Hickory Behavioral Network Ohio

“My time here was the happiest I had felt in a very long time. It was so nice to get away from the stress of the world. I felt heard and understood. It truly felt like the doctor and staff here cared about me and wanted what was best for my future. In the past a previous place made me feel broken and they just threw medications at me without truly understand me or my situation. I made the mistake of forming friendships while here. While kept here I was a pure and unapologetic version of myself and upon release I quickly learned the people I befriended where not who they represented themselves as in the outside world. When leaving I felt like I had new people in my life I could trust as a support system and who I could hopefully help by being a listening ear, this was not the case. It has really had a negative impact on my mental health having this false sense of hope. I wish I did not have to leave, I want to go back and not make the mistakes I did last time. My best advice to anyone going here is to stay optimistic, be honest and to not get too close to any other patients.”

“I say this from my experience there and how poorly I was treated despite having the help of the patient advocate there who genuinely helped me. I was made fun of and laughed at by staff and could hear staff making fun of people. This retraumatized me all over again. They didn't let me go to the hospital when I asked for ongoing physical issues and pain. Dr. Sep was very retalitory towards me and constantly overlooked me to talk to my BOYFRIEND instead about MY meds, and MY treatment and would not answer my genuine concerns directly. There was an amazing advocate, an amazing nurse on 3rd shift and a few more genuine people there. If you can't handle people yelling and acting out because they are in a crisis, then you do not need to be in this field. I saw alot of the patients being talked about and laughed at in their worst moments. Ask for an advocate to help you. I felt unsafe here in Dr. Seph's hands. I was treated horribly at the most critical time where some kindness and empathy and simply someone listening would have mattered the most. I will never go this route for treatment again, nor will I go anywhere in the southern ohio region. You are significantly better off going to a larger more well prepared staff and facility, and I beg people to please ask for an advocate, they legally HAVE to get you one. You deserve to have somebody stand up for you, even if you are in that state. I had to ask 5 seperate times, but it ended up being my amazing social worker, Brittany, who got one for me. Dr. Seph has been doing this for 52 years and it is NOT ok to treat a patient that way just because they are a WOMEN and asking questions. He treated my boyfriend like he was my caretaker and said he had to keep me the full 72 and that it was state law out of spite, only to release me in under that because I stood up to him. If voluntary, you can sign to refuse treatment and legally are allowed a second opinion. I can tell that most of the staff genuinley cares, I can tell they are burnt out, but without some sort of retraining and more funding, I wouldn't be suprised if a tragedy occured here. If I had wanted to die (which I don't and did not), there were plenty of ways to do so in the room alone, and that's not good. It made me constantly worry about the others who may have the intent and determination to do so. They put ankle monitors on you to check you through an app (have to be within 3ft to be accounted) but they don't have to actually see you. I took mine off because I'm not a dog and I genuinley feel that in a place like that you need to have constant eyes on everybody closely by personal or from a distance, which they did not. While alot of the things I brought up can be fixed with retraining, Dr. Sep is a different entity. It felt like the final time, he was purposely trying to get a reaction out of me, all because i wanted to consult with my own psyche and therapist, over all the info he gave me about MOST of the methods I was interested in going down. I wanted a proper diagnosis, didn't get one, and then he put on my paperwork I have Bulemia because of constant vomiting since October, after that second meeting, even though my vomiting did not correlate with my eating at all. I have several outside witnesses who have seen me at most vomit bile and stomach acid, liquid, etc. including staff at hospitals after feeding me, and several people in public. This vomiting is likely related to side effects of medications I had been taking before. However, on my discharge papers I have apparently bulimia, implying I am faking it. In the end, I filed a formal complaint, had to get lawyers, my full psych team, family and boyfriend and an in person patient advocate to help get me out of there, in under 72 Because the treatment I needed wasnt there and was worsening. They were not prepared for it. He even refused to let me do my remaining 72 in the ER because he "knew I would say that" despite all my levels being extremley low before coming in. The stress from being there has set me back significantly.”

“Hickory Behavioral was just the escape I needed to clear my head and discontinue getting in My own way. I stayed from 10-1-25 until 10-8-25 and the staff, Nurse Practitioner Laiken was straightforward as am I and also very compassionate with patients making sure anyone who needed to speak with her would be seen before she left. The RNs were top notch and explained the meds and effects accurately with kindness. The facility overall was tidy, cleanly, cleaned daily and the food as well as the cooks were highly exceptional and the group sessions were always filled with laughter and created a bond between patients as well as staff therefore I would recommend for anyone who needs a thorough self evaluation and balance in one's life. I have found a place to stay, gained employment and am on my feet and content thanks to Hickory Recovery and all of the staff that contributed to my mental growth in a trying time which I am forever grateful for! - Josh Rabatin”

“Horrible workers picking up phones. I had a issue i asked to speak to a manager. I was places on hold and a lady came on stated she was the district manager i begin telling her wat i called for. Some odd reason the phone was disconnected i called back asked to speak with the very same person which was the district manager. The person on the line informed me that there is no way she can get the district manager on the phone and that i couldnt have been speaking with the district manager previously. Totally unprofessional and unacceptable . They do not care about you or your loved ones stay away from this place. Get some help some where else”