This review for my time at Lodge in Four Winds Westchester. I spent three weeks at this facility for mental health treatment. While there were some positive aspects of my stay, I also experienced a number of issues that I believe others should be aware of—especially those checking in voluntarily.
The Good:
The admissions process was smooth, and I was assigned a therapist and psychiatrist who checked in with me regularly, which was appreciated. A few staff members truly went above and beyond to make the experience feel supportive. I want to thank Karen, Benson, Taylor, Danny, and Rihanna—all mental health workers who showed genuine care and consistency. Kate and Dr. Smuckler also led insightful groups and provided helpful guidance around medications. Their efforts did not go unnoticed.
The Bad:
The daily schedule was consistently late. Groups often started 10–20 minutes behind, and breakfast was nearly an hour late each day, even though we were up early for medications that needed to be taken with food. The med room was closed frequently, and access to basic over-the-counter medications required doctor approval, which caused unnecessary delays to relieve common symptoms.
Bathroom access was another serious issue. All bathrooms were kept locked, meaning we had to wait for staff to let us in—even when staff were often behind the desk and unresponsive. This policy felt dehumanizing and physically uncomfortable.
Despite warm weather, we had little to no outdoor time, which added to the sense of confinement. The food was average at best, but worse, I personally saw mold on food and undercooked meat served at least once. The dietitian seemed to try her best, but mistakes around dietary restrictions were common.
The Ugly:
The discharge process revealed a bigger issue around patient autonomy. I voluntarily admitted myself and made it clear to my care team that I felt ready to go home. They agreed I was safe to leave, but wanted me to stay an extra week so they could set up outpatient care. I asked to wait at home instead, and was told no—until I submitted a 72-hour discharge notice. Once that was in place, all of a sudden the care I needed was arranged within three days. If it could be done that quickly under pressure, why wasn’t it prioritized before? I saw this happen to others, too! Patients who were ready to go were asked to stay longer, while others left earlier despite arriving later. It felt inconsistent, frustrating, and dismissive of our voices.
If someone has the intuition and strength to seek care voluntarily, they should also be trusted to know when they’re ready to continue their healing at home, with the proper support in place. Keeping someone longer than necessary can be damaging, not helpful.
Final Thoughts:
Some people here clearly care about their work, and I am thankful for them. But structural issues, lack of staff presence, poor communication, and policies that dismiss patient agency make it hard to recommend this facility fully. If you or a loved one are considering treatment here, I encourage you to advocate for yourself strongly from day one. Your healing matters, and your voice should, too. Don’t let the hard days win,...
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