Testimonials

“My son was inpatient at Copper Hills for a year. When we arrived the director told us that we were dropping off a boy but he would send us home a man, he made true on his promise. It was the toughest year for all of us and Covid-19 pandemic started in the middle of his stay which was terrifying as a parent however, the staff was excellent at answering questions and reassuring us. He is amazing and doing the “impossible” he graduates high school next year!! Thank you Copper Hills thank you for saving my family!!”

– B.W. 3/28/24

“My son discharged from La Amistad on Friday. I have nothing but nice things to say about the staff and program there and would recommend it for anyone who feels like they have exhausted all other options for their troubled teens. My child had a terrible, traumatic loss earlier this year and suffers from bipolar disorder. He was having difficulty even getting out of bed. Standard psychiatric care and therapy didn’t seem to help. He began having violent outbursts and was stuck in a cycle of Baker Acts and repeated hospitalizations that were only designed to help him until he was no longer in crisis mode. A good friend suggested La Amistad, among a few other residential facilities. After screening all of the suggestions, I chose La Amistad. I’m grateful I made that decision. He was there for nine weeks. In that time, he went from a defiant, chronically depressed kid back to one that smiles and laughs, who makes choices that benefit him. Before, he was self destructive and almost never spoke to me unless he was spoken to. He’s also spoken to me about long-term goals for the future, something which he hasn’t done in a very long time. He confessed to me that he hadn’t believed he would live long enough to see them to fruition. He has hope again. I will confess that the decision to send him there was difficult. The first couple of weeks was difficult as well. He realized there was work involved and didn’t want to do it. I didn’t want to lose my son. The actions he was taking prior to his stay there were either going to land him in a jail or a morgue. The therapist worked with me at that time as much as he worked with my child and encouraged both of us not to give up. I can’t say enough about his therapist, the houseparents, and the nursing staff. They are top-notch and truly care about the kids they’re there for. Dr. M. was amazing as well, ensuring that his medicine was the right combination to be therapeutic without turning him into a zombie. As a fellow parent, I wish for you to never have to consider this review or having to place your child in a residential facility. If you do, however, I highly recommend that you look into La Amistad.”

– S.T., 2/13/24

“My 15 year old daughter went to La Amistad for 8 weeks. She was ready to go but not necessarily ready to do the work that was necessary to help her. The staff did not give up on her and she is now amazingly better than the day she walked in. Everyone that I have talked to is nicer than the next. I always felt comfortable knowing that my daughter was safe and in good hands. If she reads this review she would say she strongly agree.”

– A.H., 12/12/2023

“Sometimes it takes years to see all the benefits and it is difficult when your child needs residential psychiatric care, but you have to do what is best for your child. When your child is a danger to themselves or others, they need psychiatric help. Our son spent 4 months here several years ago. He didn’t come home perfect, but he made great progress while he was there and the progress continued when he got home. We came from out of state and the traveling to visit him was hard, but it was so worth it. He has overcome so much and we are so proud of him.”

– W.J., 5/6/24

“This place is the only place that gave my son a chance and agreed to help him. He was in a hard state mentally emotionally and struggling also with autism daily. No one would help him saying he was too much of a risk due to aggressive behaviors. These people at Laurel heights said no this child will not slip through the cracks we will try and help this boy and that they did. Everyone from the doctors the staff the specialists the treatment teams every single person did everything they could to help my son and it has worked. It was not easy and it has been a long rough road but these people were on the road along with my son and I and each step towards the final goal is being achieved not fast but this type of treatment is not a race it is a marathon and it is not always pretty. All I can say is thank you so much to everyone from the bottom of my heart and with all my soul thank you for everything you guys are doing to help my son. I can not imagine how tough this job is for all of you but I’m so grateful and we are truly blessed that all of you have come in our life and are helping my son. This place is not a bad place they do amazing work this job is so hard but thank goodness these people do not give up on these children that obviously need the most help. Again thank you so much to everyone many many blessings to all of you”

– B.M., 4/19/24

“I just want to take some time to sing the praises of Meridell Achievement Center in Austin, TX. Our son has been there for 2 months and is nearing [the end of] his stay there. For two months every single person whom we’ve spoken to including admissions, insurance team, nurses, staff, therapist, psychiatrist, eval psychologist, every single person has been a class act! Through and Through! Everyone has been truly invested in MY kid. They have gotten to know who he truly is, never treated him like “just another kid”, always took their time advocating with us, never rushing us on any phone call, always including us in every step of the process, going above and beyond at every opportunity. I truly could not speak higher of them all. True heroes of this world, committed to help our kiddos! Our son has made leaps forward with his behavior. I am so grateful to this incredible team, forever indebted to them.”

– V.B. 4/3/24

“We are greatful for Natchez and the miracle working staff. Our 15 year old was unreachable before Natchez. He had so many behaviors that were leading him to some life altering diagnosis. He had been in the unruly program and just wouldn’t change until Natchez. Everyone there held him to account and made him deal with his stuff. He went in an angry self destructive kid with no hope in himself to a smiling, responsible sweet natured young man I always knew was I there. We have hope in our home and we are a full family again. This wouldn’t have been possible without Natchez. Ms. M., Ms. A. and especially Ms. T. brought our son back to us.”

– T.D. 4/6/24

“The staff and treatment teams are wonderful, caring, and kind. We had a great experience there with our daughter. Thank you.”

– S.K. 2/8/24

“There are not enough words to state how grateful I am for this place and the people that work here. We are from Oklahoma and we found out about this place through a support group online that I am involved with. Our first journey to Willow Springs my daughter made progress, but unfortunately insurance booted her too early against everyone’s wishes and appeals filed. After several months she had to return. This return she was in much worse shape than the first time. They helped her to regain her physical and mental health. They also helped her to complete high school. They put together a beautiful and thoughtful ceremony for her and our family. I will forever be grateful for that special day. Returning to Oklahoma was not an option for our daughter due to safety concerns. We were lost and overwhelmed as to what the next step would be because she was aging out of Willow Springs. They worked tirelessly to find a path for her that would lead her to success. They never gave up on her and they treated her with love and respect. They made a way for her to successfully move into adulthood and continue with treatment outside of the facility. As stated earlier there are not enough words to express my gratitude. It saddens me to read all the negative reviews. I have nothing negative to say about this place or our time spent there, which in total was almost a year. This place (doctor, therapist, and staff) and their willingness to accept my daughter a second time is the only reason she is still alive today. When your child struggles with mental health life can be very, very dark, but we found our light thanks to the wonderful people who work here.”

– M.F. 4/18/24

“We’re blessed that they’ve selected Mountain City to build this new facility, they could have built it in any town but they selected Mountain City and we’re very happy.”

– Mountain City Mayor[1]

“The service that they provide and the results that they are getting working with families and the people it needs to help, it’s amazing.”

– Johnson County Mayor[2].

“Their response time is always the quickest and we’ve very happy working with Provo Canyon.”

– Highland Ridge, Jan/Feb 2024

“I was an unmedicated Bi-polar teenager and was struggling with severe anxiety and depression. I was going downhill fast. Cedar Springs and the Southgate school were the blessings I needed. I started the school year while I was in Cedar Springs hospital. I was so scared that my education would come to a standstill, but it did the complete opposite. I was a senior excepted to graduate in May of 2024 but with the support of the techs, therapists, and the staff at Southgate school I was able to graduate in December of 2023 and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the unconditional support of the staff. In the beginning I was scared it was my second residential facility I didn’t have any faith or hope left I was mentally done. There was a mental health tech, she was a wonderful and helped me so much. I had a hard day, and I was down. I told her I was ready to give up. I was ready to quit, and I wanted to die. She looked at me and said, “we will care about you until you care about yourself and even then, every person in this hospital will continue to wish the best for you and we will do that for every patient here even after your long gone and living your best life”. This really stuck to me and showed me that there are people who care. I was just blinded by the depression and hate. I began to truly be motivated and ready to better myself. It wasn’t only the techs and therapists that helped me, it was also the staff and Southgate school. They were beyond supportive. They gave me more support more than I could have ever prayed for. Without the determination of the teachers and other staff I wouldn’t have been able to graduate. Graduating early was extremely beneficial. It helped make sure that I could leave everything in my past behind and begin my future. I owe all of it to all the staff at Cedar Springs hospital and Southgate school. Thank you all for the love and support it will never go unappreciated”

– Former student at Cedar Springs’ Southgate School, Jan 2024