I had my son here for a little while, and I have to say this place is a joke and I’m not surprised people don’t see it. I know everyone is looking for help for their loved one, but this is NOT where you want to send them. I waited a while to write this review because I did not want any hard feelings to affect what I had to say. My son was given medication without my permission. When I asked what medication and why the reasons where very unclear and irrational. When I declined the medication I was asked to pick up my son. I was very confused so I asked to speak to Dr Moran directly, I was told “what if you can’t speak with him?”. I insisted that he call me because my son was in his care and I had questions about the medications he was placed on and the management of his care. I am a nurse and I advocate for my patients so I will most definitely advocate for my son. However, you cannot do that here. If you do not do what they say they ask you to come pick up your family member. If you ask questions you are judged and belittled. I was told by Dr. Moran himself that he has too many patients to call every single person and explain everything or answer every question we have. Then why have so many patients if you can’t handle giving them and the family the proper care and attention?
Dr. Moran later accused me of lying about the medications they gave my son without my consent while we were on a call with all the patients family members. They basically attacked me because I decided to do what was best for my son. Not what was in Dr. Morans best interest. I asume that he is making money from the pharmaceutical companies from all the anti psychotic medications he is prescribing that are only making our loved ones worse when they don’t need it!
Yes he might have helped a lot of people, but he is not a good doctor and I would not take my loved one here after what I know now.

Submitted Sept. 2, 2021

This man saved our adolescent daughters life. She was at the treatment center for 5 months. Came home a beautiful young lady with a promising future. Dr Moran cares beyond belief in today’s world. The crux of the program is he treats the patient while you get healthier yourself. Work on your parenting and ways not to feed the disease.

Submitted Dec. 16, 2017

The doctor is ok... Horrible staff and this doctor should practice one on one... he does not have what it takes to run a treatment center/ Low budget rehab brainwashing style treatment.

Submitted Sept. 19, 2014

Wellington Retreat saved my brother's life. He was a drug addict for over 10 years and we were sure he was going to die that way. We were almost out of hope when he decided to go to Wellington to seek help and they did an amazing job with him.

We weren't allowed to have much contact with him while he was there so I don't know exactly what went on, but he always says how great his counselors were and that they really took their time to give each patient the attention they deserve.

Dr. Moran is a genius who is extremely dedicated to the recovery of his patients. Not only does he help people while they're at Wellington, but he also employs some people who have gone through the problem both at Wellington and his restaurant (Moran's).

After his time at Wellington my brother was able to start his new life and be a normal human once again. He has been clean for almost 3 years and for that I am so grateful. He is back in school getting a degree in finance and is doing great with it. My family loves Wellington Retreat and Dr. Moran and his team. Thank you guys!!

Submitted Aug. 29, 2014

As Dr. Moran says every morning "where should I begin"? I will start with the shortcomings of the program. It was nothing like I had anticipated. I was addicted to benzodiazepines and went into treatment thinking that they have a detoxification facility or process which they do not! I was taken off all my medication including my antidepressants and was obligated to follow their strict schedule. This entailed a 6 am wake up call from the coordinators, a 10minute commute in their van, breakfast at their main clinical building, a 3-4 hour morning meeting followed by intensive therapy until 5 o'clock and before going back to the residence we were given dinner. When one is detoxing they require both a lot of rest and good nutrition which they do not provide. Getting dragged around and having pizza does not provide a successful and comfortable detoxification process. Over more, the morning meeting is quite fascinating for everyone's most intimate details are brought up in front of everyone, including all therapists, to comment on. Yes something's must be discussed since the power of the group is greater than the one of the individual but embarrassing and shaming individuals about family matters is not at all therapeutical. For example, one of the patient's parents is divorced and the father had relocated to a different state. The father was than not allowed to see or speak with the child and thus was not involved in his/her life. The father was made aware by the mother that the child is in treatment and the father took two weeks off from work to see his child. The father proceeded to come to Florida and was unable to see or talk to the patient due to their strict regulations, except when he came to the morning meeting. Though it was a very touching reunion where the father warmly embraced the patient, it was all in front of Dr. Moran, the therapists and patients. We all listened to this family's story and were asked to give our input on a family matter that did not pertain to us. Moreover, the father was given "constructive criticism" from us as to how his parenting was not quite up to par and how to change his maladaptive behavior. So, except for that 4 hour meeting, where the two were not allowed to sit next to each other, he was unable to see or speak to the patient. On the same token all patients were not allowed to speak to their loved ones for the first week at Wellington and after the first week, all phone calls (once a week)were made with the therapists, who could interject at any point since it was on speaker. Moreover, the therapists were allowed to call family members at any point, and would do so every Wednesday night, and whatever was said was brought up during Thursday morning community/meeting. One father who was going through a difficult divorce, was on the Wednesday night phone call, was inebriated and was cursing at the other parents on the call. The therapist felt the need to bring this fact up the next morning embarrassing the patient who had no control over his parents and their actions, thus it is still unclear to me as to why she felt the need to tell everybody about that incident. Going back to the residential facility, I did not go there expecting it to be the Marriott, but the bugs crawling in corners and the lack of hygiene left me with a bitter taste. I could tell that the staff would not properly clean the bathrooms or the living rooms (the only place with TV). Moreover, once back at the residential facility we were not allowed to go outside except for those who smoked, who were taken outside by the coordinators 2-3 times in a 5 hour period. Fridays we were given the option to either go to the park or the pool, both under the watchful eyes of the coordinators. The coordinators who were very understanding and compassionate, were asked by Dr. Moran to write down everything that was said by the patients in a log. Thus there is no privacy. This log was much like a dirty diary where coordinators would take copious notes of the patients behaviors and everything that was said. Some information that ended up in the log was skewed and distorted to say the least. They would often hear one thing and create a whole new story behind it. One should also note that patients were not allowed to be in romantic relationships and even though they allow couples, they are not allowed to show each other affection in any way, they could not sit next to each other, eat together, be alone for any length of time, nor attend the same groups, aside from the morning community. When they say the sickest of the sick come to wellington retreat, they really do mean that in a very literal manner. This is a dual diagnosis facility where 75% of the population was diagnosed with schizophrenia or other very serious psychological ailment. As you walk down the small and narrow PHP/residential facility you will encounter individuals talking to themselves or hearing voices that others cannot hear. One will come across disorders such a bipolar, borderline, schizoaffective, etc, and acute depression and anxiety are a given. My first few days there (coming off of benzodiazepines and now antidepressants), I witnessed one patient with severe schizophrenia punching and slapping the overworked and underpaid coordinators, because she wanted more medication, another 2 individuals had gotten into a fist fight during morning community, another threw a chair at the wall, etc etc!! As Dr. Moran says, this is not a 30 or 60 day program. On the contrary, some are there for 6 month while either had been there for years. When a patient wants to leave they must submit a 24-hour notice explaining the reason as to why they are choosing to leave. Unfortunately, most individuals there are on heavy psychotropic medication that creates a strong physiological dependence. Drugs such as suboxone and clozopine are utilized very frequently, and individuals cannot abruptly stop taking them. When one chooses to leave, they are not given this medication, thus causing them to go into withdrawal, go into psychosis or relapse, giving Dr. Moran the opportunity to make an example out of them. The treatment team often says that the gates are open allowing patients to leave, but how can one do so without medication, money and when the family is refusing to have any contact with them? Because, when one submits their notice Dr. Moran and the treatment team frantically make phone calls to family members during this 24 hour period, encouraging them to change their phone numbers, not answer phone calls or have any interaction with the patient. One must understand that these parents are emotionally, psychologically and physiologically spent, making them vulnerable and susceptible to Dr. Moran's and the therapists suggestions. Dr. Moran's pretty resume creates a wonderful facade that some fall pray to. Yes, he is indeed very bright and knowledgeable in the area. He knows the brain inside and out. He has published an extensive list of studies, and has even written textbooks concerning the matter. Sadly, the parents of the patients have been robbed and in some cases assaulted by their child and are desperate for their loved one to be rehabilitated. Thankfully, I do not live with my parents in contrary to most patients at Wellington, and I did not write my family members contact information, so I was able to leave at my own accord. However, I felt awful for those who had no choice but to do as Dr. Moran would instruct, and any retaliation was met with the confiscation of privileges and were often asked to wear scrubs. The same punishment was implemented when patients held a negative contract. This was anything from trivial instances to serious matters. I can elaborate on Wellington policies and my experience there but instead of a comment it will become a novel. As I said in the beginning I will also mention the successful part about Wellington, which was the fact that it allowed me to be free of my substance use, and scared me into never taking another drug. If you or your loved one are seeking help, I urge you to weigh all options. Perhaps take a tour of Wellington's all 3 facilities. Ask for a rule book, and carefully evaluate it. One must educate him or herself as to what Wellington is about before singing up for the process. If you have no other options but to attend wellington retreat's program urge your loved ones to become an avid participant with a lawyer on their side. Parents have gone bankrupt from spending their hard earned money on Wellington. One of the patients got served with divorce papers due to the therapist's vial comments regarding the patient. I had loved ones call in, and I was never made aware of this fact. The receptionist actually told the person not to disrupt my recovery. There are only two ways they have absolute power over you, and that is if you or your loved one are baker-acted or marchmanacted there. Thus, no matter how irate you become, do not act out, and if you are in trouble with the law, and have no say so as to what institution you can be placed in, be mindful that you will be at Wellington for an extended period of time. In my opinion, and this is only an opinion (any accusations are often addressed by Wellington retreat's lawyer), they go out of their way to create legal issues in order to keep patients there longer. I am grateful that Dr. Moran did not diagnose me with a mental disorder because I would too have been at their mercy!

Submitted Aug. 17, 2014

This is my opinion of Robert Moran: I believe that Mr. Moran's efficacy is eclipsed by his inflated sense of self. He is an arrogant, obnoxious man whose worst qualities surface when treatment does not progress enough to flatter his ego. While he's probably very careful with the likes of the well-heeled Boca set, he was habitually manipulative with and disrespectful towards vulnerable inpatients, taking advantage of the compromised credibility of psych patients should they dare to complain about him and reveal that he is not the god he pretends to be. In my case, he did everything in his power to thwart my transfer to another doctor & hospital. He misrepresented me to other doctors (then he GLOATED about it to me!!!), adjusted my medications to prevent me from appearing well enough to decide to transfer care, and even attempted to intimidate me by telling me that no one would believe me if I complainted about him.

Submitted July 7, 2011

Doctor Moran was a life saver during a difficult period in my life. He strived to help me without medication until after several months i had no choice but to use medication. He is very friendly but with a totally professional attitude. Some people may find him to be abrupt and lecturing, but this is exactly what i needed and it is exactly what i want. I need someone to help me resolve my problems not someone to pamper and medicate me. Thanks to Dr Moran my life couldnt be better. His new out of state service offered via webcam is wonderful. Unfortunately he doesnt take insurance but knowing the way insurance companies compensate the medical profession i'm not suprised.

Submitted April 17, 2008

I went to Dr. Moran after a very tramautic experience. I was very vulnerable and needed to discuss what had happened to me. He immediately prescribed Depakote and told me he wouldn't discuss my situation until I took it. So what was going to do? Just sit and stare at him and not talk until the meds kicked in. I left. Very frustrating experience.

Submitted Jan. 7, 2008

I recently began therapy sessions with Dr. Moran via webcam and am very happy about it. I found it even more private than being in his office in NYC in person. There are no distractions - it's just Dr. Moran and I one-on-one, monitor-to-monitor. I highly recommend it. And, Dr. Moran remains as helpful, kind, and brilliant as ever. I am so glad that I didn't have to start over with another doctor after Dr. Moran moved to Florida. Grateful that he offers this option. What a boon to his patients and to potential patients who don't have ready access to a psychiatrist. Thank you, Dr. Moran.

Submitted Dec. 28, 2007

Dr. Moran is an excellent doctor. He has taken care of my problem over the course of several years. Not sure what I would do if I didn't see him. I highly recommend him. Never had any problems only that recently he stopped taking my insurance.

Submitted Dec. 5, 2007