In the picturesque countryside of Nunnelly, TN, just outside of Nashville, The Ranch offers a comprehensive range of addiction and mental health treatment services. Our program is designed to address trauma, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, sex and intimacy disorders, and other mental health conditions. Through our experiential approach, we aim to help individuals identify and change destructive patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Our trauma-focused treatment approach allows clients to explore underlying issues and discover their authentic selves, fostering a sense of belonging and connection.
ABOUT THE RANCH
Situated on 2,000 acres of rolling hills in rural Nunnelly, Tenn., The Ranch is a working horse ranch that provides various treatment programs for adult men and women dealing with behavioral and mental health concerns. Our services include treatment for substance abuse, process addictions, mental illness, and co-occurring disorders. Alongside medically supervised detoxification, we offer residential and outpatient treatment options, with the length of care tailored to each client’s needs.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Upon admission, all clients undergo a comprehensive assessment to inform their personalized treatment plan. If necessary, clients in need of medical attention for withdrawal symptoms begin their treatment at Piney Lodge, our detoxification and stabilization unit. Here, clients receive counseling, 24-hour supervision, and nursing support during the detox process.
Once stabilized, clients progress to our residential program. At The Ranch, we take a holistic approach to addiction and mental health treatment, combining traditional therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with alternative modalities like equine therapy, adventure therapy, and sweat lodge ceremonies. Counseling is conducted in both group and one-on-one settings, and clients receive education on addiction and mental health. We introduce residents to both 12-step and alternative recovery models, and medication management is provided as needed.
Clients struggling with love, sex, and pornography addiction can access The Center for Relationship and Sexual Recovery, which is a separate, gender-specific program led by specially trained clinicians.
Outpatient care is available as a step-down treatment option to support clients as they transition back into their daily lives. Program graduates also have access to our extensive alumni network.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Our clinical and medical teams consist of licensed social workers, master’s level therapists, certified sex addiction therapists, nutritionists, holistic wellness practitioners, physicians, and nurses.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The Ranch offers gender-specific residential facilities, including cottages, contemporary log homes, and Cape Cod-style houses. Many of these residential facilities are situated alongside the Piney River. Each residence provides comfortably furnished communal areas, and some have front porches. Clients share rooms and sleep in twin beds. The facility also includes horse stables and a small on-site fitness center.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Alumni reviews are generally positive, with most individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com sharing favorable experiences. Many alumni praised the staff, describing them as friendly, conscientious, exceptional, and committed. One alum noted that the staff genuinely cared about clients and treated them as real people, not just addicts. Alumni appreciated the challenging yet effective programming at The Ranch, particularly its strong trauma-focused approach. One alumnus described the process of working through trauma as the most incredible thing they had ever done for themselves.
However, some former clients found The Ranch’s treatment services to be overpriced and ineffective. These individuals expressed dissatisfaction with the amenities and additional costs associated with activities. They also indicated that their withdrawal symptoms were not effectively managed, and some felt that the center’s treatment for conditions other than substance abuse was inadequate.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
When asked about the likelihood of recommending The Ranch to others, loved ones surveyed by Best-rehabs.com provided an average rating of 3.75 out of five stars. Friends and family members were particularly impressed with the facility’s cleanliness and the staff’s level of experience. They also appreciated the counseling options and exercise/leisure activities offered. However, affordability received the lowest rating, with respondents noting that treatment at The Ranch was expensive. Some friends and family members also felt that treatment for conditions other than substance abuse was lacking.
WHAT STAFF SAY
All former staff members surveyed by Best-rehabs.com stated that they would recommend The Ranch to friends and family seeking treatment. They praised their peers as devoted, amazing, and open-minded, but expressed concerns about staff burnout due to being overworked and underpaid.
FINANCING
The Ranch accepts most major PPO insurance plans, including Aetna, Humana, and Magellan. For an estimate of treatment costs, individuals can schedule a confidential phone consultation.
The Ranch Reviews
Former employee and this place is CRAP! Please don't waste the money!! clients get one,one on one with a primary therapist once a week! Food is crap,and unappreciated/overworked staff.
I am so glad that I sought treatment for depression and grief at The Ranch. The program, staff and physicians were very caring and effective in helping me "get back on track". I highly recommend it if you have exhausted all other options. The Ranch also provided contacts and groups for me to join that are in my area when I was discharged.
I went to the Ranch for complex PTSD when my father died; his death triggered a serious ptsd crisis with suicidal impulses. I wanted help: a safe place to deal with my grief. Instead I was locked up with no privacy, no right to call my family, and incompetent RAs. We had to do chores and cook meals for each other; this was to teach residents there for addiction all about responsibility and structure; which was not an issue for me. I do not eat red meat or dairy and there were many days when there was no option for me to eat. The pressures caused me to have several dissociative episodes. Instead of care and inquiry into my condition I received interrogations, lectures and punishment. It was a nightmare. When I finally got home and began working with a new psychologist, it became clear that I have a dissociative disorder. No one at the Ranch even said a word about this possibility even though it is not uncommon with Complex ptsd. In fact, my therapist had me write a timeline of all my traumas -- it took me several days to complete -- and she never reviewed it with me. She thought it was more important to force me to do an AA first step even though I am not an alcoholic.
I consider my stay at The Ranch the most traumatic event in my entire life. I am 64 years old, recently lost my husband and they accepted me for grief and anxiety treatment. They had no handicapped facilities and I was treated as an outcast since I didn't have a "drug problem". I was placed in a house with sex addicts and heavy drug users and felt so was held hostage until I paid their final payment of $12,000. I was then allowed to discharge and am still in treatment for the trauma I endured. I don't think I will ever fully recover.
They helped me realize that I needed more help on other things than what I thought before going here. I left the ranch 10 months ago and I have been sober and socially active since. Thanks to the boys at the ranch.
The biggest rip off I have ever encountered. We have been to several facilities and this is totally deceptive. All they are interested in is your money. Nothing on their web site is included in your initial payment. All activities are extra.. I would never recommend it to anyone.
My experience initially was that of great pain, where the medical staff helped me get detoxed in a few days......I was then taken to one of the ranch houses where I shared a small room with two other patients. The first 3 weeks were a blur as the therapists and RA staff were bombarding us with tons of information, 96% I did not retain. By the time I did start to absorb information it was quite evident that the staff was going to insist I extend my stay another 30 plus days. This was the place's modus operand. The staff used their influences to recruit other patients to barrage me extend as well. This went on the last 10 days days of my 30 day stay. ......I explained my personal situation thoroughly in that I did not have family willing to care for my young children more than the initial time allotted for phase I treatment. It was obvious the counselors & staff were acting more as rain makers than as counselors. Upon release, I took the free services of recovery from the fellowship of AA and have stayed sober ever since. I give them almost zero credit for my recovery, outside of the medical care for withdrawal., I could have received the same in a hospital. The Ranch would not listen to reason regarding the financial hardship of extending either. The patients who had been there for months prior to my arrival, most were going off to sober living houses........some I did not understand why they were doing so. This seemed to be the standard for everyone.
I witnessed one person who had no business in the facility as this person's condition was to the point of death with extreme liver damage to the point where toxins were being released to the body; the stench of ammonia transmittance was horrible! It was at least 8 days before the patient was taken to a hospital ER. I would like to think that my constant verbal concerns were heard but it was obvious my words angered the staff instead. I could not wait to leave!
My impression of this place is that it is a center geared toward the rich. For these types, most were not impacted at all financially by yet another stint in treatment.
I would advise this place to someone who needs help and has the money to do so or has never been to treatment. I pray this my last time.
I've been going through a very hard time with a loved one and considered going back to the Ranch to get help for depression, anxiety, past trauma, and residual PTSD. However, after careful consideration, reflection on my personal experience, and reading these reviews, I do not think that is a good decision. My experience there 5 years ago was completely overtaken by those needing "rehab" and facing serious detox and addiction. I felt I got lost in the mix and exposed to very terrible things. Just like in the emergency room, my issues were triaged because there were other more life threatening issues from others came first. I was glad to feel "normal" and healthy in a sense, but it was a terrible experience hearing about drug and sex addictions in very vivid detail when I could not relate at all. I never got a chance to speak and I don't think I was well served during my time at The Ranch. My feelings were never addressed, I was just diagnosed or accused or labeled as something I am not. I was assumed to be an addict, and I simply am not. 5 years of success prove that. I do think this may be a good program for someone struggling with severe drug or alcohol addiction, otherwise you might want to look elsewhere. I came thiiiiiiis close to going back, until I really thought and prayed about it!
God bless anyone reading this! Don't give up. Help is help. And help is always good
A lot of people say they leave negative reviews because they were kicked out of program or left prematurely. This is not the car here. The Ranch claims that they are in-net with Blue Cross Blue Shield. While this is the case, understand one thing. All in-network clients go into different housing and different programming than self pay or out of network clients. In essence, what you’ll be gettting is “The Ranch Light.” In-network clients are treated as second class citizens and do not get the full Ranch experience. Additionally, while they told me and most of the people there with me that we’d likely get around 21 days of coverage, 90% of the people there with me got 8-12 days of coverage and either received large bills or had to go home.
My advice, go to a facility that will assure you that you’ll get a full stay. It might be unethical for them to keep you there or assure you these days, but this is your life. You do not want to go to the Ranch.
If you have OON or are self pay, I would still elsewhere. Client to staff ration has been doubled so for each employee there are now twice as many clients. This facility is in severe decline. Go elsewhere.
I worked at The Ranch for 8 years. I left of my own accord.
Once Elements Behavooral Health started putting their
hands into the operations, things went downhill quickly.
The current Ranch management does not even know
the employees or care to know them. I LOVED The Ranch until EBH
started changing everything in 2015. The Staff there are
some of the most amazing folks i have ever known, with
exception of top 2 managers. Elements made everything shady. I would have gone to treatment
there myself until 2015. Now, I am skeptical. I agree with a previous
reviewer, go to Onsite Milestones instead. A lot of really
good former Ranch employees work at Onsite now.
The Ranch gave me back my life. I had lost virtually everything that was important to me in my addiction. Now, I have a life, family and career and I feel like I owe it all to the Ranch and the grace of God. The therapists at the Ranch are among the most caring, thoughtful and thoroughly professional people I have ever met. The staff are first rate and really good at what they do. I hope others in need of help will find their way there.
Do NOT go here. Just left and my therapist got loved ones involved in my treatment, then based on his own judgement and prejudice- decided to cut them out of my plan. What a waste of time. If you go there and get him- I feel sorry for you, he’s a dictator, he’s critical and bases treatment on his own opinion. He should be fired.
My message to The Ranch...
Dear The Ranch,
I am angry. I had hope for myself that coming to treatment at your facility was going to be the best decision that I had ever made. In reality, it was the worst.
From speaking with you over the phone, you had made your treatment center seem like a dream. You actually had called it a “resort”. You explained that there was 7-8 hours a day of therapy, I was able to go outside and walk around the property with the animals whenever I wanted to, and I was in control of myself and my recovery.
The second my mom left everything changed. You had told me that I would not have to spend even one night at Pinney (hospital/detox center), yet I spent two. I sat in my room all day for 2 ½ days around clients going through withdrawal. I wasn’t in need of detox, and wasn’t in a place to witness so many people around me going through that. I was scared and alone, but I had hope for when I would be moved to a house.
The second I walked into Windsong (the trauma house), I realized that everything was a lie. I wasn’t allowed outside, I would be doing about 3 hours of therapy a day, and it was nothing but a rehab. I found myself sitting alone most days, waiting for the next event to take place.
Being in control is what made me feel safe. I was not in control one bit. The RA’s didn’t seem to care about what I was doing or how I felt, unless it was “against the rules”, which was almost everything. Within the first two days, the RA’s signed off on the wrong name when I had completed my chore. Once figuring out that my name wasn’t signed, they said they couldn’t do anything about it because “there was no proof that my chore had been done.” This costed me another full week without phasing up and being able to talk to my mom on the phone.
I decided I wanted to leave and told one of the RA’s. Before I came, I was told that at any time if I wanted to leave I could leave right then and there, “no questions asked”. It took three days to even get an appointment with my therapist. The RA’s had said that they were going to emailto get me in for an emergency appointment, but they never did. Even after telling them that I needed to see him as soon as possible, it took almost two days for him to meet my need. I had been told in the house that if I ever needed something to ask, yet when I did I wasn’t helped. I was alone.
Being a young girl with depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety, I had looked to The Ranch as an escape and a place where I could get the help I needed. But the people that were there to “help”, caused me more pain. They never showed any acts of caring and seemed to just brush it off when I asked for help. The RA’s at Windsong sat on their phones and ate food for most of the day. Even after many requests for help, they “forgot” or “didn’t know what to do”.
Since I have come home, I have constant nightmares about my stay. I have fallen into a deeper depression than I have ever been in.. I wish no one to ever go through what I went through in your care. After traveling for 14 hours to get to The Ranch, spending hundreds of dollars in travel fees, and having so much hope for myself I had to leave because your facility only made me worse.
It was here that I have learned the process of recovery is both a recovery from something unmanageable, and a recovery to something greater. The Ranch taught me how to add vibrancy to a previously grey life. The staff was amazing. The challenge of rediscovering my authentic self was cultivated in a very open, compassionate, and safe environment.
I learned vulnerability was not just validated, but a true signal of a courageous life.
To the Ranch I am highly grateful.
The Ranch has two things going for it: the therapeutic team and the horses. Otherwise it is awful. I went there to be treated for PTSD and Trauma from a history of abuse and recent spousal abuse.
In the first week I was there, myself and three other women were sexually harassed in a meeting by the male clients, who are meant to be kept separate but are not. In fact, they are frequently left unattended on main campus; all turning and zooming in, ogling and drooling when we women are near. I was certainly not the only woman this happened to. Once I had to protect and extract another client who had been surrounded. When I discussed this with my primary therapist, she told me she too feels uncomfortable (and powerless to change this) on campus for this same reason. Disgusting and horrible.
When I voiced a complaint, nothing was done, even after speaking with 4 different supervisors! This incident was then followed up by body shaming me at the all women residence, twice, again by supervisors. I was then denied phone privileges for speaking out and standing my ground. All of this severely interfered with my treatment and re-traumatized me at a place I went to for safety.
I stayed on because, as I said, the therapeutic team was quite good, regardless. Additionally, the "sisters, " that is, the other female clients were super supportive as they too were there due to sexually related traumatic events.
Having wasted 10 days with the above nonsense of my (covered by insurance) 28 day stay, and because I was making progress with therapeutic counseling — including many 12 step meetings, group counseling, weekly EMDR, etc, —at the beginning of my final week, I asked for an extension to be worked out.
On the day after my discharge date, a full 8 days after asking for the extension, when I believed everything had been taken care of, I was told that my insurance would not cover an extension, that my financial/medically responsible abusive ex refused to pay and that I had to leave immediately. I was thoroughly unprepared to go. In fact, I had had a most difficult Therapeutic Trauma Session that very morning which I had yet to even process, but regardless, I was out the door within hours. With no place to go, I booked a room at the nearest motel and was promptly dropped there.
This was five days ago. In the meantime, I have contacted the Director of Alumni Affairs twice since and have heard nothing back. I still remain in Tennessee, staying at a youth hostel as I cannot return "home" due to to the abusive situation there. I honestly have no idea what to do next.
On the whole, The Ranch has many severe and serious issues, I could go on and on... and on.
And on the whole, these are Top Down issues. Whoever the executives are, they are clearly not interested in the safety, the well being, nor the recovery of the clients. This was made very evident not only by my treatment, but by the treatment of other clients and most importantly through the voices of the therapeutic team members who made very conspicuous their agreement regarding this matter.
Until the management is changed, I would definitely not entrust The Ranch with your or your loved ones recovery. This is too bad because it could be a great place.
Here is a shout out to my sisters- love you, be strong, Hugs and Peace to you.
i went to the ranch in February 2017 to treat my addiction to a few substances, depression, anxiety and PTSD. it was hard work. working through trauma and digging deep to find the reasons i was using drugs to cope was difficult but it was the most incredible thing i have ever done for myself. with their help, i fell back in love with myself and my life. i left almost five months ago and i will be six months sober in a few days. i still talk to my therapist every now and then- she made a big impact on me. i learned a lot about myself and each of my diseases. i would most definitely recommend the ranch to a loved one. and to a stranger too. remarkable place !
The Ranch did not provide the treatment that was promised by the admissions specialist. I was seeking primary care treatment for my son who has struggled with internet porn addiction and has serious depression issues. I was told that The Ranch would use Patrick Carnes' 30 Task Model, but they did not. HIs therapist was friendly, but not effective. She spent only an hour with my son and I before they discharged him. She made recommendations, but didn't help facilitate any after care. His discharge nurse told him she thought he was depressed. We already knew that! Another client gave him a book about being gay and diagnosed my son as gay. This is not a treatment facility for internet porn addiction. I don't think they know anything about porn addiction.
I recently had a 30 day stay at The Hilltop house, at The Ranch. I got superior care for past trauma (basically a start for many addictions), my addictions and depression. I said time and again I was grateful to have the opportunity to get care at one of the best places in the USA. I am quite particular in everything, did my research, and went to The Ranch in TN. A Great decision. I had insurance that paid a portion and I paid a portion. Money well spent on my healthy future.
I HAD AN EXTREMELY POSITIVE EXPERIENCE AND WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE PROFESSIONALISM OF MOST OF MY THERAPISTS. MY PRIMARY LISA WAS BRILLIANT AND EXTREMELY CARING AND KNOWLEDGEABLE. family THERAPY WAS ALSO OUTSTANDING. THIS EXPERIENCE SAVED MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY. THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT WAS THE EXCEPTION TO A VERY POSITIVE EXPERIENCE. THE RA'S WERE OUTSTANDING AND EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND SIGNIFICANT TO RECOVERY. 12 STEP IS OVER PLAYED THE VAN AT SPRINGHOUSE NEEDS REPLACING. I AM EXTREMELY SATISFIED WITH THE RANCH AND ALL IT HAS TO OFFER. ADVENTURE DAY'S EVENTS WERE MOSTLY GREAT UNLESS HELD INSIDE AND THE TWO GIRLS WHO HEADED DRAGGED THE PROCESSES OUT TWICE AS LONG AS NECESSARY. MUSIC NIGHTS WERE GREAT JEFF'S CHURCH SERVICES WERE GOOD ABOVE ALL ELSE THE LACK OF JUDGEMENT AND WORK DONE AT PRIMARY WERE SO BENEFICIAL
As a former employee of over 6 years, this place has unfortunately took a turn for the worst. I chose to leave, I was not terminated, asked to leave or under investigation for anything. I simply left. I'm also not a disgruntled employee. This place is nothing more than a BUSINESS! Yes I have seen many lives changed in the past but it had came to a point where the clients best interest of recovery was no longer at heart for this business. Yes I'm sure there will be a reply from upper management in California denying these things but the fact of the matter is they are in California. They are looking at the number side they don't know the real truth. All the White House management at The Ranch get on their best behavior when California peeps come to town, it's comical! Truth is not their best subject. No raises in over 2 years, major lay offs at Christmas time only to have a job fair a few months later. The turn over rate of employees is through the roof! There are only a handful of employees still there that started when The Ranch was opened 15+ years ago. The employees did not retire either they also chose to seek different employment. There are so many more statements I could make but I won't keep going. Look for a recovery center that isn't a cooperation. That's when everything here fell apart. Cooperate America doesn't belong in the Recovery Field. There is hope if you are struggling with an addiction or other issues. If this is your only choice do it but hope your wallet is deep. Make sure you are aware that you get a certain number of sessions, everything after that comes out of your pocket, usually $100 or higher per session. Make certain you know the ends and outs of this place before committing to it. Get Help! It's out there!
Some of the staff are well experienced, knowledgeable. They do seem to have some good information and insight that help you get an idea of where your problems started from and treatment styles to help you try to overcome your struggles. Billing and admissions staff will say whatever they need to to convince you to come. It's typically a minimum 3 month program but admissions convinced me that 4 weeks would be ok. I made it very clear before I went that the cost was causing a significant financial hardship and that I would need assistance with insurance. I received absolutely no help with insurance. They also refused to provide a copy of the agreement I signed when I was admitted or an itemized bill after multiple requests. I think it would be helpful if they worked to find a counselor that might match the treatment needed and had the appropriate experience. There were so many extras that cost a significant amount of money above the cost of the stay, which is very expensive. Unfortunately some of those extra things were necessary for recovery, like visits with trauma counsellors. If you're pulling strings to get the money needed to go there then you can forget about affording any extra help you may need. I learned a lot about different types of therapy and some of the cause and effect for traumatic events and how folks handle things. I had chalked a lot of my behavior and mannerisms up to the personality type I was born with. There's so much more to it than that though. My 4 week stay opened up some new issues that I have yet to understand or resolve and it's been almost 3 years since my stay. Quite a confusing can of worms for the therapists I have at home.
Staff is amazing, location is magnificientstaff layoffs/ freeze on raises have increased employee burnoutI have learned a ton and grown. I am more educated professionally after working here. i love the client, staff, programing but the pay is dismal and benefits waning.
This was a very expensive and horrible experience. It did not help in any way and was actually so awful in some of its therapies. Total waste of time and money.
I attended the Ranch before it was sold for substance use disorder mainly alcohol. I stayed from detox through 2 months time though the summer and it was nothing but a positive experience for me from beginning to end. I was there before all the renovations took place so the pace of life on the ranch was slow and easy and a lot of healing was taking place. They were just beginning to build the women's sweat lodge at the time and I was in the first group of women to live in Mill House which was newly renovated at the time. We all cooked our own meals, we all got along fine, we supported each other, we healed together. In fact, many of us are still in touch with other from around the country all these years later and continue to support each other from afar.
The wonderful head of alumni supports all of us and the alumni program at the Ranch is stellar. The grounds and location of the Ranch is beautiful the housing is beautiful and serene. My primary therapist was great and I learned so much from her. To this day I have a notebook full of work that I did with her and I cannot thank her enough for all her guidance and wisdom. We called ourselves the wolf pack, everyone who was in her group. It was a joy to go to her group every morning. I look back at my time at the Ranch very fondly as a time that I got my life back and stayed sober for a very long time afterward. I did have one small slip but managed to get myself back on track quickly. Thanks. I would recommend the Ranch in Tennessee.
My spouse is currently at The Ranch, I went up last weekend for couples therapy. It snowed so one of our days got cancelled. The Ranch wouldn't extended our time even though all the couples begged too. My spouse has had bed bugs in his room for the past 3 weeks. With all the money they spend you would think someone would get him a new mattress, but no! They have bombed his room twice only for him to still find new bites daily. I emailed one woman there to extended my disappointment overall with The Ranch, only for to her to ignore my email. The Ranch is suppose to help people, couples, families, etc only they aren't. They showed no remorse on ending our weekend after 8 hours of therapy. On top of that you have to pay to attend couples weekend and you have to pay for your hotel. I guess $35,000 doesn't help with that. Wouldn't recommend this place.
Husband there for sex addiction. Terrible communication.
1. B4 admission: Was told that family week would be beneficial for ME even if divorce was inevitable. Once he was there was told they don't do family week for people who have been separated as long as we had. 2. B4 admission told us each (separately) that it would cost $7000 to get started. It was only $3k on admission. This delayed entry for 3 months. 3. My husband signed for me to have full disclosure. Upon his admission I got an email welcoming me, stating I was now a part of the family and would b hearing from primary therapist. I got NO communication. Not even a straight answer about if it was recommended he stay an additional month. 4. My husband who has identified as SLA for 10 years and gone to mtgs comes out and with no explanation says he can not see me, although he will text and email logistics. He say that it turns out SA is not really his issue!!!!! But gave no other explanation. I have no idea what happened in there. 5. The family week person called me, I thought to schedule family sessions, she had me tell he our whole story then told me there wasn't family week for couples separated as long as wee had been. NO family support NO effort to save our marriage.
My adult daughter attended the Ranch for severe suicidal depression, trauma, and eating disorder. This facility--its wonderful staff, its treatment program, and the community they build among the residents--gave my daughter her life back. She wakes up with energy to face the day for the first time in memory. She has skills to handle difficult emotions and the problems of life. She is healing from her past and moving ahead with her life with new grace and even joy.
My daughter's attitude of determination to recover whatever it takes, her openness to the program, and the hard work she did at the Ranch were certainly major factors in her success. The Ranch provided the therapy, the program, and the loving community she needed to begin her recovery.
Not only my daughter, but our family was also transformed through the family weekend program. Don't miss this chance if you're invited.
Staff communication with us during her stay was excellent while in the trauma house, somewhat less than excellent in the eating disorder house but adequate.
We are very grateful to the staff of this facility and highly recommend it.
I would not recommend this facility if your treatment need is for trauma recovery only. I was there for 5 weeks, and my treatment was focused around 12 step recovery, and I did not have an addiction problem. I only received therapy 30 minutes a week from my primary therapist, and 45 minutes a week from a trauma therapist who used EMDR. I was promised two sessions a week with my primary therapist if I signed up for another month. I sure could have used that the first month. I was promised DBT therapy, but never received it. I could have paid my therapist at home for two visits a week, and paid a trauma therapist for another visit per week, and even had an impatient stay at the psychiatric hospital to readjust my medications for a small fraction of the cost I paid here. When I left there, I was worse off by far than when I arrived. Since then, however, I have realized I learned some things from there that were helpful. My EMDR/Trauma therapist helped me get through a particularly difficult event during the 3 times a saw her. One of the primary groups was very difficulty for me at the time, but looking back I see how much that opened my eyes to things I didn't realize were a problem in my life. I can't speak for people who go here for other problems such as substance abuse, eating disorders, and sexual addictions. It may be a great place for that.
I graduated from there. Terrible. I don't know how else to describe it. The food was awful. If anything the animals helped so much but that's all that that place did for me. After a year and a half I came home worse then ever.
I spent the summer of 2016 at The Ranch, and had a great experience (for the most part). As can be expected, there are certainly some drawbacks to the program. I will preface the negatives by saying the positives FAR OUTWEIGHED the negatives--so if you get caught up in my personal opinions, take into consideration that I would do it all over again if I had to.
I, like a lot of people, didn't go to The Ranch for any sort of "chemical dependency" issues, but because I did at some point have an issue with alcohol I literally had "The Twelve Steps" beaten down my throat. If you are not in the sex addiction house (which I wasn't), everything--and I mean EVERYTHING--is centered around "The Twelve Steps." In other words, the entirety of your Ranch existence will center around your "addiction." Even if, like me, it was 8th or 9th on your list of problems, they will MAKE IT your #1 problem. With this, you will be met by countless, endless metaphors that are JUST.........SO........CHEESY.
You will "beat your biggest fear" (with a stick) or "burn your biggest regrets" (on a piece of paper you place into a fire) or "play tag" (which nobody could figure out the metaphor), and, of course, the famous "trust falls" that everybody did freshman year in high school. "Adventure Day" is an absolute joke. The counselors who lead it, especially 2 women, take themselves waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy too seriously.
We spent THREE HOURS walking around a paper maze laid out on the floor (not THAT maze), and then we spent 45 minutes TALKING about it. (SMH)
The only other negative I can really gripe about is that, unfortunately, it really IS a cash cow. Despite what they say, different people pay different amounts, and EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE. A lot depends on insurance (thus the different payment amounts), but again, and I can't stress this enough, EVERYTHING is negotiable.
My roommate had to get a new therapist for reasons I won't elaborate on, and the FIRST DAY he visited his new therapist she jumped right in and said he should extend his stay. Now WHY would she lead with that????? HOW would she even KNOW (outside his former therapist's not surprising recommendation he stay???) I don't know -- it's far from an isolated incident and happens far too often.
Now, for all the negatives I mentioned, there were twice as many positives. I'm not a religious or spiritual person, but I truly felt BLESSED to have these two women as my primary therapists.. She was an absolute sweetheart and a wonderful person. Each house will have a two-hour "primary group" session during the week, and our house was extremely lucky to have those two women leading us. One of the women was extremely intelligent, empathetic, and experienced beyond her years. The other woman brought an excitement and enthusiasm that made primary sessions enjoyable. It was evident they both truly cared about you and your recovery. Both of them were fabulous listeners and always knew how to handle every situation. You should be so lucky as to have either of them as your primary therapists. Despite the negatives I listed, the positives far outweigh any of the unsavory experiences I listed--and those two women are a big reason.
I was also fortunate to have another 2 women as my trauma and DBT therapists, respectively. Both were wonderful, insightful therapists who I looked forward to meeting with weekly. The coping mechanisms they both armed me with have proved to be life savers, and I am extremely grateful for both of them, as well.
There were also several other wonderful people there, such as the Alumni Coordinator, the Christian Services leader, the woman who led a "Road to Recovery" workshop, another woman and her assistants at Equine Therapy; the Twelve Step General (that's what I called him) who is extremely intense but has a wealth of personal experience, accompanied with a blunt, no-nonsense delivery that is very powerful; and lastly, the RAs at Spring House! Those guys were so fun to be around, and made the day-to-day grind of being away from your loved ones kind of fun. It's amazing how much of an impact a good RA can be on your experience, and I am thankful to have gotten to know the guys I just mentioned.
The Ranch is like any place else in that if you spend enough time there you will find some negatives; but I will reiterate that, for me, the positives far outweighed the negatives.
Since it was sold it is NOTHING like it used to be. Please spend your time and money on Onsite Milestones. You don't have to believe me. But you won't regret it.
I attended The Ranch in 2010 for an eating disorder, self injury, and prescription drug addiction and it was overall a wonderful and life changing experience. The only thing I would say is I would not recommend The Ranch for anybody with an ED that needs to undergo weight gain because many of the residents in the ED house were there simply because they over ate and needed to lose weight and did not appear to have BED or any other eating disorder that I could tell. It was very triggering being in a house with dieters when I was trying to gain weight myself.
non judgmental, good experience
They have way too many beds to operate well. They do have great equine programs for the men, but not the women. It is a pretty place you are rarely allowed to go outside or enjoy the properties.
I stayed at the Ranch for sex addiction for tow months in the late fall of 2016. First off, I find the 0-5 star rating system somewhat ironic. Most people that were in my house had never been to rehab before so what exactly are we comparing to? It's not Disneyland OR Burger Kind so it's neither the Happiest Place nor will you be having it your way. Overall, I feel that their focus on trauma as the underlying force driving all addictions is powerful and will serve me well as I trudge my road. On the flip side I feel that the constant refrain of "all addictions are the same" is not helpful. I can concede that if you're dealing with any SUBSTANCE addiction there are great similarities but if you're dealing with PROCESS there are differences that need to be addressed more deeply. One can have a reasonably happy life in the absence of alcohol, drugs, and the like; however, life will be unnecessarily short and unhappy in the absence of sex, food and risk taking (read: gambling). I would hazard a guess that in the ED houses they talk about effective use of food however in the sex addiction program there is never (in MY 63 days at least) any talk about healthy sexuality. You sign an abstinence contract (leave everyone else alone and leave yourself alone) and that's that. Now, back to some positives - first and most obviously, it's in the hills of central TN. I was there in the fall. It was beautiful. Although my first house was down on a creek/river we moved midway to a large horse farm ~40 minutes from main campus. You really could turn off the outside world and focus on yoru recovery. Second, I did not feel any stigma from or toward any of the others there. Whether your problem was available at the corner store, behind it in an alley or in the cheap motel nearby, we were all brothers (and sisters) at The Ranch. That brings up another point of positive and negative - gender separation. Men and women are largely segregated and for good reason. The term "rehab romance" didn't originalt for nothing. But...back to one of my earlier points, healthy interaction with the opposite sex is something that needs to develop. In our house, the RAs took it upon themselves to restrict interaction beyond that prescribed by the program. When asked why they (he) said "we changed meetings because some of you get so triggered by the girls that we have to work with you the rest of the day." Hmm - sounds like instead of helping a patient work through their issues that RA (he's no longer there but the policy may be) wanted to just have an east Saturday. Same with on-campus events (Bubba's Music Night). The RAs took it upon themselves to not take us "because of all the d@&n women." I've read one other review that talked about sorting out a billing issue. I, too, am trying to get some insurance stuff resolved after seven months now. So, more positives, group therapy was amazing - it's VERY dependent on who your primary therapist is (honestly there's some duds but that's what you get when you toss a drug rehab guy into the sex addict house). I was able to get through my wall of denial and stop being a "recovery ninja" as one of the superstar therapists named me. They were patient with me and pushed only as far as I could handle (OK, so maybe a little farther, but that's what I needed). The equine therapy ran hot and cold. Some weeks (it's 1hr/week) it was really meaningful and others you stared at a horses eyes while they listened to music. Adventure day also ran hot and cold. If I was in the right spot emotionally it was amazing (Gump Day) but when I got analytical and stayed up in my head I walked away resentful (Labyrinth). Also, it's understandable that they have to be on a schedule but I had brothers who were asked to do a Third Step exercise on their second or third day at The Ranch (Pamper Pole). Others have complained about cooking and cleaning up after yourself. I personally enjoyed that aspect of the program and chose The Ranch partially so I COULD cook for myself (and others). Doing that actually turned into therapy when I learned that I hide some of my emotions in the kitchen - it's the ultimate place of changing from a Human Being into a Human Doing - and getting praised for it. And to finish, because no one has read this far), I too would like to comment on the "family therapy." The sex addiction program has its own version so this may not be applicable to the substance folks, but there seemed to be not much work on how to actually move forward together. The "individual" session (one) with my wife and my therapist was fairly lame. He basically said we had that hour to yell at each other but since we didn't want to do that we didn't have a lot to do. Spouses were never challenged on their crap so the stigma of "this is 100% HIS fault" was perpetuated. I think some improvement could be made there.
Bottom line, If I needed to (and could afford it) I'd choose The Ranch again. I think they would be even better if they could get and retain all CSAT primary therapists for the sex addiction house and work in more "healthy sexuality" programming.
I came here for a mental health professional weekend and was completely blown away by the quality, care, and expertise of the clinicians, and staff that work at The Ranch. The moment that I stepped onto the grass of The Ranch property, I knew that this was a place where healing happens. Through our workshops and tours, it was proven this is the case. The level of care here exceeds exceptional. I would not hesitate to send a loved one or client to The Ranch, because I believe the integrated approach and level of genuine care that each person receives at The Ranch provides the needed foundation for lasting lifelong change. I am so thankful to have had this experience, and to know The Ranch exists!
Programs such as family visits are cost thousands extra though it is implied that this is a part of the treatment program. Poor communication. Our loved one had been at the Ranch for 4 weeks and we only had one staff phone call though we were told initially that there would be weekly interaction. The next call was from our loved one asking for more time and money for tests...
Im recently 5 years sober from alcohol. I have nothing but the up most respect for the Ranches beliefs and staff. Not your typical 12 step treatment center, but the steps are present. The best part of the Ranch is that you will find out what works for you(having options). Like anything else, you get what you put in. I would recommend the Ranch to anyone.
Great programand staff. All are truly interested in your recovery. However, it was 3 hours from our home.Great facility, staff, and program. Very involved.
Strengths: Horse therapy. Weaknesses: Quick relapse. Seemed like a good program, but sent work.
The professionals and staff and clients at The Ranch helped me get sober and address PTSD symptoms. They taught me how to stay sober and fearless and gave me the tools to stay sober and without fear. Quite simply the folks and clients at The Ranch saved my life and taught me how to live that life well.
The Ranch therapists were very good and caring. However, communication with the management was poor during the stay, and continues to be a problem. Eight months later, we are still trying to resolve simple billing questions.
To middle class families like ours the costs of such treatment, while worth it are staggering. The lack of business sense is tragic. It is essentially a lack of compassion or understanding in that it continues to cause damage to families that are already struggling.
One of the most amazing and spiritual experiences of my life. I would recommend anyone with trauma, depression, eating , chemical, or sex addiction. This program is 2nd to none!
My loved one should have never been admitted here. They discharged him after 1 week and will not return phone calls regarding refund of the money they owe us back. They have no justification for the 3 weeks he was not staying there, and we paid for 4 weeks in advance. We were told we would have a call back in 24 hours and 1 week later we still have no phone call back. I had high hopes for this place and they have completely let us down and were unable to help my loved one. Unfortunately, my recommendation would be to not send someone you love or care about to this place because they obviously lack compassion. I am from a medical background in hospice care and this is extremely disappointing to see in the care of mental illness.
Our daughter was there for 9 weeks for her ED and we were lied to every step of the way. We were told they were experienced with ED and they are not. We were promised Family therapy and the only family therapy they have is a week end that you pay extra for, and they didn't talk once about Eating Disorders. Truly avoid if you have an Eating disorder.
My experience is that the facility can only foster the willingness of the individual to do the work, it is not the cure. The Ranch worked with me from early on regarding the expenses I might incur. They were there at the airport to pick me up and take me to in processing. There were some delays and frustrations here but nothing exceptional and the staff was friendly and conscientious. Once in the house the Resident Advisors, as recovering people themselves, passed on their experience, strength and hope and helped me with 12 Step work. The Primary therapists are all recovering people and were exceptional in listening and working toward overcoming roadblocks to recovery. The trauma therapist was exceptional and did wonders to help me start feeling again. The adventure program provided great insights in to the areas of trust in both my brothers as well as a higher power. The equine program taught me things about relationships I never would have guessed they could. The after care recommendations were vague and left something to be desired. The alumni network outside of the Nashville area is almost non existant. Still I would recommend this facility after talking to individuals who have attended others.
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