La Ventana Review
Located on a 70-acre ranch in Thousand Oaks, California, La Ventana’s primary focus is eating disorders, but it also provides drug and alcohol rehab, including detox. Founder Steve Zamarripa lost his mother to an eating disorder and also experienced addiction through his alcoholic father, so his mission is personal. But that doesn’t mean that La Ventana is the best choice for substance abuse recovery.
Accommodations and Food
La Ventana offers a luxury vibe at a bargain price. Residents can detox with or without the use of medications in a six-bed ranch-style home. Interiors aren’t as aesthetically pleasing as at more high-end rehabs, and most bedrooms are shared. All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi and cable TV, and personal electronics are permitted. Clients shop for and prepare their own food with assistance from staff.
Treatment and Staff
The therapeutic program is fairly typical of California rehabs, with four group therapy sessions per day and individual counseling at least once a week. Therapy at La Ventana emphasizes finding and treating the underlying issues behind substance addiction, such as trauma, abandonment or depression. To this end, both CBT and DBT play a big role, as do process groups like anger management and self-esteem building. Practical goal setting, relapse prevention, life skills and resume building help clients transition back into society, while art therapy, yoga and meditation add a holistic treatment touch. Staff dieticians provide nutritional counseling.
There’s a solid crew of credible therapists on staff but no nurses, doctors, or psychiatrists; the medical professionals on the entire staff are two RNs who both work exclusively at the eating disorder center. Transportation to doctors’ visits is provided, but still isn’t the same as having professionals being on-site.
Residents stay at La Ventana for a minimum of four weeks but are encouraged to stay up to 12, including extended care. A nine-to-five day treatment program and an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) are also available for those who have completed (or don’t need) inpatient treatment.
Extras
Sundays are considered a day off for reflection and peer-organized group outings are common, which is where all those beach photos come from. For recreation, the house is equipped with an outdoor basketball court, a pool and Jacuzzi, a billiards lounge and a sundeck. La Ventana supports both 12-step and non-12-step treatment philosophies and helps connect clients with meetings in the Thousand Oaks community.
In Summary
While La Ventana is no slouch when it comes to therapy, its focus seems to be primarily on its eating disorder clients. The cost is comparatively affordable, but those whose primary addiction is drugs and/or alcohol might do better attending a facility where they’ll be more catered to.
La Ventana Location
275 E. Hillcrest Dr, Ste 120
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
La Ventana Cost
$15,000 (30 days). Reach La Ventana by phone at (800) 560-8518. Find La Ventana on Facebook and Twitter
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Sponsored DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertisement for California Behavioral Health, LLC, a CA licensed substance abuse treatment provider and not a service provided by The Fix. Calls to this number are answered by CBH, free and without obligation to the consumer. No one who answers the call receives a fee based upon the consumer’s choice to enter treatment. For additional info on other treatment providers and options visit www.samhsa.gov.
