Discovery Mood And Anxiety Program- Downey's Online Review Report Card

I personally went here as a patient and i can't begin to tell you how much this program helped me. I've been thinking about writing a review for a while but saw no point. But then I took a look at the reviews and was shocked that a lot were so negative. So since my experience was very recent I'd like to share my story and hope other people will put their child through this program and get them the help they deserve. I was here for 37 days and got discharged back in the end of May. It is now July and I'm doing so much better than before. Going into the program I was terrified. I was so turned against the idea and thought I was helpless. I was gonna be screwed forever. But 3-4 weeks into the program I started to feel genuine happiness and gratitude from this program. I get this experience might not be the same for everyone. But people are also often more similar than we think. The staff here are amazing. They're sweet, welcoming, honest, and strategic. They kept me for just as long as I needed to. They assessed me perfectly. And the food is not a problem to worry about at all, It's all home cooked meals. The cook is welcoming, funny, and very good at what she does. Just like all the other staff. This place was the perfect balance of everything I needed. I often find myself missing it. But I am also very, very happy with where I am now in life. I have a great therapist and I couldn't be more thankful. Of course I still have very difficult moments, but this program shaped me to deal with these is healthy smart ways. With everything I have I really recommend this program. It makes me very sappy how thankful I am. - KH

DMAP Downey gave us our daughter back ... in pretty much the exact same condition that she went in. Their regimented "tough love" approach doesn't work for everyone, but it's the only approach they have. We resorted to a residential program because we were having problems dealing with our daughter at home, but it was clear the 'professionals' were having many of the same problems with her, had no creative solutions, and regarded her as little more than an annoyance. We never spoke with the main therapist; our family sessions were run by the intern (who had little experience and all of the personality and assertiveness of a limp dishrag; she was in over her head); the psychiatrist was a floater who serves multiple DMAP locations. Outside of weekly family visits, our ability to contact our daughter was spotty at best. Calling in to the facility, following their directions, we always got an answering machine. Our daughter's ability to call out was often restricted as a punishment -- as was her ability to receive mail from us; other patients got their mail while hers was held back, leading her to believe that we'd forgotten about her. They discharged her a week ahead of schedule, calling us the night before to tell us we needed to come get her the next day. Nobody helped us plan for our daughter's return to our household (other than platitudes like "it'll get harder before it gets easier"), and she got no closure and none of the 'graduation' rituals the other girls got -- just a surprise 'your parents are here' with her belongings shoved into a trash bag. We spent $13,000 for care at the Downey DMAP after our insurance coverage ended, thinking that it was having a positive effect; in retrospect, we'd have been better off lighting it on fire, because at least it would have kept us warm. (And yes, in the facility pictures there's a pool, but it was always "too cold" to use and could've done with a long session with a leaf skimmer.)

WORSE THAN THE ALCATRAZ. Recently I was discharged due to the significant growth of patients. This place smells of mildew and the staff is very mocking and rude.

Horrible and dirty and poop on the walls. It smelled of vomit as well so I immediately left with my mentally I'll daughter. Because I could not send her there. She needs a good place to heal. This is awful & needs to be shut down. Seriously the reviews are showing that.

Staff is horrible & threatens harm against patients. I was a patient here 2 months ago, and I am still not over it. I came out worse than I came in. They also are very homophobic and would duct tape the mouths of anyone who was gay/lesbian.

Honestly I don't even know where to start but this program was amazing. I 10 out of 10 recommend. The staff there is so so nice. They have really helped me through the things I was struggling with. The food was bussin and the bedrooms were so nice. The house is amazing. I was able to still continue to do the things I loved and I learned some more about myself. I crocheted, knitted, played cards, and was able to use a bunch of fidgets daily. The therapy was amazing. The 2 main therapists are so great. Through out this program I have really learned how to cope with my emotions and how to deal with family conflict. This program includes family therapy as well and its so beneficial. The last thing I have to say is Bri, Jen, Stephanie, Denia, Rubi, MaryJane, Emma, Amy and Princess raise! If you're reading this drive home safe, eat dinner well, sleep well, wake up well, next day well, next week well, whole life well.

hey yay i was there october 2021 and the staff, food and treatment was amazing highly recommended!!!!

I do not even know where to start with this amazing facility. I have already left a review on google but I would like to go more in-depth about the great care I received there. If I had to rate my experience it would be 10000/10. Right now especially with covid getting worse, the protocols are very beneficial and safe for everyone. Masks are of course required for everyone there which is great. The facility is great and very clean. Cleaning is done multiple times daily. This facility is also in a regular neighborhood, and is super super safe, which is something I was looking for! This facility is for adolescents age 11-17. Mental health wise, the program is also super duper great! I was a patient here and the treatment that i received there unmatched. When i was coming here I was expecting the worse. This place exceeded my expectations and beyond. The food is like so so bussin. Like SOOOO good. They also give you like all the bussin snacks and stuff :0 You are able to meet with dietitian weekly. You are also able to request pretty much any items you need! They also offer family therapy here as well. All staff and therapists are ready to take on almost anything. They are all so supportive and really truly care about every single patient. I felt heard by all staff and therapists. The staff especially become like your family there. They are with you through your highs and lows are are trained on how to support you. At this facility you are able to zoom with your parents/guardians. Some places we went through with the company included, the park, Build-A-Bear, Bowling, the beach, and ect. The zooms with your parents/guardians are very beneficial and you are able to just talk with them. The way you are able to just get out, get some fresh air and not feel like you are on lock-down is great. Your able to have fun while still improving during treatment. At this facility there is also the phase system and point system. This system is great because you ave something to work towards every week. If you got the points for the week you were able to go on outings and do fun activities. With the phases, the higher phase you are the more privileges you get. Its really great to have that feeling on still being involved. At this facility you are also able to fun activities and use whatever coping skills you need. School wise, you are able to continue to get your education which is very important in a mental health program. The education coordinator, Denia was just so so great. She was willing to help me out with all my work and talked to every single one of the teachers to get my work. She also coordinated with my school district and the administration. She really does go above and beyond for all of her patients. I would also like to give a personal thanks to the staff, Bri, Jen, Stephanie, Denia, MaryJane, Jay, Rubi, Emma, Amy, Kendra, Carlie, Elizabeth, Fae, Evan, and Princess they have all helped me so so much and all deserve a raise. You guys have really given me a second chance at my life. I am so so grateful to have gone here and gotten the amazing experience that I did. If you made it this far thru this long long review I want to say I WAS NOT PAID TO SAY THIS. I know saying this facility was so good and great sounds sus like impostor from among us. I promise i'm not impostor and i wrote this review from my heart. I literally could go on and on and on and on writing about this place but i'm gonna stop cause like you don't have all day to read this, or maybe you do idk but if you can drive, drive home safe/commute home safe, eat breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack well, sleep well, next day well, next week well, WHOLE LIFE WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amazing Facility, Went there over a year ago saved my life! I was constantly in and out of acute centers, it saved my life would recommend to anyone! Amazing staff, they had a In home cook, very hands on and worked in groups and individually with everyone!

I attended this program & stayed in this facility years ago & only now have the strength to come forward about the mental & emotional abuse I endured while being at this facility. I had grown women bully me & verbally threaten me; as well as being diagnosed with conditions & disorders that I did not have. "We treat the person" is NOT true. I was treated like an absolute nobody. Lied to, bullied, misdiagnosed, & ignored. Awful, awful program. I will be pursuing legal action against this particular location due to the lasting emotional trauma that ensued after being sent here. Do not EVER bring your daughter here. What I needed then was compassion & understanding. Not bullying & mistreatment. Abhorrent, all of those who work there.