Background: here I am a hard working professional with a bachelors degree working in a hospital making 66K per year with work experience as a DoD civilian working on military bases with 14 years experience and then five more with the veterans. I am also a single parent. I moved to TX for work which I did a great job at for over five years. At which time I became stressed out (not seeing my family from New England during that time). I needed some family time and a break and probably an opportunity to talk to an out patient counselor. My dad arrived and not knowing what to do because it was a holiday took me to the hospital. The only thing that was open to see me was the emergency room. Because I showed up they admitted me and from there referred me to Hickory Trails which was a big mistake. I voluntarily checked myself in because after taking to them Psychiatrist (possibly Indian/accent) insisted that I come in. When all I needed was some family support and outpatient counseling. They ended up requiring I take medicine continuously and didn't give me a choice to refuse it (so much for patient rights). I only met with him maybe for five minutes a hand full of times and I kept asking what does it take to leave. He finally said you need to take a shot and then I will let you leave. I asked what it was and was given a long slip listing all the possible side effects. I said I didn't want it and after a few days I finally took it to go home. They kept me in patient at least 2-3 weeks. All the psychiatrist would ask is, ""Are you taking your medication?"" The place was horrible inside the patient rooms and living room (which family doesn't see). They stuck me on a unit with others who were extremely out there. \r
\r
My dad was very distraught because he had very limited contact with me and they released no information to him despite his requests stating HIPPA. My poor daughter must have been worried sick. Once they finally released me from inpatient care, they milked the system again requiring I go to out patient care for a month. This was making me more stressed because I was missing more work and had to explain it. (I am the only supporter of my daughter, no child support and needed my job). The outpatient counselor I went to after observing me for two weeks said that I didn't belong in there and let me go two weeks earlier than the Psychiatrist wanted me to go. \r
\r
Then they required I continue to see them and follow their prescriptions. I ended up loosing my 66K job, we had to move from Texas back with family and my daughter had to leave her wonderful school and all her friends there and at church and camp. Now I'm unemployed. One of their counselors (an intern) said you can always collect social security and she pointed me in the direction for that. So after spending my whole life preparing to become a therapist and working successfully in that field double majoring in RT and psychology going there messed up my whole career and life. Please think and research the best place for you or your family member to go before letting someone just send you there. In my case I believe they kept me as long as they could and make the most money they could from in and out patient services. It was a totally bad, horrible experience that I wouldn't wish on anyone. And I see they are advertising for a recreational therapist. I would never want to work in that position for them. My recommendation is to take a through tour of all the facilities and see all the units before you decide to work in that place and read all the reviews from family and patients.
more