The Balsam Center

My HEPA rights were violated by A new woman who probably still works there. She still thinks she is in the right. Dr. Russell was the reason I did not report her. Dr. Russell mysteriously disappeared almost exactly to the date when it was too late for me to report it. This woman confronted me about my drug test results in the waiting room with my child. Results results in which I was permitted to take narcotics, mind you! Needs to shut down ASAP! From Larrissa Rose Truax

Worst place ever. I would never send a patient with mental illness issues here. You are not allowed to have visitors at all and if they demand to see their loved one that person doesn't get to make their ONE phone call a day. While I was there my brother- in-law fell and broke his hip. I couldn't even call to check on him or I would have to give up my one phone to my kids. They held me longer due to I had private insurance. My brother in law died before they let me out. I wasn't there for my sister and I did not get to say goodbye. They want to totally isolate you from your loved ones. How does that help anyone with depression ? It makes it worse. I was worse coming out than I was going in. This place is the worst mistake I have ever made.

A very kind , compassionate and caring staff . My daughter with disabilities loves everyone she encounters at Appalachian Community Services ! A big Thank you to everyone at Appalachian Community Services for all your kindness !!

Horrible customer service by Regina!! Regina is located at the Balsam Center. If I could give Regina at the Balsam Center a negative 5 stars I would have! She is a not-so-nice person to deal with on anything! She was doing her damnedest trying to FORCE me to see an NP for meds, and I didn't feel comfortable with this particular NP!! **(When I started at Appalachian Behavioral Health, I asked and was told if I ever felt uncomfortable with ANY of the providers, I could switch to a different provider bc they don't want to put patients in an awkward situation.) .... nobody said, "unless Regina is in charge of what you can and cannot do and then you can only see who SHE says who you can or cannot see!"🤬 She insisted that I HAD TO TALK TO THE NP AND EXPLAIN TO HER WHY I DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE 'WITH HER' AND THEN---->THAT NP WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT I CAN CHANGE TO A DIFFERENT NP!!😳🤬 Regina insisted THIS was their [APPALACHIAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH] "POLICY," and I had to do it their way. ****This is no different than going thru abuse, and then you have to sit down and face your abuser, and then explain to that abuser why you hate them, to their face!!😢😤🤬 This was a very abusive way to handle a situation such as mine. There IS ALWAYS a "GRAY AREA" to bend the "Policy" so the MENTAL HEALTH Patient is always comfortable. Regina REFUSED to help make me comfortable, insisting I talk with the NP I felt so uncomfortable talking to! I am a retired nurse, and there is ALWAYS A "GRAY AREA"! Someone might want to send REGINA to some current courses [CE - "mental health people skills" courses] and teach her how to deal with patients properly; no one person fits into the cookie-cutter mental health policy that the person before them had, nor what the person after them will have. After crying for hours, I received nothing from Regina, no help, no solution; she left me feeling beaten down, abused, and defeated!🤬 My SAVIOR was my Private Care Physician! 💕 My Physician knows me well; he's been my doctor for 14 years. I explained to him what Regina did to me and that she works for Appalachian [Balsam Center]. He replied that she would no longer be employed had his practice been her employer! 🤷‍♀️ My awesomely unique physician took over my three meds to monitor, due blood work every three months and refills for my meds. 🥰 I'm no longer being forced to see an NP out on the Military Base 6 hours away, who I am not comfortable meeting with, thanks to a fantastic Private Care Physician.🙂 RH

I can't say enough about the staff -- from the housekeeping up to the doctors. I was always treated like a person and that my well-being was of utmost importance and a priority. There was not a single time in my stay at the Balsam Center that I felt like I was a second thought or a nuisance. They helped me recover and set up a plan for continued success in sobriety. They were all relatable, kind and passionate about mine and the other patients' health and recovery. This also includes the Mobile Crisis unit, all of whom are there and willing to help/talk. I would recommend the Balsam Center 10 out of 10 times to anyone looking for help in recovering and trying to set a new, better course for your life.