Center for Discovery - Fairfield

It's been 2 years since I got discharged from CFD at Congress St. I guess I could have written this review sooner but I can be more honest and objective now. This place saved my life. Treatment is what you make it. You have to show up willing to at least give it a try, to surrender and trust the process. The 3 months I spent here were some of the absolute most difficult moments of my life and I couldn't have done it if it wasn't for the wonderful staff at CFD. From the intake coordinator to the people at outpatient. I know some of the staff have left and others are still there, and those are people that I KNOW really care about their patients. When my days were unbearable and I thought I couldn't go on and when I unknowingly sabotaged my recovery they were there to help me, lend me a hand and give me tough love whenever I needed it. All of the therapists and mine specially challenged and pushed me in the most compassionate way every day to make sure I'd make progress. The program director is quite literally heaven sent as well as the dietitians. They made sure I had all the tools I needed to live a plentiful life in recovery. Though some days are still hard I know I can trust myself to recognize triggers and know when I'm slipping. I know I can do this and it wouldn't have been possible without the help of Center For Discovery. Forever thankful.
Sep 5th, 2023

I went to CFD in October 2020, prior to going to CFD I was never medicated in my life for any mental illness, when I arrived I was diagnosed with bipolar but what was truly bizarre was the psych dr they had there dr.Grant, I hope this man doesnt practice medicine anymore, he only asked me 3 simple questions to diagnose me with such a mental illness like bipolar, the questions were, do you spend a lot of money? Does bipolar run in the family? And do you have anger outbursts? I answered yes to all 3 and without hesitation this man puts me on lithium and Adderall because I mentioned I had childhood adhd, I also vocalized how depressed I was but I was never put on any antidepressants??? Just lithium and adderall, by week 4 I was absolutely bonkers like I was losing my mind, now knowing today lithium and adderall makes a chemical reaction in your brain to literally make you lose your mind, when I hit week 6 in November, I literally was hallucinating and hearing voices that simply wasnt there, I was severely unwell I truly had no thoughts going through my brain at all, the last night I was there I went outside in the pooring rain and flung the metal patio furniture sets across the lawn because I literally was going crazy, not knowing it wasnt me truly it was the medication this man put me on to make me literally lose my brain and not process coherent thoughts, just throw patio furniture, the day after it was a Monday, I truly blacked out what happened the night before, after breakfast right before morning snack, I was brought into the back room and was told I was having an early morning session, I walked in and it was the whole CFD staff and Ashley the therapist, truly an amazing lady and I hope she is doing well in this world, told me that I was being sent out to be evaluated, I couldnt process anything at that moment just not understanding what I did wrong, I wasnt able to grab anything, no belongings I wasnt able to say goodbye, I was just put into the ambulance and I was sent to st Vincents medical center where I sat in the hallway of the ER for 11hrs I was completely and utterly alone in a state Im not even from, everything I learned in those 6 weeks being there, every coping skill went right out the window i instantly went back to behaviors, I was than sent to the psych unit for 72 hrs and literally locked in a glass room and had to buzzed out to use the bathroom, I instantly was taken off of adderall at the hospital because I shouldve never been on that to begin with this place literally made me crazy, anyway I digress, I was then sent to st Vincents behavioral center where I spent an additional 12 days there, when released from that BHC I spent a year and 4 months with my eating disorder worse than it was ever before in my whole life I developed PTSD from this situation and I trauma blocked everything out that happened to me 3 years ago until this Tuesday august 29th 2023 where my new psych dr put me on this new mood stabilizer where I literally almost died from and had to go to the hospital and even in the parking lot where my throat was closing and I couldnt breathe I turned to my sister and told her I was fine and we could leave because I knew I was going to get extremely triggered by just stepping foot into a hospital setting, it was a different hospital thank goodness, and when I got admitted into the emergency room, where did they put me, in the hallway, everything I trauma blocked for 3 years came flooding to my brain came out in full force, luckily this time I was with my sister and not alone in a hospital in an unfamiliar state that an eating disorder center sent you to because of the negligence of their psych dr who shouldve never proscribed you medication that could alter your brain chemistry so badly where you would hallucinate to the point of going crazy, Ive been in recovery for a year and 6 months now but it sucks that I wouldve rather went into anaphylactic shock than step foot into a hospital to seek medical attention because it would trigger me from what happened 3 yrs ago
Aug 26th, 2023

I attended Center for Discovery Fairfield on Congress St. four summers ago. It was the best decision Ive ever made. Being in my 40s at the time, I had experienced many treatment centers. This one was different. The reviews that mention the word magical are spot on. I cant think of a better word to describe it. They really do guide you through a whole discovery process. For those with doubts, I want to tell you this place WORKS. Fast forward 4 years later ~ I am at the best place I could be in my life! I am doing things (and not doing things) I never thought possible. Its the only program thats ever dug deep and got to the root of my disorder. For the first time in my life, in my 40s, I understood where, how, and why my ED started. It was eye-opening. Only then, was I able to address the real issues and begin overcoming my ED. I use the analogy of an onion ~ they peel away each layer until they get to the core. Even in my recovery, doing exceptionally well, I sometimes long to be there. I truly believe you get out of it what you put in. There were many times when we were given assignments that I thought Whats the point? However, I threw myself into them and ALWAYS ended up seeing the value of them in the end. Trust the process and give yourself wholly to the program. They know what theyre doing. Were there days I was upset and wanted to leave? Of course, but thats par for the course at any treatment facility. It usually happened when I wanted to run away from the uncomfortable feelings that felt too hard to deal with. Im so thankful I stuck it out. It changed the trajectory of my life. Recovery IS possible and let me tell you, it feels so good! Thank you to CFD for all youve done for me. I will be forever grateful.
Aug 20th, 2023

There are no words to explain how amazing of a recovery environment this place was. After having a difficult experience at another house, it was amazing to see how caring and supportive this place was. I came in feeling unsafe and unsure of everything, yet CFD Congress showed me over and over again that they were a place I could be safe to struggle in, grow in, and ultimately choose my own recovery. They are also an extremely LGBTQ+ friendly and a gender affirming environment. If you are looking for treatment that understands the ties between identity and eating disorders, this is the place. Its not easy, and you have to be ready to put the work in, but I 100% recommend this place to anyone seeking out recovery, with both an eating disorder and other mental health issues. If youre looking for a sign to take the step, this is it
Aug 2nd, 2023

There are no words to describe the amazing care I received at Center for Discovery Congress Street. I have been in treatment before and this facility is like no other. It is a magical place. I wish everyone could have the opportunity to have care at a facility as caring, supportive, and creative with their interventions. I thought I was going to be in treatment for my ED a month or two. Nine months later, I learned more about myself than I even knew. They treated my eating disorder as well as trauma and other mental health conditions. It is hard to believe how one facility can have an absolutely wonderful director, therapists, dietitian, counselors, and nurses all in one place. This was one of the best experiences of care I have ever received. My therapist was one of the most amazing and influential people I have ever met. I made lifelong friends in the milieu as well. Not only did this facility help treat my ED, but changed my life.
Jun 21st, 2023