Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center Round Rock — Local services in Round Rock

Right intentions, poor delivery. It kills me to have to give Pathlight less than 5 stars because I truly feel most of the staff are doing their absolute best, I had an incredible journey there as a PHP patient, made beautiful connections with group members as well as staff members… HOWEVER, it must be noted that: by the beginning of my 4th week there I hadn’t even started the trauma treatment I was supposed to be engaging in, my primary therapist went on vacation and while she was out of town and I had zero support, I was discharged with no warning due to a peer view conducted between one of my drs and my insurance.

It’s my understanding that essentially the decision is on my insurance to remove me from the PHP level of care (which I very desperately needed), however, it seems this decision was made due to an overestimation of my progress, it’s not fully clear to me, but it seems the notes provided by my team gave off the impression that I no longer needed that level of treatment, which is a gross overlook considering I had reported levels of S.I every single day while attending PHP.

Furthermore, when I decided to request an appeal from their decision (which most staff I had interacted with agreed was very poor timing in my case) I was highly discouraged to do so and instead pushed to step down into IOP level - this means going from 2 / 3 times a week seeing a therapist to only once, and going from having access to a psychiatrist to none at all… I should mention I was on 6+ mood stabilizing meds at that point having just started a new one literally the day before having psychiatric help removed.

Nonetheless, I trusted the Pathlight team and followed their advice.. my only request was to please be partnered with a therapist that can begin the treatment I was set to do in PHP - I was promised that at the very least. Upon entering IOP level of care I was met with the harsh reality that not only would I have to be making appointments to meet with my therapist outside of IOP hours, but also, none of the therapists available during IOP were trained in the specific treatment I needed, or even trained to deal with patients with trauma or struggling with suicidal ideation.

I felt awful for the therapist I was assigned to, since I was clearly a case out of her league or level of experience - I could tell she felt overwhelmed by my need for higher level of care and I was able to tell she was not equipped to help me (not her fault at all and I want to say she did her very best and for that I’ll be forever grateful).

I wound up leaving Pathlight after experiencing an extreme level of regression and disappointment.

I hate to admit to feeling let down because I have faith everyone did the best they could, I guess my review is to

1. advise future patients to be on top of their insurance / peer review and advocate for themselves as prudently as possible. And
2. warn Pathlight of the impact these situations will have on their clients, I have not been able to stabilize since then and have almost lost my life multiple times at this point due to not having access to my medications cold turkey as well as not having the proper level of treatment for the condition I was in.

Unrelated to treatment, I also think it’s important to note to both Pathlight and future patients as far as the FACILITY ITSELF: cleanliness definitely needs work & AC does not work properly in the building.

Besides any negative feedback I still would like to take the opportunity to thank the Pathlight staff for all they’ve done for me and my peers, it’s not an easy job and I know sometimes things go wrong. Thank you Kate, Taylor, Felice and Amanda for your wonderful support (truly amazing, insightful counselors). Thank you Alex for doing your very best with the huge task you were given. Thank you for doing your due diligence even when I skipped town on ya 🫣

If you’re considering Pathlight I would certainly recommend it, I just would be doing everyone a disservice if I did not share my honest...

I went to pathlight many many times- back when it was called insight (around 2017 to 2018), and even more recently back in like 2022. I was treated as a minor in 2017 and felt so disrespected and unheard. They relayed everything I said in therapy to my mom, so I never felt safe there. Additionally I had problems following the rules of the program bc I had made friends there, the rules were very unclear and vague- and my 15 yr old brain didn’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to talk to the people I liked bc they didn’t want “cliques” to form. They basically ended up sending me to a residential care place bc I didn’t feel motivated to participate anymore (which is breaking another rule) and was forced to stay in a borderline cult (residential care) for four months. I fully believe that insight sent me to residential without my consent just bc I didn’t follow the rules that they never mentioned before I broke them. When I was in residential I was treated like an inmate at a prison, I was only allowed one call once a week to my mom and was forcibly isolated from others so I could “get better.” Like I’m not kidding I wasn’t allowed to talk to anyone in my unit, go outside, do anything other than fill out therapy worksheets, for over two weeks as a punishment for refusing to talk in a group. I do want to comment though that path light does not run the residential place I was in- it’s just the main place they advice parents to put their kids in. After I had gotten out of residential I was put back into IOP at insight and basically said and did whatever they wanted me to so I could go back to school like a normal kid, and be allowed to hang out w my non-therapy friends again. Anyways, I went to pathlight twice I think once in 2020 and in 2022, both times I had to leave right when I felt I was making progress. Back in 2020 they helped in getting out of an abusive relationship (which I got in right when I got out of IOP in 2018 lol) but ultimately I went back to my abuser. In 2022 I went to path light to try to work on my trauma, but didn’t really get anything out of it. They basically told me coping skills I already had drilled in my brain, and then just kind expected me to move on. Overall I hate this place and don’t recommend coming here for your kid EVER, but as an adult in the program it was okay. It may have not been effective for me bc I wasn’t diagnosed w autism at that point, and also I have severe medical trauma. But it might work for people who haven’t ever done group therapy or just don’t know much...

Very disappointed in my stay here. I only attended two days. On the paperwork I received before I arrived I was told everyone would be wearing masks, respecting the 6 ft rule and using their handsanitizer. I was the only one who used my handsanitizer ritually after going in and out and touching things. You cant do 6ft apart in the building because its so small. I was told a group was out being tested for COVID-19. My husband called in regard to the issue and he was told they can't do 6ft because of the space. That should have been told to us from the beginning. My first day was rough. As expected. Emma, a teacher, was very condescending and pushy. I highly enjoyed Wendi and the hour of RODBT. I also felt very comfortable with my PT Jodie. The rest of the time I felt uncomfortable and discovered this is not the place for me. I ended up getting sick the second day. Discharged myself the morning of the third day and called another facility with better reviews closer to my home. The only thing I learned during this short stay is my health was at risk and I am not as bad off as I think. Thank you to Jodie for helping me realize so much in such a short amount of time, about myself. She is the ideal PT. This is just my experience but could be different for others. You dont know...