Malibu Vista

Malibu Vista Malibu California

Offering stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and a private, home-like atmosphere, Malibu Vista provides comprehensive mental health treatment exclusively for women. The facility employs a highly qualified team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists to help clients heal and discover their capability for inner balance and resilience. With an excellent client-to-staff ratio and individualized, compassionate care, Malibu Vista is an exceptional option for luxury mental health treatment.

ABOUT MALIBU VISTA

Located in beautiful Malibu, California, Malibu Vista is one of four facilities operated by Promises Treatment Centers, a renowned network of luxury treatment facilities. Malibu Vista offers upscale, gender-specific residential treatment for women struggling with primary mental health disorders. The facility also accepts clients with secondary diagnoses of substance abuse disorders. Please note that on-site detoxification services are not provided at Malibu Vista.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

Prior to starting treatment, clients undergo a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to identify their psychiatric condition and any co-occurring concerns. The client then collaborates with the treatment team to develop a personalized treatment program. Residential treatment at Malibu Vista aims to help clients acquire social skills that encourage empathy and foster healthy relationships, manage psychiatric symptoms, understand the value of healthy lifestyle choices, and develop appropriate assertiveness skills.

Malibu Vista combines evidence-based treatment approaches with alternative and holistic methods. Treatment modalities include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), group and individual counseling sessions, and family counseling. The facility offers over 30 treatment approaches and specialized groups on various topics such as substance abuse, women’s empowerment, social skills and coping skills training, grief and bereavement, stress management, and trauma-related issues.

Alongside traditional methods, Malibu Vista incorporates holistic treatments such as mindfulness meditation, art therapy, acupuncture, equine therapy, therapeutic massages, yoga, and breath work. Clients also receive nutritional counseling, participate in fitness programs, and enjoy outings to the beach, hiking trails, movies, and cultural events. Before discharge, clinicians help formulate comprehensive aftercare plans that may include scheduling appointments with community-based mental health professionals, as well as locating supportive housing and support groups in the client’s local area.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

The treatment staff at Malibu Vista includes clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, a physician, master’s level therapists, and an acupuncturist.

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

Situated atop the hills of Malibu, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Malibu Vista consists of two upscale living facilities: the Cool Oak House and Webster House. Both houses are within walking distance of the main treatment center. Each house can accommodate up to 12 residents and features private or semi-private bedrooms, ocean views, modern furnishings, and manicured outdoor spaces. Webster House also has a large outdoor pool. Residents enjoy gourmet meals and have access to a nearby gym.

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

The seven alumni surveyed by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing had diverse opinions of the facility. While two alumni praised the facility, including its staff and accommodations, four alumni were critical, citing poor structure, lack of personalized attention, and billing issues as weaknesses. One alum described the program as extremely unstructured, while another noted unprofessional staff. However, one alum strongly disagreed, saying the care and personal attention were exceptional. Another alum expressed gratitude for the program and staff, stating it gave them their life back.

On Malibu Vista’s Facebook page, which the facility manages, seven individuals gave the facility an average rating of 3.3 out of five stars. Reviewers had mixed opinions, with some questioning the facility’s financial motives and others reporting a positive experience. One reviewer highly recommended the facility to anyone, while three reviewers gave it a low one out of five-star rating.

On Yelp, three reviews also reflected mixed opinions. One alum gave the facility a perfect five-star rating, praising the staff and programming. However, two reviewers gave it a one-star rating, citing insurance and billing issues, as well as disorganization and lack of progress.

FINANCING

Malibu Vista accepts numerous private insurance policies, including plans from Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Humana.

Malibu Vista Reviews

  • Treatment Effectiveness
  • Accommodations & Amenities
  • Meals & Nutrition
  • I just left this place yesterday. Short story: They kicked me out in the middle of treatment for severe depression and trauma/ptsd KNOWING I had nowhere to go because of an insurance error on *their* part. Rather than honor that they told me I was approved for a full 30 days with my health insurance before I ever arrived, they basically said "pay $1500 a day to continue or get the fuck out." They did this to a mentally ill person who had no where to go who had planned on being there a full 30 days based on what THEY told me. Long story: I was told, over the phone by an admissions counselor, that he had verified with my insurance company that I was able to arrive and stay for a full 30 day treatment. I verified this with him several times and there were at least three phone conversations between him and myself over a 48 hour period. I believed him, paid a deposit for the portion I would owe, and made arrangements to be there for 30 days. I got there, began the program, and began having some positive progress. After day 12, a woman in billing abruptly appeared at the treatment house and requested an immediate meeting with me. She told me that Whoops! They were wrong, my insurance would not cover my stay and unless I wanted to be charged $1500 I was going to need to vacate. I was devastated. I went into panic and trauma mode immediately, and only when the Psychiatrist, finally convinced me to risk staying a few more days because she felt it was unsafe for me to leave, did I decide to stay 5 more days. The psychiatrist fought my insurance company and got those last 5 days covered as well, but her hands were tied as the insurance company decided the residential treatment was not necessary for me. The psychiatrist and the case manager, and the therapist, did an admirable job scrambling to find a place for me to go so I wouldn't return to my abusive environment and end up committing suicide, but at the end of the day all they could do was find a facility in San Diego that may or may not be able to waive the room and board fee and I have to go there ASAP and live in a new facility with new psychiatrists and new people and many unknown factors that terrify me. I did the billing department that if I had known that there was a possibility that I could be asked to leave or that my health insurance may not cover my entire stay, I would never, never have created the upheaval in my life and forfeited my living arrangements and taken the emotional, mental, and physical risk of attending. She did not care. Billing did not care. I explained that I felt it was unethical to guarantee a mental health patient a spot in a recovery center based on the insurance that the company themselves verified, only to yank the rug out from under that mentally ill person because of bad practices of lying or ignorance on the part of the admissions department. They didn't care. I asked to speak to her boss, to plead my case and explain how the insurance issue should be handled before patients get there and that patients should not be lied to in order to lure them in and fill beds. She refused to put me in contact with her boss. I was literally forced to leave in the middle of my treatment because admissions lied to me and told me I was approved for a full 30 day stay after he spoke to my insurance company. He was either mistaken or he lied, I like to think he was mistaken. In any case, it was their error. I relied on them to tell me accurate information and I should not have. I am severely mentally traumatized by being kicked out. What little progress I made is completely ruined by my new fears that anywhere I go is not safe or reliable. At any minute whatever treatment I am in could be yanked away and no one will help me or have any power to help me. Frankly, because of Malibu Vista's treatment of my case I am more depressed and less mentally prepared to handle my issues than before I arrived. In the two week period I did attend Malibu Vista's program, no less than 4 other patients also experienced similar issues with admissions and billing and had their treatment and mental health compromised because of inconsistent and unethical admissions an billing practices. The other patients, the treatment staff, and the on duty techs and nurses all expressed anger that this was happening. Not one person actually in charge of patient treatment felt that what the billing department had done to me was ok. Unfortunately, they are a separate department from admissions and billing and have zero power. I will say this: all of the staff in charge of patients are wonderful. The houses are nice, but a bit run down in that wear and tear on appliances, doors, bathrooms, etc are not repaired or maintained. They have someone come in every day for light cleaning, but don't look in corners, at the kitchen walls, or under the beds. It's not pretty.
    This treatment facility is not for depression and anxiety as they advertise for more for codependency and recovery. Don't be pressured by the intake people telling you there is one bed left you need to make a decision. THIS A HARD SELL LIE!! The after care was a nightmare and the counselors are not even mediocre. The best thing about the facility is the location but if you are looking to better your mental health.
    Extremely upset. ... They eliminated nutrition, art, and music. And yoga is only once a week. Constant shifting of staff - no real care. Additional time with therapist costs more. It is not individualized unless you pay more for services. Groups are daily on various topics but you don't have time to go deep. It's sad that you can't feel safe to do a deep dive into healing yourself. Really sad that they cannot take care of us.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
  • Accommodations & Amenities
  • Meals & Nutrition
  • I had a very bad experience. The program was extremely unstructured. They do not have full time therapist or doctor on call. The groups are not well run. Honestly if you are looking for empathy and sympathy as a patient this is not the place.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
  • Accommodations & Amenities
  • Meals & Nutrition
  • There aren't enough words to express the amount of thankfulness and gratitude I have for Malibu vista and the staff. I found this program after an extensive searching for mental health related programs that didn't focus on drug abuse and were only for women. When I came to Vista my life was in a dark dark place. I didn't remember what being happy felt like. I wasn't sure if I would ever feel it again. I'm not sure I would have if it wasn't for vista. This program is truly unique. Felt safe, comfortable, and the staff truly cared about each of us as separate clients with separate needs. I have made a complete turn around since discharging, I am still in contact with most of the other clients who were at vista when I was, and they all feel the same. I suffer from severe depression and my life is finally worth living despite that. I cannot thank this program and the staff enough for giving me my life back. Please, if you're a woman suffering with a mental health disorder and feel like there's no hope, please know there is, and that this facility can give you the tools to feel normal again.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
  • Accommodations & Amenities
  • Meals & Nutrition
  • Exceptional care and personal attention. The house was comfortable and actually pretty unique. it felt very warm so I got over my anxiety about being away pretty quickly. It made a difference for me to take the time to do focus on myself, but it had to be worth it to leave my family. this was worth it. The therapist made me feel really safe dealing with past stuff that is very hard to talk about.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
  • Accommodations & Amenities
  • Meals & Nutrition
  • Very unorganized and unprofessional staff. Staff were always gossiping about other staff and patients on a daily basis that could be overheard by other patients....Total waste of money....The pool was dirty most of the time too and smoke always filled the house...has a reputation of being great but this place is horrible.