Dandelion Therapeutic Art Center — Local services in Lake View Township

I was 16. I said, "I'm getting abused."

Their therapist Annie Chang said, "But do you think that's fair to your parents?" and, "You know, if you make those accusations, your parents can get in a lot of trouble." I thought they were mandated reporters, and that I could trust them. But I guess I was wrong. I wasn't being abused at all, so I shut up.

Then she went off on me about how "Even though you're vegetarian, not everyone can be vegetarian," something I never said or brought up. She ranted about poor people in food deserts who had nothing (I had crippling depression). She said, "When you cut up a carrot, maybe you are hurting the carrot because there's no proof that plants can't feel pain." I had a severe eating disorder. I said, "I don't like how your talking to me." She said, "But Ariel, are you thinking with your brain or with your emotions?" I said, your tone is scaring me. She said, "But you're thinking with your emotions."

I called a meeting with the therapist and the director of Dandelion Caroline Tye, in which they pretended to care about my feelings, but the therapist never received any discipline and there was no system change. Nothing ever got done about the abuse.

All I wanted was an adult in the room. I endured several more years of rampant child abuse. Now I am homeless, no money, and depressed as ever.

If you care about the human rights of children, you will not go here. If you wouldn't patron a business that abuses Black people, then you will not patron a business that abuses...

Dandelion is a true gem in the neighborhood. The facility is beautiful, with charming decorations not to mention the outstanding therapists. From the books to the wall murals, the bathroom scent to every plant in the building, you can tell that everything was designed with love and thoughts. I’ve been seeing one of the therapists here for a year, and I’ve grown so much mentally that I cannot thank this place enough. The art therapy services they provide are truly impactful. It’s a place where you can put...

Amazing practice and I adore my therapist! I’ve been going here for a few years now and wouldn’t dream of going elsewhere. The added benefit of doing art therapy along with the talk therapy has been a refreshing change from the usual therapists I’ve seen… especially since I’m an artist myself… it really helps keep me in touch with my creative side and is a place I can explore art materials I might be too scared (or lazy 😅) to...