Hi all, I am a two-time CFD alumni and I feel called to write this review. I am 23 years old. I attended CFD 6 years ago at Pacific Place. I was 14 years old the first time I attended and 16 years old the second time. I was placed here after a suicide attempt. I believe it is important for parents to know the extent of the damage that can be done here and in the surrounding culture. The first major thing a parent should know is that CFD WILL take your kids to meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous everyday. These meetings are actually treated like a privilege, which looking back, is insane. No child should be sent to Alcoholics Anonymous. Traumatized children need therapy, and while CFD does offer that, I can tell you that the thing that was stressed the most is the AA way of life. They utilize the outdated and heavily debated disease model that AA created in 1935. You can get the same results that CFD offers by simply taking your kid to AA meetings for free. Secondly, almost every single staff member here has no qualifications other than working the 12-steps. Unfortunately, this is very common in most treatment centers, whether they "specialize" in adolescents or not. Additionally, at least at the time I went, we were allowed to go to YPAA dances while at the facility. While, sure, there is no drugs or alcohol allowed at these events, there sure is a lot of sex with minors, cigarette addictions and passing of contraband, and exposure to felons and criminals. (Nothing wrong with felons and criminals, but children should not be around them until they can be rehabilitated.) The last thing I want to say is about the alumni meeting that happens every week where the parents are upstairs and the kids are downstairs. This meeting is nothing but the organizers controlling vulnerable parents who just want to help their kids. They will try to get you into Al-Anon (another 12 step program not based in science) and they will constantly shame you if you do not want to be a part of this group. They will say that you don't want to do what it takes to help your kid. My own mother became a victim of this mindset. Luckily through individualized therapy, we have both recovered from our Substance Use Disorders and our relationship is better than ever. Shaming parents and kids does not work in the long run and that is all these 12-steppers know how to do. I sincerely hope this review helps a parent make the right decision for their child. I suggest individualized and PRIVATE therapy for both the parents and the child who is struggling. read more

My son left a long term men's extended sober home to go to CFD Chicago location for an eating disorder. After 30 days, he had to leave due to insurance. The after care plan suggested was for him to go home and attend PHP at a facility 5 minutes away. This is NOT a safe and wise course of aftercare treatment for someone in recovery. It was recommended that my son not go back to his sober living home due to their emphasis on working out. I am heartbroken to say that the alternative we chose (PHP at the Chicago and then Florida facilities) did not work out. Living on his own, in an extended hotel, he relapsed and we have not been in contact with him, except when he needs money. In summary, while CFD's in patient program seems wonderful, the aftercare plan is extremely disappointing and does not take into consideration people who have a substance abuse disorder. read more

I've been out for a while and I finally feel like I have my power back from this evil program. I was held against my will misdiagnosed, gaslighted and brainwashed during my time here. All while dealing with staff that doesn't care for you and also has racist tendencies and will make BLATANT RACIST COMMENTS (as a nurse that's completely unacceptable and if it was in my power I would get that lady's license revoked. I also let the program leader of this house the male therapist know about these comments and he just had a conversation with me and her and did not report it anywhere else which you would think would happen since a nurse making racist comments is very concerning). There program is built on fear and runs very similar to our jail system here in the USA. Waking the kids up at 5 AM only to eat breakfast hours later to tire them out, not letting them in there rooms during the day, not actually setting these kids up for success once they leave and not teaching them PROPER NUTRITION. the amount of trauma, anxiety and feeling of unworthiness and ugliness I felt after leaving this place was insane!! And that's not some thing I struggled with before I came I was a very confident person who cared nothing about my weight and what I looked like in the mirror also didn't have ED triggers or behaviors and when I told them this the doctors and nurses and Therapist should've took the necessary steps to get me out of the program since I was there for something I didn't have. I really hope parents take the time to do their research on Center for discovery and any other programs before sending their kids because as being someone who's gone through I can confidently say you will be making one of the worst decisions of your entire life and the amount of strain it'll put on your relationship with your kid is monumental. jthese people who work this program a lot of them are students who are doing their few years of in the field training or are still studying in schools. The nurses talk bad about the kids behind their back and have an entire burn book where they write notes about the kids if they've been bad or who to watch out for. The head lady of this particular location exhibits very erratic behavior maybe it's her personality I don't know but it doesn't really fit with a therapeutic environment. I'm just really glad to be free and out of this program and able to share my experience with people before they make the horrible decision to send their child here. The strain it has put on me and my mom's relationship has been monumental I've experienced a lot of anger and resentment towards her for sending me here because I felt like I was sent away unprotected. then the program leaders were not the right fit for therapeutic leaders. (Lack of compassion) themove forward in the program is set up the way it is to get the most money out of your insurance. They can keep your kid back or say they're not ready or simply reading a book by themselves. Me and all the girls at one point had on our weekly behavior papers that we were all like "behaviorally unstable" which you can get that label for something as simple as saying no to the staff. The other thing we like to do is tell your kid that all you're doing great you're progressing and I'll call you on the phone and be like all she needs to be here another week she's not eating enough. This program is a cash grab and after experiencing what goes on especially in this house read more

The Center for Discovery saved our child's life...period. Everyone there is supportive, knowledgeable, and very professional. You have to go with the process and have faith that they know what they're doing. The recovery from eating disorders is a long road ahead but with the support and guidance of CFD, we honestly couldn't have done it without ALL of them. We as parents are not professionals with this mental disorder and we cannot do it alone...trust the process. Our child came home with more confidence on how to deal with this disorder. Did we miss our child...YES, but we would not have done it any other way now that we see what they did for her/us. read more

I was treated here for my eating disorder for about 3 1/2, almost 4 months. When I tell you that the time I spent there felt like forever, I mean it, but if it weren't for those agonizing days (they weren't that bad, it was all just so so hard) I had to spend there, I know that without a doubt I wouldn't be where I am today. Center for Discovery saved my life. I entered treatment with no motivation, no desire to get better; I wanted to remain sick. To put it simply, I hit rock bottom. One key thing that is important to note with treatment for any sort of mental illness, is that it takes patience to heal. The healing process requires time, patience and will have ups and downs. As I was told a million times by the staff at CFD, recovery isn't linear. The treatment team that I had took me seriously, they understood that eating disorders were difficult to deal with and they understood the eating disorder. The staff understood the ins and outs of eating disorder treatment, they offer help for people with all sorts of struggles. When I experienced struggles, which I did, they were there to support me. I particularly remember one instance when I was sobbing in my room's closet, I felt so tremendously guilty for making one of my peers uncomfortable (long story). As a highly sensitive individual, this hurt me, I felt horrible about myself. I felt as though the absence of my existence would've prevented my peer from experiencing such a feeling. The staff there took the time to talk it through with me, they gave me an outlet. I truly believe that this place, now matter how scary, is a safe space. I know that going to a residential treatment facility such as this can be terrifying, it is likely that someone who is being admitted shortly is reading this out of anxiety. If I can promise you one thing, it would be this, you will make it through no matter how difficult, no matter how long the road is, everything will go as planned. Maybe not your plan, but remember, everything will resolve itself. The outcome might not be the one you want, but life will go on. Struggles aren't the end of the world, requiring this level of care isn't the end of the world. I am immensely grateful for the treatment I received here, I met some incredible people that are still in my life today. I will continue to choose the path of recovery because I've learned that it's the only path that will give me a full life. Thank you for saving my life. (If anyone reading this is going to Center for Discovery Lakewood, look out for my initials written everywhere. One of my peers and I practically vandalized that place. I am in fact the famous , CL, or CLH; I wrote both sets of initials a bunch). read more

I had reservations about leaving a review here . I was at the Palis Verdes location for 2 weeks . I really gave my best effort. Unfortunately, I was very concerned that CFD was I'll prepared to treat my diabetes- I understand this is a eating disorder facility however, as a person with diabetes we must make healthy food choices /decisions that align with our blood sugar numbers. When my blood sugars reached numbers over 200. I was not allowed walk as I normally would to lower them . One staff told me not to look at my dexcom receiver ( blood sugar level) because this might be an attempt to get attention or upset residents with issues with numbers.. my Dexcom is life saving and it's imperative that I use it. Too control high blood sugars. The Goal is to regulate B.S. to avoid kidney failure. After an agonizing 18 days I chose to leave . This was a medically necessary. I believe this programs intention is to help not harm. They were not equipped to help me for two reasons. lack of understanding or lack of empathy and the need to flex power, Which stood in the way of good common read more

My granddaughter went there and had a horrible experience. Half of the time the kids are there with what amounts to baby sitters. After three weeks she became very depressed. She was shamed for her Christian faith read more

I am very disappointed in their approach in FBT and in disallowing the family to be part of the solution as their website claims. My adolescent refused to see her father and they allowed her to choose. We came to visit and she told us to leave. The facility enabled this decision making. We left devastated. read more

My daughter was here for about two months and did very well!! The staff was very supportive not only to family but most importantly to my daughter! She was treated with respect love professionalism and as an individual! Cfd allowed her to have a voice that was her own and not controlled by her ED. I have my bubbly strong beautiful daughter back. I am so grateful for the team for helping my daughter on her road to recovery and for being the light she needed when she was in a dark place !! read more

Not the best for treatment, only teenage babysitting. And not very good at that either. My child did not make much progress here. We came home after two weeks with a crisis situation. After seeing a psychiatrist for 20 mins at Ctr for discovery, he wanted to prescribe meds. This could have had dangerous consequences. The therapists were inexperienced and my child even said it was like "camp" where they played practical jokes and sneaked things to their rooms. They didn't even work on any " treatment goals". Also , they gave my child a sleep aid which was not allowed as written on his chart since this was a substance he had been abusing. Also its very east for anyone to cone in and out. Please find a Better place for your child's treatment. read more

My daughter was treated at this location for an eating disorder. She participated in the residential and partial day program over a period of 3 months. Throughout her entire treatment stay, the staff worked with our daughter to reestablish healthy eating habits. The staff worked with our entire family to promote an environment at home that would support her progress. CFD has provided my daughter with the tools she needs to work toward complete recovery. From the admissions staff to the personnel at the Lakewood House, CFD has been a support to our entire family. read more

BAD EXPERIENCE! What a nightmare! My son was admitted for being suicidal and he didn't see a therapist or doctor for more than 48 hours. He was left, just sitting in a room, with no care or attention. I would personally walk up to doctors and ask them to see my son and they would tell me that he was "going to be assigned to someone else". I just cannot understand how it is that an adolescent in a treatment facility can be handled with such callous disregard. My ex-husband and I finally pulled him out and after considering several other local teen rehabs, we ended up going with Visions Treatment ctr which is a blessing compared to this initial experience. read more

My daughter went to the adolescent residential house. It was a terrible experience and she came out as unstable as she went in. First the behavior modification model was traumatic. They constantly removed privileges every time she had an emotional reaction (why she was there). They were woefully understaffed and anytime 1 kid needed any one on one attention they were left with 1 staff person for the rest. The house was chaotic with kids leaving, awoling and acting out constantly. Having now seen a truly effective program at Paradigm I am further convinced at the waste of time this was. At Paradigm she had a team therapists, every staff member was highly trained, outings and support were constant, and gaining skills and addressing feelings was paramount. Sadly insurance companies continue to make this the only in network choice. We were fortunate to get a single case agreement for Paradigm because she already been to CFD and there were very few options nearby. If you can help it dont send your child there. read more

This place deserves 0 stars. The staff is inexperienced and don't know what they are doing and this place on their website preaches all this stuff that isn't true. everything is just eating and waking up and nothing else. They are liars and lie to parents that they will be there 24/7 for the kids when they don't even do that. Some of the nurses here are horrible at their job. Please don't keep your child here because It'll make things worse for them and there will be consequences when leaving your child here any longer. I had the mindset before of believing that it's different for other people and the doctors and nurses know what they're doing but after seeing my child for weeks I started to notice things that wasn't what she had before and I'm starting to hear that it's the same for the rest of the kids here. I will not name, names or point fingers but these nurses are rude to the children and when they have panic attacks they don't do what they are here for and just leave the kids crying and having anxiety attacks and don't do what they always tell us "there is a professional team ready to talk to your children" Please as a parent this program will not help your child! Your child will feel alone and feel like no one can help them! Don't leave your children here! They need new nurses and staff to work here because none of these staff know how to do their job. And if you have that mindset that it's different for every child and my child looks fine! Your child isn't safe here or will not get the help that they needed because there is a lot of parents already taking out their kids after seeing how horrible the staff treats these kids. These nurses and doctors are only here for a pay check. PLEASE take out your child read more

Just glorified babysitting. The staff are overworked and may be underpaid. Groups and programming are boring and repetitive. Don't send your loved ones there. read more

We sent our son to the Long Beach location of The Center for Discovery for addiction and depression. His condition worsened in the facility. We had a terrible experience and did not make ANY progress towards a healthy life. Kids were sneaking out of the facility, sneaking in drugs and cigarettes, making-out in bathrooms, lounging around in their pajamas all day, not doing their school work or treatment work, etc. The teens were basically on vacation and being enabled in their efforts to not make any changes in their lives. While the staff has good intentions, not one person there is capable of leading a successful program, the staff is not educated enough in rehabilitation, psychology or management to influence unmotivated teens. They do not encourage the teens to heal or work towards anything, they simply keep them in a place where they "think" the teens will not be able to use drugs or drink. Center for Discovery is a holding place to keep your child until you find a more permanent solution, it is not a solution. read more

Center for Discovery is by far the very BEST treatment for adolescence. If my daughter didn't go there, I believe with all my heart that she would have killed herself. What they did for her and my family is tremendous. Something happens there that is magical. I slowly got my daughter back. My daughter is sober. She follows the 12 steps. She has a full time job. She is living on her own. She has this amazing spirit and there is just something so special about her. I would have none of that if it wasn't for Discovery. I believe one of the most important things that Discovery does and it is so crucial...They care after treatment. Their aftercare is....there is nothing like it. I have this new BIG family now. They are as committed to our family's recovery now as they were 3 years ago. Not only did they save my beautiful daughter's life, they gave me one. There is no other program out there like this one. TRUST ME !!!!! Do you want to know why? Discovery is authentically there... always. The beginning, The middle, and the journey after. I am forever humbled and grateful for this program. read more

Center For Discovery saved my life not once but twice. That may sound like oh I couldn't stay sober from the first time, but the reason it was twice was because when I had 8 months sober I had to go back because my first love passed away. I couldn't deal with life anymore but I still wanted to be sober. But I want to start from the beginning. When I was at Center For Discovery the first time I was not an easy client to deal with. I had a lot of baggage and I had a serious drinking problem among other things. I was withdrawing, angry, and emotionally numb. I had the biggest facade ever but the staff at Center For Discovery saw through it. Instead of believing that I was great like I told them I was they would take me aside and really want to know what was going on. My therapist Bob was amazing. He was able to help me understand things about myself that I thought could never be fixed. When I left Center For Discovery I didn't want to, because I developed special relationships with every single staff member there. They took the time to help me through my fears and my addiction. When I left I met two amazing people who ran the Discovery In Recovery meetings. Todd and Lynne helped me even more after I wasn't a client anymore. They were available to help whenever I was in need. They stuck their hands out to help me and I took them. When the passing of my first love happened Lynne and Todd reached out right away and had two amazing memorials for him. After his passing I slipped into a really bad depression but Todd and Lynne were still there and try to talk to me. After a couple months of his passing I tried to end my life. I was sent to a mental hospital then to Center For Discovery. Once again I was not the best client very bitter and angry, but they stuck by me and helped me through the pain. I am forever grateful to Center For Discovery because without them I would be dead. read more