HopeWay — Local services in Charlotte

It takes a lot for me to make a public post about Hopeway. I never thought I would end up in a place like this, but I did. I’m no longer embarrassed, but now I’m empowered.

However, it is imperative that anyone that reads the reviews has an opportunity to read one from someone that has been a recent resident.

I can truly say Hopeway saved my life. Not only did Hopeway save my life, but Hopeway has made the lives of my family and friends better by helping me become a better person. I know me better, I have the proper medications and the proper tools in my mental tool box to help me be a better me.

I’ve read postings that the food wasn’t good and other minor things that in the grand scheme of things doesn’t matter, when their calling is to help save lives, and that is what they are doing.

I want to start with the CEO. I met her while I was there and didn’t know who she was initially. She personally came to help me with an issue I had without me asking her too. Within 3 minutes she solved a problem that helped eliminate a stressful situation that had been brewing for a couple of days. From that point I called her “the real ill na na”. Although her statue is small and petite, her walk and heart are bigger than life.

Secondly, the front desk receptionist, Acacia is phenomenal. From the first day I arrived she greeted me with the warmest smile as she called me by name. She seemed to know everyone by name which was pretty amazing, and anything you needed, she seemed to be able to make it happen. Again, she came to my rescue and one of her acts of kindness for me I’ll never forget and forever be grateful.

Since I’m a veteran I was in the veterans program which gave me Dr. Johnson as a psychiatrist and Tom Stagg as my primary therapist. Those two met my every need. Dr. Johnson’s medication management skills are amazing. He was able to prescribe the right combination of medications that has finally helped me see just how beautiful this world really is, which I haven't seen in many years. My primary therapist Tom has been working with veterans for decades, and he still has a heart and passion for veterans.

During the day we had different group therapy sessions that were amazing. Every therapist that facilitated a session was knowledgeable and genuinely caring. With me being a 6’4”, 265 lb U.S. ARMY combat unit veteran, I am surprised to say two of my favorite group sessions were horticulture and music. In horticulture our primary therapist Bobbie had us making soap, which I used my entire stay and flower arrangements. I never would have thought I would find enjoyment in doing either. Going from shooting 50 cal’s and riding Paladin’s to making soap and flowers. Kaitlin our music therapist was amazing all around. I can’t begin to put into words what music therapy did for me, but I can say I know how to “Let It Be”.

Let’s talk about the RN’s, LPN’s, CNA’s and BHT’s that work in the residential hall. Those men and women were God sent. I do want to give a special thank you from the bottom of my heart to Tammy, Judith, Karla, Donte, Curtis, Sarita, Sean, Daniel, Nikki, Jennine, Jackie, Francis and Harrison. As I said everyone that worked in the residence hall was amazing, but the ones I mentioned and I had some type of bond or conversation that helped me stay strong while missing three of my children’s birthdays and Thanksgiving. Being away from your family is extremely hard, especially during special moments. However, Hopeway made it bearable and showed me that I was making a small investment for a much larger return.

Finally the support I received during the discharge process from Desiree made me comfortable and I knew I wasn’t just being thrown out, yet I was simply transitioning, and I had a mental health support team in Hopeway that I could rely on and call on at any time.

There is only one person that is perfect, God, and one place perfect, Heaven. However, Hopeway is striving for perfection but there level of care and compassion makes up for any shortcomings. Thank...

BEWARE: HopeWay is not neurodivergent friendly and can be downright ableist about autism!

They ignore the possibility of undiagnosed autistic people ending up in their facility despite the fact that there are a ton of adults with mild autism that have gone undiagnosed due to outdated DSM criteria that doesn't take into account how autism appears in women (or anyone besides a white, male child-- they're the only group that has been studied). At this point, it's very well known within the psychology community that autism has been underdiagnosed in women for decades because they mask it so much more than men, so the staff assuming having "no autism allowed" on the website ensures that no autistic people will end up there is unforgivably short sighted.

I was told "the current treatment for autism is too controversial," which is why they have no one on staff for autism, but what does treatment have to do with diagnosis when the only people who would end up at an adult, non-autism facility would be undiagnosed and therefore not need high support need treatments, anyway? They have set themselves up to misdiagnose an entire group of people that is known to go undiagnosed until ages 20-40, sometimes life. It's not even about being able to diagnose autism, it's about making sure autism isn't being mistaken for other things and sending people down the wrong path for months or years or life. How can you ensure that you're giving out accurate diagnoses if you have 0 people on staff who can rule out autism?

So if you suspect you might have autism or have ADHD (symptoms overlap so it's frequently misdiagnosed; so is BPD if you have PTSD in combo), approach HopeWay with caution. The rest of this is about personal discrimination I faced for even bringing up autism.

I thought I might have it when I first went, but they refused to test me, claiming their staff lacked knowledge. My psychiatrist & I did causally review the criteria but we both agreed it didn't fit. Despite this, they put autism in my notes without proper testing & treated me as if I had the official diagnosis for the remainder of my time.

A year later, I don’t have an autism diagnosis, but I've since been diagnosed with ADHD that they missed (probably because ADHD has also only been studied in mainly young boys so they don't know how to accurately diagnose that either). I feel like I was discriminated against/treated differently by doctors who brought up autism constantly to dismiss my feelings or try to get me to leave, even though I was improving quite a bit because of group therapy. My psychiatrist repeatedly tried to get me to go to another facility (where I'd have had to pay thousands yet again) despite my progress, and kept saying HopeWay was unsuitable for autistic people.

Based on the faulty autism label my psychiatrist gave me, my therapist made dismissive comments about autism impacting my processing speed, making her question my initial responses. That's such an odd comment for a therapist to make, especially when it could just be jabbing at very common mental health symptoms like brain fog, disassociation, numbness, etc. at a time when someone could already feel deeply insecure about developing symptoms that make them question their own intelligence.

I had a generally positive experience there due to group therapy/fellow patients, but the staff’s handling of possible autism was so disappointing that I genuinely fear for others who end up there and innocently bring it up. I wish I could retract the positive written review I gave them when I left because the ableism I encountered was so unacceptable that it's been the main thing that has stuck with me in the long term because it permanently damaged my trust in mental health professionals as a whole. That distrust was further reinforced when I tried to return recently for a medication swap only to be turned away because "you have autism" (I don't and you refused to even test me, but thanks for reminding me how poorly you treated me when I thought I...

HopeWay separated me from a troublesome home/partnership situation and equipped me with the tools and clarity needed to end it within a short window of my discharge. After being embattled for some time with mental health issues that were ultimately related to my environment, the skills I was equipped with more then made up from my upbringing's unintentional neglect of mental health hygiene, helped me identify present issues in my life, and took me from being below zero to being very well.

This facility draws ire from an entitled subset of the mental health patient population who often do not understand that not every facility is for acute patients, ones with a history of violence, or the like. This facility is IDEAL for those suffering from narcissism in their surroundings, themselves, OCD, anxiety, depression, and other conditions that are chronic but do not pose immediate danger to one's self or others. While I recognize that isn't everyone's situation, for those in a bad place and in need of truly holistic and compassionate care, look no further. This facility's staff showed intent, focus, and care to each of those who were present.

If you are someone struggling, but not to the point of imminent danger, who wants to know how each element of your life and past contribute to where you are today- this is the place. A special shoutout to Dr. Kevin Marra who some patients may find condescending- he really isn't. He knows what he's doing, and he has experience. Being willing to accept that your googling doesn't compare with HopeWay's specialized expertise is key to success in treatment. I understand how easy it is in the modern age to let one-self think they have all of the information, but challenging that mindset and yourself to focus on improvement will be the ultimate change maker for your wellbeing.

Other notes, HopeWay offered both traditional group therapy and loads of education to equip you with tools for success after discharge. Diet education, medication hygiene and a genuine explanation of how medicine works, music, art, and horticulture are all offered. While it feels silly to beat a drum and tie that to your feelings, it works for some people- and HopeWay is a team effort. While you work on improving yourself, you build bonds with those doing the same work you are and find yourself surrounded by support and championing those around you.

I am writing this review over two years after I was treated here. I have been without need for medication and feel truly well adjusted, capable, and determined as any young adult in my shoes should be. HopeWay not only solved the issues I had then, but provided me with the tools to no longer be remotely reliant on medication or intensive treatment. Between therapy and good decision making, I have achieved every goal I have set out for myself- including my education, career, personal, and financial objectives despite being destitute and abused at the time.

Thanks to not just the staff, but the clinical team and my fellow patients for...