Alvarado Parkway Institute

I went here for mood disorders. They get the job done as if you are a product. If you’re here for mood disorders, this is not the place for you, even though they might say it is. Trust me. Their primary focus is on recovering addicts. They have no patience for people with mood disorders and seem untrained of how to help them, especially if their triggers are substance abusers like the other people in the room they put you in. The only staff that is worth coming here for are the drivers and occasionally the group leaders. Other than that this place is a joke. Their is no organization within the faculty and that greatly impacts the patients who are part of the program. Go here if it’s your only option but if not find somewhere else.

I admitted my sister to this facility. The intake coordinator was wonderful and she was very gentle with my sister. My sister was put on a 72 hour hold and the lead psychiatrist was reported to be very helpful by my sister. She was put on an extended hold to get additional treatment and counseling however abruptly she was transferred to Bella Vista Extended Care Facility which was partially owned by this psychiatrist. I do believe the Stark Law prohibits physicians referring clients to businesses they own, but that is another story.
At the Bella Vista facility, she was placed in a bed next to a comatose female. She got no social service treatment and after three days was placed in a persons home in Vista as a roommate. My sister is on disability and the cost to our family was extensive to include at $ 230 taxi ride to view the «placement.» She received not transitionary counseling or treatment.
After two weeks at this home, the owner of the home and her father told my sister they wanted her in a hotel. They offered to pay for it until she could find another place. They said they would show her the way. Instead they ditched her while driving. My disabled sister attempted to keep up with them blowing out both of her front tires. Cruel to say the least, specifically for a person needing help not additional hurt.
I attempted to contact the facility, the doctor, and the social worker and was put off so many times I stopped trying. My mother tried as well and we all became exasperated trying. I found this behavior to be extremely unprofessional.
I would AVOID this treatment facility like the plague.

So here’s the thing, when you have mentally ill people who are not making excellent decisions on their own, reviewing a hospital that has had them forced to make hard and even painful changes in their lives in order to better it, you are going to get poor reviews. This hospital helps people! End of story!

Here’s the honest truth, it is going to be difficult to obtain reliable information about this facility which is a psychiatric hospital from people who have mental health problems and were admitted against their will — this is a facility with the capacity to detain people involuntarily for their own protection, and reports from family members who likely were not involved much in treatment or given all the facts can be just as unreliable. The hundreds of thousands of people treated at API over the past 30 years who were satisfied, and had their lives changed by API services are not likely to write reviews, so I shall take up the cause.
First of all, there is a great need for acute psychiatric care in San Diego, and API offers a range of services from inpatient ICU care to outpatient programs for high functioning individuals that may be struggling with an addiction or mental health issue or both. API has changed many lives for the better not to mention provided care and protection for people vulnerable to self harm, and at risk of harming others. It is a safe and secure facility.
API is an excellent local psychiatric hospital with a compassionate administration and doctoral level staff who deliver very thorough and comprehensive care. I am not officially affiliated with API any longer, but did work here in the past, for 10 years and received many many thank you’s from the patients families served. The staff will take the time to listen to your concerns and work hard to seamlessly arrange admissions and referrals.
If you asked people who routinely refer to API, psychiatrists, psychologists, skilled nursing facilities, the homeless outreach team and the police departments from all over San Diego, I think you would have a very different impression than these reviews give of their services. In addition, there is a reason that API maintains accreditation in good standing from Joint Commission and regularly receives praise from regulatory agencies. As a psychologist, I have great faith in API services, line staff, and administration, and my confidence in them is evidenced by my regular referrals to their services.
I have seen other psychiatric facilities, and had reports of patient experiences from all over San Diego, and believe that API should be seriously considered if you or a loved one is in need of mental health services. API is a free standing facility, and patients receive personalized care that is very unlike the «production line» type treatment offered at other chain hospitals. They have a ²⁴⁄₇ intake line and are happy to help if you have questions. If you or a loved one is in need of help, know that there is compassionate care available and they are in-​network with most insurance companies.

Nurses are cool, but the doctors make you wait and wait. I was put on a 72 hour hold with two roomates and a ward full of crazies talking to each other. Save you or your friends some time and take them to a real doctor or psychologist. I think I was the only sane person in the ward. Got transferred multiple times to different rooms because I didn’t feel safe. Worst experience of my life.

I’ve been here MANY times as my job sends many people here before imprisonment.
The staff here are generally poor. There are a few shiny apples in the bunch — a few friendly nurses that take pride in their job.
Most of the staff, however, are generally unhappy and angry and it shows.
The security here is poor. Sure, locking doors so the committed do not escape but I would be careful if you are visiting a loved one here. I don’t think they have a ‘security guard’ and there are some real mentally unstable here. Please take care to protect yourself and be aware of your surroundings when visiting your loved here.
The location is convenient — just off the I-​8.
I have had too many clashes with staff here. I think the treatment of patients would probably be inferior given that basic interpersonal skills exhibited by the staff are poor.