Trying to help someone out- before it's too late. - Mental Health Associate (MHA) High Focus Centers Employee Review

1.0
3 June 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The team members are really great and responsive to one another. They make for an enjoyable workplace and provide excellent clinical skills to the patients. Unfortunately, that's the only upside.

Cons

If you hold a job in a lower position such as MHA or driver you are treated very poorly. Expectations are that you should do anything you are told to do without hesitation and without proper compensation. If they say jump, you are expected to jump higher than they say to. The Branchburg location is also severely understaffed- MHAs are expected to perform 3 different job titles at one time without any extra compensation. Management also treats the MHAs as if they are uneducated and that their opinions or judgments are not credible. Those that hold management positions act as though they are untouchable. This behavior is exhibited by unwarranted write-ups, unwarranted meetings about small mishappenings (such as a patient hugging a staff member or losing a set of keys). Management isn't willing to hear your side about anything no matter how much you do for them or not- what they say goes. Management is also very unwilling to give you supervision in a helpful and non-threatening approach. Essentially, they rule with an iron fist. They also seemingly make up rules as they go- rules that are unwritten in the employee handbook. As far as the care for the patients, the clinicians are very good at what they do however they are required to work within the confines placed on them by the rules of High Focus. These rules are seemingly unnecessary and are driven by profit. Management doesn't care about the patient, they care about their profit. They also don't care about the employees who selflessly give of themselves to the patients. Which can cause burn-out and that can be concerning for patient care. The work environment can be manageable despite the issues with management because the other staff members are talented and offer a great support system to their team. However, because you report to management sometimes you feel unheard and invalid when you have a concern. Like I said before, if you're in a lower position you're likely not going to be respected. Overall there is an extreme lack of respect and appreciation given to the employees as far as the management goes. A majority of the problems within the agency are because of the management. Most of the time I worked here I felt as though I was working on a farm because: they pump out patients sometimes without giving them proper care or giving them too much care and they become disenchanted; also because they work the staff until they're drained. If you can handle all of that, this is the place for you. If not, please don't waste your time even applying!

Explore other reviews about High Focus Centers

5.0
3 June 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The company is team oriented. The supervisor has an open door policy. The weekly team meetings are helpful in determine how to best move forward with clients, it’s not only a time for updates but brainstorming.

Cons

The schedule is inconsistent. However, it was something that can be discussed with the supervisor.

2.0
12 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-Great experience working with clients with a diverse array of conditions, especially if you are trying to learn your clinical niche. -Rewarding experiences with clients, seeing them grow and prosper -Creativity in group sessions, no strict curriculum. -Well-rounded therapy, including families in the treatment process. -Benefits not too bad (e.g. health/dental insurance can be affordable, two mental health days per year, PTO accrues relatively fast, some self-care resources offered to employees). -Work stays at work. You are not expected to work beyond your hours (unless you are an evening therapist).

Cons

-Pay is low. -There is heavy pressure to keep clients in treatment and ask for “five-star reviews,” which can make clinicians feel more like salespeople than therapists. -Management is very top-down. Expectations are often decided internally and then pushed onto staff without clear communication. -Staff are frequently micromanaged and questioned, which can make you feel more like a liability than a trusted professional. -Workload is high, and while support is promised, supervisors are often too overextended to provide it consistently. -The culture can feel performative and “us vs. them,” leading to low morale. -Clinicians must track their caseload across multiple platforms and are closely monitored for updates. -Staff are sometimes expected to complete tasks for other departments without adequate training (like billing). -Those pursuing licensure should know there is an expectation to remain with the company for 18 additional months after obtaining it, without a pay increase. -The therapy itself (sessions, documentation, coordination of care) is manageable, but the number of extra administrative tasks can quickly become overwhelming.

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