LifeStream Behavioral Center

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We have gone to Lifestream since they were in their old office - at this new location I have found the staff to be pleasant & helpful. On the pediatric side, we never have to wait hours (like before) The pediatric psychs have changed often but are excellent. Dr. Girlie is terrific! - she's professional, approachable, 'knows her stuff' & works excellently with kids. I hope she stays.

Part 2: I know many girls there that were used to, or starting new diet/exercise programs. That change can effect mental health as well. It would be great to have a nutritional class that discusses the basics of the macro and micronutrients, and how they work in the body. Discussing healthy diets backed up be scientific research would also be very beneficial. Talking about healthy body image would also be great, as many young girls in particular can have unhealthy body images, resulting in unhealthy lifestyle associated with food and exercise. Dangers and consequences of poor nutrition needs to be discussed. Since a lot of the "free" time is sitting in the day rooms and watching junk television, it would seem more appropriate that lifestreams get rid of the cable, take that money and invest it in mental wellness videos. Suggestions would be videos about anxiety, depression, bipolar, eating disordets, suicide, schizophrenia, etc. It would be great to hear a spiritually uplifting message/have a church service available on certain days. It would be great if there was a morning announcement type system, along with a daily detailed schedule of what to expect during the day. Please include the day of the week and date. It's easy to lose track of days in this place, and it will help take the repetitive questions away from staff. Having a clock in each room would also be helpful. I understand resources are limited, but they are so important to patients recovery. Florida is hot, and most of the girls come in with the clothes on their backs. It is SO cold in this place. I know it's to keep the germs and viruses down, but it would be wonderful if jackets could be supplied for the time a patient stays at Lifestreams. Feeling crazy, and walking around shaking all day is not beneficial to mental health. Painting warm inviting colors around the place with positive inspirational messages on the walls would be great. It's all so white and cold. This place definitely needs some more uplifting positive images inside the units. I did notice some "sunshine from darkness" inspirational paintings in the halls and lunch area outside the women's unit. A good sound system that continues to play hopeful, positive message would be another great benefit! Music is contagious, and a good message can really help the mind get out of a dark place. I pray someone who has the power and resources will implement these changes and really help change the lives of those suffering from mental illness.

Part 1 of review: Pros: Most of the staff was helpful, knowledgeable, kind, and caring. You have to be very patient and mentally strong to care for people that suffer from mental illness. The psychoeducational classes were very beneficial. Especially the ones about emotions and healthy techniques to handle negative feelings. These really helped me cope and become aware of when a negative thought or emotion arises. I feel better prepared to handle my emotions since being educated about them. These should happen everyday! Take the time to teach patients how to care for themselves, so they don't have to come back! (Hopefully less often) The dog therapy was a great idea. Very helpful to have the time with animals. I am grateful this was available at Lifestreams and hope it continues. Cons: Some of the staff got irritable and disrespectful at times. It'sunderstandable, because working in mental health can have a toll on the staff's mental health as well. There is a bit of a double standard though, patients are expected not to show emotions including irritability or crying, when staff can sometimes behave in irritable manners. I also had a staff member "jokingly" grab me and scare me right before getting bloodwork done. Not ok. Upper management needs to make sure staff has a great benefits and incentives package. Also better or more continuous training and education about mental health to better equip them at work. It's hard to be isolated from loved ones. There needs to be better discernment and explanation about what emotions are acceptable for compliance to be reached, and how we can express a healthy emotion. Mental illness is not easy, it's not made up, the feelings that come with it are very valid to the person experiencing them. More clarity about compliance, as well as set consequences for noncompliance needs to be repeated daily/and or a poster needs to be in plain sight with rules and expectations. It's easy to forget what is expected when you are in an unhealthy mental state. No hairbrushes, only small combs in the hygiene kits. Many of the girls have long hair, and it's impossible to comb out the knots. It doesn't feel good to be crazy with crazy hair to boot. This place needs an updated phone system. The phone was glitchy and difficult to use. I had to dial several ways and times to get through to my family. Suggestions: Seeing a doctor/bloodwork/physical symptoms need to be addressed ASAP. Many times mental illness is associated with chemical imbalances in the brain/physiological problems. I found out almost too late that my potassium levels were dangerously low. After adding potassium and vitamins to my medicine regimen during my stay, my mind began to return to its normal function and felt a thousand times better. Just because someone has a history of mental illness does not mean their symoms are all in their head. Poor nutrition, sleep patterns, self talk, and beliefs about one's self are all contributing factors to mental health. A wholeness approach needs to be taken. Getting to know a person's patterns/habits in each of these areas will make it easier to determine the suggestions/replacements for healthier patterns/habits that should be recommended for the individual. Each person's story is different.

I go to the WIN Clinic for medical care. They have been a blessing in my life. Everyone I have been attended by has been wonderful. God bless them and allow them to continue to help people.

Ava, the woman who answers the phone is extremely rude and unhelpful, this job is not meant for her. But in other news, Carlos is an amazing person there. I appreciate how much he helped me after I spoke to him about an emergency situation. He is a blessing, and the only person I want to hear when I call! He changes opinions, and I am thankful for him.

I went yesterday with my wife to meet my therapist, Mrs. Kerryanne Shea, (LMFT) since I have a history of mental illness and needed follow up for my condition! I was 2 years in Florida trying to find a place to go for help for my condition! I was called and meet and talked with this excellent therapist who took the time to listen to my life story and my issues! She is very humane, friendly, took more than 1 hour to channel the services I needed for my condition! She is a consummate and excellent health care professional and scheduled weekly appointments for me to receive the much needed theraphy that I required for my condition. She decided to talk with the psychiatrist before my already scheduled appointment in January 2016 for it to be changed as soon as possible! I thank God and the Virgin Mary for giving us the pleasure of meeting such a excellent therapist and human being after almost 3 years in Florida searching for the right place for my condition! After she finished with me she even called my wife in and was talking to her about what I had and what she was going to do to channel the services that I needed! In my opinion this is the best lifestream Behavioral Mental Heath Center clinic in Florida and the World! God bless the professionals and staff that work here! Today on 11/13/15, I met for the first time our psychiatrist, Dr. Carol Couts, She is a excellent Physician and human beign! She took the time to listen to my life story and recommended the proper theraphy! She is up to date on all mental diseases and has excellent Customer Services, especially to mental health patients! I give thanks to God and the Virgin Mary for giving me the pleasure of meeting such a excellent Mental health physician and excellent staff at Lifestream at Clermont. I am a patient of Lifestream, Clermont for the last two or three years! I was treated for my neurological and psychiatric conditions by 2 excellent phychiatrist physicians, Dr. Carol Couts who retired last year and with Dr. Valdes who replaced Dr Couts. Today 06/22/17, I came for F/U appt with Dr. Valdes and for unknown reasons she now evaluates psychiatric pediatric patients only and they put for my evaluation with a Nurse Practitioner, Mrs. Edeline who when I entered the office in a rude manner and with attitude told me that she was going to diminish or discontinued my anxiety medication and that she was not going to treat me for my neurological condition treated before by phychiatrists in Lifestream Clermont, because she said that when my neurological condition deteriorated I will need a neurologist! I told her that in my treatment for my Bipolar disorder for the last 30 years the anxiety medication was prescribed to me by my Dr. In Puerto Rico to prevent aggressive reactions to my family! After I came to Florida, Dr. Couts and Dr. Valdes treated me with medications for both my neurological and psychiatric disorders for the last 2 or 3 years and I was stable and they always refilled my medications without problems! In summary she told me that she was going to refill my medication for 6 month's and to get a evaluation by a neurologist and that on the next visit she was going to diminish or discontinued my anxiety medication although I told her that with that medication I was not aggressive with my family! In summary although I got a F/U appt with this Nurse Practitioner in 6 months, I am going to cancel all appointments with Lifestream Clermont and will find a new phychiatrist and a neurologist! I will never step foot in this place again and I will not recommend them to anyone!

I went yesterday with my wife to meet my therapist, Mrs. Kerryanne Shea, (LMFT) since I have a history of mental illness and needed follow up for my condition! I was 2 years in Florida trying to find a place to go for help for my condition! I was called and meet and talked with this excellent therapist who took the time to listen to my life story and my issues! She is very humane, friendly, took more than 1 hour to channel the services I needed for my condition! She is a consummate and excellent health care professional and scheduled weekly appointments for me to receive the much needed theraphy that I required for my condition. She decided to talk with the psychiatrist before my already scheduled appointment in January 2016 for it to be changed as soon as possible! I thank God and the Virgin Mary for giving us the pleasure of meeting such a excellent therapist and human being after almost 3 years in Florida searching for the right place for my condition! After she finished with me she even called my wife in and was talking to her about what I had and what she was going to do to channel the services that I needed! In my opinion this is the best lifestream Behavioral Mental Heath Center clinic in Florida and the World! God bless the professionals and staff that work here! Today on 11/13/15, I met for the first time our psychiatrist, Dr. Carol Couts, She is a excellent Physician and human beign! She took the time to listen to my life story and recommended the proper theraphy! She is up to date on all mental diseases and has excellent Customer Services, especially to mental health patients! I give thanks to God and the Virgin Mary for giving me the pleasure of meeting such a excellent Mental health physician and excellent staff at Lifestream at Clermont