Valleywise Behavioral Health Center – Phoenix (2619 East Pierce Street)

Hi, my name's Searrosa (Sear). I just wanted to be honest about my experience at VallyWise Behavioral Health Center in Phoenix. It wasn't perfect for me and it wasn't exactly good or bad, but there were definitely some… positive parts. The psychotherapy can be helpful if you explain things clearly, and the therapist i had gave me advice i actually needed. The techs on Unit 9 that I was on can be really helpful and they're actually very nice, and i enjoyed my time with a few of them. I'm honestly going to miss two nurses and two of the techs, because i loved their heartwarming humor and they way they treated me, which i really do appreciate. I also want to say it's not always just VallyWise's fault, because sometimes other systems label or put patients through stuff before they get sent here, and then patients end up going through even more unfair and negative experiences. My honest truth is that sometimes it's not just VallyWise, but the whole system, and there can be misunderstandings or miscommunication between systems that make things harder for patients and worker's. It's not always the workers' fault either; a lot of it is the way the system works and the misunderstandings between systems. The food did help me with not breaking out, which I appreciate a lot. Outside time also helped me a lot with my high stress levels. Also, i know some patients say and do things that aren't appropriate toward nurses, techs, and some other patients. Sometimes what they say is true and sometimes it's not. I agree with some patients that meds shouldn't be given before there's a clear diagnosis, and i hope that can be changed in a way that still keep people safe. I think it's better when staff don't have to stand over someone like a hawk all the time, but maybe can keep an eye on them in other ways, because being watched that closely all the time can really affect a person. I also want to say it's not always the nurses doing or saying the wrong things. Sometimes it's the patients too. I've had people say things to me or show me they wanted to spread rumors about this place, whether what they say is true or not. I'm mentioning this because i care how all of this will will affect people now and in the far future, not just today. I'm sharing this because i care about patients and worker's, and i don't think a lot of this gets acknowledged. Some patients do want this place to be shut down or torn down, but for my experience and acknowledgement, not all workers are bad, not all bosses are bad, and not every system is bad.

I was utterly blown away by this facility — an absolute miracle in Phoenix. Over the past five weeks, I witnessed a level of professionalism, expertise, and tenderness that felt nothing short of divine. The doctors,… nurses, caretakers, and social workers are modern-day angels: relentlessly compassionate, astonishingly skilled, and completely devoted to healing both body and spirit. They didn’t just treat symptoms — they restored hope, dignity, and faith in healthcare, while also providing a healing environment for the patients' families when they need it the most. I sincerely hope no one ever needs to be here, but if you do, count yourself unbelievably fortunate — you’ll be cradled by angels whose expertise is only rivaled by their boundless empathy, education and knowledge.

Unit 8! I would mention names but, I think each one is so important and, made my road/journey to my recovery so much more approachable. What a Godsend it was for me to be sent here. I miss it and, everyone I met, big… shout out to both day shift and, night shift BHT's and, nurses, etc. I love each one of you. You all are the absolute best type of people I've met, probably ever really. I appreciate you all. I hope never to need to come back but, if I ever do then, I know where to show up. Thank you all!!! I really miss you all and, the care I received from you all.

If I could vote zero stars I could. I have genuine concerns, first how can you be forced here based off of a strangers one time statement, why didn’t/don’t they look up a person history to verify their mental health… state like they do their insurance to make sure they are are getting paid? Why is that you are forced to start taking medication before you are even diagnosed with anything? Why is it that the Asian lady made it a mission to stick me with something when my entire stay resulted in a diagnosis of UNDETERMINED. Which means you couldn’t even label me to say I needed medication truly (I am just not monotone). Also after they decided to stick me with mandatory medication with an unspecified diagnosis whatever they stuck me with made me feel really ill , I literally felt like I was dying. I had to lay in the room. I was getting claustrophobic, And at that very moment, that’s when they finally tried to get me to leave like right in the middle of the day To a different hospital…Before that, how is it that the older Asian lady that came to examine me was able to lie and put words in my mouth saying I speak to spirits when I said I have a close relationship with God and speak to him while they also offer spiritual services and that teacher trying to get closer to me…(they should have to record the conversation) because that could happen to anyone. Them just worried about getting paid when most of them should be inside these walls as a patient honestly. I hope that you all experience the same you put into others, of course you know the truth and that people be in fear but you persist out of anger but I understand that many won’t do the right thing until it’s them in the situation. Justice will prevail and we will get our modest happy ending. Amen Thank You. Done

I was scared when I was taken to this facility it was my first time in this kind of facility I cried the first time there but immediately the second day I was there was the best I loved it there the staff are wonderful… if I ever have to go into a facility again I will only want this one I had a pleasant experience there thank you all for taking such good care of me the BHT were awesome.Kathleen Moreno

I was arrested by a cop who groped himself on my behind for being on the interstate and he told me because I was homeless he had to take me to CBI/CPI. I also told me that I would only be staying there for night. Being… a visitor to Arizona, I didn’t know what that was. The officer even told me that he was only taking me there because I was homeless. While I was here I was evaluated by a short Asian doctor Who insisted on putting words in my mouth and writing a false story and evaluation to make me look like I was crazy. To be exact, I told her that I had a close connection with God and I spoke to God every day. She writes on my statement that I said that I speak to spirits, Basically trying to use spirituality against me. When I quickly realized that Valleywise offered spiritual services. (In which the spiritual teacher there trying to speak to me, inviting me to her classes..) These doctors should have to record their conversations with their patients. Anyhow I started to speak about what that officer really did to me and that’s when they told me I couldn’t leave. They had to ask the same officer that already lied to me Was it OK for me to leave and of course I had to stay there even longer being forced to take medication’s that I don’t need. And that is when I was transported to St. Luke’s, where they did the same thing. Apparently, these doctors and nurses feel that it Is OK to lie about peoples health and steal their time. What goes around comes around! I was only a visitor in Arizona , and the Valleywise team even switched over my medical insurance without my acknowledgment just so they can make sure that they were getting paid.

Most caring hospital staff from Kitchen staff to the BHTs to the nurses to the social workers to the doctors 🙏❤️

My loved one said this place "wasn't horrible" and he was there against his wishes because it was mandated by court order so knowing he doesn't want to be there but still said it was decent eased my mind a bit. I… understand they are mandated by strict regulations, guidelines and protocols as well as HIPPA laws so by law are only able to tell me so much so I don't fault them for being limited on what they could or couldn't tell me. I also used to work at the VA hospital so I have understanding of what they deal with on the daily. Having now experienced this from a patient/loved one of a patient perspective, I recognize a lot of flaws and dysfunction in general for how the entire mental health process works. Its not as surprising to me now why there are so many untreated mentally ill people living on the streets. They seemingly make this entire process, which is already stressful, scary and frustrating, even more unnecessarily difficult and just aggravating to go through. That's not specific to this facility, but to most mental health institutions in general. The system itself is just very flawed. I would never wish this on anyone and what I do fault this facility for, is the rudeness, lack of compassion, annoyance and tone of some employees. Most were super helpful and my husband said he really liked the psychiatrist (McKnight) and actually seemed to be open to talking to him more, which was surprising to me because he's so stubborn and especially when he's in a manic/psychosis frame of mind. Knowing that he had a doctor he liked and was now willingly participating in treatment was a big relief. Where I was a bit annoyed was a few very rude staff members over the phone. I understand the laws, I'm not asking for patient specific information that you can't give me, im just asking about how to navigate this from here. What happens next, how long does it typically take for a court date, if I was the witness will I be contacted, ect? Will I get to voice to someone, anyone evaluating my husband of my concerns? I kept getting badgered about a code which I know I need, but how do I get it, if you took his phone and he's in a state of psychosis so I don't even know if he is lucid enough to remember my phone number??? I don't need you to confirm he's there, I already know he's there, I just need someone to give him a note/message with my phone number and let him know to call me with the stupid code. If you don't, how do you expect me to get this code? My husband is not a drug addict or criminal or anything of the sort, which seems to be attributed to and assumed of in people with his condition. The stigma and treatment given to him and myself was making me pretty pissed off. Would you treat a cancer patient or patient with diabetes like this? Would you treat their family like this?? My husband has no more control over his condition than they do theirs. Unacceptable of the staff that was rude, they should be given better training or get a new job if you can't handle these kinds of patients or it's too much to ask to answer a few non patient specific questions. To the staff who were actually kind and compassionate and helpful, thank you. Just being nice and taking a minute to listen to me and explain what you legally could, helped me a lot. I know it's easy to get in a frustrated mood/tone dealing with what you do, the fact that you didn't do that and took the time to help, I very much appreciate you. The ride ones need to do better. There are more people involved than just the patient and being rude because you hate your job, not helpful to anyone.

If you are travel do not come here they lied to over 100+ travelers about the location. When we got here they told us we were going to be going to be working from the Phoenix location and after CPI training told us we… have to go to all 3 facilities when we were originally told we were only going to be working from one. Also they have Behavior Health technicians doing the work of CNA without certifications or licenses and caring for patient that are 60+ years of age. Not to mention some of the BHT are being allowed to draw blood with no TRAINING or phlebotomy and this hospital is nothing but a homeless shelter that they are billing Medicaid for. Patients are getting worse and not better and nurses could care less. No wonder they rebranded under the name as Valleywise when it’s nothing but THE COUNTY hospital!!