Jo. I know Jo stopped working there around the time I left. She made me feel comfortable with who I was and really made a difference in my life and perspectives. The lead therapist, Dave, without consent would say things in group therapy with other residents, that I'd talk about in private sessions with him. HIPAA violation. He seemed to have a god complex and I constantly felt unheard by him. It aggravated me that I was assigned to therapist Sarah most the time. I expressed wanting to talk to Dave, but request denied. Even after it I made it very clear that I had no interest in working with Sarah, a therapist there who made a gross and immature first impression- felt like she was a "wounded healer" who hadn't done her self-work. Bottom line- I would discourage anyone from living here or sending their young adult children here. I can't speak to if the adolescent unit is any better. Traumatizing experience. Can't trust the place at all. read more

I have been wanting to write something like this for years. I was at Angelus House about 12 years ago. I am a trauma survivor and the first thing that Dave the therapist did was to shame me in front of the rest of the group who were strangers. Trauma survivors have specific needs and they were not met here. They have little understanding and use their tough love method on everyone. I felt like I was in jail and all I received was knowing I could survive something so bad. It was not an environment which uplifted me but one where I felt belittled. I made it through but others were not so lucky. A few people left in the night and I was jealous. To be clear you will be expected to dig up tree roots and clear trails and scoop goat poop. And if you are actually human and have thought you are considered to be difficult. You learn how to adapt to get through but it's not healing. There were younger people having affairs in the house and people were hoarding foods and feeding their eating disorders. There is no treatment for trauma survivors. They did not even mention it. EMDR PC and Somatic experiencing are known to help. This place is missing a piece. The nurse as not kind as well. Just so glad to be out there and feeling good to share with others. I wouldn't recommend it to my enemy read more

I went to Wellspring recently for an extended stay at the adult residential facility. I could go on and on about the things I really disliked about the place, but ultimately I owe these people my life. Their hard-ass approach will make you hate them, but it changes your mind. It makes it so that you hold yourself to a higher standard; it reminds you that even if you are sick, mentally or physically, the world will not stop for you. I would warn you, if you have any sort of physical or neurological ailment that you bring proof of it with you, because they automatically assume you are lying. I will also let you know I saw 5 girls run away or check out super early (like 2 weeks in, and it's a 3 month minimum stay), but in the one case where we learned what happened after the girl ran off, it ended up she went right back to the psych ward. I do think sometimes they keep people a bit too long, but in the long run a year of your life isn't that bad if it means the rest of your life doesn't suck. They take you places and do stuff, even though the woman who runs that bit makes it super obvious that we are "those girls". But screw stigma. There's different programs to keep you busy, my favorite of which being the cooking program (Joyce rocks!). You may rightly hate half the shit the therapists say to you -- you may even find one of them to be a complete nincompoop. But that in itself is a life lesson -- you will have to work for people you may despise in the future, and you must always show respect. I sometimes think they don't understand much beyond your standard depression and personality disorders. When cases were more complicated I noticed there was a sort of lack of understanding on their part. But if your situation is dire enough I would still come here. You will detest the place, but it will be your salvation. Stick it out! read more

My daughter, Lulu, attended the Wellspring (Angelus House) Residential program from September 2015 through June 2016. Lulu had major depression/anxiety throughout high school which showed in behavioral problems like defiance, drug abuse, and overall inability to regulate her moods and self-destructive actions. Before Wellspring, Lulu had received treatment in two different outpatient group therapy programs, one intensive day program, and two inpatient stays. None of these programs were thorough or lengthy enough to result in the changes that Lulu needed to make to get herself away from the unhealthy influences in her life and to change her direction. I am enormously grateful to the Wellspring staff of Dave, Sara, Katie, and others who worked hard to get to know Lulu and who genuinely cared about her. At Wellspring, Lulu lived with a supportive community of girls who were all required to participate in daily groups and contribute to the overall care of the household. As a result of Lulu's growth at Wellspring, she decided to transfer to a smaller college away from her unhealthy attachments. So far, Lulu has been doing well at college for the past year and a half. I will always be grateful to the Wellspring program and staff for saving Lulu's life and for being instrumental in helping her mature and begin to create a promising future for herself. -Queenie V. read more

Wellspring changed my life. Before I attended Wellspring I was in 2 other residential programs. The first program was shut down because no one wanted to send their daughters there after the owners husband had an affair with a patient. The second program was not bad but it was just not the right fit for me. After 2 and a half years of continuous residential treatment I went to Wellspring. I was tired and I was fed up with everything. I fought the program and was yelled at for the first time EVER. It was just what I needed. I do not mean to say that the people there are mean. I have lots of love for the staff there. They take into account what you can and can not handle. I stuck with the program and I got better. I had a few slip ups after I got out but pulled everything back together. I have been out of the program for 2 years. I now have an apartment, 3 adorable kitties, a great family relationship, a solid job, a healthy loving relationship with a great man, and I am attending college. I owe everything that I have accomplished to the tough love and nurturing that I recieved at Wellspring. read more

This will be a short review. Wellspring saved my daughters life. My daughter drank, took drugs and was starting on a path of self-destruction that we had no idea how to get her off. After trying several other therapies (residential and non-residential) which did not work with my brilliant and hard-headed 19-year-old, we found Angelus house - and only then did change begin. David and Sarah challenged my daughter to face her issues head on, and they were not soft-shoed about it. They provided the only therapy that did not let her avoid or disguise her emotional problems. They created an environment where she felt 'safe' enough to unearth her issues. And for the first time, she responded. She worked hard - very hard - and found loving support and encouragement. I realize that some individuals may not be ready to take all this on - but it was the key that opened my daughter up. She now lives a happy and meaningful life, with a successful career, a loving relationship with a great guy, a robust athletic life and a wide and deep circle of friends. I thank Angelus House - especially David and Sarah - for NOT treating my daughter as though she was a fragile individual to be 'handled' but demanding she own up to her issues. She did. And now she is free. read more

My daughter is presently at Wellspring since Jan 2014. There are several components; there is a 19 room house for adolescents along with a smaller house for younger children adjacent to the Arch Bridge School which has about 45 total students thru grade 12. On their website, you can see the different diagnoses they treat. The review the previous post is on and the one I will give is for the Angelus house a few miles away, which is for max of 10 adults, which has changed to only house females. My daughter is 18 and the other 6 females with her are ages 18-26 y, one even a college grad.. My daughter attends the Arch Bridge School in the morning to finish up high school. Wellspring has helped my daughter tremendously. She has been to other short term residentials for her eating disorder which got under control before she got there. She was still was unable to function in a smaller alternative high school so we were lucky to have found this facility, which is on the NY School approved list of residential placements so school districts will pay. As in any mental health facility, there are some staff that some residents may not click with. Presently, there is no one name "Sally" that the previous reviewer wrote about. This house and one for adolescents are on farm land with sheet, goats, pigs. and part of their responsibilities is taking care of them along with house chores and cooking. The therapy here is different, lot of group therapies, and what really helped my daughter is "expressive" therapy, whether it's looking in a mirror and talking about what you see to hitting a large foam box. There is also art therapy, REIKI therapy, yoga, weekly bowling, outings to nature centers, Starbucks, flea market, etc. The mental work is tough , they really challenge them. The new psychiatrist tries to wean them off meds and the program really tries to get them to get to the root of their issues. I would highly recommend Well Spring. read more