The Health Retreat Recovery Centre Review
The Health Retreat Recovery Centre is a residential treatment program for adults in Queensland, Australia founded by addiction specialist Francis McLaughlan. Originally created in 2004, its current program was established in 2011. Set in the woods with close access to national parks, The Health Retreat offers a balance of clinical and holistic treatment to address not only substance addiction but also clients’ overall well being.
Accommodations and Food
The Health Retreat’s residences include two main houses, converted train carriages and individual cabins that were formerly a bed and breakfast. The grounds feel more like a camp retreat than a typical clinical setting. The main homes and cabins can accommodate up to 19 men and women. Clients first stay in the main homes and then move to the cabins as treatment progresses. All bedrooms in both the homes and cabins are private. The cabins also have private bathrooms while bathrooms in the main houses are shared. On-site amenities include a gym, pool, hot tub and sauna. Phones, TVs and computers with Internet are available to clients in the commons areas.
Food is prepared by two organic chefs and served home-style in a common dining room or in clients’ rooms. In addition to being organic, food is also gluten, dairy, sugar and caffeine-free. Clients may attend weekly healthy cooking classes.
Treatment and Staff
The Health Retreat’s program is 29 days and includes a wide range of treatments including evidence-based practices such as REBT, EFT, psychodynamic processing, Gestalt, clinical hypnosis, narrative therapy and dual diagnosis support, all in both individual and group therapy settings.
The Health Retreat does not offer or support 12-step and considers itself an alternative to AA/NA. Clients who need detox can do so at the Health Retreat under the direction of their own doctors. The Health Retreat works with outside medical services for clients who need hospitalized detox treatment. Clients receive four to seven individual sessions a week depending on their needs.
Though each day of treatment is different, a typical day for a client includes yoga and two exercise sessions including Tai Chi, long nature walks, meals and rotation of individual and group treatment sessions. Cell phones and personal electronics are permitted during personal down time. Visitors are permitted throughout the weeks and family members can stay overnight at no additional cost.
The mixed gender staff includes a psychologist, licensed psychotherapist, CSACs and administrative support staff. The staff-to-client ratio is one-to-one.
Extras
Alternative and homeopathic therapy includes the aforementioned Tai Chi and yoga, as well as art, music, pet and dance therapy and drumming.
Health Retreat’s family program has counseling and a flexible visiting schedule. The aftercare program includes staying in close contact with graduates with regular follow up calls and check ins. Clients can take advantage of the natural setting and go on daily walks and hikes in nearby parks. Additional recreational activities include cooking, boxing, Latin dancing and boot camp classes.
In Summary
The Health Retreat Recovery Centre is a 29-day residential program set in the lush woods of Queensland, Australia. It offers a wide array of clinical and holistic treatment practices for clients looking for an alternative to 12 steps. This is a great fit for clients who love the outdoors and wish to be exposed to a wide ranging of therapies and practices while focusing on clinical treatment.
The Health Retreat Recovery Centre Location
389 Corks Pocket Rd
Reesville, QLD Australia 4552
The Health Retreat Recovery Centre Cost
$16,950 AUD [$13,015 USD, per publishing day exchange rate] (29 days). Reach The Health Retreat Recovery Centre by phone at 07-5494-3359 or by email at info@healthretreat.au.
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