Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems – Reading

Our experience with outpatient therapy here was amazing. They truly care, and are always available when needed. Super supportive and I highly recommend them!

The supervisor/ whatever he calls himself, Carl, got rid of my son's ABA therapist, and my son is having lots of extra issues at the moment, behavioral and more. He raised his voice at me, then hung up. This place is… terrible.They never have enough staff, and it takes at least 6 months to get a new therapist- IF you're lucky. Holcomb has failed us twice now.

Regarding the Mobile Psychiatric Rehabilitation program... Initially it was excellent. I was blessed to have the head of the program, Jack Golosky as my therapist. He is exceedingly kind and compassionate. He often… offered to meet with me several times a week. He almost always came to my apartment. He not only suggested things, but he was also constantly finding resources that I wasn't aware of. He left for a new job, and I was blessed with another excellent specialist, Deb. She went above and beyond anything I could have expected. She spent lots of time with me and transported me long distances several times for appointments. Both she and Jack respected my limitations and were always kind and compassionate. They came along side me treating me with respect. Deb also moved on to another job. After that, it seemed the program was exceedingly short staffed and when I needed them the most sometimes, I was not able to get an appointment. The therapist mostly had me come to the office, even though at that point I had to sell my car. Jack always insisted on coming to my apartment. I felt that the seriousness of my physical limitations was not taken into account. Maybe it was a motivation technique, but having an invisible illness is very real and not being compassionate has the opposite effect. It becomes a source of only more anxiety and feeling alone. Anyone with an invisible condition, coupled with psychological disorders that stem from it probably knows what I mean. Doctors also don't always understand things like Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue and other nervous system disorders. There are very few biomarkers for testing, and most tests come out normal, so you are told it's in your head. I'm not saying they did that at Holcomb, but I felt I was expected to do things that were just not a possibility. Like saying to a physically sightless person, read this book. Then saying, stop putting yourself down, just read it. You can do it. Stop limiting yourself. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but that's more or less what I felt the new director was saying to me. Instead of being sympathetic, it felt like he was dismissing the struggles I have gone through these last 35 years. I am anxious around people as it is, but when it feels like they are talking down to me and treating me as less of a person because of my physical and mental health challenges, it's very disconcerting and discouraging. That's something the first director, Jack, never did. The mobile therapist I had after Jack and Deb left is a very nice person, I just don't think she was good fit for me. I need someone with a psychology background. I know they are in the process of hiring new mobile psychiatric rehabilitation specialists and hopefully the new people will be compassionate and sympathetic, maybe a bit more Rogerian in their approach. If that happens, this has the potential for being an excellent resource for moving forward if you find yourself facing the challenges of life in this external world. I know I would appreciate help like that.

For all those thinking of going to any these people’s facility, make sure to have a lawyer present. Do not sign anything they tell until you have someone go over it.

This place is TERRIBLE!!!

I was appalled by the treatment of the crisis line. The people who answer the phones have attidue and sound like they don't want to be there. They do not speak to you with compassion and do not keep your anonymity. For… a mental health crisis line they are a joke. They also do not follow through with checking on the reported person when a weapon is involved. They are suppose to call the police to accompany them to ensure safety but time and time again they chose not to do that. Alexis you should be ashamed of how you spoke to a minor today trying to do the right thing!

What I had taught was a very caring environment, turns out not to be judy, who is a staff member there was horrible to me. I tried calling to just get some advice and I was turned away. This is a waste of county funds… and not a good place for anyone to be

So far, I've had a great experience with my therapist. Very professional, attentive, and understanding. I've been going for about a year more or less and plan on continuing my visits!

Very professional and helpful in a difficult situation.