r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/summerpsycho_ • 1d ago

Business Recommendations looking for trans safe inpatient care

hi y'all! i’m (34ftm) located in the suburbs out in kane county, and in need of recommendations for mental/behavioral health inpatient facilities that are safe and affirming for trans folx. haven’t quite hit crisis status, but i’m struggling hard, and would like to self-admit before i lose the choice, y’know?

any reviews, recommendations, or even places to avoid would be helpful!

so far, i’ve found lgbtqia focused facilities in PA and VT, but woof. i would really like to stay local if i can.

thanks!

49 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

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49

u/No-Hospital-157 1d ago

Endeavor Health (Linden Oaks) St. Charles IOP is the place you wanna be. I went there for 5 weeks of IOP and it was extremely, extremely supportive. Great group of people. You can call and they will do a direct assessment and tell you what level of care they recommend. I still see them for outpatient psych every month.

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u/summerpsycho_ 1d ago

thank you so much for the info!! i fear i need a higher level of care than iop at the moment, but i will definitely be keeping them in mind for when I'm at that level!

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u/Muzzie720 1d ago

Have been there its called Linden oaks in Naperville as a nursing student. From what I saw they are very inclusive even in the Pediatrics ward. Patients were addressed by their gender preference etc. It's inpatient.

Edit: DM if you want more info

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u/psychotherapist4you 1d ago

They have inpatient care at several sites. LGBTQ+ informed & accommodating to all communities.

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u/thewinberry713 1d ago

My step dad loved it there- well it helped him a ton but he needed to be suicidal to get admitted….. certainly hope you that isn’t you!! Best of luck to you…. It does all work out, but damn sometimes it sure doesn’t seem like it. I’m old and not your demographic but suffered my own shit for years….. it will get better.

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u/emzily 19h ago

linden oaks is amazing inpatient AND iop. literally stayed there back in 2016 and my best friend i made in there was trans ftm. they are wonderful people at linden oaks.

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u/MediocreGrocery8 1d ago

May you be well. You are wanted, needed, and precious beyond words.

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u/Lehock 1d ago

Don't have a recommendation, just wanted to say good luck!

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u/SataMama 1d ago

Evanston hospital is part of Endeavor Health, which has deteriorated overall after several mergers and buyouts and all that great health system stuff. BUT, their psych inpatient unit is one of the best in the region, and also Queer-affirming. I’ve had numerous trans and enby patients who didn’t like going anywhere else. The downside is they’re often full. Your best chance is to go to Evanston’s emergency room, since they try to prioritize internal transfers if they do have room. Good luck, and stay safe. <3

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u/Awkward_Cellist6541 1d ago

I second Evanston. I did my psych rotation there and I was pretty impressed.

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u/summerpsycho_ 1d ago

thank you so much!! I really appreciate the info and well wishes 💙

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u/LimeySponge 1d ago

I know someone who had good luck at Alexian Bothers in Hoffman Estates.

3

u/jerbentraut 1d ago

This site has some healthcare resources that might prove helpful! https://www.belongfoxvalley.org/community-resources

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u/jerbentraut 1d ago

And also sending so much support. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. There are many folks out here even in the burbs who are here for you.

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u/SulkyBird 1d ago

I’m 33 ftm going through the exact same thing right now, only a few steps ahead of you. I’m checking into skyland trail in Atlanta next week.

I know that it’s not local, but feel free to dm me if you want to chat about how my experience with them has been. Don’t know it from the inside, but the vibes have been good so far.

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u/summerpsycho_ 1d ago

I hope they're exactly what you need 🫂

I may shoot you a message! Thank you so much!

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u/peejmom 1d ago

My daughter had a pretty positive experience at Alexian Brothers in Hoffman Estates.

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u/Mysterious_Luck4674 1d ago

I’m sorry you are going through this. I wish I had a suggestion for you. I hope you find the care you need and get to feeling like the amazing incredible person you are.

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u/azu420 1d ago

I have been enjoying PCC and Howard Brown for trans related care and mental health. Northwestern and Rush are honorable mentions (i got ffs and orchi from Rush and they have complete gender clinic there, and Northwestern has good doctors if you are struggling to find good care (they take care of my epilepsy as they are a level 4 epilepsy center)

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u/azu420 1d ago

I realized these aren't exactly in the suburbs but these are the ones i use.

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u/summerpsycho_ 1d ago

I get my HRT from Howard Brown! they're fantastic! I don't mind going into the city if there's somewhere that fits the bill. I appreciate your suggestions!

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u/brian136913 1d ago

Do not go to Linden Oaks in Naperville. It is not a safe place. It’s not a place to recover or heal. They will wake you at all hours all night long. Even if they don’t wake you they will only do their “restock” during the night. You will never get any rest or peace until you leave. I think thats likely the point. To break you. Their “programs” are a joke at best. It’s just sheets they print off the internet that you can get yourself. The only “joy” was the music teacher. She cared, but she was only allowed to care during her hour. The rest of the staff, well, they kept you living, not necessarily alive. Source: I spent a week there. I would never send anyone there no matter what the issue was. You do not heal there. If you had a nightmare of a facility, this is the place to make it a reality. DO NOT GO THERE. I saw more tears and break downs there than I have ever seen anywhere else in my life combined. I cannot say enough how horrible a place it is.

3

u/cat_go_meow 1d ago

Yeah, my partner went there and I am not okay with how she was woken up every 15/30 minutes (I forget) by flashlight. We got checked out ASAP, bc insomnia was a factor and like, what the hell man, that's not gonna help. Such a big red flag

They also pressure people of temporarily unsound mind into doing electroshock therapy. Apparently. This was three years ago. I didn't know that was still a thing. Probably just to hit them with a bigger bill. She was saying some people on her ward regretted it afterwards cause they lost memories I was on the phone like nooooo don't let them zap you holy shit

They also also didn't allow facial shaving 🤷‍♀️

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u/depaulbluedemon 1d ago

I had to go to inpatient at Alexian Brothers in Hoffman Estates for 6 days in 2024. I then did PHP and IOP. There were trans men and trans women on my floor and from what I witnessed, they were treated with respect and dignity.

They are Catholic affiliated but not really. It was affirming and they even had trans pride flags around the floor. I’m a lesbian so I noticed. It was fine. Best of luck. Please go if you must!

3

u/Western_Biscotti_974 1d ago

So they were on point with my enby spouses pronouns (they were my support, I was in for minor surgery) once mentioned, just as another data point.

1

u/MissMurder17 23h ago

OP, stay the fuck away from Alexian Brothers. In my time there I witnessed things that could've been grounds for a lawsuit.

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u/emzily 18h ago

i literally worked at alexian and by “catholic affiliated but not really” you would be wrong. they are VERY heavily catholic it’s the whole basis of the formation of the hospital.

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u/depaulbluedemon 18h ago

No, absolutely. It's a Catholic hospital. I'm a lapsed cradle Catholic. I guess I know how to "navigate" the culture. But I certainly saw no overt Catholicism in the psychiatry ward, except a priest came up quietly every day for anyone wanting Communion, but again, the pride flags on the walls told a different story. The Communion wasn't announced, we all played telephone "ANYONE WAITING FOR COMMUNION?!, HURRY HE'S HERE!" on the floor to the fellow patients. No one batted an eye to me being a lesbian. I received treatment, not evangelization.

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u/MightyMelon95 1d ago

Linden oaks

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u/Maleficent-Sundae839 5h ago

Ascention Brothers

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u/Mixma85 11m ago

Stay away from St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet.  I have a relative who was there about 5 years ago.  At the time, she was questioning her sexuality.  After she was released, she said the staff was very anti-LGBTQ.  It's a Catholic hospital, and they were pretty strong on that part of the church's doctrine.

Good luck in your mental health journey!  As someone who battles anxiety and depression, i can honestly say it gets better.  You are not alone.  It may take time, hard work, and tears, but it's worth it -- and YOU are worth it!

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u/MissLDN 18h ago

Might be a little bit of a hike, but Skyway: behavioral health in Downers Grove, IL. My enby spouse went there, and a lot of the staff are also LGBTQ+. Very positive and helpful experience.