Muir Wood Review
Muir Wood was created to help adolescent boys who struggle with addiction and mental health issues return to wholeness through adventure therapy, family involvement and academics. By leading clients through a therapeutic breakdown of their lives, the boys are able to understand the causes of their substance abuse. Once a certain level of awareness is established, they can focus on learning new life skills and coping mechanisms.
Accommodations and Food
Located on six picturesque acres in Petaluma, California, Muir Wood offers both a stunning and supportive environment for boys between the ages of 12 and 17. The main residential building is airy and spacious, with the look and feel of a Hamptons farmhouse. Featuring a high end and homey vibe, the residence offers both a family-like setting and a comfortable aesthetic.
Each client shares a massive bedroom and bath with one other person. All bedrooms come with two queen-sized beds, beautiful hardwood floors and a desk for journaling. The bathrooms are also huge, featuring marble bathtubs and state-of-the-art showers. The house also features a communal living room and a classroom while all therapy sessions are held in a nearby office space.
Since balanced nutrition is of utmost importance at Muir Wood, a highly skilled chef works with clients individually to design a creative, healthy meal plan. The boys gather in the family dining room for meals, sharing food at a big wooden picnic-like table. The menus are intended to optimize recovery while helping the boys establish a positive relationship with food. Residents also help maintain the on-site organic garden, which produces many of the ingredients used in the meals.
Treatment and Staff
The program at Muir Wood is a comprehensive addiction and dual diagnosis treatment that uses clinical therapy, academics, the 12 steps, family involvement and physical activity to facilitate recovery. The typical length of stay is 45 to 90 days, although 60 to 90 days is recommended for those with a longer history of substance abuse. Clients needing detox before admission use an outside facility.
Boys meet with their primary therapist for individual counseling for a minimum of two hours per week in addition to one hour of counseling with the clinical director. Clients are also required to attend nine hours per week of group therapy, run by a Master’s-level therapist. Group topics include spirituality, relapse prevention, family dynamics, CBT, DBT, trauma, recovery basics and life skills. Clients can include their families in the recovery process every other Saturday with a range of educational lectures and group therapy. The staff is highly credentialed and includes a mix of certified counselors, a nursing consultant, teachers, a visiting psychiatrist, an MD and a variety of holistic practitioners.
Academics are an essential component of recovery at Muir Wood. Each client receives a personalized lesson plan that they follow for three-and-a-half hours per day. With a six-to-one student-to-teacher ratio, clients can receive the guidance and attention they need to reach their academic goals.
An immersion into the 12 steps and AA is also a crucial component of treatment. The boys attend a young people’s 12-step meeting off-site several times a week. Experienced AA guest speakers also visit the house for on-site meetings.
A typical day at Muir Wood begins at 7 am, with breakfast and chores. From 8 to 8:30 am, the boys participate in a daily goal setting group. Schooling follows from 8:30 am until 12 pm. Lunch and additional chores go from 12 to 1 pm, followed by yoga and nutrition from 1 to 3 pm. A recovery basics group goes from 3 to 4 pm followed by meditation time from 4 to 5 pm. Dinner and chores go from 5 to 6:30 pm followed by a 12-step meeting from 7 to 8:30 pm. The day wraps up with a final 10th step group before lights out at 10:30 pm.
Extras
In addition to the more traditional avenues of treating addiction, Muir Wood offers a variety of holistic and experiential therapies. Adventure therapy is used as a way to get outdoors while building confidence and self-esteem. The challenge courses include trips to the local gym, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, indoor rock climbing and canoeing. Clients also get a chance to connect with therapy animals during equine therapy. Spending time with the horses lowers clients’ stress while deepening their connections with those around them. All of these services are included in the monthly cost.
In Summary
If a family has money to spend an an adolescent boy in trouble, they could do a lot worse than Muir Wood. The boys who attend treatment here are able to recover in a small-scale, serene setting. For some lucky kids, the program could be a lifesaver.
Muir Wood Location
1733 Skillman Lane
Petaluma, CA 94952
Muir Wood Cost
$33,000 (30 days). Reach Muir Wood by phone at (888) 878-8643. Find Muir Wood on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
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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.
