hi, im nico, im 15 and i just got out of willow springs yesterday. i was there for nearly five months. i looked at these reviews and yes, some of its true, but its not only bad things. i know all of the people who wrote a review made "friends" and had good laughs and experiences. i know that its hard to see the good when bad happens, but willow springs is good, not for everyone. not every skill taught here is going to benefit you, but you will find a select few that do. i have had many bad experiences here, from restraints, to sobbing, to hitting staff. yes i was a tough kid. but willow did help me. it taught me to control my impulses, my actions and my thoughts. the staff, (99% of them) are great and really try to help the kids. i have connected with so many staff and i will never forget them. i know being sent to a place you dont want to be at can be hard, i didnt talk to my guardians for 2-3 months, i was angry, and i still am angry. but willow isnt supposed to "change" you or take your emotions "away." its there to help you manage and express. alot of kids have problems with abusive households and are sent here for running away, and yea willow doesnt really help that part of your "problems." but thats okay. i want to say thank you to gianna, vanessa, jessica, sierra, mikayla, bria, marce, lolo, elsie, tay/lupe, ms. jess, skyla, jayla, taylynn, monse, sarah, maafu, ileana, esme (noc), maria (noc), emma, haley, tati, lex, vee, jazzy, blair and destiny, sabrina, nurse holly, nurse cara, nurse geri (noc), and especially megan, the best therapist i could have asked for, and everyone else im missing. thank you all for not giving up on me. fws (forever) willow springs edit: (also take into note alot of these reviews are from years ago, willow is a great place now.)edit:its been almost three months sense i have been out now. i miss willow and all the staff, if you are reading this i miss you all so much, im starting to write letters to send to you guys. again thank you so much for never giving ip on me. i will forever rememver my time at willow. as i cant talk to the staff, im doing good! im taking my meds, im doing my school work too! im so proud of how far ive come, thanks to you guys. i hope more kids like me get to meet you and have the experience i had, (not exactly like mine cos it was a lil chaotic lol,) but i hope that you guys as staff can help more people. you really are changing kids lives. i miss you all so much, fws, not fuck willow springs but forever willow springs i love you all therapeutically with boundaries, not really but i have to say that lol, bye! N cooh i also wanted to apologize again for being an ass, specifically to taylynn, i wish that i wasnt mad at you when i left. im so thankfull for you.edit number 2:it is october 20th, i am sober from sh for 9 months and 20 days, weed for id say 5-6 months, and alcohol for over a year. i am doing very well, im getting my GED, im taking my meds morning and night. i still think about everything that happened during my time there. i miss the staff so deeply and hope someday we can reconnect. im am so greatful for willow even though i hated it so much. when i look back i know that you guys had the best interest for me. thank you all for not giving up on me. i wish i stayed for a little longer because im still struggling a little, but i hope i can work it out. i finally have plans for my future and hope to carey them out. onceee againnnn thank you all so much. i love all of you dearly. (screw the theraputical boundaries) peace out also my socials are all nuttynic0 for those who forgot lol. bye fr now