Nothing else had worked for us…until BNI.

Our son recently completed his treatment at BNI and is finally back with our family. Not only do we have our son back, but thanks to BNI, we have our family back.

Prior to our relocation and unbeknownst to us, our son had been given pills from friends who had themselves taken or seen family members take prescription medications for anxiety and depression.

Secretly, for months, our son self-medicated. Feelings of guilt began to mount, as did his fear of discovery.
Once the pills were gone, our son spiraled. He began engaging in harmful behaviors–including self-harm, substance abuse, and suicide attempt.

It felt unbelievable–surreal to twilight zone to nightmare. Our son who had scored in the 99th percentile of standardized tests and had his whole life been the favorite among peers, teachers, and adults was unraveling. Like many others–perhaps you who are reading this now–we got our son a therapist. Still, he began failing classes; he was caught cheating; other parents and adults began accusing our son of drinking and stealing.

Where there was once a happy and thriving boy of exceptional aptitude and sensitivity, there was now a sullen stranger who was so unpredictable, our entire family felt hostage in our own home.

After our son was suspended for possession, we enrolled him into a substance abuse program. When things didn’t improve, we enrolled him into IOP (intensive outpatient). As our son continued to struggle, we added more therapists and more therapy. Despite all the efforts, our son continued to hurt and we ended-up in E.R. for SI (suicide ideation) with plan. Our son was gurney’s from E.R. to the mental health ward of the hospital.

After two weeks, the hospital concluded that our son required a higher level of care–deafening mic-drop. A higher level of care than the mental health ward of a hospital?!

Among the flood of thoughts and emotions was the fear that if over a year of intense therapies with multiple therapists + an IOP program, and now a team of hospital doctors, therapists and nurses couldn’t help our son, what chance did anyone have? It felt like our entire family was being sucked into a vacuous black hole and we were being crushed from the intense pressure. Worse, it seemed like we were reaching a point of no return.

Fast forward to today: Our family is once again in a happy place. Our meals are filled with bright conversation with our children overflowing with excited anecdotes and playful humor. It’s such a simple thing–family togetherness–but once you’ve had it and then had to live without it, having it back makes you swell up with happiness and tear-up from emotions.

More about our experience with BNI:

BNI was and is amazing. Perhaps it is because BNI is doctor-owned and operated, but the level of care from BNI is lightyears beyond any care that our son had previously received.

When I first reached-out to BNI, they *immediately* called me back. Given our history of disappointments, I was cautious not to get my hopes up. I didn’t know it then, but BNI’s stellar handling from the beginning was just the start of BNI’s superlative care.
Those first days, while we were still in the hospital, BNI ‘handheld’ me through the process/transition and even before our son was admitted into BNI, BNI began actively assisting and advocating for our son and family. We were especially shocked when a BNI psychiatrist made himself available to us BEFORE we were at BNI and WHILE he was traveling abroad!

Our son entering BNI and our son post-BNI are almost unrecognizable as the same human being.

BNI opened their doors to a boy in obvious distress–sunken, scarred and shaky. Through the course of treatment, our bright, witty and sensitively thoughtful son was not just returned to life but actually improved.

I never imagined I would ever see a silver lining to all the chaos and agony of the last two years, but looking at our son, listening to him talk, watching how he conducts himself and interacts with the world and people around him, it’s undeniable that this experience has been formative.

BNI helped rebuild our son and it shows. He’s once again making long-term plans and is committed to his academic and future success. He finished his academic year with a B+ average; he is the picture of youthful energy and health; he is a young man with obvious promise of becoming an adult who is self-possessed and a valuable asset to those fortunate enough to cross his path.

Our son’s primary BNI doctors (Dr. M and Dr. A) have been and continue to be involved and impactful. I don’t know how to thank them enough, nor endorse them adequately.
If your child / loved one / family is suffering, call BNI. See what they have to say. And if they have space available, consider it a gift.

Scott S.

I highly recommend this facility to get top notch treatment and care for adolescents. The psychiatrists who own and operate it are knowledgeable and professional. The whole staff genuinely cares. The therapists are young enough for the kids to relate to and are great positive role models. The facility is more like staying at a luxurious home than a clinical facility. It’s situated in a scenic area that lends itself to reflection and peace. The off-premises therapies with horses and surfing give the kids a break from conventional treatment and makes it much more palatable. The family involvement is super helpful and supportive.