Sanctuary of Santa Barbara is the setting of a real new beginning. A real growing up experience. Coming here 3 years ago, I was still in a mindset of spoiled kid who was well taken care of and who expected good things.

When I entered this new space, I was still not 100% sure and had reservations about turning away from my old unhealthy, self-destructive/sabotaging behaviors. I thought these unhealthy behaviors just affected ME, but they really affected my most important relationships in respect towards myself, friends, and especially family.

After 3 months of following the rules and standards of the house as best as I could, something clicked. I thought, I don’t want to go back to my old way of life, the old behaviors. I focused on being really present in the therapy in group, in recovery meetings, or with a case manager.

The everyday expectations, groups, and interactions between the clients and staff encouraged healthy growth and encouraged me to fully and whole-heartedly commit to recovery.

For mental health—the psychiatrist Dr. Eli Katz is amazing. He actually listens to the patient and considers how the patient is feeling. The case managers and drug and alcohol therapists are amazing as well. They are approachable and cultivate a safe space for their clients, whether in group or a one-on-one setting.

The staff at the house are always welcoming, and readily available around the clock if needed. With the staff, I definitely learned the importance of consideration in interpersonal communications.

It was 2012 when I first entered inpatient care. Since then, I have gone to SBCC, volunteered at Transition House and an elderly residential care home, have had an amazing internship, and am now finishing up a few quarters at Antioch University in the major of Communications.

Most importantly, the relationships that were the most sacred to me have returned and more. Miracles do happen, and because of Sanctuary I was able to witness that in my own life.”

– Jen C., Sanctuary Client

Almost 25 years ago, I was on the streets drinking and using drugs. Something told me that I could not live like this, or I would surely die. My faith stuck with me, and I found hope when I was introduced to staff at Sanctuary Centers.

I took advantage of this offer at Sanctuary with hope that my life would come back together. I went to the Sanctuary House program knowing that it wasn’t going to be easy to live a better life. But immediately, I applied myself to this program, following all the rules and requirements of my participation in activities and chores, etc. I spent a couple years in Sanctuary House and made a lot of friends and started a group for those who are dual-diagnosed.

After I moved out two years later, I was still involved in the dual diagnosis program as I learned to live independently in an apartment. I stayed in this apartment, stayed sober, and two years later was offered an apartment run by Sanctuary Centers. There, I attended many therapy sessions and found myself a new home around people who loved and cared for me.

I still live in my own apartment run by Sanctuary. I have freedom to do as I choose. This includes therapy and dual diagnosis group. Today I am 23 years sober. I have found that life isn’t always easy, and I don’t always get my way, but who does? I have come to the realization that life is a challenge, but I always have Sanctuary staff to back me up when I’m in need.

Barry Schoer, the Executive Director of Sanctuary Centers has always been a friend of mine. He is a very reasonable man and understanding and well-trusted. I thank him for being close by me throughout the years that I have been at Sanctuary Centers.

To those who suffer mental illness and addiction to drugs or alcohol, I highly recommend Sanctuary Centers for treatment and recovery.

– John M., Sanctuary Client

Sanctuary Centers provides very therapeutic group options. You can be creative in Poetry or Art group as well. Now that I have gone through the program, I have grown. My illness has become more under control and manageable. I have achieved this through the help of the therapists at this program. Everyone is very caring and supportive.

I also really enjoy attending lunch at the program. Our chef Carmen is very hospitable, kind, and a good cook.

I recommend this program to anyone who’s going through a hard time and needs to get back on their feet. Volunteering at the program is also very helpful for future goals including goals in the work area.

– Narina M., Sanctuary Client

I have a sibling who completed the Sanctuary’s program and still lives in the apartments. I’ve also visited Sanctuary House several times, as well as the apartments. Recognizing that my perspective is that of an outsider looking in, and not having gone through the program myself (or having paid for it), I’ve been very happy with the treatment my sibling has received. While the program was far from easy for my sibling to complete, it would be an understatement to say that he is much better off for it. The personnel at Sanctuary were always friendly with me and responsive to my queries. They consistently had a good sense of what was going on with my sibling and gave the impression that they paid close attention to him. They had faith in him despite many setbacks he experienced as he was progressing – and at times regressing – through the program. Over the course of the past several years,

I’ve been very happy with the Sanctuary and would highly recommend that family members of anyone with a serious mental illness who can afford the program strongly consider it as an option for treatment.

– J J., Family Member of a Sanctuary Client

I believe I have a unique situation with Sanctuary Centers, as I have been both an employee, and now I am in the Arlington Apartments receiving services at Sanctuary. I worked for Sanctuary for about 4 1/2 years and found the staff to be caring and concerned about the clients.

I have been living in the Arlington Apartments now for 10 years. I find them to be a safe place to live and am amazed at how much the caseworkers care for their clients. They have a holistic approach to their treatment, caring for body, soul, and spirit.

I would highly recommend Sanctuary Centers to anyone with a desire to work out issues concerning mental health and dual diagnosis, in order to live as independently as possible. That is what the caseworkers help us with.

Finally, I highly recommend Barry Schoer, Executive Director, as he has to be aware of all that goes into his programs. He is fair and is truly caring for both clients and staff.

– Kit M., Sanctuary Client

Before coming to Santa Barbara and entering into the Sanctuary program, I was not able to take care of myself and be accountable for anything. Life shows up, and thanks to the Sanctuary program I was able to use the tools I learned to create and cultivate healthy conversations with myself and others today. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate in the program.

The Sanctuary program has been the foundation of hope that has helped me realize my Life’s great potential, which, if I am willing to participate in, I can be present and alive for. Life’s always in session, and I feel today that I am an active participant thanks to the Sanctuary Program. Today I believe in possibilities.

– Sanctuary Client

Sanctuary Centers of Santa Barbara should be the psychiatry recovery model to follow.

This amazing program has really helped our son get back on his feet and begin a life he is proud to be living.

This well-built program starts with basic living skills and helps guide you through volunteering, going back to school and finding a job. Ideals that had been put on hold now can become a reality. We can’t say enough good about Sanctuary because it has really given our son his life back and ours, too. We are more than grateful. If you, or anyone you know, is needing a residential mental health recovery program, Barry Schoer is your man. Please call and go visit his awesome program. You will be lucky you did!

– Lisa & Charlie, Parents of a Sanctuary Client

Sanctuary Centers has been life-changing for our entire family. Just when we felt powerless, we found your amazing program to help our son.

It has given him the tools for a positive and healthy recovery.

Your program should be the model for others to follow. We have renewed hope that our son has a bright future ahead. He is back in school and making plans for his future. We are so very grateful. Thank you so much!

– Parents of a Sanctuary Client

Sanctuary House was quite literally a lifesaver for our family. It provided our son with the social and therapeutic foundation that helped set him on the path to recovery.

He is now a mature adult, happily married, restoring an 1890 Victorian home in Vallejo, CA with his wife, and serving on Vallejo’s General Plan Working Group (among other activist civic organizations). He is a wonderful example of the positive impact of the Sanctuary Program. We will always be grateful beyond words or measure.

– Parents of a Sanctuary Client

Prior to coming to Sanctuary, I had been in a very intensive residential treatment center for 6 months, which was very focused on one-on-one therapy as well as talk therapy-based groups only. This was after 3 years of being severely depressed, suicidal, and suffering from extreme anxiety. During those 3 years I was in the hospital in a locked unit 5 times – 3 for suicidal ideation and twice after actual attempts. My mom found Sanctuary after I had gotten all that I could out of the program I was in. I was ready for a program to restore my life back to one of being a fully functioning person in the world. I had an assessment meeting with Lisa Moschini, and she explained how things worked in the house, treatment plans, and aftercare once I graduated from the house program. That same day I met Barry Schoer. They both seemed extremely dedicated to what is best for their clients, and I decided to go.

Sanctuary House has a phase plan. It allows the clients to move up from phase to phase as they are comfortable doing so, with input from the staff. I found it to be a good system for me. I quickly moved up to the phase where I could be in the community volunteering for a company that I enjoyed. This was very rewarding and helped me to feel a sense of contribution again. While in the house, I felt safe, and the staff was very good to me. They were very much available for anything I needed. I also enjoyed the other clients in the house. Of course, it is not easy living with people you don’t know, who all have one issue or another, but it gave me a sense of comradery that I found very positive.

The first week I was there, I met with Dr. Katz. He made good adjustments to my medications, and slowly I started feeling better. Dr. Katz is very knowledgeable. I felt very comfortable with him and his recommendations. He is also very open to input. He is so responsive as well. I still meet with him today. The first week I was there, I also met Debra Simon. She facilitates a group called DBT. She is amazing. DBT has taught me so much about managing my symptoms and my life. It has opened up a whole new outlook on the world for me. DBT takes time, but it has been crucial in my healing and continued good mental health. I can’t say enough about this therapy and the skills I have learned from it.

I graduated from the house and moved into the apartments 7 years ago, and I am very happy. Coming from such a dark place years ago, I NEVER thought I’d be able to say that again.

I am enjoying my life, and I feel mentally stable and well. I am closer to my children than I ever thought possible.

I have many friends. I still have my challenges, but the beauty of Sanctuary is that the staff is always willing to help me when I do. I feel a great sense of independence, which is wonderful, but I always know they’ve got my back.

– Dawne B., Sanctuary Client