Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Women's Addiction & Mental Health Recovery Center in Santa Barbara
Casa Serena has been providing substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment for women in Santa Barbara, California for over 60 years. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we focus on delivering ethically minded care by reinvesting all funding into life-saving treatment services. Our philosophy centers on treating women as whole individuals, addressing specific recovery challenges including maternal issues caused by addiction. We offer evidence-based treatment services while building community, instilling self-determination, and empowering clients with educational opportunities and financial literacy. Our legacy includes helping thousands of women recover from addictions to alcohol, drugs, and eating disorders while managing co-occurring mental health disorders.We maintain Joint Commission accreditation and operate as Santa Barbara's only licensed nonprofit residential treatment program for women. Our comprehensive approach includes medically managed detox, residential treatment, outpatient programs, lifetime aftercare, health and wellness initiatives, and transitional living support. We specialize in treating women struggling with alcohol, opioids, methamphetamines, prescription pills, and co-occurring conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, trauma/PTSD, and anxiety disorders.
Services
Residential Treatment
Outpatient Program
Detox Services
Eating Disorder Treatment
Dual Diagnosis Care
Transitional Living
Veterans Program
Family Therapy
Job Readiness Training
Wellness Programs
Details
- Year established: 1959
Highlights and features
- Celebrating over 60 years of specialized women's treatment in Santa Barbara
- Gender-specific care addressing unique female recovery needs
- Evidence-based therapies including DBT, CBT, and trauma-informed approaches
- Lifetime aftercare program with alumni support groups
- Nonprofit organization reinvesting all funds into client care
Associations and certifications
- Joint Commission
What people say
Life-changing transformations
Compassionate staff
Comprehensive aftercare
Supportive environment
Effective treatment
Services
Residential Treatment
Our residential treatment program provides 24/7 supervised care for women recovering from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. The program combines evidence-based therapies with holistic wellness approaches in a supportive environment. Clients receive personalized treatment plans addressing addiction, trauma, and mental health needs while building recovery skills through structured daily programming.
Outpatient Program
The outpatient program offers flexible treatment while maintaining recovery support for women transitioning from residential care. Participants engage in structured therapy sessions while practicing recovery skills in real-world settings. The program includes individual counseling, group therapy, and life skills development while allowing clients to maintain work or family commitments.
Eating Disorder Treatment
Specialized treatment for women with eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. Our program integrates nutritional counseling, body image therapy, and trauma-informed care. Clients receive medical monitoring and participate in therapeutic meals while addressing underlying psychological factors contributing to disordered eating patterns.
Dual Diagnosis Care
Comprehensive treatment for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Our approach combines medication management with evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT. Clients learn to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and personality disorders while developing healthy coping mechanisms to support long-term recovery.
Transitional Living
Our Millie's House transitional living program provides structured sober housing for women completing treatment. Residents receive ongoing support while rebuilding independent living skills. The program fosters peer support networks and includes relapse prevention planning, 12-step meeting participation, and community reintegration assistance.
People
Marjorie Gies, M.D.
Psychiatrist & Medical Director
Dr. Marjorie Gies brings extensive expertise in addiction psychiatry to Casa Serena's treatment programs. With specialized training in evidence-based therapies, she oversees medical care and treatment protocol development for women recovering from substance use and co-occurring disorders.
Questions
What makes Casa Serena's treatment program unique for women?
Our women-only treatment environment addresses gender-specific recovery needs, providing safety and containment for deep healing work. We specialize in treating trauma, maternal issues, and co-occurring disorders through evidence-based therapies.
Do you accept pregnant women into treatment?
Yes, we welcome women at any stage of pregnancy and provide resources for prenatal and postnatal care while addressing substance use and mental health needs.
What therapy approaches are used in treatment?
We utilize evidence-based therapies including DBT, CBT, ACT, trauma-informed therapy, and shame resiliency. Our approach addresses underlying issues causing substance use while building healthy coping skills.
How long are treatment programs?
We offer 30, 60, and 90-day programs with flexible durations based on individual needs. Our continuum of care includes detox, residential treatment, outpatient services, and lifetime aftercare support.
Do you offer financial assistance options?
Yes, we provide financial aid and payment plans for those with limited resources. Our admissions team works with clients to create affordable treatment solutions.
What aftercare support is available?
Our Lifetime Aftercare Program includes weekly alumni groups, family therapy sessions, social events, and ongoing support through our Casa Serena community network.
Reviews (6)
Angela Brown
Dec 31, 2021
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My experience at Casa Serena is was wonderful. I recommend this facility for any woman who is in need of emotional and trauma support and or substance abuse, and addiction. The staff and management at this facility are wonderful. Ive learned a lot about myself here. I spent 30 days in detox and 2 weeks in IOP and sober living. Thank you Casa Serena for my new journey through life.
Elizabeth Burke
Nov 19, 2021
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I chose to come here after my second relapse and it was the best decision I have ever made for my recovery! This place is magical, the therapists are warm, inviting, and are in recovery or addiction is in their story. This place saved me, I cant thank them enough!
Elle Brooks
Oct 29, 2021
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Amazing!! Saved my life! Feels like home and the staff is knowledgeable and compassionate. I have so much hope for the future! Hidden gem in beautiful Santa Barbara. This is where you want to go for help!
Sarah Ford
Jul 05, 2021
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The work they do is deep and caring. I am grateful for so many reasons that Casa Serena has been an option and the support they give. You are not going to get any BS, but you will get availability, honesty, awareness and hope. I can't imagine where things would be without this program. Forever grateful.
Richard Sherry
Jun 20, 2021
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It may sound artificial however, words fall short of the outcome of the Casa Serena process. our daughter had been thru several other systems of treatment and likely they all contributed somewhat to the outcome achieved at Casa Serena, however the family support and counseling from Casa Serena along with the specific behavioral targeting for our daughter brought the family and her to a place she has been so far able to break the cycle of addiction. it may not be over of course though we now have tools to manage the path forward.
Jackie Allen
May 30, 2021
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Casa Serena took me in 1988. I was already 2 yrs. sober, but didn't know how to live. Casa Serena put me on a structured program which put me in the habit of cooking, cleaning, AA meetings and socializing which was important for me as I was a loner. I spent some of my time taking the inventory of others who by-the-way ended up going home after 3 mos. while I stayed for 9 months, that's how sick I was. Today I'm a better person after having learned living skills of 'honesty'', 'open' and 'willing'.. I had a few slips but continue trudging the road to happy destiny.
