Safe Harbor has been working to break the vicious cycle of drug and alcohol addiction for 20 years. The women-only rehab treats substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders by focusing on the whole person — body, mind and spirit. The facility believes that addiction is a symptom of deeper underlying issues and is dedicated to helping each client address and turnaround the maladaptive coping skills that no longer serve her. In an intimate, all-female environment, women are given the opportunity to safely explore their past and learn the coping skills necessary for a sober future.
ABOUT SAFE HARBOR TREATMENT CENTERS FOR WOMEN
Founded in 1993, Safe Harbor Treatment Centers for Women offers detox, residential treatment, and sober-living homes for adult women struggling with substance use disorders. The centers, located in suburban Costa Mesa, place a strong emphasis on feelings of safety and love without judgment. Specialized tracks and residences focus on co-occurring struggles, including eating and mood disorders, co-dependency, and unhealthy romantic or sexual relationships. Recovery at Safe Harbor addresses the whole woman, physically, spiritually, socially, and psychologically.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Safe Harbor Treatment Centers for Women operates four residential tracks, addressing detox, primarily addiction, trauma, and body image, along with other co-occurring struggles. Programming is based on the 12-Steps and the center recommends a 90-day stay. During medically supervised detoxification, women can receive medication and naturopathic support, including organic meals and juices prepared by a chef.
The core treatment structure includes weekly individual psychotherapy and case management services, daily 12-step meetings and process groups, and chemical dependency counseling. Therapeutic modalities range from dialectical behavior therapy to mindfulness meditation, art expression, drama therapy, and nutritional and spiritual guidance. Women also participate in yoga, and education and employment planning sessions.
Among the body image supportive services available are sessions with eating disorder specialists, meal planning, supervised grocery trips, and monitored gym time. The trauma recovery program also incorporates hypnotherapy, family therapy, and a proprietary Relationship-Trauma-Repair model, along with eye movement desensitization and reprogramming (EMDR).
The Safe Harbor transitional living program provides continued vocational and 12-step support.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
A majority of Safe Harbor Treatment Centers for Women staff members are women, according to the facility’s website. The founder and several others in leadership and clinical roles are in recovery, and all have received training specific to women and addiction. The staff includes certified chemical dependency counselors, a psychiatrist, master’s level therapists, and a non-denominational ordained spiritual advisor.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Each of the Safe Harbor Treatment Centers for Women residences is located in a suburban neighborhood home with a garden. Some of the houses have outdoor pools; all have updated kitchens and elegantly, comfortable furnishings, as featured in facility website videos. According to a California state government directory of licensed residential rehab centers, Safe Harbor operates 10 homes, in sets grouped on the same streets, accommodating a total of 64 women. Each house serves six to eight residents, and there are 12 total detox spots.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Thirty-five former clients had submitted feedback for Safe Harbor Treatment Centers for Women to Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing. Of these, three-fourths reported being very happy with their experience in rehab and with ongoing success. A subset of 19 to 21 alumni were polled more extensively on various treatment and accommodations elements. All 15 metrics measured averaged ratings of between 3.7 and 4.6 out of five stars.
In the lower, yet overall positive, range were counseling options, holistic therapy offerings, and family participation, each receiving 3.7- and 3.8-star ratings. The few reviewers who commented on these areas, tended to be critical. The highest average ratings were for the facility’s cleanliness and maintenance and its policies regarding outside communication. Nevertheless, three reviews depicted outdated or dirty accommodations. Three wrote that their experience of amenities and services was not what was expected, and five complained about chaos or disorganization.
Most commonly, alumni cited tools for continuing in their sobriety, positive relationships and education or job situations, ongoing alumni friendships, and empathetic, supportive staff as Safe Harbor strengths. Despite five reports of poor training or professionalism, the 19 alumni polled on the staff’s level of training and experience awarded four stars on average.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Reviews from loved ones were split four-to-two between positive and negative feedback for Safe Harbor Treatment Centers for Women. The positive reviewers described a nurturing facility. “Great hands on experience Caring counsellors Saved my daughters life,” K.T.R. wrote, and G.M. and T.M. added praise for the family program.
However, one parent echoed an alum who complained of having to clean bathrooms and another described an “intentionally confusing” contract with unexpected costs. Two alumni reported the same issue.
FINANCING
Safe Harbor Treatment Centers for Women accepts insurance from numerous providers, including but not limited to Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and United. The 16 individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com to date on the affordability of treatment gave an average rating of 3.75 out of five stars.