The Ranch Outpatient Services – Lancaster

This was not a good fit for me from Day One, which was surprising because I had found their residential program (same organization) life changing in a good way. I entered with no depression. When I left I was googling… how long it would take to die from hypothermia if I jumped into the Susquehanna River. They act like they are trauma informed but then I was judged harshly and over-pathologized for sticking to my strict boundaries. They jeopardized my safety (which continues after discharge given my newly-acquired severe mental instability). The program is rigid, patient’s agency over their own health care is not respected (or they just wear you down by forcing you to overexplain). I thought I could trust one or two staff members and it turns out I could not. If you or your loved one have ever been severely abused, sexually assaulted, or held emotionally or physically hostage this is not the program for you or your loved ones. If you have any boundaries that the staff can’t trample on, or are not a people pleaser that will shut up and tell them what they want to hear, this is not the program for you. I’m hoping the excellent care I received at The Ranch (residential) sustains me but any hope I had for a decent future is pretty much gone. Also, they never contacted my emergency contact, despite assurances she would be called once a week. They didn’t call her when I was kicked out and returned in the same day and they didn’t call her when I left and they didn’t call her with any updates or ask me if they could call her for more information. They took zero interest even at admission in finding out who I was as a person, what I valued, or what my learning style was or what I was willing to try and what I could not embrace. I spent a large portion of my last 24 hours there crying: some admittedly just homesickness, but also crying for fellow patients who don’t know their rights and are at risk for further harm. I’m doubtful I’m going to make it, though waking up feeling safe(r) helped. I hope you’ll consider my experience and make sure youre 100% involved in your loved ones care. My loved one didn’t even have a phone number (since she was not called)