I've put off writing this review for so long becau...

I've put off writing this review for so long because I'm still trying to deal with the trauma of going to Akua. I went to Akua's mental health program over a year ago and it has caused significant harm. If you are a high-functioning person who is being responsible and just needs some extra mental health support - DO NOT go here.

The therapy was so lacking, I was constantly under-stimulated and the therapist I had was terrible and manipulative. Not to mention the house was incredibly dirty, the food expired years ago, they take you to AA meetings every single night even if you don't have alcohol issues (because they just group you together with the substance abuse houses) and they treat you like children.

The people that went here seemed to come from very low-income homes, were uneducated and many came from the 'streets.' No judgement on that, truly, I met some great people but the environment isn't really for mature, intelligent or high functioning people. It was like if the 'bad' kids from high school all ended up in one place. Lots of "what did you say to me b****", slamming doors, and fights. I don't mean to sound rude, but I don't really know how to describe the clientele without sounding rude.

Most of the techs are former drug addicts and most of them vape all day, right into your face. So inappropriate. And our 'outings' were to Circle K (to get cigarettes) and to the vape store.

So if you need a place because life knocked you down, please look at other options. I felt like I was in juvenile detention, even though I am an adult, and it had Motel 6 vibes. Other residential facilities blow this place out of the water - massages, housekeeping, horses, true yoga, resorts, wholesome people, etc. And insurance will pay for those ones just as much as they will with Akua. At Akua you'll be doing chores, washing your own bedding because it smells, washing their cars, breathalyzing twice a day and giving random urine samples as they watch. This is very demeaning to those who have no alcohol/drug issues and are at the mental health house.

It's too hard for me to even think back to that horrific time to even write a proper review - I had to check out against medical advice because they made some accusations that were completely inappropriate, false and offensive. Then I was mocked as I left. I felt like I had to be the adult and yet I was infantilized. But they have been reported to the board, as well as my insurance and the CA gov't. I have been told they've had problems with Akua before.

Don't let the nice website, nor name fool you. This was a joke of a place. I would truly never recommend it...BUT it seems to be a great place for those who need to be treated like a child. Honestly, some people may need that and it may work out great for them. But don't come here looking for any type of 'therapeutic' anything. Terrible. Terrible. Terrible. It's going to take years to undo the trauma from the couple of weeks I was there for.