At Sanctuary Centers, our devoted staff collaborate directly with our Medical Director to develop an optimal medication regimen for our clients. We continually review the current research regarding medication and dosage, in an effort to provide the most effective therapeutic plan for each and every client we treat. Additionally, it is part of Sanctuary Centers philosophy to use the least number of medications, in the lowest possible doses. To achieve this, we can also incorporate the use of Genecept™ Assay which is an easy-to-use, non-invasive saliva test. This specialized test looks at selected genes, analyzes and communicates the results, in a written report, to our Medical Director. The subsequent results offer both our providers and family members with information to help guide a choice of possible drugs for optimal treatment. In the end, this technology provides physicians with existing and new information to help them better understand our clients biochemistry. Throughout their course of treatment in the Inpatient Care Program, we encourage our clients to understand and invest in the importance of proper medication management. Program participants who take responsibility for their medication management prove far more likely to remain compliant with their medication and successful in their health and wellness goals after graduating from the program. All medications are dispensed by our expert staff. We also provide a treatment team to manage our clients’ responsible self-administration of their medications.

Each client works with a licensed therapist throughout the course of their program. As a team, client and therapist establish and outline the short-term and long-term goals of their individualized treatment plan. Therapist and client meet every week to discuss progress in the program, as well as any issues that may arise in the course of treatment. We pride ourselves at Sanctuary Centers on our excellent staff-to-client ratio. Our two full time, licensed therapists service twelve clients total – six per therapist. This ratio allows our therapists to make themselves accessible to our clients as needed throughout the week and evenings.

At Sanctuary Centers, we offer more than 45 distinct therapy groups. These groups address areas of mental health and/or co-occurring disorders and allow inpatient and outpatient clients to come together and build a sense of community. Our therapy groups can generally be divided into three types:

• Psychotherapy Groups: These types of groups have been specially designed to help members address their own unique, respective psychological problems. In psychotherapy groups, exchanges between members are vitally important in bringing about change. These groups offer the the advantage of direct interaction among members. Clients often report that this direct interaction provides a level of support and caring between participants that is different from the relationship between therapist and client in individual therapy. The relationships built in these groups allow for healthy confrontation of deeply rooted issues. These groups can be a productive choice for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. We offer many different types of psychotherapy groups, including but not limited to: interpersonal communication, art therapy, grief and loss, trauma and recovery, and music therapy.
• Psychoeducational Groups: These therapy groups utilize a structured learning format, akin to a classroom environment. They focus on developing thinking, feeling, and behavioral skills participants can use outside of therapy to improve their daily lives. Sanctuary Centers provides many types of psychoeducational groups, such as: career development, healthy eating, anger management, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Positive Psychology.
• Expressive Arts Therapy: Drawn from a multiplicity of art forms, expressive arts therapy allows clients to examine their feelings, thoughts, and sensations toward the promotion of emotional growth and healing.  These non-verbal expressive techniques provide a safe outlet whereby members can discuss and explore difficult emotions. Examples of creative arts groups include poetry therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and dance/movement therapy.
• Recreational Groups: These therapy groups cover a wide range of fun and healthy activities designed to help participants develop skills, knowledge and behaviors to improve their daily lives. Groups range in focus from the practicing of physical, cognitive, and emotional self-care to groups that employ role playing to help recreate real world situations.

Career Development is a crucial component of living independently and gradually reestablishing a place in the community. We encourage our clients to explore and assess their interests and abilities with the ultimate aims of volunteering in the local community, enrolling in classes, seeking vocational training, and eventually securing employment. Sanctuary Centers’ Career Development Specialists work closely with our clients and prepare them for a pre-vocational or vocational activity within the first month of their stay in the House. Contact us or click to learn more about Career Development Services.

At our Co-Occurring Disorders Program, we provide clients diagnosed with both mental health and substance use disorders with specialized counseling services tailored specifically to their needs. Our services are always provided in a safe alcohol/drug-free environment. Contact us or click to learn more about our Co-Occurring Disorders Program.

All Sanctuary Centers clients participate in our comprehensive independent living skills program. Members of our highly qualified and attentive staff advise and assist clients in the daily practice of personal hygiene and the regular upkeep and maintenance of their living environments. Staff members also offer instruction and assistance in the preparation of all meals, in addition to aiding in menu planning, grocery shopping/comparison shopping, and budgeting. Staff members also offer public transportation tutorials to any interested clients.

As one major component of our offerings, Sanctuary House provides our clients with groups and activities designed to help develop and improve interpersonal relationships and people skills. Scheduled Socialization Skills/Recreation groups are included in the clinical program. These groups offer clients an opportunity to develop relationships with their peers as they learn to trust and support one another. These groups often become learning forums where intricate concepts like cooperative participation and tolerance for individual differences are explored in-depth. As time passes and clients build self-confidence, staff members encourage and coach participants to take leadership roles in these groups. Activities for these groups may include attending plays, concerts, films, art exhibitions and lectures, as well as hiking, sailing, horseback riding, bicycling, camping, and exploring city parks and beaches. These types of activities bring clients together in community settings and provide them with an opportunity to socialize and build self-esteem. Additionally, further activities are available in the Los Angeles area, only 90 minutes away from our hometown of Santa Barbara.

Satellite Services

This prepaid service ensures the client a three-month program of weekly one-hour sessions with our Satellite Services Program staff. With one payment, clients are able to connect to staff members within multiple Sanctuary Centers programs. This open communication improves the chances for program success.

In-Home Supportive Services

Often, even after former clients become fully independent members of their community, they are still in need of some assistance. Our In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provides help and encouragement to motivate clients to continue their growth in order to thrive long after their time at Sanctuary House. Learn more about In-Home Supportive Services.

Aftercare Clinical Personnel:

All of our counselors are highly trained and experienced practitioners in Counseling, Psychology, or a closely related field, and all Sanctuary Centers’ clients are purposefully matched with their counselors according to each client’s respective needs, goals, and objectives. In the unfortunate event that a crisis situation should ever arise, every member of our staff is trained to respond safely, effectively, and decisively.

How Much Does It Cost for Aftercare?

Aftercare fees include Satellite Services sessions–12 weeks of one-hour sessions for $900.

Optional In-Home Supportive Services sessions include the available options:

• Individual Sessions (per session): $90
• Flat Rate (billed monthly): One (1) Time Daily, Five (5) Days Per Week – $1,075
• Flat Rate (billed monthly): One (1) Time Daily, Seven (7) Days Per Week – $ 1,500
• Medication Monitoring (billed monthly): One (1) Time Daily, Three (3) Days Per Week – $750
• Medication Monitoring (billed monthly): One (1) Time Daily, Four (4) Days Per Week – $940