ABOUT CASA SERENA
Casa Serena is a residential substance abuse treatment facility located in Santa Barbara, California. Established in 1973, it is the only center in the area that provides care for women and their children. The program typically lasts up to nine months, divided into four phases. While detox is not offered on-site, support services are available for women seeking reunification with their children.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Upon admission, clients work with a counselor and case manager to develop recovery goals. The first phase of treatment, which lasts three weeks, involves reflection and restriction. During this phase, women participate in educational programming, process groups, and abstain from contact with individuals outside of the facility. They also begin working on the 12-Steps with the guidance of a sponsor.
In the second phase, lasting up to eight weeks, women have more free time and are expected to engage in volunteer work in the community. The third phase focuses on independence and self-reliance, encouraging participants to continue their education or seek employment. The optional fourth phase provides transitional housing and ongoing support for up to nine months. To be eligible for this phase, women must be engaged in school, employment, or volunteering, and must continue to participate in counseling and 12-step groups.
Throughout their stay, clients have access to individual counseling sessions, yoga, meditation, recreational activities, and classes addressing topics such as parenting, job preparedness, and relapse prevention.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The clinical team at Casa Serena includes marriage and family therapists (MFTs), certified alcohol and drug counselors, and counselor interns.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Casa Serena’s main house can accommodate up to 18 women who are going through treatment. The facility provides 24-hour supervision and offers a homelike environment. Clients sleep in shared rooms with twin beds and have access to a flower garden, large backyard, and laundry room. Meals are served family-style in the communal dining room.
For women with children who choose to stay for the fourth phase, Oliver House provides similar amenities along with both indoor and outdoor play areas. It can accommodate up to 12 women and 12 children at a time. Women without children may opt for the Graduate House, which includes outdoor space and a backyard BBQ area.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The alumni surveyed by Best-rehabs.com expressed satisfaction with their experiences at Casa Serena. They rated the program’s effectiveness highly and highlighted the supportive environment and lasting friendships they formed. The staff received praise for being helpful and qualified. However, one alum mentioned that the housing facilities were in poor condition.
Alumni reviews on third-party sites were also positive. Google reviewers gave an average rating of 4.5 out of five stars, while CiteHealth users rated the facility with 4.56 out of five stars. These reviews echoed the sentiment of the Best-rehabs.com survey respondents, emphasizing the challenging yet life-changing nature of the program and the compassionate staff. Many women reported finding success at Casa Serena after previous unsuccessful attempts with other programs, praising the center for treating the whole disease—mind, body, and spirit.
WHAT STAFF SAY
A staff member polled by Best-rehabs.com gave the program a five-star rating for treatment effectiveness and expressed pride in being an employee. The staff member mentioned the support offered by staff and other residents and described the feeling of safety experienced upon entry.
FINANCING
Clients at Casa Serena pay what they can, and financial assistance is available to many.