Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire — Attraction in Houston

The rating is based mostly on the service of Dr. Festus I. Uzokwe. Our daughter had a severe panic attack with depression and feelings of suicide (a true emergency epsiode). As a result she was admitted to Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire on a Saturday where we understood she would be under an "Order of Protective Custody (OPC)", which is essentially an internment or involuntary commitment, for which we would told to expect to last 48 hours. Dr. Uzokwe saw our daughter on the Sunday while saying he would follow up daily. On Monday, Dr. Uzokwe did not see our daughter although his nurse practitioner so her for a no more than 5 minutes on the ward (not an formal appointment).

Although other Doctors were seen daily on the ward visiting and assessing their patients, our daughter was never again seen by Dr. Uzokwe's Nurse Practitioner nor Dr. Uzokwe myself until the day of our daughter's discharge on the following Friday.

With full disclosure, we might have mutually decided a one week's stay to have been in everyone's best interest, however no one could get a hold of Dr. Uzokwe to transition our daughter's papers to a voluntary stay (Dr. Uzokwe's signature was needed). Attempts were made by internal staff, our external psychologist, external Therapist, our daughter, and ourselves as parents. This lingering uncertainty was unnecessary stress, especially given our daughter's episode was brought on by anxiety and depression. We could have understood if he had seen her every day as other doctors did (or as he himself promised) but if her initial crisis assessment was driving his decision it is difficult to understand how he could remain current in his assessments with out a face-to-face, regular duty of care.

More frustrating was that hospital's staff (ward nurses, internal group and individual therapist) as well as her external psychiatrist, external therapist and ourselves could see a rebound such that there may have been a sustained need for support, but there was no longer a need for a sustained emergency order (the OPC).

On the Wednesday, we escalated to the Director of Clinical Services which seemed to finally motivate Dr. Uzokwe to sign the papers to transition our daughter to a voluntary stay status on the Thursday. He only saw her face-to-face again on the day of her discharge on the Friday (5 days after he had seen her on the previous Sunday. Although the general staff and therapists seemed switched on, apparently it all only works if the Dr. is in alignment and on-board for which Dr. Uzokwe was absent and unresponsive. By the time of his eventual contact on the day of my daughter's discharge, we just wanted our daughter home so we could begin the plan of support and care that had been set up within 48 hours of her initial episode, therefore neither she, nor we engaged as we needed his signature and no longer wished to be beholden to this mental health "professional".

I don't know if he gets paid more money for each day a patient is in "his care", if it is his normal style to provide "hands-off" care or if he is simply not used to patients in his care having a number of loved ones with a fierce determination to understand what is going on that moved him to be so distant. Regardless DO NOT LEAVE YOUR LOVED ONE'S IN DR. FESTUS I....

This post is for those who are thinking about checking in to this hospital. I have a lot to say about my stay, 8 days, involuntary. Some of it was good, some of it was horrific. I want to be fair in this review and I will start with the good.

Ms. Esther, Ms. Keri, Ms. Abby and Ms. Alvis are wonderful humans. Very kind and always did the best they could. I can imagine it is difficult to be a nurse or tech in that kind of hospital.

That being said, every other staff member were awful. Borderline verbal abuse. They spoke to us like we were dogs. They woke us up yelling VITALS at 6:30 every morning. Anytime we needed meds they were yelling to line up. It was very military. Very little compassion. There was a girl having an episode and Claudia (the therapist) walked over to her and said “knock it off.” I saw several patients go into 1 on 1’s with this therapist and come out completely disregulated and upset. This therapist is rude and condescending and harmful to her patients. Dr. Hughes said “shes giving tough love.” Eff your tough love. This therapist sat me down because she knew I did not like her and basically demanded I tell her why. She didn’t like my answer, well I didnt like being forced to talk to someone I dont like. She is a therapist and I am a patient, why did she need my validation? It felt so weird and unprofessional. She told me I had a shitty perspective because I made an assumption about her, so I told her she has shitty habits like putting people down and to fix herself. It was never resolved. she still believes she has the right to talk to the patients however she wants to without consequence. It’s just unfortunate that we go to these places for healing and in return we receive more abuse and PTSD symptoms.

The food is decent sometimes, it still gave me bubble guts all day every day. The nurses at the nursing station are so mean, you almost don’t want to approach them for meds. They say they do detox, but it’s a raw detox (which is unacceptable and harmful) so that doesn’t count. They won’t give you anything for withdrawals. If a patient said they were calling the police or their lawyer, the nurses would quickly cut the phones off.

They had group classes everyday, on the weekends there are only 3 group classes instead of the normal 4-6 a day. They are decent classes, Zumba, yoga, sound therapy, music therapy. For the most part I enjoyed the groups. Claudias classes were always very stressful, she would sit there and tap her pen on paper or bounce her leg or foot and she was always shaking. It gave me so much anxiety, so uncomfortable. Liz was a great therapist on the other hand, I really enjoyed her classes.

Another thing I believe people should know, it is public knowledge, BHB lost a lawsuit very recently for false imprisonment. Do your research!

I’ll end by saying, this hospital did end up saving my life. After 18 long years of trying to correct my meds, they were able to fix them in 8 days. And I met some of the coolest people in that facility. So those do outweigh the negatives, and I am ultimately grateful for experiencing...

In the realm of outpatient care, the contributions of each staff member are integral to ensuring patients receive the highest quality of service. The following review highlights the exceptional dedication and kindness exhibited by the staff members: Brittany, Tiffany, Celeste, Cami, Mike, Ian, and Julie.

Brittany: Brittany consistently demonstrates a remarkable level of attentiveness and compassion in her interactions with patients. Her warm demeanor and genuine concern make patients feel valued and heard, fostering a supportive environment within the outpatient facility.

Tiffany: Tiffany’s unwavering kindness and professionalism are evident in every interaction she has with patients. Her ability to empathize and provide reassurance is commendable, creating a sense of comfort for those under her care.

Celeste: Celeste’s commitment to excellence is reflected in her approach to patient care. Her attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond ensure that each patient receives personalized and effective treatment. Celeste’s friendly disposition makes her a beloved member of the outpatient team.

Camme: Camme dedication to the well-being of patients is truly admirable. She approaches her responsibilities with enthusiasm and empathy, always striving to make patients feel valued and respected. Camme’s positive attitude is contagious, uplifting both patients and colleagues alike.

Mike: Mike’s professionalism and reliability make him an invaluable member of the outpatient team. His strong work ethic and willingness to assist wherever needed contribute to the smooth operation of the facility. Patients appreciate Mike’s friendly demeanor and helpful nature.

Ian: Ian’s attention to detail and exceptional communication skills set him apart as a standout member of the outpatient team. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that patients receive the care they need in a timely and efficient manner. Ian’s dedication to excellence is truly commendable.

Julie: Julie’s compassionate approach to patient care creates a welcoming atmosphere within the outpatient facility. Her ability to connect with patients on a personal level fosters trust and confidence in the care they receive. Julie’s positive attitude and dedication to her work are truly inspiring.

In conclusion, the outpatient care team comprising Brittany, Tiffany, Celeste, Camme, Mike, Ian, and Julie exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism and compassion. Their unwavering dedication to patient well-being and their exceptional kindness make them invaluable assets to the facility. Each member of the team plays a crucial role in ensuring that patients feel valued and supported throughout their...