Center Building - Institute of Living - Hartford, Connecticut

Melted P.

Giving 2 stars only.

For the few nurses and staff inside the inpatient ward who are compassionate, they deserve a raise but they are indeed, as rare as diamonds.

The one head of psychiatry in Donnelly adult ward, female psychiatrist, is pretty no-nonsense about her job. Not the friendlinest but not exactly Ratched either. Your mileage may vary--are you voluntary? Mandated? Can you just do as you're told without a fuss?

Social workers are hit or miss here regarding their missions.

The IOP one should be very wary of, they like to pencil-whip shameful diagnoses in only knowing a brief glimpse that stay on a record for life. Again, perhaps YMMV on that one.

Perhaps not the worst psych facility in the nation, or maybe even the state, but...when you look at the history of mental health care in American history, none of it has been pretty and that's not liable to change in the foreseeable future without aggressive reform from the INSIDE out. (dismantling and restructuring the entire system, but let's be real: this is America, all health care is for profit)

Dave

The BEST day treatment experience I’ve ever had!!! I’m in my 50’s and I’ve dealt with depression since I was 13. I have tried many different places for my depression and ptsd and they are the BEST!!!
It is very possible that the negative reviews might be from court ordered people. Give the place a chance. I swear by the day treatment! Tracey Garbarino who runs it, she has dedicated her life to help others and she has made sure they have the absolute BEST to treat you!!!
I had an Excellent, Excellent Clinician named Trista. I had groups with all the other clinicians as well. All the staff there are Truly Amazing! Life will get better for you if you go there! I really hope you feel better!!!

Beth M.

DO NOT SEND A LOVED ONE TO THIS PLACE! My only child went here. I begged the "social worker" (useless) to place him in a rehabilitation facility. She called me and told me he was coming home, that's where he lives and if you don't like it you can evict him. Yes, that is what the horrendous lady told me. He came home on 9/3. He died on 9/7. They do what they want. They do not listen to the family. I would never send anyone here. Please send your loved one to any other place in the world!

Matt D.

I was a patient there for 2 weeks. It was like being in a nursing home. I didn’t receive any one on one therapy until day 11. Group therapy was basic and just dumb. Total waste of my time. The nursing staff were mostly fine. My psychiatrist was so nasty she’d make anyone wish their sueside attempt had been successful. I CANNOT recommend

Lexi T.

I started as a patient in May 2020 until June 2024. Outpatient medication management. The front desk never answered and hardly called back. They wouldn’t give me a 90 day supply of my meds even though I’ve been on the same regimen since I began seeing them. I had to FIGHT to get my meds refilled and even went into withdrawal because either the message wasn’t received by the physician or they just wouldn’t call back. I recently moved out of state and found another psychiatrist that actually treats me like a human and answers me when I need them. I do not recommend this facility in any sense.

Dan L.

This place is amazing! I have met many many clinicians in my search for proper mental health treatment and every single one at IOL are absolutely top notch. All the people who work here are kind compassionate and very intelligent. The life skills they teach are truly transformative.

William D.

The Institute of Living's Intensive Out Patient (IOP) program is outstanding. Very qualified and caring staff with expertise in my, and many other specific needs. Evidence based treatment approaches, cognitive and dialectical behavior therapy, individualized treatment plans, a safe and supportive environment, a thorough intake process and the ability to address co-occurring conditions, different levels of care and substance abusive. Quality therapy sessions like coping skills, self esteem, family issues, stress management, etc. IOL is an outstanding 200 year old institution with a seller reputation.

Judy W.

Do not recommend, my 15 year went to the institute of living with hopes of getting past her depression anxiety, which was causing difficulties to have a appetite. we were told family therapy sessions would take place which never happened, she went there with being in my primary custody she left there with her father after not not wanting to see him for 2 years before going to this place. but we were in the process of getting him back into her life. ( family sessions) I got to see my daughter for one day before Kendra had spoken with her and put the idea of sexual abuse in her head this conclusion was made from watching her ? Not only that but everytime I gave a valid explanation for anything that was said she would immediately say what your daughter said is contradicting that, my daughter was and is obsessed with a older boy they knew that! my daughter was also extremely under weight, dehydrated and had just tried to harm herself and not thinking right!. A lot of the time when not responding with the contradiction I also got a weird disbelief or confused humming sound from her which was concerning. False memories were definitely created from whatever was said to her. My daughter went there underweight due to her disorder and not thinking logically, they made her worse mentally!! she gained weight while she was there, but now her mental state is still very messed up. They never checked in to make sure her safety plan with her father was actually in place with a IOP before discharging like they said they did that she was supposed to be in. They failed my daughter on so many levels and made a mess of my family. I nor my family have seen my daughter in almost 2 months, she was supposed to leave there finally having both her father and I in her life only to leave and be with one biological parent again. if you want your family to stay together and your child to be healthy and happy STAY AWAY from this place please