ABOUT SERENITY MALIBU
Located on beachfront property in beautiful Malibu, CA, Serenity Malibu offers upscale, residential treatment for adults struggling with substance abuse issues and co-occurring mental health disorders.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Clients begin treatment by participating in medical and substance abuse assessments that are then used to create an individualized treatment program. Clients will participate in holistic treatment, one-on-one therapy, and group counseling. Brainspotting and systemic treatment projects –– including a body map and genogram –– are also available.
Clients have the opportunity to participate in recreational therapy such as art, equine, and dream therapy, acupuncture, creative writing, and hypnotherapy. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) therapy is offered to help clients learn daily living skills while Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy works to address trauma. Clients can also take advantage of the nearby ocean by swimming, kayaking, and surfing.
Families are highly encouraged to participate. Serenity Malibu offers a family treatment program that includes intervention, family education, process groups and experiential components.
At the end of treatment, clients will make a presentation of readiness. Aftercare and relapse support are offered. Alumni will receive weekly conference calls and are invited to return to Serenity Malibu for quarterly alumni events and volunteer opportunities.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Serenity Malibu employs medical, psychiatric, and psycho-therapeutic staff. The interdisciplinary team includes physicians, psychiatrists, doctoral level psychologists and addiction counselors, case managers, and social workers. They also employ massage and yoga therapists, acupuncturists, and spiritual therapists. A personal client advocate is assigned to each resident to offer encouragement. The ten individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com on the staff’s level of experience gave an average rating of 4.3 out of five stars.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Steps away from the beach off the coast of the Pacific Ocean, Serenity Malibu offers private bedrooms and upscale, modern furnishings. Community areas are large and bright and private bathrooms include a Jacuzzi tub. Residents will have access to a pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a garden, outdoor areas, and full kitchens.
Recreational activities include equine therapy, yoga, massage therapy, and more. Serenity Malibu’s Ocean Adventure program allows clients to take advantage of the beachfront location by surfing, swimming, and kayaking.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The three alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com gave uniformly positive reviews and all three said they would recommend the facility to others. Ratings for staff experience, counseling options both average 4.5 out of five stars, and holistic offerings averaged 4.3 out of five stars. One anonymous alum wrote: “Their level of one-on-one treatment and attention to each client’s individual needs is unparalleled in the recovery community and unavailable at almost any other treatment center in the world.” Another noted that the “professional treatment” was a strength of the facility.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Eight loved ones also gave overwhelmingly positive feedback for Serenity Malibu, with four- and maximum five-star ratings awarded for treatment effectiveness across the board. The eight alumni polled on the following metrics provided ratings of 4.38 stars for counseling options, 4.25 stars for exercise and leisure provisions and the staff’s level of training and experience, 4.1 stars for holistic treatment offerings and cleanliness, and 3.75 stars for the connectivity/visitor policy.
Several loved ones noted that staff members were a strength of the facility. “It has a very caring customer service staff” wrote one friend or family member. Another anonymous individual added: “Great staff and very knowledgable but No internet. Very smart and dedicated staff.” One family member disliked the expensiveness of the facility, but wrote: “My uncle is clean.”
FINANCING
No information is available on the facility’s website regarding cost of treatment. Serenity Malibu accepts Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, and more.