ABOUT COTTAGE RESIDENTIAL CENTER
Set within walking distance of the beach in Santa Barbara, Calif., Cottage Residential Center (CRC) is a highly-structured treatment facility for adults struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Medical detox services are not offered on-site, but a 20-bed detoxification unit at Cottage Health’s nearby inpatient psychiatric facility is available. Also part of the continuum of non-profit Cottage Health services is an outpatient center in San Luis Obispo.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The Cottage Residential Center website emphasizes its integrative approach to recovery, which includes access to medical services and holistic therapy. Family involvement in counseling and educational groups, as well as planning for their loved one’s discharge and aftercare is a priority.
During the residential program, clients participate in one-on-one, group, and family therapy sessions, as well as attend workshops on stress management, improving coping techniques, and enhancing relapse prevention skills. Feedback sourced through a Best-rehabs.com survey also indicated that clients are introduced to the 12-step model of recovery.
Successful graduates of CRC have access to a lifetime of continuing care through Cottage Health, including a robust alumni program, which offers a range of weekly group support and educational sessions. A monthly alumni barbecue and several other activities are regularly held on-site.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The treatment team at Cottage Residential Center includes master’s-level psychotherapists, registered nurses, and licensed case managers. Referrals to certified addiction medicine physicians are available.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Cottage Residential Center photos on the center’s website feature a courtyard, elegant living rooms, and an in-house dining room. The 24-bed, Mission Revival-style facility is two blocks from the beach and offers both private and semi-private rooms.
According to a Santa Barbara County resource, the center’s services are available in Spanish and English.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
At the time of this writing, seven former clients of Cottage Residential Center submitted feedback to Best-rehabs.com. Two reviews were critical and five positive, with caveats. Of the six who evaluated treatment effectiveness, just one alum chose a rating below four out of five stars. All four alumni polled on 15 metrics measuring accommodations and treatment agreed that family participation, an aspect highlighted by CRC, as well as staff credentials were highly satisfactory.
Family involvement: 4.5/5
Staff’s level of training and experience: 4.5/5
Affordability: 3.25/5
While revealing no trends in criticism, individual alumni reviews referenced concerns about accessing treatment without insurance, tensions between clients, and some staffing issues. On the favorable side, various alumni described CRC and its staff as helpful, caring, and understanding. Two highlighted the foundation of 12-step fellowship, and three cited long-term support as a strength.
Elsewhere, four Google reviewers followed the general trends of Best-rehabs.com reviews. Three rated the program five out of five stars and one gave just one star. The critical alum concurred with a minority of reviews on Best-rehabs.com which cited a lack of “order and discipline.” Other reviewers emphasized staff qualities of knowledge and empathy.[1]
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Four of the five loved ones polled by Best-rehabs.com to date also gave Cottage Residential Care positive feedback, and one review was mixed. Highlights included family programming and the facility’s staff. Three loved ones polled on the matter gave high four- and five-star ratings on the likeliness they’d recommend the facility to others.
One reviewer noted the use of “outdated counseling theory,” particularly a confrontational approach, by some staff. However, the loved one wrote: “Family counseling is above average,” adding, “Helpful in discharge planning.”
FINANCING
The Cottage Residential Center website does not currently post fees, but several private and public insurance plans are listed as accepted. A Santa Barbara County directory of behavioral health facilities from 2015 reports a CRC self-pay daily rate of $487.50 and 28-day rate as $13,652.
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