San Marcos Treatment Center Review

My son has thrived and learned a lot about himself. They have gone above and beyond any expectations I could have had for my son. The overall experience has been great!

I like this treatment center i have been here before and they do not let you do drugs the person that said that lied. Other then what the person said. I think the staff there were fair with bad behavior and good really recommend your kid goes here. Food was okay sometimes i had stomach aches.

I attended San Marcos as an eating disorder patient at 17. I am 40 now, having been cured of the ED since I was 23 and had my 3rd child. I was tired of living like that, and upon moving back to MO after being around the US for a bit, I finally was able to put into practice what San Marcos taught me. I'm currently looking back to this therapy/school/work program for my 18yo with multiple needs and Dx.
I came from the ghetto, having been raised amongst mentally illness, destroyed marriages/infidelity, and criminals. I was adopted at almost 17, and my adopted family sent me here after many attempts to keep me from killing myself in various means. I attended 5 mos, went to prom and graduation, and then into the USAF when I started my own family. I have 10 now, and I feel we are more healthy and sane than anyone I grew up with, although I love them dearly. I have not had the struggles my 4 bio siblings have had; DECADES of drug abuse for the 4 of them, 2 losing children to the system, and one in prison for murdering my cousin. I was saved, and I wholeheartedly thank Jesus Christ, my patient adopted parents, San Marcos Treatment, and loving husband. I'd be in that gutter if it wasn't for that.

I just want people to know my experience.
I was 15 when I first got sent there as a result of my bad behaviour. Im 25 now. But the psychological damage is permanent. I'd like to think that there were some good things. But I cant think of one. The staff were abusive, overly abusive if that makes any sense. Big black guy named Jones would always slap us and throw us around. Then there was Natal, short little Hispanic guy who would twist our arms behind our backs in the most painful ways. The gym teacher/staff was alnost as bad, He would slap us on the back of the head. I remember telling the therapist who was assigned to my unit about the abuse. Her name was Mrs Bratzee. My spelling might be off. But she never belived a thing I said. Every time I think of my experience there, I get scared, mad and utterly livid. I recieved no justice. The fresh college students who got hired there quickly figured out that it was either abuse, or no job. Now the few staff who were nice are as fallows, Ms Walldrop, Ms Cantu, Esparza, Ms Davids. Please do not send your children here. They will suffer as as I did. Maybe worse.

My son was there for 5 months and they didn't even help him out they just made him more angry and for one im from az it was hard not being able to see him on a daily basics being in tx while i live here i really didn't care for gim being way out there from our family

Mrs. Mcarthur was my therapist she was really helpful and understanding

I was here when I was 12-14, I'm almost 24 this place was awful before me and sounds like it's still an awful place to that needs to be shut down. One time I was held down by a staff member (Ms.Mims) and peers while i was beaten her and several peers till I bleed from my throat/insides. They just moved her to another building after I told. I was also there when they had to put cameras in, they immediately went around that by just making you go into your room and abuse you there. Out of 10 staff I'd say 4 did stuff they shouldn't be doing (abuse most of the time), 4 might be ok but won't stop the bad stuff going on, and 2 of them might be really decent ppl that will help you when something wrong is going on like when I told on Ms.Mims

I was there for almost 3 years. When I found out my roomate was trading sexual favors for meth with one of the staff the other girls on the unit I was in and I threatened to riot because they weren't going to take that staff member off the rotation. He doesn't work there now. This is one story of many. Insurance rip off, abusive, experimental psycho active drugs, under paid and under trained staff.. This place is a hot mess.

When i was released from here i felt relieved. The staff constantly ignored situations unless it involved their favorite child. They take away everything that can be therapy for you and replace it with their version of fun. The staff restrain with brute force. They cuss at children while when they are angry. Do not send your kid here!!!!

This place is horrible! After two months my son was worse than when he went in. We never met the so called doctor. They did not attempt to take him off or change medications. When we called to talk with our son it was difficult to even carry on a conversation due to all the cursing by the other residents in the background. Most of the staff did not seem to care about the residents; it was just another job. One staff member told my son that he was annoying and to stay out of her way. The staff also cursed in front of and at the residents. By the way...these are 9-12 year old boys. They did not have much structured time outside of school. They were sat in front of a TV and some of the things my son reported that they watched would not have been allowed at our home. Needless to say, we transferred him to another RTC where we had a successful outcome!

The staff will provoke you then say its your fault when you get mad, they can't actually keep us from killing ourselves or self harming or being hit by another patient it is just absolutely terrible.

I loved the place but wouldn t want to go there again. I was on Spring Hill one west and loved the staff. I miss mrs. Chitwood now known as mrs. Arview mrs berglund mrs k mrs Watkins mrs Ireland mrs jay mrs barksdale mrs Perez
Mr brown and many more. I loved the teachers but I wish they would ve challenged me more academically. But over all I learned a lot from this place and got so many skills.
Shout out to Spring Hill one west
Gabby (Gabrielle) Berg

Our 16 year old son was here this past summer for 6 months and the counseling was very helpful for him and our family. This was the first counselor our son ever really opened up to and learned to communicate. He has been home almost 6 months now and while we have had some typical teen behavior issues it s the first time he s ever been able to not loose control and use the tools he learned at San Marcos and communicate. Hope to never need to seek care for him again after going through over 3 years of multiple treatment centers and hospitals this place was honestly the best for him and our family. The fact that boys and girls are separated really takes the therapy and work to the place our son could focus on him and not the girls.

I hated it there. Some staff were okay, but a lot of them were really mean! The food is horrible too, like it s really fatty and tastes gross. The living situation is bad as well. The mattress I had when I first got there had these skin eating bugs that hurt really bad! Also, when I left, I couldn t fit all my clothes in my suitcase, so they said I could leave some stuff behind and when I got home they would send it to me! I still haven t gotten my stuff back and I ve been home for two years! Some of that stuff was really important to me, and I cried when I realized I wasn t getting it back. Overall the place is awful, and I wouldn t recommend letting your kid stay here!

1 phone call.
Wanted information regarding my mom. The operator was incredibly rude and wouldn't even let me finish explaining the reason for my call.

I love this place it really helped me I loved all the staff there I feel like I even connected with some of them on a personal level they helped me mentally and emotionally idk what this other kids done experience but it was good to me!!!!!!

My step daughter has been there for 6 months. She came from out of state and they did not call us to let us know she arrived safely. We had to call them the next day. She had an issue and they called the wrong person and not my husband. And then acted like violating hippa was bot a big deal. The phone operator at night is the rudest person. She will talk over you and when my husband pointed out she was rude she turned around a said he was the rude one. If you cant handle answering phones then get a new job.

Our 16 year old son was here this past summer and the counseling was very helpful for him and our family. This was the first counselor our son felt a connection with. Hopefully, we will need this center again but if we do we will definitely choose this one.

My son was at San Marcos Treatment Center for 5 weeks. He absolutely hated it, however I did feel like he received some level of therapeutic care and he came home no longer suicidal. The issue for us was getting his discharge report, which took weeks and I didn't feel like it was at all accurate..... and then getting his lab results, here we are two months later and I have requested them multiple times, but cannot seem to get a copy. My son, who is terrified of needles, will apparently have to get more bloodwork done to get a baseline on his medication levels since we can't get his most recent labs from San Marcos, which is extremely disappointing. As a parent trying to establish follow-up care, not having my child's most recent medical records is a huge hinderance. For a place that's sole purpose is to help children in need, the lack of follow-up communication or providing of medical records has certainly damaged our ability to keep my son on an upward trajectory.

So my last day was June 22, 2018 and I ve been there for a little over 4 months my experience was overall good. The staff were caring and would joke around with you and the people were amazing. My peers helped me grow and supported me when I needed so it s a good place i was on spring hill 2
-kristianna bryant

I was there from age 14-16 yrs old. I was abused there for most of the time that I resided in that hell hole. Tuvara Simmons, a staff member who worked there abused me. It was hell and she was proud to know that she made my life a living hell. I have heard people's stories and they are similar to mine. It's a bad place. Trust me, you do not want your children residing there. Now I am 32 yrs old and proud to say that I am doing very well. I would never let that place bring me down for long.

Didn't address life skills while in treatment and our child didn't show any progress as a result. Actually, she regressed in that she was lying more and cussing upon returning home after just 30 days.

She was not required to change clothes (we visited multiple days) and wore THEIR clothes even after we said to not do it (our daughter has attachment issues as it is).

She also was allowed to throw her $200 glasses away without staff finding them or us being told until we arrived to pick her up. She went without them for at least 3 days there.

She also is supposed to wear an eye patch 4 hrs a day, Dr ordered, and their response was oh well she was offered a patch.
Our newly turned 8 yr old came home acting like a fully hormonal teen after just 30 days.

My sister went into treatment last summer. When we went to visit it was so obvious the employees were only there for a check, not to help the children. There seemed to be a lot of chaos and little supervision. They pushed for my sister to leave treatment, knowing she was refusing meds, which puts her in danger and eventually got there way. I don t reccomend this to anyone who s child is in serious danger when not medicated or in treatment. If you want a glorified babysitter, here s your place.

Thank you guys for all u have done for me. I am doing a lot better than where I started 5 years ago. Thanks again. You guys rock!

The staff at this place is really amazing at what they do!! It did not matter which staff that we interacted with you could see their passion! Maria you have been great each time that I came there!! My hats off to yall!!! Maria next time I come down lunch is on me!!

If you have read all of the negative reviews, please read this one. I was sent here on two separate occasions for PTSD, anxiety, depression, & BPD. On my first trip to SMRTC in September of 2013 I was 16. When i got there i was placed in the unit where all of the girls were court ordered to be. I was not court ordered. That unit for me was scary because i was in a room with two girls who were said to be violent, one of the girls told me she was there for putting her baby brother in the oven (kids lie so i'm not sure how valid that was). I asked my therapist, who was the best therapist ive ever seen, to move units that i didn't fit in there and i was scared of my roomates. I was switched to spring hill immediately and was in a unit of girls who were there for similar reasons i was. I bonded well with staff who were always caring and compassionate. I had my share of melt downs and fits but i never had anyone lay a hand on me. The only time i witnessed what everyone else calls abuse, was when a court ordered girl tried to run away and they had to stop her by law, so they restrained her and brought her back. & another time when this girl was in the middle of trying to kill herself and they restrained her on the ground with her hands behind her back and removed the glass she was using. I don't know about anyone else who went there but i would have much rather witnessed a girl being restrained than witnessing someone kill themselves. At the time that i was there i was entitled and a major brat and would use my mental illness to get away with things, & at the time i was mad because i couldn't manipulate the staff like i had done my parents and i couldn't do what i wanted to do when i wanted to do it. Which is why i think most people put a negative review. We weren't abused, we were kept from killing ourselves. When i came back the second time a few months later i was the worst client for all of the staff. I got into a fight with a girl there and was restrained forcefully and given sedation medication, for the safety of everyone else there.

All in all i am grateful for everything they did for me. All the negative reviews are just spoiled entitled people that think you can do what you want with no consequences (hence the reason why most of us were there) Because of this treatment center i was able to graduate high school with a high GPA & learned how to cope with all my mental disorders.

I don't know if this place has changed since the last time I was there.i was 15 then.i am 21 now.the staff we're really nice,except for some of the teachers. They really need to improve on how to keep every child safe. Children we're constantly getting hurt in fights.there was always chaos going on.they had mice running around.children were being bullied. Kids were swallowing batteries and eating cards.some things good have been a little cleaner.i do love the activities that we would participate in. The therapists were ok.i stayed there for ,3 weeks but that place was more traumatizing than helpful.i barely ever met with my therapist,and barely talked to a psychiatrist.most of the time kids were miserable and crying including me. Kids were begging to go home on the phones. They needed to do a better job at separating kids from the violent ones and the ones who aren't.i never felt safe die to the violent kids around me.

bro i went to smtc i got out aug 27th i hated it there the staff will treat you bad but shout out to ms jones and ms kirk they are the best staff there on god i was on clear view down . that treatment center is bad it dont even help you

Had a fever of 105 and they told me to just go to bed. Could have died 0/5 stars because I didn t actually get to.

Good treatment for a complex kid with a variety of diagnoses. My son went in at 14 with autism and bipolar disorder. He came out 17 months later with coping skills, much better hygiene, life skills and an education. We never thought he would be able to live at home again, but has been home successfully for 7 months now, after a 6 months stint in a step-down therapeutic group home. I am grateful for being a part of the team and having a great therapist while we were there.

(grain of salt opinion/advice) Was there for 6 months in the new heights unit in late 2017 (older teen boys who have tricare insurance)

If you are going here and all other choices fail, best advice I can give you is to just to learn to be insanely flexible.

Pack a pillow or blanket and it will improve your experience 10 fold.

They (the team that looks over your progress) look for what they like to call a honeymoon phase. You think it's going to be easy and you'll bs them to leave.

Instead show them you and remember this isn't normal life. Keep a photo or any momento you are allowed to remind yourself what you are going back to. Be vulnerable and assume you'll be there for a year and actually live life like that while you are there. Talk to other patients to keep social and ok, but don't let them bully you into doing stupid things. This is what caused 90% of the drama and fights while I was there.

The staff there are not really to blame. If you need to get angry at something, wait for basketball time or journal anything that comes to blame. I am not a violent person and I didn't get into any fights there ultimately, but trust me there will be times when you really want to explode.

Remember that you can ask some staff for individual time to process.
The schedule is not at all flexible.

The night staff are generally more laidback, which I noticed due to my heavy insomnia (ended up getting some meds for it later)

Keep in mind that this is over a period of 6 months, so these occured very rarely - While most of the time it smells like feet and the food is mostly re hydrated eggs/ pasta, honestly it looks gorgeous at certain times. There's the "cantina", with powder pudding and pb and j sandwiches / piano, pool table, movies. The ropes course was pretty neat albeit superficial and oddly religious.oo

I went here and they helped me so much. I wouldn t be where I am today without Ms.Beck.

I have to say, this place has horrible reviews, but my sons experience was different. My son went in and was violent and aggressive, he had been misdiagnosed and they found out what was wrong with him, they showed him how to calm himself down. He came back a different kid and I was thankful for everything they did. Thank you San Marcos for giving me back my child, I had lost him and you found him and helped him, thank you.

To start off, this is the absolute worst treatment center of a child s life. If I was to ever send my son back to this horrible place, I would hate myself forever

Don't bring your kids here. It is basically like a jail. The kids don't get the help they need, and they just get drugs to numb them up. They get treated horribly by the staff and managers. I have witnessed abuse and heard about it from other staff and the kids. The staff do drugs on their breaks. The managers are beyond awful. The food is slop, and I've had better food in jail. It's a horrible place. Stay far, far away!

when I was there the staff still cursed but I alsoi felt very welcome an I learned a lot from them an I would rather go there than any other facility the staff were really nice to me an got a lot of help :)

Our son did well here (he went in due to his autism), and he's been out for four months now. He made great progress within the treatment center, and, since he was discharged from the treatment center, he has noticeably gotten better at home, at school, and in handling various situations in his life. Part of doing well at the treatment center and at home is for your kid to have a lot of support from his family. This is so he/she knows they are loved since your positive reinforcement is a means of you doing your part to help them. Also, a supportive family will reinforce what the treatment center teaches so he/she can make favorable progress, and, when applied, the same support system will help your kid's school help your kid. Autism is a tricky, frustrating, and confusing thing; even more so for your child. We have learned that prayer, patience, outside support, and positive repetitive habits help a child with autism.

My therapist Ms Crystal Perez was a great therapist. But there were some staff who were really abusive. But there were some staff there that were really nice and helpful. They put weight gainers in the food. And it wasn't really food. And there were cockroaches in the cafeteria.

I went there for 6 months eventually discharged and went back 2 months after for another 5 months 6 1 year later and I haven't been back since

The only thing I can consider good about this place is that I lived in the next town over.. And SOME of the other "patients" (I hate that word) were cool and became my friends afterwards.
I went there from 21 2013 - Sept 16 2014. (16-17) From right off the bat it was horrible,
1) one of the other girls found my stuffed animal and tore it open (the staff thought it was hers, knowing they didn't see it til I got there) I had it since I was 3 and it reminded me of my family.
2) they five you food determined on your weight. That's not even part of the 'treatment plan' they just give you more if you're a twig (D for doubles) 'portioned sized' if your a good weight (R for regular) or barely any food if your over weight/obese/ or not 'average' or 'normal' weight (LF for low fat) they would right these letters on your food trays/IDs/anywhere they could. A lot of girls started out on regular but moved to low fat because the food there made them fat. I only ate salad (the only good thing) and when I passed out the staff/nurse said it was because I was over weight and eating too much.
3) they say they don't discriminate but they ask you your sexuality so you don't get 'frisky' with anyone else. Like seriously? I'm here to do what I need to, not for hookups. Also like I said before they're body shaming for giving us specific 'diet' for our 'health'.
4) the staff are always on their phones an not paying attention. I got books thrown at me during school by 2 girls, attacked from a girl for trying to tell a staff that books were thrown. The staff didn't do anything til I was on the ground. They moved me into different rooms with crazy roommates, who steal my stuff, shred up my clothes (and was surprised that I knew exactly what was missing) change in front of me (we were not allowed to change in front of others for 'safety' and 'sexual assault' reasons) and didn't tell me to get out so I was my fault that I was in there. I told the staff but they didn't do anything. Also the staff would stand in the unit and wait til our breakfast/lunch/dinner was almost over then take us to the cafe to eat.. So the girls had to finish all the food in 5-10ish minutes.
Funny thing is the unit manager said in court (it was court order for me to be there so I could only get out if the judge let me) that he put certain roommates in with me to see how I'd react?! I ignored my roommates and just read and wrote all the time.
I was kinda good, did what I needed to do, so I could leave quicker (if I acted up I'd be sent to juvy or stay longer at smtc) so I stayed calm, some staff forgot I was there cause of how quiet I was (I had an ankle monitor on, thanks to my po, and had to charge it every night, in the hallway. Not their fault) some girls hated me because I was doing what I was suppose to do and not being dramatic or attention seeking or threatening. If I got mad or upset they'd laugh and not take me seriously. They thought I was the staffs favorite, just because I wasn't bad like they were and I could be in the hallway at night (again to charge my monitor)
5) they gave me meds for depression (I was happy and positive most times, what depression? And another one (can't remember name) for bipolor ness or as they diagnosed me with 'schizo effective' which is extreme moody ness, bipolor and depression. And it made me tired. All. The. Time. And guess who got written up or yelled at for falling asleep? Go ahead guess? Me! They knew it made me tired too, but didn't care. (I'm now on a no drowsy medicine, because I went to my actual Dr instead of the treatment center Dr.)
The schooling was good, learned a lot, kinda. I was suppose to be in 11th grade, but because my unit was from 13-18 yr olds they taught us 7th-9th grade stuff (all A's for me! Sorry I'm bragging) I learned how to make a resume, which is the only good thing I need for real life.
Save. Your. Kids. Don't. Come. Here

DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE!!!
I am in a wheelchair as a result of being at this facility. There was only a few staff there that were actually nice and seemed like they cared but most of the time that wasn't the case. Please don't let all the photos, videos, and virtual tours trick you this place is BAD!

The stuff are rude and no difference from the doctor therapy in Las Vegas. As long your insurance can pay the charges they keeping the patients. All they need is money. They don t listen the other party voices on how to solve the problems of the patient. I m not happy how they work with my son. Stuck my son in their place even they knows can t make my son better treatment. I m not agreed for the treatment of my son in this place. My son more depressed.

One year ago today I was admitted to San Marcos Treatment Center. I ll never forget my staff and how wonderful they were. The therapy opportunities are wonderful, and if you want help and work your treatment plan, this place (in my case) can really help. You will not EVER receive help if you don t want it.

CONS:

1. Most of the staff there have absolutely NO mental health experience or education.

2. There is an overall "macho culture" vibe amongst the staff there. Even the staff that go into the job with a more therapeutically-oriented approach will INEVITABLY be bullied/pressured by the more neanderthal-like staff into becoming just another aggressive, uncaring jerk.

3. The management personnel of the units are ineffective at their jobs, at best, or completely incompetent, at worst. Also, many of these individuals do not have mental health-oriented college degrees, as well.

4. The children are treated TERRIBLY there. This facility makes an OBSCENE amount of money per kid they accept, and it is obvious that this facility uses AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE of that money to provide quality services for the children. The food at the "cafeteria" (which the kids eat at 3 times a day) is so bad that I LITERALLY would feel strange giving it to a stray dog. Food poisoning is a common occurence on the units.

5. The direct-care staff are paid just BARELY above minimum wage. It's simple: NO FINANCIAL INCENTIVE = PEOPLE NOT CARING ABOUT THEIR JOBS. These are the people that will be caring for your children. Think about that.

6. The children there are INTENSE. If your kid is the type that is easily influenced by others, DO. NOT. SEND. THEM. HERE. Your sweet child that initially was just having some adjustment issues will leave SMTC as the heir apparent to Ted Bundy..... and will probably have some PTSD issues to work through as well.

PROS:

1. The teachers at the on-campus school seem experienced and caring.

2. Your child will have access to nurses, doctors, counselors, and other medical professionals.

SOURCE:

I worked at SMTC for 4 years. Once I finished school, I decided to work for a company that was a little less greedy, a little more caring, and a lot more compatible with my personal outlook on mental health. Hope this helps. Please don't make a mistake for your child that you will regret.

Dont send ur kids here or tewnagers unless u want thm to be worse the staff they dont dicapline they hit u with clozed fist and cherry pick who they ganna yell take it from me i was there for 13 months

I looked this place up to see if it was still open. I was there 20 years ago for a year on Far East and all they did was beat us up and drug us up. I remember a watching a staff member name Simmons break a girl name Ellis's arm. We had to be called by last names so I don't remember her first name. But that place was bullcrap then and I see its still bullcrap now.

Out of all the places I've been to this was the worst because one day we got back from lunch and we went to our rooms so i went into mine first then my roommate came in after me and closed the door. He humped me then when I got out of his grip I ran out of the room and down the hall to the staff and and the room across from me the kids in that room said I did to my roommate. Couple years later I got to another facility and asked why I can't have a roommate and they told me in private that i had sexual activity with a male roommate at this facility. They need to get some serious help or get burned to ashes because they don't do their job and now this is in my records for the rest of MY LIFE! And that is not even the bad part they blamed for it and I am 110% straight I like women only. So this my review for them. Now my parents think I am gay and they joke around about it. I hope you guys are proud of what you've done to those who have suffered from this place DO NOT SEND YOUR KID/TEEN HERE I"M SERIOUS. I wouldn't even give you a one star rating if it weren't for google.

Do not send your child here it will make things so much worse no staff there knows what theyre doing the first day i got there they did a unit search because people had been smuggling razors in they flipped the mattresses over as violently as possible to scare us into telling them who has the razors not even thinking about the fact that alot of girls in there have ptsd and cant handle loud noises they just dont care they have made that perfectly clear .

I don't know if any of you other people reviewed understand this but San marcos treatment center is a phyciatric hospital they can restrain you , hold you down, scream at you, take your things away from you, I got bullied there excessively but when you walk in there it feels like you have no rights you can't go where you want you have to stay in your room a lot you have people around you constantly because you are an unstable person and your mentally ill I went there when I was 15 and walked out a much better person

Place has left me with PTSD for over 10 years now. A terrible place to be a resident at

I recently visited this place for clinical hours. It was sad to see how these kids get treated. There was absolutely no compassion from the staff. I seen some staff bullying and showing favoritism towards certain children. My heart absolutely hurts to know that many of these kids may report these issues, but no body will listen to them. All I kept hearing was that the kids were manipulative, stupid, worthless, bad, and how much some nurses literally can't stand certain little ones. I would have believed the nurse I was following if I hadn't seen one of the staff members yank a small child by his arm. Another staff member stepped on a little boys foot until he cried out. Another staff member yelled at a girl. "Get the hell away, I can't stand you. Your so damn nosy and annoying." She yelled this right in front of the nurse I was following!! As a future nurse, I don't understand how you could NOT advocate for children that are so vulnerable. It hurts my heart to see that many of these kids are being abused in the system. Please if anyone can see this review, DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILDREN HERE!!!!!!

Tomorrow I will be 41 years old. I'm visiting my sister right now and going through Google maps and like out of a story book or a memory locked away. .. I can remember this place. 23 years ago I was brought here by the state. How much I fought everyone and pulled my own strings until my counselor told me that my insurance is giving up on me, on my progress. She than told me something, something that plays like a old song in my head. She said " Cesar, you only have 2 options now. One is that you can live the rest of your life lying and cheating and doing everything that you normally do or you can do the other choice. It's hard and not normal for you and you will not like it. .. you can take the hard path and change".
My life has been a struggle and God only knows how many mistakes I've made. .. but I will forever be grateful for what she told me and I will always be on that path no matter how hard it has been for me. Thank you

I stayed here back in 2011 at the time I was 13 and on New Horizons 2 unit it was a transitional unit so I was told. But this place was nothing more than an over glorified baby sitting service. I'm 20 now and yes I've been to a variety of places but that ended when I was 17, but this place was hell especially when it came to the unit life, we had one kid on the unit who I will not name who not once but several times broke plastic into sharp jagged points and tried to attack and harm not just staff but clients as well. The CLIENTS had to restrain him several times because the STAFF would NOT handle the situation. As for my parents they were told one thing and they didn't do what they said the were doing.
So if you want to place your children here as a past client I'd highly suggest you don't there are plenty of other places far nicer and far more equipt to ACTUALLY access your children and or loved ones.

My daughter spent 6 months at San Marcos and was on Spring Hill East. She had a great experience! Staff is very caring and truly do want to see the kids succeed. My only complaint is that the discharge plan was not good enough. She needed a higher level of care after 6 months of inpatient then what was suggested.

I was here for about a month and a half and I was so glad to leave, there was so much drama with the staff the "fao" would pretty much beat on us not all of them but some it's very sad how some of the staff even do drugs I only had about 4 staff members that were my favorite there are fighting all the time there yelling over stupid things it is hard to have any fun or for that matter get any help but I did my best and I feel like I need to change because I never want to be in a place like that again.

I went here a couple years ago and the staff were mostly amazing! They need to work on being better at controlling the kids better but other then that it was fine

This is the worst place to send your kids. If you want to know what hell is like make a trip to this place. The staff is abusive they don't care about the residence. They durged me up just so they didn't have to deal with me. I thought I was there to get help. Not this hell hole. If you love your kids then stay away from this place. There are better treatment centers out there. Trust me I was in one. Boys and girls town. If you want to see progress in your kids this is the place to go. Not San Marcos.

I attended San Marcos rtc in October of 2015 while I was 14 years old while I was there I was jumped and attacked by other patients 4 times in one week; 3 times in one day. The staff didn't do anything. Even when I got a deep gash on my face and was dripping blood down my face. They didn't even let my mother know that all of this happend. I do not recommend this place for ANYONE.

Although they pleasant on the phone...they are not very organized or through in what they do having patient's administrators in their facility. They are not even up to date on the insurance they accept. The most question you ask them really the answer is incorrect. Anyone higher the administration is just as unknowledgeable as the next and very rude. They just want the insurance money before making for your
child.

It was alright I guess, the breakfast was absolutely horrible . I met some friends here and there.. I learned a lot of life skills and coping skills here for my depression and anxiety stufff. I was in this place for 5 months wowie, good thing I went in March and it started getting hot and there were lots of stairs :(. Yeah those are my only issues, the staff need more mental health experience, but then again a lot of them are collage students :/