Evolve Treatment Centers - Woodland Hills

Our son attended the Woodland Hills program and it changed him for the better. His progress was not quick but our family is seeing the lasting impacts of it. He is calmer, doing better in school, staying away from drugs, and we talk more. The staff is very caring and educated, our therapist was sharp and our son enjoyed the food and activities. He still has a long road ahead but we are very thankful for his time there and for the family therapy we received. We recommend it.

I went to Evolve for suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, and they diagnosed me there with an eating disorder. Most staff were kind. Unfortunately, their focus in treatment was for substance abuse and anger management. They hardly had any groups about depression and anxiety, and no groups about eating disorders. When i asked if they could add in more groups that would help my treatment, they said they would, but nothing happened. Thats a common thing at Evolve. They say they're doing/going to do something, and then don't do it. Their daily schedule was packed, and you weren't allowed to have down time, except one hour on weekdays. You're watched 24/7, there are security cameras and staff members are with you at all times. You are not allowed to use electronics, except the computers for school and the iPod shuffles they provide for during rec or music therapy. You're only allowed to be in your room when changing clothes or sleeping. You have no privacy except when using the bathroom or changing clothes. Evolve staff are mandated reporters, however, another client who I met there, had an abusive home-life ...nothing has been done about this. I was prescribed a medication as needed for panic attacks, and Evolve's psychiatrist wouldn't let me take the medication because "i was going to get addicted", even though i have no history with substance abuse. What their policy is (and what they should've done) is to send back the medication with my family when they dropped me off. They didn't. When i was discharged, they didn't give back the medication they previously had taken away and wouldn't give me... Evolve said they would send the medication in the mail. It's been a full month and after multiple emails and phone calls, we've heard close to nothing. Unfortunately, this treatment center has tons of issues. The staff is lovely, but the program itself doesn't care about the clients, just the money. I DO NOT recommend Evolve Treatment Center.

Evolve has a strong, knowledgeable, talented and diverse clinical team to meet the needs of a variety of clients. They are passionate about helping adolescents achieve a healthy level of functioning through exposing them to a variety of groups and treatment modalities. I cannot think of any weaknesses. Being a staff member at Evolve residential was such a rewarding experience. Evolve really focuses on the importance of the connection between clients and staff. Staff are constantly available to help client who are struggling, need a time out, or just need a trustworthy adult to talk with. It is such as a staff to play an integral role in the client's road to recovery.