Reviews of Children's Hospital Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Center (Psychiatrist)

jessica burkhardt

I am very grateful for this place. My son came home a much better child. He didn’t mind being there at all and the staff treated him extremely well. Thank you so much for your help!!

Rae Marie Galatas

The staff are inconsiderate, manipulative, and lie about serious things I’d never have known about on my own. I chose to trust them and that was a massive mistake. I left in an irreversibly worse state than when I went in. The only goal of the psychiatric ward is to check all the legal boxes and pedal people in and out as fast and recklessly as possible. Avoid this place like the plague.

Hannah Campo

Honestly this place was so helpful. I learned so many no things at my time there. I really liked the art therapist, (Amanda)and the M.H.T's. They are not judgemental at all and really want to help. But I did feel like they, the treatment team, was a little unempathetic at times.

Nicole Glickman

EDIT (I don't know if my review went through so I'm trying from another email address): I had an alright experience at Calhoun. The staff members are incredibly empathetic and lovely people. If I ever needed to talk to somebody, I would always have either an MHT or a nurse there for me to listen. That was an incredibly helpful aspect about this program. The groups were also helpful. In my opinion, the most helpful group was process group. My social worker and the rest of the patients in process group were understanding, empathetic, optimistic, and offered wonderful advice. While there are countless of good things about this program, the one thing that I really want to talk about is Dr. Williams and his treatment team. I felt like I wasn't being truly heard while talking to Dr. Williams. It was heartbreaking because I had support from the rest of the staff, but the psychiatrist and his treatment team made me feel unheard and quite frankly bad about myself. I don't mean to bash Dr. Williams. He is incredibly intelligent. However, I believe that he doesn't use the best communication skills, which can be very harmful to some patients. Some of the things he says are incredibly patronizing and belittling, which, again, can be very harmful. It seems like he tries to challenge his patients more than he tries to empathize with and help them. During some of my meetings with treatment team, he would barely even talk to me. He would just sit behind his computer, which was a bit strange. During my time at Calhoun, I was taught an acronym called the L-I-S-T-E-N-I-N-G acronym. The L stands for look at the person you are speaking to, the first I stands for (don't) interrupt, the S stands for show the person you are hearing them, the T stands for try to stay positive, the E stands for empathize, and the G stands for good posture. During some of my treatment team meetings, I felt like Dr. Williams was not using the L, I, S, T, E, and G of the L-I-S-T-E-N-I-N-G acronym. At my last treatment team meeting today, I was told that I was going to be discharged. I reacted quite negatively to this news because I still feel incredibly suicidal. Despite this, the treatment team sent me home. I'm not quite sure what to do at this moment, if I am being honest. I am going to try to get some more help. I don't want Dr. Williams and his treatment team to get hate or anything. I just don't want other patients to get hurt and feel misheard. Being severely depressed, suicidal, and having bad anxiety is incredibly difficult. It can be isolating. When you feel like your psychiatrist and his treatment team are not listening to you, it makes you feel even more isolated. I hope my review is taken seriously by Children's. Thank you.

tucci

I went in for hallucinations, concentration, suicidal thoughts / actions, among various other mental problems (severe OCD, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, et cetera) about a month ago, if even that. I left feeling worse than before I went in, and that was pretty low. It was my decision to be hospitalized because I did not feel I was safe, but ultimately I was PEC’d (Physicians Emergency Certificate) meaning I had to go, whether I wanted to or not. I found out they were sending me to Calhoun Children’s and felt a bit disappointed because I had been there before, but still tried my best to stay “positive”. I went in with a good outlook, hoping to get better and try to do my best, but instantly I was hit with so much negativity from treatment team and Dr. Williams. I told him about me seeing things (legit, flashes of me hurting myself, or me hurting other people, like in Schizophrenia patients) and he pretty much told me that I was overreacting, and that they were just thoughts that would go away. As a 16 year old child, this is very scary to see these things, so obviously I was very offended. I had very specific rituals I do as a part of my OCD, which include closing the door a certain way, and a food restriction with gravy, and he wouldn’t do anything about it. So I went through my days with food that made me sick, and not being able to sleep because of my door. I also told him how before I went in, I was going to 2 different social workers once a week, and a psychiatrist every month. He told me I was wasting my free time with that much therapy. WHAT THE FRICK? I don’t understand how people can be that insensitive. You know where you work, A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN! These doctors have to be trained how to deal with these children in a respectful, SENSITIVE way. He told one of the other patients that they were going to become an addict and die early, when they occasionally smoked marijuana, then preceded to tell her that weed was worse than cigarettes and that she would become a crack addict. We would tell him (and treatment team) our problems, and sometimes... THEY’D LAUGH! Little chuckles here and there... How disrespectful can you be when you’re listening to a suicidal child spill their feelings and past onto you? If you have the CHOICE to send your child somewhere, I would strongly recommend either River Oaks, or literally somewhere in a different state or uptown Louisiana. Don’t give me the bs story about how “I’m sorry your experience was not up to your standards.” because I got that speech LAST time. I will be calling Patient Experiences and letting them know ALL of this, because that man, Dr. Williams, needs to be fired ASAP.

Bella Boo

This place was terrible. The head Dr. Hannah was extremely rude and demeaning. The nurses mocked the patients. Lonely, depressing, anxiety inducing place. I am 99.9% sure that I will receive the same, generic response apologizing that I'm "unsatisfied." Truly an awful experience. Do not send your depressed, fragile child here. They will come back worse and scarred for life. If your child is experiencing trauma, PTSD, or an eating disorder this place DOES NOT accommodate their needs. The nights are sleepless and difficult. The staff is rude and the patients are not their priorities. Send your child to the psych ward in Shreveport. The worst week of my life was spent at the Children's Calhoun Campus.

leander mackey

I went in because of suicidal thoughts. The treatment they provided wasn’t new information for me, as I’ve been independently studying psychotherapy for about a year now. The therapist seemed to be reading out of a manual, with no open-mindedness or flexibility. Personally, this experience was unpleasant and traumatizing. This doesn’t mean that someone else might not walk out a completely better person, but it just didn’t work for me.

Aaron Rojas

Despite if what other people are saying about this place, I have to give it 5 stars because not only did they hold the patients in safe rooms with 24 hour watch, they were very kind and felt at home, the lead doctor, Dr. Hannah was very respectful and helped me in guiding me in the path with assistance from co workers to live a better, safe, more enjoyable, life by learning to cope with alot of things, when you go there with a locked heart your not going to receive but if you go there open you will and will enjoy you time there.

Bridget Rupe

My kid was there a week and came out with an eating disorder problem because her new friend was there for that telling her this is how you get skinny for which my daughter went for bipolar depression mania. Go in with one thing come out with more because they are monitoring patients so well.

heyimnohetero

I stayed there for about a week and it honestly helped so much . I felt so much better when I got out that everytime I get depressed , I want to go back . EDIT: i have no idea how they are now but my boyfriend ( hes trans for anyone who was possibly wondering ) was admitted today so hopefully he has as good of an experience as i did . i was admitted there May of 2018 also , so about 10 months ago . they couldve changed alot since then , i dont know , but i enjoyed my time there when i did go there .

nllioteguyen

if you get dr. roi, be thankful. if you get dr. williams, be careful. if you get dr. hanna, be fake and agree with everything she says even if you disagree or wanna state your own actual thoughts or opinions, or else you’ll be put into the quiet room and stay for longer.

Steven Piglia

Great staff.

Momma Bear

They did help me, however my friends eye was infected for days before she got any form of treatment, kids that had nothing wrong with them had been there for like two weeks, the doctors always try to give you as much medication as they can and they try they're hardest to make you stay as long as they can legally. Very avaricious doctors. Also I throw up when I take medication without food. I stressed this to them so they said they'll give it to me with my meals. They never did and messed up all of my medication's (serotonin and birth control, bad things to mess up) to the point I just stopped taking them

Tara Kurtich

The nurses were amazing. I especially want to thank Paul and Liz who went out of their way to reassure me, keep me informed as a parent and keep an extra eye out for my child who also had the added stressor of a very uncommon chronic illness to boot. If this review was strictly about the nurses, social worker and care team, my review would be five stars. My child did get help and learned the coping skills needed to continue a successful life. The doctors are the issue. By doctors, I am referring to the psychiatrists themselves. It seemed that a different one called each day and NONE of them were on the same page. In fact, they gave contradictory statements! Unbelievable!!! They refused to speak with my childs interventional cardiologist and none of them knew much of anything about my childs chronic illness. I had to educate them!!!!! They refused to allow him to take the cardiac supplements and other medications prescribed for his condition other than ONE! (and I had to bring it to them after two days and that's only after they called me and said their pharmacy didn't carry this specific medication!) So my child went TWO DAYS without a crucial cardiac medication! I entrusted the care of these physicians to treat my child and they utterly failed. I even had to suggest the anti-depressant that would be best for my child and that's what the doctor ultimately prescribed. I am ENRAGED that the doctors REFUSED to talk to my childs specialist when the cardiologist even gave me his cell phone number for the doctor to call. One doctor even said he would GOOGLE my sons chronic illness. Is this a joke?!? And please, spare me the standard reply of, "We are sorry that your experience was less than positive, blah blah blah." I know the drill. I WORK in healthcare and this was an absolute cluster you know what. Also, Dr. Williams was extremely dishonest with my child. Childrens, get it together. Train your doctors and residents to be on the same page and if you receive a chronically ill child, it is YOUR responsibility to follow through with the standard of care they were receiving prior to admittance. Again, kudos to the care team. Paul, you were great and I thank you for everything!

Ashley Hanna

The staff were nice but i have ptsd now thanks

Camryn Pourciau

Going into Calhoun with an open mind and a WANT to get better is more effective than going in with a negative outlook. The staff is kind - despite what other reviewers say - for as long as they can be; as long as you are cooperative and kind in return, you won't have any issues with them. Calhoun was a good place to focus on your mental health.

Heath Fulgenzi

I went for anger. This didn't help me at all. I cried every night and they made me madder than I've ever been.

Michele Ronquillo

The nursing staff seemed very attentive & caring of my grandchild. The doctors made severe changes in his medication without discussing with us or his treating physician. They added a med we had already tried without success. They basically made diagnosis changes after knowing this child for 3 short days...who was on his very best behavior in order to come home. When asked, upon discharge what he learned, this chold replied, "nothing". When asked if he went to therapy today (he was there over half a day), he said "no". When asked if he learned any ways to cope with anger or other issues, he replied, "no". This was a draining experience for our entire family with nothing but added stressors added on top of all the other stressors we had coming in. By the way...who stops Zoloft & other same type medications "cold turkey?" Isn't this against all medical advice ever given? Do your research and due diligence before placing your child here, apparently we failed in that area. I fully support Children's Hospital but do not support this facility.

Pennyroyal Tea

The staff were nice despite my anger the first night, overall improvement in my mental health was temporary.

alexus angele

I was a patient at Calhoun multiple times when I was 12-14. Back then, I would have told you I would be dead before high school. I would have told you that I see no point to life. Now, I’m 18 years old and the happiest I’ve ever been. It all started with Calhoun. At the time, I hated Calhoun. I don’t think any child would like to be away from their everyday routine and family. I wanted out more than anything. Now I am forever grateful for my stay there. Today I saw one of the men that worked there. I don’t know his name but I remember that he did music therapy with my group. I took away the most from him because I am passionate about music, but I learned so much from everyone there. He probably felt so awkward but as soon as I recognized him I teared up. These people changed my life. I would not be here today if I hadn’t gone there. There’s so many bad reviews on here and I can’t understand why. Although it isn’t an ideal situation, it is the best situation you could be in when you’re in a harmful mindset. To all of the staff at Calhoun, I am forever grateful for you. You are life changers. Thank you for all that you do.

Scott Prazak

My daughter has been here twice. Staff do not communicate with parents well. There's no real explanation from the doctors as to what's wrong. No diagnosis. I think, over five days, we only were allowed to speak to the doctor twice. I made multiple requests for them to communicate with my insurance company to ensure everything was covered, however, even though they assured me they would, I was left to deal with their mistake myself (they never sent the physician's bill to my insurance). My daughter did not get individualized care and the hallucinations and delusions she experiences were not addressed. When I specifically asked about them, I was basically told that it was make believe. Be that as it may, it's certainly not normal for a 15 year old. Now, for some reason, she's terrified of going back stating staff yelled at kids, were disrespectful, and were unfair with punishment. It took well over 72 hours to release my daughter after we requested the 48 hour release during our most recent visit. When we asked what was taking so long, there staff didn't know anything about our request to release. Furthermore, the facility looks very run-down. It's a large old red-brick building several stories high on a fairly empty plot of land. The property is mostly surrounded by an old mossy brick wall of the same color. An identical building stands on the other side of the property. There is no bathroom for visitors. The waiting room is tiny. The surrounding streets are full of deep car-damaging potholes (City's fault, but surely the hospital carries some weight in getting these fixed).

jenn with one n

EDIT: i'm writing a new review since my first one seemed too aggressive (whoops :0) i have a lot of mixed feelings about Calhoun, but they’re mostly negative. i was admitted 3 times within the span of about 4 months (my last discharge was a few weeks ago). i feel like my experiences there got worse and worse, and my mental state always seemed to be much worse when i came out then when i was admitted. i have a lot of respect for the MHT’s and nurses. talking to them (and going to group therapy) were really the only major things there that kind of helped me. however, the head psychiatrists (especially Dr. Williams), are extremely unhelpful. i’ve met psychiatrists who do their job well (prescribe medications that they know might work for me, listen to my input without interrupting, and generally act professional), but the doctors here fail to do this, which is why i think Calhoun only made things worse. they really don't seem to get that using CBT and completing a packet will not solve all of everyone's problems, and get defensive if you point this out or try to give input on your own treatment. i think Calhoun would be a much better place if the psychiatrists change their attitude, and talk TO rather than talk AT their patients instead of shooting down everything we say. my 3rd time there, i was told i was getting discharged on my 5th day. i had a meltdown and told them i didn’t feel safe from myself at home (which was true). Dr. Hanna took my level 3 away and put me on a desk for the remainder of my time there (7 days), which is a small desk in a hallway that i had to sit at from morning to night, and was only allowed to get up to use the bathroom or get water (which i apparently did too much). i was not allowed to go to group therapy (again, one of the only things that was actually helping me), and i was scolded every time i tried to talk to another patient, and even when they tried to talk to me. the isolation was too much for me, and i cried every day and felt more suicidal that i ever did before. i started hitting myself as a form of self-harm (which i hadn’t done in years), and my anxiety worsened. i was given packets to complete, which i did, but Dr. Hanna (who i don’t think even looked over any of my work) said that i put “almost no effort” into them, when i took about 2 hours to complete each packet, and another 5 hours to write summaries of the packets (which she also didn’t bother to look at), not even including the times where i was too upset to work. all the staff that i talked to agreed that all of this was unfair and unnecessary, but they had no control over changing it. that week was one of the worst weeks of my life. i was upset and confused over why i was essentially being punished for being honest about my mental state. many patients there faked their improvement so they could be discharged early, which they were. i chose to be honest about my feelings, and then was put in a situation where i wished i'd lied so i could’ve just gotten out of there (which i did, near the end of my stay, since i knew being there longer would only make my mental health worse than it already had). Dr. Hanna tried to explain her reasons for doing all this, but she barely elaborated, and usually interrupted me before i had the chance to ask questions. that experience was absolutely detrimental to my mental health; it's not okay to treat a kid like that. leaving Calhoun, i’m now more suicidal than i have been in years. i'll probably be hospitalized again soon, but i will avoid Calhoun at all costs, since my next visit there will probably be even worse than the last. i hope one of the head doctors sees this and takes something out of it, but i doubt that'll happen. again, thank you to the MHT’s and nurses, but not the doctors. thanks for reading. P.S: there’s an MHT named Adam who told me to add in my review that he helped the patients work diligently on their packets. he's one of the staff that helped me a good bit while i was there, and he's definitely one of my favorites. shoutout to that mystery of a man.

PIERCE WILLIAMS

The lead doctor, Doctor Hannah was very interesting is a polite way to put it. I believe she was not interested in what me and the other patient's needed as she would get angry at us for unreasonable things.

nicole g

I had an alright experience at Calhoun. The staff members are incredibly empathetic and lovely people. If I ever needed to talk to somebody, I would always have either an MHT or a nurse there for me to listen. That was an incredibly helpful aspect about this program. The groups were also helpful. In my opinion, the most helpful group was process group. My social worker and the rest of the patients in process group were understanding, empathetic, optimistic, and offered wonderful advice. While there are countless of good things about this program, the one thing that I really want to talk about is Dr. Williams and his treatment team. I felt like I wasn't being truly heard while talking to Dr. Williams. It was heartbreaking because I had support from the rest of the staff, but the psychiatrist and his treatment team made me feel unheard and quite frankly bad about myself. I don't mean to bash Dr. Williams. He is incredibly intelligent. However, I believe that he doesn't use the best communication skills, which can be very harmful to some patients. Some of the things he says are incredibly patronizing and belittling, which, again, can be very harmful. It seems like he tries to challenge his patients more than he tries to empathize with and help them. During some of my meetings with treatment team, he would barely even talk to me. He would just sit behind his computer, which was a bit strange. During my time at Calhoun, I was taught an acronym called the L-I-S-T-E-N-I-N-G acronym. The L stands for look at the person you are speaking to, the first I stands for (don't) interrupt, the S stands for show the person you are hearing them, the T stands for try to stay positive, the E stands for empathize, and the G stands for good posture. During some of my treatment team meetings, I felt like Dr. Williams was not using the L, I, S, T, E, and G of the L-I-S-T-E-N-I-N-G acronym. At my last treatment team meeting today, I was told that I was going to be discharged. I reacted quite negatively to this news because I still feel incredibly suicidal. Despite this, the treatment team sent me home. I'm not quite sure what to do at this moment, if I am being honest. I am going to try to get some more help. I don't want Dr. Williams and his treatment team to get hate or anything. I just don't want other patients to get hurt and feel misheard. Being severely depressed, suicidal, and having bad anxiety is incredibly difficult. It can be isolating. When you feel like your psychiatrist and his treatment team are not listening to you, it makes you feel even more isolated. I hope my review is taken seriously by Children's. Thank you.

kaitlin lee

This is the Mc Donald’s of mental heath.