Muir Wood Adolescent & Family Services offers residential treatment for adolescent boys with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health issues, as well as outpatient programming for both adolescent boys and girls. The residential treatment program is specifically designed for males aged 12-17 who are struggling with substance abuse and accompanying mental health issues. Located on six acres in Sonoma County, CA, this highly individualized and family-centric program serves a maximum of six adolescents and their families at any given time. Muir Wood’s treatment team includes board-certified addiction treatment physicians, board-certified psychiatrists, licensed therapists, certified counselors, masters-level adventure therapists, and masters-level and multiple-subject State credentialed teachers.
Key program components of the residential program include a weekly family intensive, comprehensive psychological testing, twice-weekly individual therapy with a licensed therapist, weekly assessment by a board-certified addiction psychiatrist, twice-weekly individual family therapy with a licensed therapist, and an all-day adventure therapy program with masters-level therapists. The residential program also includes a 3-month Parent Support and Coaching Aftercare curriculum-based component led by a licensed therapist who remains in contact with parents for a weekly 75-minute phone call.
Muir Wood’s mixed-gender outpatient program, located in Marin, offers both a 9-hour per week Intensive Outpatient Program and a 6-hour per week Outpatient Program for teens and their families. Key components of the outpatient programs include a highly credentialed clinical team, weekly individual therapy with a licensed therapist, weekly family therapy with a licensed therapist, and weekly randomized drug testing.
ABOUT MUIR WOOD ADOLESCENT & FAMILY SERVICES
Set on six acres of land in California’s Sonoma County, Muir Wood Adolescent & Family Services is a residential mental health and substance abuse rehab for adolescent boys ages 12 to 17, and an outpatient program for both genders. The facility offers intensive, individualized treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, as well as co-occurring mental health disorders. Detox services are available on-site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The facility is able to devise highly personalized treatment plans based on information gathered during a comprehensive assessment and thorough psychological evaluation. Clinical activities include weekly one-on-one counseling and regular process groups on topics such as relapse prevention, trauma, and life skills. The program’s integrated approach combines 12-step philosophy and evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy with holistic and experiential therapies including yoga and wilderness-based activities. Treatment lasts between 45 to 90 days.
Residents also attend young people’s 12-step meetings six days per week, both on- and off-site. In addition to yoga and adventure-based activities such as camping, kayaking, and hiking, clients can participate in equine therapy, guided meditation classes, and art therapy. Family involvement is another key component of treatment. Family members are integrated into their loved one’s treatment plan via family therapy sessions and process groups, as well as a family program held every other Saturday.
Academics are also taken into account. Muir Wood Adolescent & Family Services offers a year-round academic program that is certified as a private school by California’s Department of Education. The program has a student-to-teacher ratio of 6:1, as well as individualized lesson plans, ACT and SAT prep, and weekly progress reports for parents.
Outpatient care is available for boys and girls from ages 12 to 19. It includes a day treatment program that includes nine hours a week of programming, an intensive outpatient (IOP) option with six hours of weekly programming, and a regular outpatient track with three hours a week of programming. The facility also offers aftercare support that includes referral to community-based support groups, one-off therapy sessions, and ongoing therapy for those with mental illness.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
There are a variety of treatment team members on staff including board-certified psychiatrists, licensed therapists, board-certified addiction treatment physicians, plus numerous certified counselors and experiential therapists. The school is run by a master’s level, state-credentialed teacher.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The teens live in the bright and homey main residence, which includes a cozy living room, a family-style dining room, and a large kitchen where a chef prepares meals daily, plus a spacious backyard with patios and picnic tables. Each bedroom sleeps two and has a private bath. Residents use the well-equipped gym three times a week to work out with the rehab’s personal trainer.
REVIEWS
At the time of this writing, 15 loved ones had provided feedback to Best-rehabs.com for Muir Wood Adolescent & Family Services. Most feedback came from parents. Eight of the reviews were positive, two were mixed or neutral, and five were negative. The positive reviews praised the quality of the food, staff members, and the effectiveness of the program. Negative reviews noted the divide between those in treatment for mental health issues and substance abuse. One anonymous parent, whose son was in treatment for depression, felt the mixed environment with those who struggle with substance misuse provided negative exposure.
On its official Facebook page, the facility earned 4.7 out of five stars from 24 reviews. Many of the reviews praise the facility’s treatment team and individualized treatment plan. In a representative review, Peter wrote: “Muir Woods Adolescent program has an outstanding treatment team of Physicians, specialists, and therapists that not only address the treatment of addiction but the whole family, this will allow your teen to discover more about themselves than they would ever thought possible.”
FINANCING
Fees range from $36,000 per month to $90,000 for 90 days. Private insurance is accepted.