Oak Grove Center - Murrieta, California

Kaden L.

I was in the residential treatment. I do believe the residential facility has potential and can improve, but as of August 2024, it's insufferable, emotionally neglectful, and you should not send your kids here. Also, almost all of the nice looking photos of the facility are of places and rooms that I had never seen during my time there.

My therapist and psychiatrist were great and really helped me figure things out, but I hardly got to see them, and life on the actual dorm was miserable. You can tell that a lot of the lower dorm staff really do care about the kids, but the some of the staff who are in charge of how the kids live are incompetent and seem uncaring. It seemed the higher staff approach disability and mental illness behaviors by punishing them rather than treat them, (which doesn't work at all.)

One of these punishments is classifying you as "Capable" in their system, which heavily reduces your quality of life. I displayed zero disruptive behavior, but I was classified as Capable literally only because I was depressed and overslept. They once locked me in a small, empty room with nothing to do for hours, not even someone watching over me that I could potentially talk to. It sounds absolutely ridiculous, but it's true, and staff explicitly told me that if it weren't for my depression, I'd be high in the system.

They also provide little to no entertainment on dorm. There is a LOT free time on dorm, but almost all of that free time will be spent being bored to the point of misery because there's nothing to do. They advertise all sorts of activities and outings, but those are only available to kids who are not "Capable".

Rae H.

That place has saved my life, sure the kids were messy but the help was amazing, i owe the staff a lot of respect for always helping me. I was in Dorm B and the staff were always so helping and kind, except for Jenny.. they really need to fire her. But besides that it has been amazing. I've made some enemies yet many friends there. If you don't want to have a bad experience just ignore drama, pay attention to only you, and just be respectful to the adults. Ty to my staff Mario, Zen, Jen, Danna, Raul, Alfredo, Secondary therapist Ana, and my main therapist Sarah, along with TA angel class one, and Mr nick class one. You have all made me regain my confidence and happiness 🙂

Trevin C.

I was voluntary admitted here at the age of 15-16 because the state was threatening to make me a ward of the state due to me missing school and being in and out of mental facilities because I was mis-diagnosed multiple times as a young child and put on so many medications I can't remember the names of most of them. If they can't figure out the issue properly they just bounce around on what medications may work and if they force you to take them , because if you don't take the medications you are considered "uncooperative" and they take away certain privileges, and take you into total psychosis. They just "prone" you and lock you into a padded room that is extremely unsanitary for hours sometimes the whole day. At one point when they were having me switch rooms . They had put me in a room with another "patient" who had been known to try and touch other "patients" in the middle of the night. I vividly remember being woken up by said patient who was trying to have a "tickle war" which ended up with him trying to forcefully remove my clothing and as I was screaming at the top of my lungs which seemed to be forever (in reality it was about 10-15 minutes) until a staff member finally felt the need to come check on my room. By the time he had gotten there I had almost been completely stripped and was holding my boxers on for dear life....... The next day it was blamed on me and I had to be put in another room by the next morning and they had never spoken to my parents about this incident. If anyone has similar stories please come forward. This location should not be staffed the way it is or should be shut down entirely.

Mossly_ A.

if i could leave 0 stars i would. this place is borderline abusive and neglectful. I have a pain disability and i NEED a mobility aid to move without pain. I told nursing staff and they said i needed a doctors note,i got one and they still have not gotten one for me or even allowed me to buy one with my own money. I had a convulsive episode for the first time sense i OD and they marked me down for "attention seeking" and did not check up on me for a hour while i was still seizing. There are rats and raccoons in the roofs of the dorms and there are terrible bug infestations. the therapy is minimal and barley even considered therapy. DO NOT GIVE THEM MONEY OR SUPPORT IT DOSENT GO TO THE KIDS!!!

Riannon C.

Oak Grove is an amazing organization and we are so happy to support them. The work they do in the community is so important. We had the privilege of attending their “Rock the Oaks” event recently and it was such a beautiful night! It was great to meet the children they care so much for and it was an honor to be a part. If you are looking for a non profit to support that actually makes a difference, look no further. Also, just want to add a personal thank you to Erick, he is an excellent community relations manager and he brings so much joy and love everywhere he goes.

Danette N. D.

Oak Grove Center has been an amazing huge blessing in my family and my daughters life and out our lives! I am so grateful for everyone that works there that has collaborated and come together to help my daughter, me and our entire family. Bringing healing to all of us. In addition, I found my sister on Facebook who I have been looking for, for many years. She worked in the same spot my daughter was for 8 years! WOW! When I found that out it brought tears to my eyes. That was evidence of God’s hand on my life and the life of my entire family for our whole lives! 💙 Psalm 91:1-4 believes, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD : He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Amen! P.S. Thank Dr. Daniel Amen

Kelci B.

I attended this program from 2008-2009. I was 15. I'm 30 now and still recovering from some of the behavior modification. This is an extreme choice for a temporary fix.
The closest I ever came to taking my life was during my stay here. They have electric plugs next to sinks, poisons in the nurse station, cars on the street. It's not "safe" in those terms, it's just physical restraint and oppressive rule structures.
Institutional conditioning is not a realistic, lasting cure for your troubled teen. Outpatient therapies and parent involvement is required for raising a troubled teenager. It requires YOU as a parent of a mentally ill child to be more patient, to be more dedicated, and to work on yourself and lead by example.
Reading a sheet of paper and being forced to obey it "or else you'll be sorry" is not nearly as effective as showing your child how to function with things neither one of you understand and practice living it together. It's your reality too, not just your child's.

Don't let these people take your money, benefits, or time. It does not work.

eyezcandy

i think my review was deleted; but long story short-- i was SA'd here and they didn't do anything. they just put me and the guy on "boundaries". they didn't change my class or anything, i don't even think the cops were called to investigate, i was never asked any questions. he wasn't even punished for it. do not send your kids here, it doesn't even help. they don't even do anything about bullying either.