SSM Health Behavioral Health - Centralia

Avoidant & Invalidating Therapist Saw Mel Dane, LCPC at SSM Health Behavioral Health (formerly Angela Center) in Centralia, IL for trauma related to childhood physical abuse and maternal betrayal. After a previous harmful therapy experience, I asked direct questions in the first session to assess fit. She refused to answer, citing boundaries. I proceeded for 2–3 months. When I raised concerns again and explained the prior invalidation, she avoided clear validation (e.g., wouldn’t say “what your mom did was wrong”) and framed my need for it as “supporting hatred.” Felt evasive and unsafe. If you need a therapist comfortable with direct validation of maternal betrayal or childhood abuse, look elsewhere.

I usually don’t write reviews but I think that the entire staff at ssm behavioral health are top notch people and great people that made me feel comfortable and cared for from day one so helpful and genuine

I had to wait about 2 weeks for my initial appointment. After that I was scheduled with psych the next day to start meds. About 3 weeks later I was able to start couceling. I had some med issues in the beginning but used MyChart to directly message the Drs and nurses. They got back to me within a couple of hours and we got stuff switched. I am feel better than I have in years! Also, staff is always friendly!

Used to be a great place for help. But now it’s difficult to get an appointment and if they give you an appointment time (which is wrong) and you show up at that time they will refuse to see you. They also can’t seem to keep any psychiatric doctors long enough to get anyone a good method of treatment going. SSM health has gone down hill especially centralia’s staff.

They have serious issues like permanently banning you as a client for missing one or two appointments. If this were Great Falls, MT they would be trying to track you down first because they actually would know you might've hurt yourself. They also did not even get my treatment history from the last town I lived and just asked me what I took without requiring any proof. I honestly could've just said I took whatever I wanted to get highly potent drugs I only would want to get high from. I guess the only bright side to that is if you have addiction issues you don't want to try to fix, you can just go to them saying you moved and need to continue services and just tell them you took something like Xanax to easily get legal access to getting high since they don't require proof.

The Psychiatrist and the Staff (Thanks Janet!) truly saved my life. After dealing with Mental Health issues for 30 years, I had almost given up. When I saw the Psychiatrist for the first time, I felt something that I had forgotten I could feel: Hope. Hope that although life may not ever be perfect, it can be much better. I was so deeply depressed that the Nurse (Janet) called me twice in the next 2 weeks to see how I was doing. I was touched by her concern. I extremely happy that I began treatment again, because if not I wouldn't be here to say to those who are hurting... "I know it can be difficult to ask for help. You can give up anytime, so please don't hurry. Life can be so much better, I promise. You only have to reach out your hand and let someone help. The Angela Center can help". I can only give 5 Stars here. But I would give them a billion if I could. How many stars is a life worth? More than you can see in the night sky.

Dr Ahmad actually listens and has been very helpful

Nurses and staff were very friendly during my 4 day stay. I’m not mentally ill but I was put in for suicidal ideation/depression and went voluntarily. Now I’m on my way to joining the US Army!