ABOUT SERENITY KNOLLS IN FOREST KNOLLS, CA
Serenity Knolls, located in Forest Knolls, California, offers residential and detoxification treatment to adults struggling with substance abuse. The facility is located about 30 miles north of San Francisco and offers free aftercare for life. Serenity Knolls has operated for 25 years and has treated over 5,000 individuals.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Clients may call the facility’s 24-hour phone line to begin the admissions process. To be admitted, clients must be 18 years of age or older, must consent to stay in treatment for a minimum of 30 days, must be ambulatory and capable of engaging in treatment, and must exhibit a willingness and desire to recover. Treatment lasts for a minimum of 30 days, but many clients stay for 60 or 90 days.
The facility’s program follows the 12-Step treatment method. Throughout treatment, clients receive individual, group, and family therapy. There are several types of group meetings offered at Serenity Knolls, including process groups, educational groups, 12-Step groups, women’s groups, and men’s groups. Participants who go through detox before beginning residential treatment may receive medication under the supervision of a medical doctor. Clients are required to complete chores while in residential treatment.
Families are included in the treatment program through a weekend family program that offers education and support to help family members understand both their loved one’s struggles and their own. This program is free for life to any family member of a client who completes 30 days of treatment.
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of Serenity Knolls is the free lifetime aftercare program. All clients who complete at least 30 days of treatment are welcome to attend weekly support meetings for the rest of their lives. Although Serenity Knolls does not offer partial hospitalization or outpatient care, the facility can refer graduating clients to local programs offering these services as part of discharge if necessary.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The treatment team at Serenity Knolls includes drug and alcohol counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, registered nurses, medical doctors, and community-based psychiatrists. The facility states that 85% of staff are in recovery themselves.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Serenity Knolls is located in the San Geronimo Valley in Marin County. The property sits on twelve acres and reserves six beds exclusively for detoxification, as well as a number of beds for longer-term residential treatment. All residents live in shared rooms. The grounds keep clients closely connected to nature, offering views of sunsets, the surrounding forest, and wildlife. Photos on the facility’s website show rustic but updated cabins. Serenity Knolls also has a swimming pool, basketball court, a large outdoor dining area, and a fitness center to increase the client’s comfort while in treatment.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The four alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com at time of writing gave generally positive reviews. Several alumni mentioned that the staff showed great care for them while they were in treatment, that the food was wonderful, and that the grounds and surroundings are beautiful. “Counselors are the best around. Caring, compassionate and all in recovery,” an anonymous alum wrote.
When asked if they would consider re-entering the facility if the need arose, three of the four alumni polled indicated that they would. Two reviewers claimed they relapsed after leaving Serenity Knolls. While the anonymous clients all wrote that they believed the treatment program at Serenity Knolls was worth the cost, and three of the four alumni gave the staff five- out of five-star ratings, many noted the lack of financial assistance provided by the facility.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Of the five friends or family members polled by Best-rehabs.com at time of writing, all five of the reviewers indicated that they would recommend Serenity Knolls to others. Four of the anonymous loved ones gave the facility positive ratings for exercise options, and all five of them rated it highly for cleanliness. When asked about strengths of the facility, loved ones praised the family and aftercare programs, and the staff’s level of training and experience. One reviewer added additional commentary: “If you love your friends and family, send them here.”
When asked about weaknesses of Serenity Knolls, one loved one reported that her son felt pressured to stay longer than he wanted to. Other reviewers shared that they felt the group therapy was too confrontational and that they wished that more cognitive-behavioral therapy was offered.
FINANCING
There is currently no information provided by the facility regarding its costs, but one alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com stated her treatment cost $15,000 per month. The facility does not accept insurance.