Testimonials
What Our Clients, Their Families, and Clinical Partners Are Saying
“This place was amazing. I suffer from bipolar disorder, and Pasadena Villa addressed my disorder. The psychiatrist put me on the right medications and really understood my diagnosis. The staff was incredible and there were kids there my age, which made it much more comfortable. With anything that you’re going through, they can help you recover. We did fun activities on Fridays, and we also went on cool excursions. Throughout the week we had art therapy and other classes, which helped me understand and target specific things I needed to work on. They also provided me with tools to use in everyday life after treatment…I really enjoyed my stay and I’m happy that I’m healthier and that I was treated for my diagnosis. It was all because of them. I recommend this place to anyone! I’ve been to a different facility before, but this place was the one that really helped me. Thank you, Pasadena!” – Grateful The Villa Orlando Alumnus
“Long story short, this Pasadena Villa center was the best therapeutic experience I’ve had in over a decade of trying to work through therapy. The therapists and staff have the utmost respect for patients, their privacy, and autonomy. They operate with a lot of flexibility in structuring its program to meet your needs. I was exposed to so much, from the lives of other group members to the benefits of acupuncture and acupressure. The work did not come easily, but it certainly paid off. I can’t imagine how else I would’ve spent the past few weeks of my life if not here, because it was exactly what I needed.” – Grateful Alumnus
“Truly unlike any other therapy I had received prior. All the therapists at Pasadena are amazing and make the space so welcoming. If you have the option to go to Pasadena, I would really recommend it. It changed my view on certain areas of my life and helped me to better understand where my depression and anxiety were stemming from. The therapists cater to individual needs and make sure everyone is heard, seen, and comfortable. Vulnerability and inner work/healing are hard, but it’s extremely rewarding and I’m super grateful to have had such a supportive team of therapists and other individuals during this experience. I urge anyone who is struggling to try it out.” – Grateful Alumnus
“Pasadena Villa was a reformative experience for my mental health. I entered the program at an all-time low, and I left feeling hopeful and having the tools and skills necessary to cope with life and not be overcome by my issues. It is a comfortable and safe environment led by encouraging and helpful staff. I would recommend this to anyone thinking about entering a program of this nature.” – Grateful Alumnus
“I began the program in an extremely negative place in my life and I was able to slowly obtain the tools that I needed to begin my own healing process. I have not fully recovered, but I feel that Pasadena Villa has prepared me to face my anxieties and the world with confidence that I will be successful.” – Grateful Alumnus
“This center was extremely helpful at a time in my life where I really needed help and didn’t know where to turn. At Pasadena Villa you learn skills that help in all of life’s stressful situations, make life-long friends and connections, and get expert help from an incredibly caring and knowledgeable staff. I encourage anyone who is considering treatment to check out Pasadena Villa. It’s a safe place for personal growth and healing.” – Grateful Alumnus
When I came to Pasadena Villa, I was depressed and unable to keep myself safe. The program helped me overcome my depression and anxiety. My therapist, Dar, was great and helped me get back to being my happy self. I would recommend this place for anyone who is struggling with their mental health. – Grateful Alumnus, The Villa Orlando
“We had a very difficult situation with a young family member. For our family this was a good place. We felt our family member was safe there and could get the help they needed. They are doing much better now. We were very lucky and had a good outcome. Our experience was every single staff person was nice, friendly, helpful, and always in contact with us. They worked with us to help our family member get better and were always informing us what was going on.” – Grateful Family Member of a The Villa Orlando Alumnus
“The program helped our son immensely. We were extremely fortunate it was a great match between him and the services the program offered.” – Grateful Parent of an Alumnus
“We are very pleased with the care. Our son is doing much better, and we look forward to welcoming him and have faith in the program.” – Grateful Parent of an Alumnus
“Other than my son’s determination, Pasadena Villa has been the reason he has stabilized and been so accomplished in reaching the goals he sets for himself. Your structure, support, compassion, experience, and meeting individualized needs are outstanding.” – Grateful Parent of an Alumnus
“The staff at the business office was very responsive and helpful. Everything was excellent. The Clinical Services Managers and the Psychiatrists are all outstanding individuals. Their background and experience provided an excellent foundation for our son to find balance in dealing with his illness. He has an excellent therapist; she is tenacious and compassionate, and it’s evident how much she cared. Please thank the nursing staff – they were always available and provided an additional source of feedback. We are holding our breath, hoping for the best. Thank you, Pasadena Villa Smoky Mountain Lodge.” – Grateful Parent of a Smoky Mountain Lodge Alumnus
“Other than my son’s determination, Pasadena Villa has been the reason he has stabilized and been so accomplished in reaching the goals he sets for himself. Your structure, support, compassion, experience, and meeting individualized needs are outstanding.” – Grateful Parent of an Alumnus
“My son just started this program a week and a half ago and I cannot speak highly enough of what he has gained already. My son has challenges with integrating into a new environment or with new people and he’s been eating up all the skills they are teaching him. If I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it. Issues that have been a problem for him for years are being addressed and corrected on a daily basis. Over the years, it seems like we had tried everything on the planet to help our son, but apparently not…not until now with this program.” – Grateful Parent of an Alumnus
“As a family member of a resident of Smoky Lodge, I can truly say after four months of working with their team and flying up to meet members in person, our family could not be happier with the care my brother received. The staff goes above and beyond in teaching/assisting their residents, while providing a level of friendship and community my brother needed. It’s heartbreaking enough to have to have a family member be that far away, yet when I called, the staff answered and assured me of my brothers care and well-being. We are entirely grateful for my brothers stay.” – Grateful Sibling of a Smoky Mountain Lodge Alumnus
“There are very few resources in this country for parents of an adult child who is struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse. I can’t thank the staff at Pasadena Villa enough for helping my son to get the help he desperately needed while being treated with respect. He was a resident for about two months and in that time, he finally found the right combination of medication while learning how to deal with his condition. His therapist had a weekly call with us to discuss his progress and the plans for the next step after Pasadena Villa. Our initial call was with the treating physician as well. Our son loved the group outings and pet therapy. I highly recommend talking with the admissions staff if you are looking for help. They did a thorough review of our son’s case, including talking with us about his past to assess if this was an appropriate place for him. I’m forever grateful.” – Grateful Parent of an Alumnus
“My daughter’s experience at Pasadena Villa was superb. The brilliant views, the healthy food, the fitness equipment, and the musical instruments (used for spontaneous jam sessions) were great. Then combine that with group sessions that encourage healthy healing friendships and practical tools for emotional regulation. One of the best elements was the weekly family counseling sessions (via conference calls or Skype) that helped everyone heal. After a few months, my child re-accessed hope and self-efficacy and can participate in life again! I am eternally grateful.” – Grateful Parent of an Alumnus
“Pasadena Villa provided a first-rate therapeutic program. The staff was exceptionally caring and responsive to family requests to be kept informed and was also well versed in a range of therapies, which were tailored to individual needs. Unlike other residential treatment centers we explored, Pasadena Villa had the best approach to social integration, offering supervised opportunities to go into town, for example, to have coffee, see a movie or go bowling, giving residents a sense of autonomy. The variety of classes and experiences offering different tools to deal with problems, along with recreational classes and individual and group sessions, help make Pasadena Villa unique.” – Grateful Sibling of an Alumnus
“What a unique facility! The staff is incredibly talented, and the program really works. Despite years of failed outpatient therapy, the residential treatment at Pasadena Villa was the key to giving my family member his life back. The results were well worth the expense. I give the facility and staff (in Orlando) the highest praise and thanks for all they accomplished.” – Grateful Family Member of The Villa Orlando Alumnus
“Our family had such a wonderful experience at Pasadena Villa. My family member received the best treatment from there, until she was ready to move forward. We traveled from California just to have her go to Pasadena Villa and would have kept her continuing treatment there if it wasn’t out of state. The staff was so attentive to all needs and remain in contact to follow up with our family. Thank you, Pasadena Villa, for giving our family the best chance, and starting us on the right track for treatment.” – Grateful Family Member of an Alumnus
“Phenomenal care for my son! Helped him tremendously. He still has a long way to go but the therapists were able to get through to him about the importance of taking medication, helped him get back into a healthy sleep rhythm, and pretty much helped save his life. The after care plan has been a God send! We were glad to get some answers about his behaviors. I would love to do some family therapy at some point for sure!” – Grateful Parent of a Smoky Mountain Lodge Alumnus
“As a mental health professional in private practice, Pasadena Villa provides me with invaluable services to offer my clients–partial hospitalization, or intensive outpatient care is sometimes necessary to help clients struggling with acute disorders. Pasadena Villa and the entire staff are invested in our community and in helping our clients in their journey to mental, emotional and physical well-being.” – Grateful Clinical Partner
“As a local practicing psychologist, I’ve included the Villa Orlando as a competent referral source in residential rehabilitation for over 10 years. With the Villa, I can count on quality care from licensed/credentialed medical, therapeutic, and assisting staff. The social integration model is a bonus other residential treatment facilities are not equipped to provide. The “real-life” challenges this treatment model allows means residents can have therapeutic support while engaging in independent behavior at their level of readiness. Residents complete the program with the skills necessary to maintain stability and further their personal growth.” – Grateful The Villa Orlando Clinical Partner
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with and referring to Pasadena Villa for several years now, and with each client, my admiration for the staff and their facilities grow. From my first trip to the Smokey Mountains over six years ago to my last trip to downtown Orlando, FL, I’ve always been impressed with Pasadena’s staff, programs, clinical excellence, accommodations, activities, and food. Both Saturday night smoothies in Orlando and homemade pizza in the mountains rate high marks, but it’s their team and treatment services that have earned my five stars. Compassion, empathy, knowledge, and professionalism, along with genuine care and concern are what makes Pasadena Villa team special. We delivered a young man to the Smoky Mountain campus just this week. What a beautiful place to enjoy the summer and heal your life. With love and respect.” – Greateful Clinical Partner, The Villa Orlando and Smoky Mountain Lodge
“I have worked with Pasadena Villa for many years as a referring professional. They have always worked hard for my clients assuring that they are the right fit for the client’s needs, and – if not – help find the right place for the client. I have had the pleasure of touring both Smoky Mountain Lodge and The Stables. It’s a beautiful, serene, and clinically astute program. I highly recommend their programs and trust their expertise. Additionally, working with their local outreach professional, Corinne, has been a true pleasure. She’s professional, kind, and compassionate. I have followed up with the client’s families and they have all good things to say as well. As a professional, it is tough to trust someone else with your client, but I don’t worry at all when I hand them off to the staff at Pasadena Villa. For that, I am grateful.” – Grateful Clinical Partner, Smoky Mountain Lodge and the Stables Autism Program
“As a referring professional, I gauge my program options on specific criteria such as reviews of patients placed at a program, follow through by staff working within the program, ability to communicate with staff serving the population, and experiences of others doing similar placements at the given program. No one program can ‘fix’ an individual. What does happen at Smoky Mountain Lodge from my experiences is an improvement of the life of the patient by providing them with successful opportunities.” – Grateful Smoky Mountain Lodge Clinical Partner