Ben Gordon Center

The actual quality of the doctors and therapists is fine but the problem is actually making it past reception. Multiple times I've shown up only to be told that my appointment isn't in the system and that's just the way of it. Also when you try to check in, they will look you dead in the eye and say "I'm not talking to you."

Lady I don't know your life but I know your job actually is to talk to me for all of 30 seconds. I'm not trying to convert you to the church of latter day saints I'm just trying to see my therapist.

Also the Bee Movie is constantly playing in the waiting room and I just don't know how to handle that.

I ve started going to Ben Gordon center 2 years ago and can honestly say my mental health is just as bad if not worse. The first counselor I seen said he would refer me to someone that had experience in treating my needs, one of them being an eating disorder. I also set an appointment with a psychiatrist at the same time which the earliest was months away. A month later I called the counselor to follow up on this reference, he seemed to have no idea who I was or what I was referring to so he said he d call me back, never did. Months later when I went in for my psychiatrist appointment, I asked to speak with him but he suddenly didn t work there anymore and I guess my file was just dismissed or lost in the system because no one bothered to follow up with me on finding a new counselor. As for medical services (it takes months to get an appointment with the psychiatrist) I had to wait 3 to 4 times longer in the waiting room then my appointment actually lasted if the doctor was even available. More than once I had to see the nurse because the doctor was so behind, in this case the nurse would just say she would call me back after she spoke with the doctor. Which never happened with either nurse. I just played phone tag til my next appointment. This has resulted in me going months without medication. I can t imagine it being healthy to go on and off psychiatrist drugs like this. When having a mental illness it s hard enough to get the courage to seek help, and when you do and seem to be casted aside like I have in this situation it makes it even more difficult to want to continue to seek treatment to get healthy. Thank goodness I m not harmful to myself or others or even worse suicidal because the lack of treatment I ve had from this facility it may have been too late for me. Anyway, let s hope I m able to find a different doctor that takes my insurance even if I need to travel at this point, it would be worth it at least feeling like someone cared.

I never thought in a million years thought I'd leave a negative review for BGC. But unfortunately, they have really screwed me over during covid 19. I recieved a letter in the mail from the state of Illinois saying I was automatically re enrolled in health care because I fit one of the many conditions (there was a long list). I went in for a visit with my psych and they told me I didn't have insurance, which confused me obviously. Covid happened and I was required to do my appointments via telephone. I was required to do my (annual?) update where they ask obscure questions (they didn't always do this) and I also had a psych appointment shortly after. They told me over the phone not to worry about the insurance because of covid. I was happy to hear it because I also couldn't go to the DHHS in Sycamore due to covid. But, I did receive a bill from NM for ~$200 as well as a bill for my psych appointment of just under $200. Clearly you can tell I felt bamboozled not only by IL government but also by my most trusted entity, BGC. Not only was I told not to worry about it, but, they didn't even bother asking me about my insurance or vitals during these calls. Also, these calls were each less then 5 minutes. When I have an appointment with my psych, she often gets me confused with other patients even though I've known her for 10 years now... often times I feel rushed and never get my fully alotted time. This never bothered me before, because I am steadfast on taking my medication and try very hard to stay stable. I called them last week and asked what was going on; why did I receive a bill when I was told not to worry about it? When I couldn't go into DHHS to get my paperwork done (yes I'm aware you can do this online now, but my entire adult life I've gone into the office because I trust it more and the communication is better). They basically denied telling me this and told me to apply for financial aid on NM website.. I plead with them, why should I have to pay over $200 for bad treatment and phone calls that lasted less then 5 minutes? The pricing is extremely absurd, especially because I was told not to worry. I am beyond extremely disappointed by not only NM but BGC. I feel betrayed and there is nothing I can do about it. When Ben Gordon founded this center, he wanted to help people who didn't have the money or means to get proper help, but now they only care about money. They don't care about people, they care about money and getting you in and out. I refuse to pay a medical bill for a simple phone call when it's not my fault they didn't communicate with me. The irony is that the main stress in my life right now is a direct result of BGC, it should never be this way. Now I am wondering where and who I should see for help, if I'm paying such a large amount of money for less then 10 minutes total of my time.. why not go to a psych who will care about me if it is the same price? In reality, I don't even need these appointments, I could easily get by with a refill of my meds and be fine. But instead, I have to do unnecessary "check ups" that mean nothing, just to take money that I don't have. It's a real shame and I'm torn as to what to do. I can only imagine all the others worse off then I, who have had similar issues during covid. Maybe this is just what happens when small "businesses" sell to larger conglomerates such as NM. It becomes a people factory and less personal, it becomes a money farm instead of a caring place. It's a real shame, it truly is. My trust in the system has been compromised and I'm so disappointed and saddened that this has happened to me and I'm sure many others. It breaks my heart that they can't communicate or care enough to make sure I'm taken care of. It's supposed to be about helping us, the people who are ill and poor. It's not supposed to be about the money guys, it's just not.

I definitely did not have a good experience with this place. This was just before the northwestern take over, so hopefully they've improved. As others mentioned, getting into a psychiatrist to get meds is very difficult. On the therapy side, I got assigned 3 different counselors within a month and a half time span. It's hard to build a rapport with someone when you don't get to see them more than one time before being shifted to someone else. On top of all this the front desk women are rude.

I've seen that someone by the name of Meg S. left a number for another review writer to call but that was the number to Kishwaukee Hospital. It would be nice to have an extension to that number or a direct number to contact you about these concerns.

Ben Gordon by far is probably one the of the worse outpatient Mental Health facilities I've ever been to highlighting the medical department and check-in staff. The only good experience I have had at Ben Gordon was with my therapist and other therapist I see for group therapy. Therapist are very engaged and dedicated to working with patients. They go above and beyond to help as much as they can. The medical department on the other hand with the exception of maybe one or two staff members is very unprofessional as a whole. Many of the desk staff have rude undertones when communicating with patience. Just from my perspective, bedside manners is selective depending on the patience level of mental illness. Which in my opinion is not acceptable. It's almost always social hour behind the sliding glass. You may even find yourself sitting and waiting for a staff member to get back to you but they are so engaged in there social hour that they forget that you are waiting. Staff members are very condescending and blame patience for mistakes made on their part. I've even overheard some talking about patients when they leave the waiting area. The front desk staff is unprofessional and communication is not their strong suit. I would not recommend this establishment to anyone seeking treatment. Yes Ben Gordon is a Mental Health clinic for some and a job for others but as a patient i should not feel like i'm not important enough or incapable of being treated with professionalism because I suffer with a mental illness.

I actually went to The Living Room free crisis center on First St. but I need to tell how my experience went.
When I got there, everybody was calming and nice. I got to sit in a room and exchange conversation with a recovery specialist. I did not feel uncomfortable at all. She offered me snacks and water and made me feel at ease. Eventually I was courageous enough to let her know all of my thoughts I needed to get out. I did not feel judged at all. I was presented with lots of responses and support. Lots of positive feedback and reassurance.
I'll definitely recommend this place to anyone who is in need of help.

awful... wish i could rate a 0. waited months for an appointment. after 2 visits was told i could not get my particular meds refilled.. denai KNEW what script i needed. was assured i would not be billed. i was. find another place to go.

I think it's not professional to have only one psychiatrist that works there.And you only get to talk to her through a screen,upon seeing her through a screen you only get too talk for a few minutes before you get sent out with medication you are told to take.Then you can't see the psychiatrist for weeks.I don't know if this place is any help for me.

I went there because a friend told me about it. When I initially arrived they seemed disorganized. They cancelled my appointment when I arrived on time and made me wait another two weeks for another one. Just doesn't seem fair that I had to suffer because they couldn't get their act together. The counselors seemed like they were over worked and really didn't care about your problems. Highly advise to not go there!

Disorganized, rude, do not follow up.. this is just another POS 501k that takes down ss#s to get money, then doesn't do Sh@#.

The counselor that is being seen is awesome!!! No compliant there. The front end ladies are not good. They are always chit chatting with each other when you go there. Neither of the 2 know who's helping who. When they call and leave a message the one girl speaks so fast you can't understand her. When you call for an appointment the same girl that speaks fast is never clear when she says times and days and keeps telling you oops I meant this time and this day, nope oops not that day and time this day and time. Very frustrating. Get those font end girls to be more professional and it would be less frustrating for clients.

(People that call about appointment talk too fast and quiet. Have expressed this to people at front and it doesn't change.) I have always been treated kindly and with great respect by my doctor and people at both locations. I really appreciate it.

Horrible experience with the receptionists and counselor. The receptionists were snide, and hawked a very nasty attitude with me. And then the counselor questioned my previous diagnosis of PTSD, and the competency of my previous doctors, within the first five minutes of conversation! She more or less gaslit me about my trauma and symptoms. The lack of bedside manner was downright shocking and abhorrent.

Went to medical services and was treated badly by the check-in ladies there. It seemed they had there own personal interests and didnt care too much about me. The doctor and the RN , (Julia, I think she was). were great though, Very Friendly and made me feel welcomed. Made me feel better. Too bad everyone there isn't as nice.

Nothing has been Done about refilling medication when you are taking a medication for panic attacks and anxiety and potentially dangerous seizures.Rude secretary and Nurse. Messing around with medication is horrible. I'm now shaky and sweating. Thanks!!!!! JeffreyA Smith

I have received treatment by multiple different therapists/psychiatrists for my mental health when I lived in the suburbs. The care I have gotten at the Ben Gordon Center has been better than anywhere else. The psychiatrist I see actually spends time for appointments and doesn't just rush you out and give you a refill. I love my therapist; I think she is very knowledgeable in her field. I am also a student studying psychology so I am picky about mental health treatment. I have had a great experience here. Unfortunately, it can be hard to get in with a therapist or psychiatrist here and appointment times are tight. This is because this is one of the only community mental health centers in the area. The therapists and psychiatrists are so booked and work a ton. If they can't fit you in at the moment I wouldn't give a bad review because it isn't their fault. Try again in a couple months. Nothing but good things to say about my experience at the Ben Gordon center.