AL
Alana Lenfestey
Nov 27, 2025
Last year, I spent 27 days in the adolescent residential program at Rosewood Ranch. I was told it was a place of treatment, safety, and healing. Instead, the only thing I left with was trauma, pain, and a deep sense of betrayal.
I entered care already shaped by years of abuse. I knew what it felt like to be powerless and unheard. What I didn’t expect was to feel that same fear inside a facility that claimed to understand trauma. Rosewood labeled themselves “trauma informed,” yet used my past experiences against me. Staff knowingly triggered me, provoked flashbacks, and then criticized, mocked, or disciplined me for reacting the way a traumatized teenager would. My behaviors were treated like moral failings rather than symptoms of distress, even though those reactions were part of the reason I was there in the first place.
I was repeatedly described by staff as “reactive” and “defiant,” spoken to with sarcasm, and ridiculed in front of other patients. My privacy was violated in ways that were not only deeply unprofessional but emotionally damaging. Staff openly gossiped about me to patients and went as far as discussing details of my treatment plan with them, revealing personal clinical information that should have never left the therapy room. This harmed me and the patients who had no choice but to hear about it.
Having previously been treated at Monte Nido Clementine, where staff were compassionate, skilled, and genuinely committed to care, I felt reassured when Rosewood described themselves as being part of the Monte Nido network. I now know that two programs can share a name without sharing ethics, training, or humanity. These two centers were nothing alike. The difference between them was the difference between harm and healing.
I understand that treatment is not one size fits all. Some patients may have walked away helped, particularly those with less complex clinical needs. But for survivors of domestic violence, childhood abuse, or layered trauma, this is not a safe place. Rosewood was not trauma informed. It was trauma exploitative.
If you are a parent searching for care for your child, please consider the weight of that decision. Treatment is already one of the hardest experiences a young person can go through. With proper support, training, oversight, and real empathy, recovery is absolutely possible. But in my experience, Rosewood Ranch does not offer those things. Programs like ERC, The Emily Program, Clementine, The Renfrew Center, Center for Discovery, and other well established facilities are better equipped to provide real care and lasting progress.
I’m sharing this not out of anger, but out of urgency. No young person deserves to be hurt in a place they were sent to be healed. I hope my story helps someone else avoid the harm I endured. There is hope!
I was in residential for about 4 months in 2025. I came in very ill and untrusting. I was met with a warm, caring, hopeful team who met me with compassion and expertise. I was also heavily supported by leadership. My team met me where I was at and was willing to be patient with my progress and circumstances. It didn’t take me long to trust in my team and begin my treacherous journey toward recovery. My team fought for me to progress toward my goals prior to discharge, which meant so much. I’m in a much better place because of my journey at Rosewood. Some suggestions include more content/process heavy groups and better communication with aftercare providers. Also, continued trauma training for BHTs, nurses, clinical team etc. Special shout-out to Amanda, dietitian, for allowing me to find hope, guidance, compassion, and support in my sessions and advocating for me throughout my entire stay. So grateful!