SunCloud Health Outpatient and Residential Treatment Center

“SunCloud Health was, by far, the worst experience I have ever had throughout my mental health journey. If I could give this facility negative stars I would, as their misdiagnosis and improper treatment exponentially perpetuated my suffering. If you have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and are experiencing a mental health crisis, DO NOT GO HERE. Paralyzed by anxiety throughout 2019 I was unable to handle my panic symptoms which culminated in me being unable to eat and sleep. I could barely make it through a work day and felt like I was only a moment away from a nervous breakdown, so willingly decided to take FMLA and enter treatment. After researching and participating in intake sessions at various options across Chicagoland, I chose SunCloud because they made me feel taken care of. From the second I started my intake it felt like they "got me", and as long as I followed their program, I would be healed. I now realize how infantalizing and inappropriate that was; my vulnerability was being taken advantage of in a highly imbalanced power dynamic. As I started their partial hospitalization program (PHP) I was immediately put in process groups with those deeply traumatized (I say that with the utmost compassion as we all carry trauma with us); oftentimes this meant discussing things like (trigger warning ⚠️) sexual abuse, suicidality, addiction, and self-harm for hours a day. None of these things I dealt with myself (I was struggling with OCD which, as mentioned earlier in this review, I had been diagnosed with 15 years earlier), however, due to my state of mind I was easily influenced. I, too, began questioning what trauma may have led me to where I was... Was I raped by that friend in college? Sexually assaulted by my uncle? Do I want to hurt myself? Am I safe outside of the walls of this building? My obsessions and compulsions got worse and worse until they were seen as an "addiction", which meant I then started to participate in their 12-step groups. But what was I addicted to? How was I to make amends? Not once did the fact that I had severe OCD come up during my treatment plan. As my distress built, I turned all of my autonomy and agency over to SunCloud, in an almost cult-like fashion. Rather than work with my husband and family/friends to reintegrate myself into my home and work life, I began to feel like I wanted to LIVE at SunCloud--that the only time I felt "okay" was when I was there. This was due to my therapist agreeing with and encouraging my compulsions, which included a desire to run away from my life (as a way to run away from my distress). Things went so far as to call my husband--during a work day--to tell him I was leaving him and that I had chosen to move in with a friend that I made at SunCloud. HOW this happened I'll never truly reconcile with aside from seeing SunCloud's complete lack of understanding as to how to properly treat OCD (exposure and response prevention--ERP) and gross clinical neglegence. I was at SunCloud for three months and I can without a doubt say that every day spent there made me feel worse. It wasn't until one random day that something clicked in my brain to make me realize that what I was facing was an OCD crisis. Immediately I left SunCloud and started at Rogers Behavioral Health's OCD program. My team there quickly determined that I was unwell enough to be admitted into their residential treatment facility, which, after four months, was also where I began rebuilding my life. I'm submitting this review not to be cruel but to share with everyone the fact that you must be cautious of where you choose to pursue treatment. Any place that touts they can treat all mental health conditions as well as substance abuse issues DOES NOT TREAT ANY OF THEM WELL. I believe that SunCloud had my best interest at heart, however I will continue to live with the scars from their care. It has taken me seven years to be able to write this without feeling incredibly triggered by their memory. So please, for the sake of yourself and your loved one, beware.”

“HIghly Recommend : the level of compassion, clinical expertise, and individualized attention at SunCloud is unmatched. If you are looking for a place to truly heal and reclaim your life, I cannot recommend SunCloud Health enough. They save lives.”

“I can’t say enough good things about my experience in Suncloud outpatient programming. The group therapy environment along with the individual care you receive is truly amazing. You are given the tools to work on yourself in an environment that is supportive, free of judgement, and with staff and peers who want the best for you. I made friends and worked with staff here that I will remember for a lifetime. It works if you work it”

“I am consistently blown away by the care that SunCloud provides for individuals specifically with co-occurring disorders. They have a new adolescent residential program in Matteson, IL where care is literally non-existent. Colleen Kestel is their VP of Operations and is very selective on who she works with. I’ve trusted Colleen as a dietitian for many years, as well as Dr. Kim Dennis. I highly recommend SunCloud, especially for those with co-occurring disorders, who need a higher level of care!”