Excela Behavioral Health Services

I've been lucky to have wonderful experiences at this facility. I saw a therapist named David. He was always very nice, calm, and understanding. I saw him for years and have to give him so much praise for putting up with me while I was unmedicated. He got me through some very hard times. I then began seeing the psychiatrist, Dr. Wang. She listened to me and over the course of 2.5 years she diagnosed me over time. I feel like I finally had some answers to why I was struggling so much. I have always felt like she listened to my symptoms and concerns and has been knowledgeable about side effects and realistic with her advice on my medication decisions. I have tried different medications and switched medications and we have adjusted doses as needed. Trial and error. The titration was very gradual and I have always felt my safety was considered. I am currently on 3 medications and all of which are not addictive. I cannot vouch for any other psychiatrist there but I would NEVER switch off from her. I did switch to another therapist because I felt I needed a change. I have been seeing a therapist, Christine, and she is helping me develop more confidence and the ability to live and problem-solve with my illnesses. She is very down to earth and is very validating but holds me accountable too. She always has some helpful worksheet for me to take home! She also has some background training with DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy). If it is helpful to you as someone looking for help I would advise that this facility has always accommodated my needs and when I needed immediate assistance with a refill or a dosage question the medication nurse was there for me in a timely manner. She always called me back too, her name is Gina (who I believe is no longer working at the facility). One time I forgot my medication when I went on vacation to Virginia. The medication nurse called me back and had a short term prescription faxed to a pharmacy near my hotel the same day! It was such a relief! The registration staff are friendly and efficient. The only issue I had was the first time I was going to see the psychiatrist and the registration person didn't tell me to go to the door to get buzzed into the medication area and I sat in the therapy waiting area for a long time before realising I was in the wrong place. Most importantly, once they found out I had been waiting in the wrong area they still took me back and everything was taken care of. The first impression for this facility is number one for me as it can be a scary endeavor! The person I spoke to from the get go was the receptionist, Kathy. She is an absolute joy to speak to over the phone and in person. She is always calm and never snarky. You can tell she is a true professional at her job and is very friendly. If you call and you encounter her you will know who I'm talking about. She is there Mon-Fri at the scheduling desk. I honestly can't say enough good things about this place and I thank them for saving me from my darkest times. Please give them a try if you are in desperate need. I know not everyone may have the results that I have but I am forever thankful for these people. This facility works with people with borderline personality disorder which is a very important thing to note as some facilities do not like to work with these individuals. Good luck to you!
5 6 years ago (01-06-2018)

I asked to speak to another therapist for many reasons. I was experiencing PTSD, for 4 months while seeing her. It wasn’t til after I quit seeing her, that I was diagnosed. She should have known the obvious signs and triggers. She also encouraged me to contact an ex-friend of mine, (a friendship that had became toxic). I had to remind my therapist, “I already tried to talk to her, it didn’t do any good, that’s why I’m talking to you now, to work out how I feel.” At the end of this session the therapist threw her hand up in the air and said, “ok you’re accpeting what is..Alright for your next appointment. “When do you want to see me again?” It seems this therapist was annoyed at me because I didn’t do what she wanted me to do. So I thought about it and figured it’s best to see someone else. This next one and only appointment with this new therapist, she insisted over the phone I make a commitment to see her every two weeks or she would see me at all. Of course, I agreed. (I thought great, she’s committed to wanting to help people). At least Three times she said the “system is so.overloaded”. She also said, “There are just sooo many people coming in wanting help right now.” She then also informed me my therapy was ending soon, and she wouldn’t be seeing me at all. Then at the end of the appointment she said couldn't schedule me for three weeks. She claimed once again, “The system is just so overloaded.” She had to have known her schedule would not accommodate seeing me every two weeks.so...what was her purpose in making me commit to a commmitment she wasn’t willing to keep? She didn’t even acknowledge breaking the commitment, or what she had said. What a lack of integrity! I was okay with seeing someone once a month: She was the one who insisted upon seeing me every two weeks. Prior to seeing her,while speaking on the phone she said, “...That’s how I work, that’s the only way I’ll see you. You MUST commit to seeing me every 2 weeks, or I will not see you at all.” That’s what she said to me verbatim. I agreed, and I was willing to keep my end of the agreement. But she broke that agreement, upon 1st meeting. Also: She also told me I’ll never heal, I’ll always have PTSD. I left this appointment feeing I’m nothing but a part of an overloaded system. I felt I was a burden to her. She was reluctantly taking me on. Also, That my PTSD she said won’t get any better? I also felt betrayed because she didn’t honor the commitment she insisted upon making.I thought she wanted to help me. And she didn’t even acknowledge the every 2 week commitment that she broke without so much as an insincere apology. But it gets even worse: I looked at her card, to call and cancel my next appointment. It said MA after her name. I googled MA which is a Master of Arts degree. She said over the phone, and upon meeting her, that, “I have my PhD in psychology.” When I saw her card said MA after her name, and her card did not say PhD, I was confused, so I googled her. Sure enough it says she has an MA in Psych. She does not even have a PHD...She LIED to me about having a PhD!😳😳😳 I never even asked her of her credentials. Why the heck was me believing she has a PhD so important to her?🤥 I was very shocked to learn in that weird way she lied to me about her degree, on top of that horrible session with her. 🤦‍♀️ I think it’s much more important in life to be an honest and caring human being. Rather than a to hold a BS MS MA or any PhD.. jesh... Bottom line: Don’t go here Any “therapist” that makes you feel like you're a lost cause and/or “less than”, isn't worth YOUR time of day. Don’t give up! Find a good friend to talk to, or go else where. That’s what I did. I lived in Ohio and Virginia for many years. They have a lot more “common sense” and integrity than some of these characters around here. Their system is “overloaded”, as I was told. So, do you yourself a favor and go elsewhere. Or, at least find a “caring” friend to talk to. You'll be much better off!
1 7 years ago (28-04-2018)