Bluestem Center for Child And Family Development

I was referred to Bluestem and their therapists came with extremely high recommendations. I was caregiving for my two grandchildren and they both were having very difficult behaviors. I was told that Bluestem had a behavioral pediatric physician Dr. Atkinson that knew his stuff and could help the kids. We started our care at Bluestem and things went very well for the first two years. Our family had a great rappor with Dr. Atkinson and I truly felt that we were getting the help we needed. He diagnosed both children with ADHD started them on medication and referred us over to our own individual therapists at Bluestem. Then In approximately two years down the road Dr. Atkinson decided he was going to retire. I was told that a new physician had not been hired to replace him and was left to wonder what exactly to do at that point. Should I leave there with my family and seek therapy elsewhere Or should I wait for the new physician that would replace Dr. Atkinson I chose to wait for the new physician and I remember waiting at least 6 months for him to be hired. When they finally hired him we were treated like new patients. I had to fill out three new packets of information that each had 22 pages to complete.The packets were neuropsychiatric evaluations which overed a lot of material that I had already covered with Dr. Atkinson. Needless to say I was very frustrated by the process. I was told that the new physician Dr. Hobbs would not see the kids as patients without those packets being completed. It was a very extensive process but I completed it. Appointments were scheduled for each child with Dr. Hobbs and I went to every appointment with the kids. He was seeing each child for medication monitoring at least once weekly and each child was seeing their individual therapist at least once a week. I was also seeing my own therapist there and doing parenting sessions with Dr. Hobbs. So were talking three to four appointments a week for our family. I felt like I was living at the facility. Things kept moving along and we were making our appointments. I totally trusted this physician and never once imagined that he would betray me with his lies. He was telling me that I was using the right approach to parenting and that the kids loved me very much. Not once did he say anything negative during any of our sessions concerning my parenting techniques. I was following his guidance and techniques that he taught me during the parenting sessions. I had no clue that he had called me in to child protection stating that I had abused my grandson. He fabricated an absolute lie and called me in to CPS. To this day five years later I have no clue why he did that. My grandson was not abused I did not hurt my grandson. I lost custody of my grandson due to this mans lies and disrespect. I will never set foot inside of Bluestem again. Jordan Hobbs is no longer practicing at Bluestem but I will never go back there and trust anyone at that facility. Our family has been devastated by what he did and I have tried again and again to prove my innocence. Even taking my case to the Minnesota Appeals Court yeah I cannot get my grandson home. Hes stuck in a group home in northern Minnesota and has lost everything. He has lost his family his friends his school the environment he grew up in. I will always hold Jordan Hobbs accountable for this because the entire process begin with his lies and deceit. When I confronted him about this he again lied to me and said he did not call me in to CPS. But his name was written all throughout the paperwork from CPS. I miss my grandson so much and want him home so badly. He has lost his entire childhood because of this man.Let this be a lesson to families out there not to use Bluestem. Months after this happened I remember a conversation that I had with another patient telling me that Bluestem was known for turning parents in to child protection. At the time it didnt even register with me. I had no fear of anything like that ever happening to me because I treated my grandson well.

Sadly Bluestem used to be an amazing place when it was run by Dr. Jenkins but the corporation that bought it out is more concerned about profits than actual patient care that they have no in person psychiatrist available to prescribe medicine they do it all over the phone and then they tell you all we need to see you in person but we dont do that so we cant help you.They will then also try to bill you for an hour long appointment when the healthcare provider you are scheduled with might only spend 15 minutes talking with you and they are always late to the appointment. I have already filed complaints against one of their mental health nurse practitioners with the state and I filed one against the facility with the state health and human services in hopes that this corporation ultimately goes bankrupt and someone who actually cares about mental health care takes over and runs a proper clinic. The place that bought it out is called great Lakes psychiatry I would avoid all their practices to the best of your ability without affecting your health and well-being they have practices all across the state with different names avoid them all they are all run by the same scummy group of people who are just after profits.

Its not worth paying an arm and a leg when theres no diagnosis ever provided. Only thing ever done was play therapy and its free to play with your children at home.

I have been going to Bluestem Center for around 10 years now. I have always been met with kind and caring staff that want to help me succeed. My therapist has always gone above and beyond in their help for me with scheduling appointments that fit my time and helping me get documentation for my school many times. I highly recommend Bluestem Center.

Ive been going here for years and its been wonderful. My therapist and psychiatrist have always been kind to me. Seeing these other reviews I dont think people understand how horrible minnesotas psychiatric system is. Its not bluestems fault for how certain things are done its the governments. However Ive been going here since I was a teenager and Im in my twenties now so I tend to feel kind of out of place concerning the environment.

The counselor is good but the customer service stinks. The supervisor talked down to me. He had a total lack of caring for my situation. The problem was a lack of appointments for a child needing care. Take my advice and go somewhere else.....you and your child will be better off.

Friendly and capable staff and anyone in the lobby are suffering terribly from the country music blaring from unavoidable merciless speakers in the ceiling. Every. REDACTED. Day. Prove that mental health is important and stop assailing mine in the lobby.Pro tip People who are interested in self improvement dont listen to country music.

Over all they are friendly and willing to help. They seem to be a little disorganized and overwhelmed by the number of teenagers who need help. My teenager was resistant to treatment and the councilor was never able to help him get motivated to get the help he needed. Part of the problem was the lack of available times for appointments. My son does poor in school and did not want to fall farther behind by having to get taken out of school to see his counselor. Evening appointments are limited and we would have to schedule way-out in advance. By the time the appointment came the crisis would be over and then my boy would feel he did not need the help. Another problem was Blue Stem had him do way too many assessments. For a kid who struggles in school this was a turn off. They gave him a test with 400 questions After that he never wanted to go back. He never did finished the test however we still got charged. He went there at least a half dozen times and we never got to the issues or treatment of the problem besides a Rx for Adderall which made my son sick to his stomach. I admit my son did not give it enough time however we spent a lot of money for very little results. We also never got a follow up call on any of the results of all the test or were we ever questioned why we never came back. I dont blame Blue Stem they seem to not have the resources they need to do a very difficult job I think it is an example of the inadequate mental health care system in this country especially for kids in rural settings.

I called to get an appointment by self referral was told I needed a referral from my primary care provider. I went through all the hoops to get the referral Bluestem said I needed. When I received my letter of referral I called to make an appointment and get told they arent taking new patients even with a referral and to check back in a couple months. How the heck does that happen It was less than 2 weeks between calls. Dont waste your time

Dont waste your money. My kid needed help and wanted help because of his Narcissistic mothers abuse. The counselor treated him like he was the problem so not only is he not better off but now he has lost faith in these so called therapists. I wont mention names but if you are met by a guy whos face looks like a baseball glove because he spends way too much time in the tanning booth turn around and walk away. But its not just him none of them want to have anything to do with a Narcissist or their victims. They should just tell you that up front but they dont want to turn down your money.

A wonderful place and comfortable atmosphere. Mark and Cassidy are amazing Highly recommend this place.