Safe Harbor Treatment Center
📍 546 Bernard St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
📞 9496451026 Full profile & reviews Claim this listing
Reviewers frequently praised the compassionate staff, many of whom are alumni, and the supportive all-female community, with several stating the program saved their lives. Positive comments also highlighted the comfortable accommodations, quality meals, and effective long-term programming. However, some reviewers criticized the facility for having unorganized operations, high staff turnover, and support staff who lacked proper training or professionalism. Additional complaints mentioned high costs, issues with cleanliness or maintenance, and a perceived over-reliance on the 12-step model.
AI-generated summary of 41 reviews collected on rehabs.com and recovery.org through 2023. Not a review or medical advice. Review policy
| Treatment types | Substance Abuse Treatment, Eating Disorder Treatment |
| Services | Residential Treatment, Behavioral Disorder Treatment, Dual-Diagnosis Treatment, Detox Services, Sober Living Home, Outpatient Services |
| Setting | Private/Secluded, Beach Community, Residential Neighborhood |
| Gender | Women Only |
| Age ranges | Teen/Adolescent, Adult Age |
| Insurance accepted | Private Insurance |
| Financing | Available |
<p><strong>ABOUT SAFE HARBOR TREATMENT CENTERS FOR WOMEN</strong></p> <p>Founded in 1993, Safe Harbor Treatment Centers for Women is a private for-profit facility, which make up about <a href="https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/FL17.pdf" target="_blank">52.7 percent</a> of Florida treatment facilities. The center offers <strong>detox, residential treatment, and sober-living homes</strong> for adult women struggling with substance use disorders. The centers, located in suburban Costa Mesa, place a strong emphasis on feelings of <strong>safety and love without judgment</strong>. Specialized tracks and residences focus on co-occurring disorders, including <strong>eating and mood disorders, co-dependency, and unhealthy romantic or sexual relationships</strong>. </p> <p>Recovery at Safe Harbor addresses the whole woman, physically, spiritually, socially, and psychologically. It is <a href="https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/FL17.pdf" target="_blank">one of the 310 (46.4 percent)</a> of Florida treatment facilities to provide specialized treatment for adult women.</p> <p><strong>TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT</strong></p> <p>Safe Harbor Treatment Centers for Women operates four residential tracks, addressing detox, primarily addiction, trauma, and body image, along with other <a href="http://www.recovery.org/topics/dual-diagnosis-recovery/" target="_blank">co-occurring disorders</a>. <strong>Programming is based on the 12-Steps and the center recommends a 90-day stay.</strong> During medically supervised detoxification, women can receive medication and naturopathic support, including organic meals and juices prepared by a chef.</p> <p>The core treatment structure includes weekly individual psychotherapy and case management services, daily <a href="https://www.recovery.org/pro/articles/did-aa-save-my-life/" target="_blank">12-step meetings</a> and process groups, and chemical dependency counseling. Therapeutic modalities include <a href="https://www.rehabs.com/pro-talk-articles/a-look-at-the-research-supporting-mindfulness-in-addiction-treatment/" target="_blank">mindfulness</a> meditation, art expression, <strong>drama therapy, and nutritional and spiritual guidance</strong>. Women also participate in yoga, and education and employment planning sessions.</p> <p>The center is <a href="https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/FL17.pdf" target="_blank">one of the 375 (56.1 percent)</a> of Florida treatment facilities to use <strong>dialectical behavior therapy</strong>.</p> <p>Among the body image supportive services available are sessions with eating disorder specialists, meal planning, supervised grocery trips, and monitored gym time. The <strong>trauma recovery program also incorporates hypnotherapy</strong>, family therapy, and a proprietary Relationship-Trauma-Repair model, along with <a href="https://luxury.rehabs.com/emdr/" target="_blank">eye movement desensitization and reprogramming (EMDR)</a>.</p> <p>The Safe Harbor transitional living program provides continued vocational and 12-step support. </p> <p><strong>STAFF CREDENTIALS</strong></p> <p>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 <strong>training specific to women and addiction</strong>. The staff includes certified chemical dependency counselors, a psychiatrist, master's level therapists, and a non-denominational ordained spiritual advisor.</p> <p><strong>ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES</strong></p> <p>Each of the Safe Harbor Treatment Centers for Women residences is located in a suburban neighborhood home with a garden. <strong>Some of the houses have outdoor pools</strong>; all have updated kitchens and elegantly, comfortable furnishings, as featured in facility website videos. According to a <a href="https://data.chhs.ca.gov/dataset/dhcs-licensed-residential-facilities-and-or-certified-alcohol-and-drug-programs/resource/1cbf39c4-0674-4dce-8f6f-4ff24eb8074e" target="_blank">California state government directory</a> of licensed residential rehab centers, Safe Harbor operates 10 homes, in sets grouped on the same streets, accommodating a total of 64 women. <strong>Each house serves six to eight residents</strong>, and there are 12 total detox spots.</p> <p><strong>WHAT ALUMNI SAY</strong></p> <p>Thirty-five former clients had submitted feedback for Safe Harbor Treatment Centers for Women to Rehabs.com at the time of this writing. Of these, <strong>three-fourths reported being very happy with their experience in rehab and with ongoing success</strong>. 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.</p> <p>The few reviewers who commented on counseling options and <a href="https://www.recovery.org/forums/discussion/7265/what-is-holistic-treatment-and-how-can-it-help" target="_blank">holistic therapy offerings</a> tended to be critical.</p> <blockquote> <p>Holistic offerings: 3.7/5 stars<br /> Family participation: 3.65/5 stars<br /> Counseling options: 3.7/5 stars</p> </blockquote> <p>The <strong>highest average ratings were for the facility's cleanliness and maintenance</strong> and its policies regarding outside communication. Nevertheless, three reviews depicted outdated or dirty accommodations. <strong>Three wrote that their experience of amenities and services was not what was expected</strong>, and five complained about chaos or disorganization. </p> <blockquote> <p>Cleanliness: 4.5/5 stars</p> </blockquote> <p>Most commonly, alumni cited tools for continuing in their sobriety, positive relationships and education or job situations, <strong>ongoing alumni friendships, and empathetic, supportive staff</strong> as Safe Harbor strengths. </p> <blockquote> <p>Staff's level of training and experience: 4/5 stars</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY</strong></p> <p>Reviews from loved ones were split four-to-two between positive and negative feedback for Safe Harbor Treatment Centers for Women. <strong>The positive reviewers described a nurturing facility.</strong> “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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>FINANCING</strong></p> <p>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 Rehabs.com to date on the affordability of treatment gave an average rating of 3.75 out of five stars.</p> <blockquote> <p>Affordability: 3.75/5 stars</p> </blockquote>
— Rini Cobbey · 2018-01-29 09:49:50 PST
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