Pasadena Villa Smoky Mountain Lodge

I had an amazing experience at SML, and bc of it am now the best version of myself. Everything about it was wonderful--individual and group therapy, as well as other versions of therapy including art and movement. You are also surrounded by what I call nature therapy. The culinary and cleaning staff are also top notch. I must say that not everyone has as good of an experience as me. Some people left early due to meds and therapy frustrations. You will witness others escalate, but that is part is the recovery process and the staff knows how to keep everyone safe and a patient's issues confidential when that happens. When mental health/recovery issues get complicated, I would recommend residential care to most people. IOPs and PHPs may also be a good fit, but getting away to a residential program was exactly what I needed and I would recommend SML to anyone.

I went into treatment absolutely terrified. I was fighting tooth and nail against a residential, even though I knew deep down that it was what I needed. This is the kind of place where you need to want to put in the work to really thrive here, but I think if you do, you get a lot out of it. I spent 7 weeks in residential here and it was truly the best decision I made. The therapists were amazing: I don't think I'd ever gotten so much out of a therapy session before compared to what I got from my sessions at The Lodge. And the therapists all bring something unique to the table for groups and all have their strengths. Also, I find the recreational component really beneficial. Sometimes, you need to do something that's not as emotionally intense and stimulates you in other ways, and I think that's often very overlooked. Getting to do stuff in the art room or play four square outside or anything like that was a nice change from the clinical groups and was great for when I knew I couldn't handle the heavy emotions at the time or just needed a change. It really helps to avoid the burnout long amounts of therapy can cause. They also usually have multiple groups ongoing at each time so you can pick what you want to do then. Also, I'm an incredibly picky eater, and culinary was SUPER helpful and worked with me to get things set up so there was something for me to eat every day that I would actually eat. All in all, I had a wonderful experience here. As someone who didn't know what to expect and feared the worst, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't think I would miss residential, but I made some amazing friends there who will likely be in my life forever, and I got some pretty amazing care. I don't think I've ever felt as seen by a therapist as I did by Sara. There aren't enough words to capture how grateful I am for my time there. Hopefully, I used enough to kind of get the point across.

I was there from April to August. I loved how the staff was nice and polite. I also loved the weekly schedule and the food. I would go there again.

Pasadena Villa has been a blessing in this time of Crisis. Bipolar out of control along with medication induced psychosis was a recipe for disaster. He was sliding downhill and there was a sense of urgency to get him in a safe place with experts who know how to handle this. As a family we could offer love but needed trained experts. Our priority's were a place that would take him quickly, that would put the mental health diagnosis before any substance abuse issues ( thank goodness he did not have one) a place where he could have the freedom to continue to manage his responsibilities as a father and husband while focusing on himself, and even took his insurance. He found this retreat and he knew it was the place for him. It was our job as a family to get him there. Pasadena was wonderful. They kept in communication with us and as he spiraled downhill we carefully put one foot in front of the other. With their guidance we got him stabilized and into Pasadena where we are happy to report his Joy is returning and he is focused on gaining the tools for a better life. We look forward to a long relationship with Pasadena and their therapists.

I'm sure as many as you know, (I'm assuming if you're looking up these sorts of things, you do...), it is SO hard finding the right place to suit your needs, your financial budget & just honestly a million questions in between, when trying to find help. So, this being said, Maggie S. has been an absolute GODSEND! I, unfortunately, am not able to go to Smokey Mtn. Lodge due to my own insurance, etc....but she has called or texted me each day to check in on me to make sure I am finding the RIGHT treatment. She absolutely 100% does not have to do that. She makes no money off of me, SHE CARES. These are the angels in this industry that truly allow us all to be able to take a deeper breath and know it's all gonna be alright...if not now, soon. She's pointed me in the right direction and has allowed me to ramble on and on about this, that, & everything else...(for those of you searching for yourself, I'm sure you get it!). I just absolutely HAD to write a review. I never even do this, I may even have to make an account! lol BUT with all of this being said, please do reach out to Pasadena. They TRULY CARE. Its not just $$, its the natural nature of us, as humans, to have compassion and do what we CAN to help one another....so...thank you, Maggie. You have made this transition 100 times less stressful and daunting. I WISH I could go to Smokey Mtn! Its hard enough to admit its time to do something, much less take the time to figure out all the logistics. With your guidance, I can see the light a little clearer. You're awesome! Keep doing what youre doing, you have certainly allowed me to feel less "crazy" and I am really excited to begin this journey!

Our son was at Pasadena Villas Smoky Mountain for ~10 months. He came there after being at a couple other facilities for 3 months. The care he got a Pasadena was life transforming. It took him a while to really settle into the treatment routines and to push himself to work hard. His therapist at the time, Nicole was terrific at encouraging and pushing him to work on his treatment plan. After a few months, Nicole advised that a "new voice" might be good for his progress, so Phillip became the lead therapist. That change was also amazingly seamless and very positive. Philip was great at pushing our son in a supportive manner without coddling him. We had weekly family sessions via conference call with the therapist and our son. And we visited every month and usually were able to have face-to-face family sessions during our visits. I appreciated that Pasadena Villas program lets residents use their computer, phone, etc. For our son, learning how to live productively amid all the distractions of life was important. And it was nice that he could call and FaceTime whenever he wanted. As part of his therapy, our son had frequent outings to restaurants and various activities in the area. Also, when we visited, we could sign him out and spend the day shopping and doing touristy things in nearby Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Through our many visits, we got to know the staff and a couple other residents well. We were invited to stay and have dinner at the lodge on a couple of our visits (prime rib one time and strip streak on another time). Our son has been home for several months now. He is working and started school at the local community college. And he's a joy to have in the house again. Pasadena Villas gave us our son back. And we are VERY grateful.

The treatment our son received at Pasadena Villa was superb. The staff - from admissions and administration on down, were courteous and kind; and Dr. K, the psychiatrist, was incredibly knowledgeable in changing and adjusting our son's medications. The facility itself is reminiscent of a beautiful ski chalet, nestled in the Smoky Mountains. And I cannot say enough good things about our son's therapist, Robin. Robin was a wonder worker, helping to affect a remarkable, positive change in our son. Unlike the other center (see below), it was much easier to get information about our son's treatment, and the weekly family therapy sessions via phone were expertly handled by Robin, as well. Some background: our son, who is on the Autism Spectrum, had severe problems during his first quarter at college, and had deteriorated to such a state that he was told he had to take a medical leave of absence. My wife flew with him to a very famous treatment center in Arizona that said they knew how to treat patients on the spectrum. Not only did they not know how to properly deal with our son, he ended up much worse, and eventually we were told he could no longer get treatment there. We had heard good things about Pasadena Villa during our initial research, and that they had particular skill in treating those on the Autism Spectrum (although that wasn't our son's only problem, at all). This time, the positive reputation was deserved.

Social integration model is an interesting approach. The general freedom allows groups to naturally form and I definitely felt like I came out of it with better mental health and more connections than when I came in. However, there are some important things to know. It's a voluntary facility but if you try to leave AMA they will send you to the ER for a psychiatric review. They didn't tell me it can take up to 2-3 days of sitting in the ER to see the doctor. So I missed my flight, then when I refused to sign the right to treat (DO NOT SIGN THIS) and tried to leave the ER they accused me of something I didn't do to keep me there and placed an emergency detainment order on me. After trying to contact pasadena villa multiple times from the ER (who still had all of belongings including my phone and laptop), I received nothing but frustrated remarks from one of the nurses who basically made it clear she didn't care to help me out. It took my mother driving a 16 hour round trip to convince the ER to release me. Not only that but there are some issues with staff as well. Overall it was a mixed experience. Learn which staff members really care and which ones don't give a fuck and then act accordingly.

I spent almost 6 weeks at the Smoky Mountain Lodge. The grounds are beautiful, the food is fresh, the staff are kind and the therapy is amazing. This is a VOLUNTARY facility. I went into this knowing I would have to do the work, they will not force you to do anything here, you have to want to get better. Yes there are rules and it's not a 5 star hotel, but when you walk through those doors, every person there might not be on the same journey as you, but they all have pain and they all know how you feel. I had access to therapists and group therapy 7 days a week, outside activities including a water balloon fight, art and music and for me best of all no televisions or news. I could sit outside in the peace and quiet of the garden, play or read on my tablet, or find someone to talk to and play card games with. I walked out of there after 6 weeks for the first time in my life I felt like I knew what to do and how to deal with whatever life throws at me. If I ever need inpatient care again I will go back here.

I'm happy to write a review for Pasadena Villa. I was glad to hear that she was very welcomed there and they searched her bags to be on the safe side, as they do everyone. They kept track of where each resident were every hour of the day. They had different groups to choose from all day and a variety of activities that they could be involved in several times a week at local establishments. Each resident has a therapist, is seen by a doctor and a psychiatrist to check and order the medication that they are given. They have some musical instruments and arts and craft materials available to residents, but the highlight for my daughter was the barn and all of the animals that were there. They were available to visit there about 4 or 5 times a week. It was so helpful to allow residents to just be themselves and relax in the honest connection with the animals. Reaching out to animals can be a bonding experience that can help in a very calming way. They each see their therapist a few times a week. And my daughter really appreciated and looked forward to this. She allowed us to have a conference call each week with her and her therapist. It was a great way to keep track of her progress and the therapist helped as a mediator for our family with the conference calls. Bryce was her therapist and seemed to make the difference with our daughter. She may not have stayed for as many months if it was not for her therapist and their good rapport. He actively listened and asked the right questions that got her realistically thinking about her past and her future.......... As I look back to where my daughter started and where she is now after several months at Pasadena I can see how she's grown and does understand that she needed this "pause" and help in her life to bring her to where she is now. She is more willing to make major changes in her life for her good than ever before! Thanks Pasadena, thanks Bryce and Kelly, you all helped to teach and counsel her into the improved and "willing to change" daughter that I know now. Thanks from the bottom of my heart! Linda N.