Athena House Review
After treating women for about three decades in three different facilities, Athena House increased its capacity by moving its entire operation into the historic Stonehouse Inn in Santa Rosa, California, in 2011. It is part of California Human Development, a Northern California non-profit that serves a variety of low-income and/or disabled populations.
Accommodations and Food
Because the Stonehouse Inn was most recently a high end bed-and-breakfast, the facility is quaint and well kept. Up to 40 women share the large, spacious rooms, which, with cobblestone walls and antique wood accents, have a rustic charm. All resident rooms have a private bathroom and some even have a jacuzzi tub. They are flooded with natural light and come with twin beds and plenty of storage space. While there is a television on site, residents may only use it to watch DVDs on Saturdays.
A healthy lifestyle is a major priority at Athena House, where residents take turns cooking for one another. Staff help prepare salads, lean meats and vegetable dishes. Clients eat meals together.
Treatment and Staff
Treatment at Athena House is based on respect and compassion. It wants to teach women the skills they need to thrive and, to that end, offers an individualized, female-specific treatment plans. Detox is not available so anyone in need of those services must take care of it prior to admission. There is not set length of time for treatment but most clients stay at least 30 days. The daily schedule can include individual therapy, group counseling, off-site 12-step meetings, relapse prevention training, anger management training, nutrition management, self-esteem development, job search assistance and job readiness. Athena House also offers daily exercise, whether taking a walk, using the on-site exercise equipment or keeping along with one of the many exercise videos available to clients.
A typical day begins with some form of exercise and breakfast. Residents then have a variety of revolving meetings, such as a group meeting or a relapse prevention meeting. After lunch, they may have an educational seminar, a one-on-one therapy session and an outside 12-step meeting (staff escorted). That is followed by dinner and the option of another group meeting. Residents have a bit of free time to relax before lights out.
Athena House has a staff of about 11, making the staff-to-resident ratio about one-to-four. At least four of the staff members are graduates of the program including the Director and all are either registered or certified addiction specialist through the State of California, Department of Health Care Services.
Extras
Athena House offers six months of complimentary aftercare, which includes group meetings and alumni nights. Job and housing assistance is also provided to anyone who still might need help, an expression of Athena House’s “doors-are always-open” philosophy.
In Summary
Athena House is a great option for women searching for cozy accommodations, long-term care and a variety of resources at an affordable price. The Facebook reviews are quite positive, with some praising the staff, a couple of whom have been with the organization for decades.
Athena House Location
3555 Santa Rosa Hwy
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
Athena House Cost
$3,000 (30 days). Reach Athena House by phone at (707) 526-3150 or by email at ResidentialTreatment@CAHumanDevelopment.org. Find Athena House on Facebook
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Photo courtesy of Athena House; used with permission
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.
