High Focus Marietta

My experience at High Focus Evans, GA was AMAZING! The staff and therapist were professional, easy to talk to, and made u feel comfortable enough to be YOU. They made therapy fun with different games that help u look within and find purpose. They have yoga, music therapy, pet therapy, and art therapy that was very relaxing and also fun. This location did not make u feel awkward AT ALL about seeking help. I would recommend this location for sure. The Marrietta location was boring for ME, but I only transferred there to finish my last two weeks of therapy, so I can't really give an accurate assessment.

My experience at this establishment has been extremely frustrating. My anger stems from not feeling heard or that I even matter here. It is so difficult to get ahold of Grace; I physically have to track her down just to be seen, she's not even a licensed psychiatrist, she is an Nurse Practitioner... She barely answers emails and when she finally does, It's almost 5 days later. She can/will only prescribe certain medications, therefore, you will still need a psychiatrist outside of this place. Despite being informed she would speak with me Wednesday, August 20, I was compelled to personally seek out Grace, only to find that the meeting yielded no tangible progress. Although a potential breakthrough was seemingly achieved that Friday, the recommendation of 'Depakote' for a 20-year-old female raises serious ethical and medical concerns. The documented risks associated with this medication in young women of childbearing age, including a high incidence of severe birth defects, developmental problems, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), are deeply troubling and warrant a more cautious and informed approach. Furthermore, the art therapy program, particularly under the guidance of the new art therapist, Katherine, was inadequate. The simplistic activities, such as coloring exercises, has been not only unhelpful but also counterproductive, worsening my frustration. Katherine's demeanor was unprofessional, unsupportive, and contributed to an overall negative experience. I must also address an issue with a staff member named Becky, whose consistently rude and spiteful behavior was both unwarranted and unprofessional. Her snide remarks and attempts to assert dominance created an unwelcoming atmosphere. I strongly advise potential clients to explore alternative options that offer superior organization, an adequate staff-to-patient ratio, as well as a more compassionate and professional demeanor. The deficiencies in this establishment do not justify the investment of time and resources. Overall, the program has failed to meet the advertised standards of a welcoming and supportive environment. While I commend Alyssa, Nicholas, Jody, Casey and Kaitlyn for their exceptional service, the broader institution requires substantial improvements to align with its purported values. Update: I just received this bill for only 3 weeks of “treatment” it was apparently $19,250 before insurance LOL this place is an absolute joke. Hyper-focused purely on payment rather than offering REAL HELP AND SUPPORT!

I’m currently attending High Focus in Marietta, and I want to start by saying that the counselors and therapists truly care. They show a high level of empathy and kindness, and it’s clear they’re invested in supporting clients. The other clients I’ve met have been incredible—insightful, compassionate, and open. That sense of community has had a huge positive impact on my experience. However, the structure and physical setup of the program limit its effectiveness in several important ways. Group sessions are frequently overcrowded, with 20 to 30 people packed into rooms that are too small. It gets hot and physically uncomfortable, and there often isn’t enough seating—some clients sit on the floor, while others skip group altogether due to the lack of space. It’s hard to be vulnerable and almost impossible to have meaningful discussions, which have been central to my well-being and growth. You can tell some clients begin to dissociate or emotionally shut down—overwhelmed by being in a small, closed room with so many people. It often feels more chaotic than therapeutic. If the program plans to continue grouping that many people together, they absolutely need a facility with larger rooms. That said, the better solution is to prioritize splitting these large groups into smaller ones that foster real connection and healing. When we do break into smaller groups, the difference is immediate—it becomes more engaging, more personal, and far more therapeutic. If the counselors took turns splitting the already crowded rooms—for the clients’ sake—it would make a huge difference. Even doing this occasionally could improve the experience and allow clients to get more from group. Another issue is how often group sessions are interrupted. Counselors regularly enter to pull clients for one-on-one sessions, disrupting the group’s focus. Clients are told upon arrival—not in advance—if and when they’ll meet with their counselor. In other programs, we were told in the morning, and individual sessions happened during breaks to avoid disrupting the group experience. That small change had a big impact. Group sessions also feel underprepared. Counselors often read from websites or lengthy handouts. In contrast, other programs used structured lessons with visuals, handouts, and worksheets—making material more engaging and easier to apply. The IOP 3-day schedule is also rigid. Clients can only attend on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays unless they request an exception. This causes those days to become overcrowded. At my previous facility, clients could choose any three days across the week, and daily attendance was capped to prevent overflow. That approach worked far better and made group more manageable. Lastly, while the counselors are skilled and compassionate, their bandwidth and caseloads seem to limit their ability to provide consistent one-on-one support. Other programs I’ve attended offered weekly individual counseling during IOP, and it made a huge difference in staying on track. That level of care is essential and very much needed here. Bottom line: High Focus Marietta has truly wonderful people—counselors and clients alike—but the program needs structural changes. If large groups are to continue, they must move to a facility with bigger rooms. Ideally, they’ll focus on smaller group sizes, improved session prep, flexible scheduling for IOP 3, while protecting counselor bandwidth. I’m very glad I transferred here, and I see the potential for this program to be outstanding. My hope is that leadership takes this feedback seriously and makes the necessary improvements—not just for the clients, but for the well-being of the dedicated staff as well.