The first step is reaching out to Casa Serena’s admissions team at (866) 936-9740. They can walk you through the process, answer your questions confidentially, and help verify insurance benefits — often within the same day. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you call.
Women often face distinct challenges in recovery — including trauma, shame, and the impact of addiction on their children and families. A women-only environment provides the safety and trust needed for clients to open up and do the deeper work that leads to lasting sobriety. Casa Serena has been built around this conviction for over 60 years.
Casa Serena provides a full continuum of care, so your loved one doesn’t have to start over somewhere new as her needs change. Programs include medically managed residential detox, residential treatment, Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), outpatient, and structured transitional living — all on the same Santa Barbara campus.
Casa Serena offers 30-, 60-, and 90-day options, with the flexibility to tailor the program to individual circumstances. Research consistently shows that longer stays improve outcomes, and the team will work with your family to find the right commitment.
Yes. Casa Serena’s sub-acute detox is medically managed and residential, meaning licensed staff are present and medications can be prescribed to safely manage withdrawal. Clients are monitored throughout the process before transitioning to the residential treatment program.
Casa Serena specializes in dual diagnosis treatment — addressing addiction alongside conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and eating disorders. The clinical team treats these together rather than in isolation.
Family involvement is central to how Casa Serena works. The program includes individual family therapy sessions with the clinical team, multi-family groups facilitated by clinicians, and ongoing education about addiction as a chronic disease. There is also an active alumni family community offering peer support. Family participation is not just welcome — it’s encouraged as part of the healing process.
Contact and visitation are structured carefully, particularly early in treatment, to protect the therapeutic environment. The admissions and clinical team will explain what communication looks like at each phase so you know what to expect and can plan accordingly.
This is one of the most common questions families ask. Casa Serena’s family programming is designed in part to help answer exactly this. General guidance: express love and support without conditions, avoid ultimatums or blame in early conversations, and let the clinical team guide the more difficult conversations at the right time.
Yes. Casa Serena offers financial aid for those with limited resources. Our admissions department can help design a payment plan that works for you.
Casa Serena accepts most private health insurance plans — including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross of California, Cigna, Magellan, Tricare, and others. Many plans cover the full cost of treatment. The admissions team can verify benefits confidentially and quickly. Note that Medicare, Medi-Cal, and Cen-Cal are not currently accepted. Financial aid is also available for those with limited resources.
Yes — Casa Serena is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and has been since 1973. As a nonprofit, every dollar goes directly into treatment and services rather than investor returns. It is Santa Barbara’s only licensed, Joint Commission–accredited nonprofit residential treatment program for women.
Aftercare at Casa Serena is not an afterthought. The team begins coordinating her aftercare plan during treatment, arranging provider connections and referrals as needed. Casa Serena also offers a Lifetime Aftercare Program, transitional living options, and job readiness and continuing education support. Ninety-one percent of alumni are working or in school nine months after completing treatment.
Casa Serena recognizes that families carry their own wounds from a loved one’s addiction. Beyond family therapy and multi-family groups during treatment, Casa Serena hosts events like the annual Fall Family Summit — a free, three-day immersive weekend in Santa Barbara bringing together current families, alumni families, and former clients to learn, heal, and connect with others who understand this experience firsthand.
Call (866) 936-9740 or visit casaserena.org/admissions to request a confidential assessment. For family-specific questions or to learn about family programming, you can also reach Director of Admissions Megan Farrens at mfarrens@casaserena.org.