SMA Behavioral Healthcare - Ocala

I traveled an hour and a half to try to find decent help for my daughter. We had been in crisis all weekend and was misinformed about age limits on a different facility. We ended up at SMA and Im so glad we did Dr. Samuels seemed very knowledgeable and was firm but kind with my daughter. They were able to stabilize her and I was able to get real rest without worry. My child has been inpatient at 2 different facilities and both were awful This was the best experience we have had. My daughter was discharged clean and happy with all of her clothing washed. She was able to call me in the evening and during the day and seemed to be in good spirits.The nurses and staff were all very professional and kind as well. I hope we dont have to go through this again but if we do I know that SMA is where Ill go. Thank you all for helping us when we needed it the most

I have never seen more disorganization within a company especially in Marion County out of all my years of working in Health care as supervisor for a large dermatology practice. Without proper protocols in order to assist patients and their families in regards to their mental health needs especially with children. It is down right shameful and appalling. All that was asked was to send a message as done in previous years to the doctor in order for her upon her return from leave to contact me regarding my daughters medication. Because my daughters last visit was not handled appropriately by the nurse. And when staff want to constantly keep placing me on hold and then disregard a simple request but will say theyll have someone call me back. Last time that happened I NEVER received a phone and that was regarding my daughters therapy and I left a voicemail. SMA has made is far worse to assist clients. But they will most certainly bill for all sorts of services that are NOT being received. I hope the CEO and all of the people in upper management can honestly sit there and say that theyre proud to apart of such a company that makes money off the back of children and their families that gravely need help that is NOT being received or properly handled. Ivan Cosimi Rhonda Harvey and Eric Horst you should be most proud this is what YOU represent. You are the problem and probably the reason why kids are having such a trouble coping and getting help. The reason why parents are having such hard time getting help for our children and then when its not received they end up bringing guns to school or committing suicide. YOU all should be honestly ASHAMED of your neglect at really taking a look at EVERY facility and combing through what actually is wrong and FIXING IT And holding those thoroughly accountable that should be fixing the issues. And you cant say its due to lack of employees because youve had wonderful employees that have left the Marion County facility because of horrible Management and then client especially child suffer.

Took my elementary age son here due to an almost baker act incident. Did a pre visit evaluation and was told first therapy appt would be in 2 weeks and scheduled date and time. said date and time came and no one provided a link for virtual so I called in and they said no appointment had been scheduled. So rescheduled for 1 month out as that was first available for after school appointment. That day came and still no notification. Called in and again NO APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED. next available appointment is another month out What is wrong with this place

The cherry on top of everything Ive experienced at this place was when they stopped taking my fathers insurance and didnt even inform him when its required by law to at least tell him that before charging him 500 for an appointment. Id go on but Im keeping this as short as I can as Id be sat here for a while because Ive dealt with mental health issues from a very young age and been in and out of here a lot.

Not a great place but better than others like North Tampa Behavioral Hospital. My daughter was given her meds daily without overdosing her she could color or read to pass the time and they actually answer their phones. I used to think this was a terrible place but after dealing with North Tampa Im more grateful for SMA. Theyre more clinical and less humanistic in therapy approach and I personally think they focus too much on treating the symptoms instead of trying to find the root. But that could be a difference in methods of choice. The staff is generally friendly or at least polite. Im sure there are better places but you know what at least they dont unlawfully hold you in a Baker Act for over a week.

I called when I got off work around 3 am and it was very late so I wasnt sure Id even get to talk to somebody but I was on hold for only about 2 minutes before I was speaking to somebody. Dana helped me and she was so great Im having one of the worst times of my life due to a family member not taking their medication and she stayed on the phone with me for almost an hour. She helped me when I was crying and told me the steps I could take to get my family member the help they need. She found the exact form I needed and was very patient in walking me through the process to find the pdf and which form I needed and told me exactly where to take the form and how to do everything so the whole process of baker acting a loved one wasnt so stressful and wasnt a long process.. I pray I never have to use this hotline again but if I ever do I hope I get Dana.. If you see this thank you so much Dana youre truly a life saver

I have nothing but good to say about this place. I came here when I was desperate for help and the hospitals wouldnt take me because I wasnt totally suicidal. But I was still in a bad crisis. Everyone was helpful and kind and I never once felt judged here and I was scared considering it was my first time going to any inpatient facility as a patient. Its boring of course but they do everything they can to help you and the staff is very reasonable

PRISON. Thats the only word that comes to mind after my stay there. Having been to other mental health facilities I can comfortably say that this is a terrible place. Its old and dirty. The beds are super hard. Theres absolutely NOTHING to do. I thought I would lose my mind just from having nothing to do. The staff treated us like garbage. I couldnt get out of there fast enough.Not recommended at all Will only exacerbate your issues.

Im a labor and delivery nurse so I work closely with mothers experiences mental health issues and I base my career on trauma informed care. This place is a testimonial to the inadequate state of mental health care.My husband came here shortly after our daughter was born. He was diagnosed with bipolar ADHD and PTSD. He was prescribed a medication with multiple refills. He was inconsistent and took a lower dose which worked for him since an appointment to have the dose adjusted was far out. The medication lasted longer than they anticipated. When he called to have a yearly appointment and get a new script they want to do a new patient appointment in 3 monthsOn top of that I called to see if there was any help or assistance they could offer to someone who depends on their prescriptions to live a normal and healthy life. No aside from making an appointment 3 months from whole whole being off meds cold-turkey. When I mentioned how unsafe that is the office manager offered for my husband to call and get on the cancellation list. When he called back there is no such thing as a cancellation list. Now were being lied to.Dont risk completely mismanaged care with no teaching about how to properly take your medication. This is not a place you want to trust with something as important as your mental health.They dont CARE about you. They just want money from your insurance. Picture added for pure humor.

I stayed here for 2 days inpatient most the staff is very nice and caring especially amanda alicia and david so that made my stay worth it. I got the meds I needed and I am doing better. My only issue was the fact that I couldnt take any of my stuff back to the unit that I brought for comfort. I know that every place is different and I wasnt expecting to be able to bring everything but I mean I couldnt have anything not even my clothes. So packing was a waste of time. The beds were also very hard and the place wasnt very clean.