Rio Vista Behavioral Health

“Inpatient department review — sharing this so other families can make an informed decision. I would not choose this facility again for an adolescent. The biggest issues were communication, consistency, and transparency. • Intake: We were given very little information about the program, rules, restrictions, treatment, or what to expect. • Therapy: Communication between staff was clearly not on the same page. I mostly dealt with nurses and had to physically go in to request a therapist. I was told therapy was happening, but the documentation later provided did not match what we were told. The “therapy” was mostly extremely short check-ins. • Treatment plan/diagnosis: We repeatedly asked for a treatment plan and never received one. We were also given inconsistent information about the diagnosis. The doctor told us one diagnosis during a meeting, while the documented diagnosis was something completely different that had never been properly explained to the patient or family. • The doctor: This was probably my biggest concern. When my sister tried to express how she was feeling, he was dismissive. On one occasion, while she was crying, he essentially responded with “What do you want me to do about it?” That interaction really stuck with our family. If you’re working with adolescents in a mental health crisis, I expect more empathy and engagement than that. • Medication: We had concerns about how frequently medications were being changed. Afterward, we spoke with an outside provider who also felt the medication should not have been switched so frequently. That definitely made us question the treatment decisions even more. • HIPAA: HIPAA was repeatedly brought up when we requested basic information and documentation. My family works in healthcare, so we understand confidentiality, but the way it was being used in these situations did not make sense to us. • Discharge: We received conflicting information about when discharge was actually happening. The patient was also discharged without her prescription. When I called about a missed dose and asked what we should do, I was told she could “deal with one day off” and that she “wasn’t a patient anymore,” even though she was still connected to outpatient care. • Follow-through: I brought these concerns to a supervisor and was told they would address them. I continued calling throughout the day trying to get answers from the doctor, but the same issues continued. • Actual experience: During the stay, my sister repeatedly reported feeling disconnected, staying in bed, and not really doing anything. I reported this to staff and asked them to do more to engage and motivate her. I didn’t feel enough was done. She also spoke with multiple other adolescents there who expressed very similar concerns about the care and experience. Even one staff member expressed that they didn’t feel the stay was helping and sympathized with her. I will say that some of the nurses were genuinely great, and I appreciate the ones who actually listened and helped. I understand inpatient care requires structure and safety, but when you’re treating adolescents during a mental health crisis, the treatment should actually match the level of care you’re providing. We shouldn’t have had to constantly chase answers or question whether the information we were receiving was accurate. I’m not saying everyone will have the same experience. I’m sharing ours because I would have wanted to know these things beforehand. Ask questions. Get things in writing. Ask for the treatment plan, diagnosis, medication plan, therapy schedule, and discharge paperwork. Personally, based on our experience, I would choose UBH instead.”

“I'm going to explain everything to the best of my ability. In 2025, I experienced significant mental health challenges that prompted me to seek help. After discussing my situation with several people, Child Protective Services (CPS) became involved, and they recommended that I go to Rio for further evaluation and support. Following their advice, I underwent a comprehensive assessment, which concluded that I needed to be admitted for treatment. This news was difficult for my family, especially my mother, who was visibly emotional as she packed my belongings for the stay. Upon arrival, I encountered a lengthy waiting period before the intake process began, the reasons for which were unclear to me. Eventually, I was thoroughly examined by the medical staff, who instructed me to remove certain items, such as my laced shoes, to ensure my safety and prevent any potential harm. The facility maintained a high level of professionalism, and I found the environment to be well-organized and conducive to mental health care. After settling in, I attended dinner and later returned to my room, where my roommate kindly explained the daily routine and activities. Following this introduction, I prepared for bed. Reflecting on my experience, I would rate the food as excellent, giving it a 10 out of 10. The cleanliness of the facility was satisfactory, earning a 7 out of 10, while hygiene standards could be improved, for which I would give a 4 out of 10. The comfort level was moderate, at 5 out of 10, and the staff were generally attentive and supportive, deserving an 8 out of 10. Overall, the facility provided a positive environment for recovery, though I would strongly recommend enhancing privacy measures for patients to improve their comfort and sense of security. However, it is important to note that the cost of this care was quite high—approximately $2,000—which seems excessive for a facility that is intended to provide support and healing. This expense adds an additional layer of stress for patients and their families, which could be alleviated with more affordable options or financial assistance”

“I had a great experience working with Diana Villareal. She truly listened to all of our concerns and made sure my family and I felt supported throughout the entire process. She was always responsive, answered every phone call, and provided clear and helpful information whenever we needed it. On top of being professional and knowledgeable, she was also very charismatic and kind, which made the experience even better.”

“I have had the pleasure of working with Rio Vista Behavioral Health both professionally and personally, and I can confidently say that I trust and highly recommend their services. As someone who works at an outpatient mental health clinic, I've collaborated with Rio Vista on many occasions, and the experience has always been positive. I've heard nothing but great feedback from our patients who have been referred to RVBH, and it's clear that they provide compassionate, quality care. Their dedication to their patients and professionalism make them a trusted partner in mental health services. I highly recommend Rio Vista Behavioral Health.”