Pasadena Villa - Smoky Mountain Lodge

Highly recommend this place. Has helped my son tremendously

SML changed my life completely! When I went there, I was at the absolute lowest point I have ever been in life. At that time, I wasn’t functioning well at all and seemed stagnant in my progress. I felt beyond helpless! Going to SML was a huge, and even scary step to take, but in hindsight, I couldn’t even imagine being where I am now, almost 7 months later. I can function and am able to do my ADLs, have taken strides to better my physical health through regular exercise, and continued regular appointments with my therapist and psychiatrist. I have a healthy social life and have reconnected with friends, resumed college classes, in touch with former hobbies, etc. SML can change life’s trajectory for sure! Before this experience, I did not think that I could rebuild myself again and live normally. I thought that the constant sorrow and pain that persisted for years, would never have the chance of alleviating itself, and that it would take years before I would even begin to recover. However, I am very fortunate that was not the case! First of all, I had a wonderful therapist (Kari), and I will forever be grateful for her belief in me and dedication. I am forever thankful that we crossed paths. I will always appreciate her for her kindness, patience, and attunement to my situation and experiences. Medication management was top tier; I was able to secure a proper diagnosis and receive appropriate medications, which I am still on today. Groups are a great opportunity to listen, share experiences, and learn coping mechanisms that you can carry with you. Listen to others' experiences - you will see that you are not alone, and use it to gain a voice of your own. If you are a person that appreciates nature and great views, the location of SML is perfect! Also, the build of the facility is aesthetically pleasing, which may have a more positive impact on your mind’s reset than you think. I remember first walking in and feeling blown away by the design of the building. This experience was much better than expected, and I would without a doubt choose it again if needed. So remember, show up for yourself, have an end in mind, consider the factors that may help your growth (ex. need for appropriate diagnosis, medication management, plan after discharge), listen to others and find that you are not alone, learn a few coping skills, and try to advocate for yourself. All of these will help you get through. You can do this - your future self will thank you for it!

So I’ll give you some context and this is going to sound crazy but my journey with Passadina started out rocky to say the least I was being transported from a mental health hospital to Passadina via a transportation service I won’t say witch transportation service do to legal reasons but the driver ended up taking a wrong turn and we ended up crashing on the side of the mountain that pv is located on after the car crash I was then transported to a hospital and checked out to make sure I was ok physically the drop was in the ball park of 80-100 feet after I was medically cleared I was able to go to Passadina and went through the admission process they put a bracelet on your wrist or ankle your preference so that they are able to monitor you they have animal therapy and the techs treat you like your human unlike some other recovery places pretty much I went from flying off cliff to getting my life back on track this place really dose help people and I recommend it to anyone who is in need of it

These places are just not tailored to folks with anxiety or have hard lives. They are more on the behavioral side of things. I wish I could give a better review but it was traumatic and terrifying. For the amount of money, they needed to be a lot better. They also reinforced my low self worth I have had since I was a child. (I was so used to running around doing everything for everyone) these mental health places need reform.

Five stars isn't enough for what this place has given me. Pasedena didn't just help me "get through" something. it gave me a space where I could finally come back to myself. After everything I went through last year, and this, especially living with a traumatic brain injury and feeling like I almost lost who I was, I think I did. being here has been deeply healing in a way I didn't think was possible. For the first time in a long time, years, over decades, esp finding new meaning with TBI, I feel like me again. This place is not just supportive it's creative!!!! open, and truly nurturing. The place is by God, humble saying his name, BEAUTIFUL. Just the views.. the environment. As an artist and writer, a nature girl, and just wanting a true wellness and healing… Not super facility ward like. I have TOTAL freedom. Other than from group therapy that’s super helpful! that meant everything to me. I've been working more on my personal project, The Hollow That Holds Me, while staying here, not only was I allowed to continue creating they genuinely supported it, encouraged even more ideas I must not share yetttt.. but I’m so happy. It’s odd to say happy because I haven’t in years, and not being dramatic. I’ve been through it, AND cheated death And if I didn’t have Pasedena, I’m unsure how I’d end up. I was experiencing extreme issues, this was at the time , my last resort before back to another icu stay, That last resort, was a blessing from God.. this time around. That, This, kind of environment and support is rare. They understand that healing isn't "one-size-fits-all." Sometimes it looks like art, expression, storytelling... and they make many spaces for that. My room feels like a safe haven. (and if your paired with a roomie, it's a good fit.) roomie is amazing and a friend. I've met friends outside of here too, real ones. Understanding. Quiet, comforting, and grounding. Are words to describe. A place where I could breathe, think, and create. A place where I didn't feel like I had to hide any part of myself. ANY! Even my kooky creative side. What stands out the most is this I felt like I belonged here. A outcast feelings like they BELONG. Not judged. Not misunderstood. Just... held, in the way I needed. "The hollow that holds me" When I do leave, I'm not leaving not just "better," but fuller. Stronger. More connected to who I am as a person and as an Artist. That’s a double plus for me. If you're someone who needs real healing not just structure, but soul, holistic ish, nature, good views, relaxation.. true help. I was drowning before Pasedena.. I cannot recommend Pasedena enough. This place helped give me my life back. Alexia is my personal therapist, and she has done wonders for me, I would like to rate her 10000 stars. She is an ELITE therapist and caring. Buffy, as well, is amazing, caring, always there for ANYONE, always open and welcoming with open arms. She makes therapy feel lighter and easy for us and mindful. We all wrote mindful positive quotes on our driveway to our cabin with buffy and I swear some of those will stay with me forever and being outside with buffy, talking, and candy? What more can you ask for. A girlfriend! A buddy, a professional therapist, and caring, COOL, lady. This time around, I got real healing done working very close with Alexia, Buffy, and Barry. I want to add Maddison is an exceptional member of Pasedena Villa, and Brenda the CEO cares about ALL her clients and the system and she's on IT with ANY issues. Brenda is amazing, and all of Pasedena. I truly strive to work here once I'm healed. More than 5 stars.

I will never forget my stay at Pasadena. Everyone helped me so much. "It takes a villa!"

The place is great. I came without my medications which delayed me on getting back to my medication. and I had to deal with the nursing stuff which made the the first couple of week a little bit difficult. Make sure to bring your medication with you to avoid that. otherwise, the place is great and I left better than first when I came!

They come in your room every 15 minutes at night and make you wear a bracelet that tracks your location thats the only negative things I have to say but either way its still a nice peacefull spot in the forest and its also not that bad that you have to deal with them coming into your room its just to make sure your still there... I loved the staff they were all very cool people the beds were right but like every other mental hospital/rehab you cant expect the beds to be the best and its very echoey in there so dont take people with stimulating overload or wtvr here if you think nature brings you peace def come here the staff were so great Perfect get away for anything your going through. staff is almost perfect when it comes to dealing with your problems and they have movie nights every night and have great food and they take you on walks around the smokey Mountains and they are quite nice I would say you cant miss this place so take your chance and go here ASAP I also got caught making out with a girl here too it was wild but she was wierd i dont even know why I did that with her she came onto me first I guess its just cause ive been super lonely for years ever since 2022 and I went there in 2024 isolation really beats you up man I also met this guy named Adam he tought me how to play chess that guy was so good at chess and also all types of people come here too im sure you will find someone you can relate to or help you get through your struggles and also the environment outside is great and also i saw a ufo while I was there too it was just hovering like 1000 feet away from me in the sky it flashed a bright light and then it was gone my stay there was wild so many things happened like this dude was always yelling at me telling me to get away from him cause I said something he didnt like and he would never tell me what I said was so wrong to where he got in trouble for yelling at me and again the staff here are bunch of angels I will never forget my stay there like literally so much happened me and this dude also ran away from the place and took a hike all the way up the mountain and we got a hilltop view of the whole town and yall need to hear this song its called forever love by juice wrld he has the best flows to some of his songs I swear and follow me on Instagram @portxlz