Guidance Center – Leavenworth

I don’t know how this place has not been shut down for malpractice. Facts: I started going about a year ago to see Christina Samaritoni to be helped coming off a medication that I was over prescribed by another… facility. Throughout my time there, i was rescheduled last minute on medication appointments and had to call a multitude of times to get responses to the point I ran out twice on something that can cause hospitalization from the withdrawals. I was frequently pushed to try new medications which I made clear I did not want. I was given UAs which is apparently a typical protocol. However, due to me weening down, i was on a very low dose from almost being off of this medication and was testing negative for the medication being in my system. I was getting a guilt trip and questioned as to why it wasn’t showing up but here’s the kicker: she canceled my last appointment because she was out sick and I couldn’t get my medicine on time. She never refilled them even though I was over due by 7 days. I called and got a 2 day prescription 2 days before my rescheduled appointment and it was less than my usual dosage as well. When i got there, I mentioned this to her and these were her exact words “i didn’t think you needed as much since you aren’t taking them anyway”. Are you kidding me!? How unprofessional is it to indirectly call a patient a liar as well as make the decision without talking to me first to lower my dosage! Due to testing negative, I had researched this medication only to find out it doesn’t even show up in UAs frequently! I mentioned it to her and she was silent. I walked out and said “I hope you do the right thing and refill my prescription at least”. That was the last time I’ll ever let a mental health “professional” treat me like that. She made me feel like a criminal, heightening my anxiety even worse with every appointment. Let’s think about this logically as it was clear she treated me like a number in her system rather than a human being. If I were to leave a previous psychiatrist due to the fact I wanted to get off medication, and I’m asking for a low dose rather than the high dose I used to be prescribed, does it make sense that i would have any nefarious ulterior motive for needing them? So to recap: Being indirectly called a liar, being canceled on only to have to struggle to get a refill after the appointment she canceled on me, as well as being told to come back at a different time of day after having waited a half hour (forgot to mention that until now), being put at risk of hospitalization due to withdrawals, having dosage cut down due to her own belief that I wasn’t taking them (despite actual medical evidence that this medication frequently doesn’t even show up on tests), and then the audacity of her disciplinary tone during our meeting in front of my child, embarrassing me while my child hears me being called a liar and having to walk out as I couldn’t handle another word of her accusatory, belittling, unprofessional behavior. I just found she did write me a prescription and instead of the typical 30 days, she only did 3!!! As if it isn’t hard enough to have to deal with getting a refill from her. So now she’s exhibiting signs of spite, letting her ego get in the way all because I actually spoke up for myself. I filed a grievance and got a call from another doctor from the guidance center willing to hear me out, who said he would prescribe me my 30 days dose. I found out it was written but since she only did 3 days, my insurance said it’s too soon to get a refill so I’ll have to go through the weekend short of my doses on top of having to make multiple trips to their pharmacy. Don’t go here, friends. These people treat you like a number rather than a human, seemingly profiling you and using their own preconceived, unfair judgement on you. Go in for help, come out feeling worse. That appears to be the motto.

This is a wonderful place as I have been coming here for a number of years. They have a great staff and they really care about you. There are programs here that have really helped me but there is some major issues that… need to be addressed.

The staff continues to absolutely neglect the care of my dependent for now three weeks in a row. Deliberately schedules out of coverage care with providers not covered by insurance.

Very nice and sweet staff and the doctor is very understanding and actually listens to your concerns and everything. Makes coming there less intense and less nerve racking

I’ve had a very positive experience here so far. While I was hoping to access additional services, it appears they are currently understaffed. However, I appreciated that one of the front desk staff was especially… helpful—she provided me with a list of alternative resources in the area that offer the services I’m seeking.

I’ve been calling to try and make an appointment for months (since December) and they never get back to me when I leave a voicemail or when I call they never answer or when I do get an answer I get a half hr hold time… and a rude snarky answer.

For ride lv I wish they have more drivers since they sometimes get really busy

Google listing sucks. Very unprofessional.

I am so happy I was referred to the guidance center. After suffering several crises, I didn’t know where to turn and ended up inpatient . After coming out of inpatient care, I was so nervous to go back to daily life. I… was referred to the Giidence Center and the team that I have working with me are amazing! Shout out to Ellie, Mindy and Sara ❤️ The team is always kind caring and supportive answers all my questions and helps me find additional supports when I need it. I can’t say enough about this place!

Front desk is rude and disorganized. She told me she didn’t have my referral, but I hadn’t even provided my name yet. She proceeded to talk down to me. I told them they are not the place for me and transferred my… referral to another location.

So rude and unorganized. The front desk is unkind and doesn’t know what’s going on. Will be looking for a new office.

Not a fan of this location. Nothing is easy - not Even a rx refill request. I felt like the provider made assumptions about me based on my meds and previous situation. I never leave reviews and I’m not one to be… bothered easily, but when each interaction stressful- something must be said.

Avoid this place if you want to be consistent with your medications. Been going here for a little less than a year, and they have never once given me my medication on time. They wont provide meds till after the next… appointment, and the meds last 30 days, appointment is usually 40 days away. Even when I deliberately ask for an appointment that wont make me discontinue my medication, closest they can do is 32 days, after which they STILL require me to call them repeatedly to get my meds called in. I have had to continually ration my own medication because of their negligence. This is universally NOT RECOMMENDED.

Went here roughly a year ago to find a new therapist, got placed onto a waiting list, told it would likely take over a year to get off of and was recommended to seek treatment elsewhere which I did. For several months… after this initial consultation they repeatedly asked me to pay a $30 fee that had already been paid, even after telling them this and paying the fee again. Apparently, I was taken off of the waitlist at some point, assigned a therapist and was never informed. I only discovered this because today I received a letter informing me that said therapist was resigning. I received counseling here several years prior as a teenager which was effective, can't speak for their current services but the lack of professionalism being shown here says enough.

No compassion or empathy provided from front desk staff at all. You'd expect that a mental health facility would have that.

I'm giving a 5 star not to the guidance center but to a few that has made such a impact in my life to my old therapist Dakota and to my recent case manager and employment specialist Camryn Richard's she's outstanding… and the best in performance all in one, i can't ask for any better thank you for being part of my well being.

Star program is awesome and Sierra is the best! She has helped my son tremendously! Thanks Sierra we're all so blessed to have you!

Probably one of the worst places to receive counseling for a crisis situation. Sat there for over two hours after filling out paperwork and never got called back or anything. Was forgotten and now i will probably never… go back

There’s always an hour wait before you’re even seen why schedule me for 9:30 am and not have me seen until 10:30? Stuff like this needs to be discussed with patients prior to. Josh- is really rude and unfortunately he… seems to be the only person available anytime I come. He’s always giving me the wrong information and then will argue me down. KristiMeid- is a bully she sat there and watched Josh argue with me rather than help me out. Kristi the big bad wolf marches over to bark at me the same thing Josh just told me (after arguing with me) so it really wasn’t needed if she was genuinely trying to assist she would have came immediately when myself and Josh first started going back and fourth but no she sat in her chair and stared me down I’m coming here for help and the attitudes and miss info is really uncalled for if y’all don’t want to be here allow someone to come that’s happy and eager to assist. Bc my interactions with the both of you is never pleasant. (Unfortunately this is the only center available in my area so I have no choice)

Only been in 3 times for my son. Not all insurances accepted but the guidance center is a good resource for the city. I love how they are helpful. Some people more professional than others. A therapist named Brandon.… He’s hasn’t a clue. Just a job for him and didn’t take my son seriously. He did well with group and Graduated. Would go back but would want different therapy.

This is absolutely the most unprofessional place I have ever been to. They have never made it on time to my husbands appointments and have not showed up to multiple zoom calls. They do not care about their patients well… being and they are simply a nightmare to work with. They have let my husband run out of his daily medicines more than once and have no care for their patients. I was just told that if she didn’t show up to the meeting, oh well. Must have had technical problems. They did not try to reach out to get my husbands appointment taken care of. Please if you care about your loved ones mental well-being please please please stay away from this place.

This place has been so helpful to me