The Cliffside Malibu experience offers comprehensive clinical
procedures as well as the best holistic
lifestyle adjustment in our world class rehab center. There are many
detox and group therapy entities that focus on one or another aspect of
dealing with substance abuse and addiction. Physical cessation processes
and 12 Step programs are indispensable tools in the path to recovery.
However, we are adamant about putting into practice the notion of a zero
relapse rate through catering to our client’s mental contentment. A vast
array of special amenities are at the disposal of all of our enrollees.

Within an upscale setting designed to ensure relaxation, privacy and
support, our facility is considered to be among the world’s most
comfortable and effective. In addition to detoxification, post
evaluation and therapy, recreational activities are included in our
rehab center. Cliffside Malibu also services the particular daily needs
of our residents. Clients can expect spa treatments, gourmet meals, and
other day to day provisions not found at any other rehab center. A
beautiful Pacific Ocean view tops off the luxurious expanse of your way
station to an addiction free lifestyle.

We realize that the struggle to break free from substance abuse must be
dealt with seriously. Whether it is primary treatment, extended care, or
both, the Cliffside journey is there for you. If you are truly in need
of assistance, call us at 800-501-1988. Family members of substance
addicts are more than welcome to contact our rehab center as well. With
our unique, discreet and caring environment, and your evidenced
motivation and cooperation, success is only a phone call away.

• Insight-Oriented Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Behavior Modification Therapy
• Expressive Arts Therapy
• Equine Assisted Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Individual Therapy

These therapies are offered in a combination of individual therapy and group forums multiple times throughout the week.

Individual therapy is time for an individual to work on a range of issues. These include everything from identifying treatment goals and an accompanying treatment plan to doing deep personal explorations in an intimate and non-judgmental setting. The relationship with the individual therapist becomes a cornerstone for one’s healing and recovery process. Individual therapy is one of the most important aspects of our complete treatment program.

At Cliffside Malibu, residents are offered individual therapy sessions (including equine therapy) at least five times per week. Individual therapy provides the opportunity for primary counselors to review with residents specific treatment goals, individual therapy issues, relationship issues and discharge plans, and is a place where residents are encouraged to explore deeper issues pertinent to recovery.

Residents are encouraged to use individual therapy as a means to share these deeper issues in group process meetings as a means to gain group support and feedback. For instance, in individual therapy a patient may identify a traumatic experience which exacerbates his or her using and impeded recovery. Individual therapy is the place to become aware of and desensitized to such traumatic events and group process can then be utilized for healing purposes and additional support.

Cliffside Malibu is a residential treatment and extended care facility for adults with drug or alcohol dependencies including individuals who need a safe detoxification process. Our treatment philosophy is holistic, which we provide by combining Western and Eastern medicines, multi-modal psychotherapy, spiritual opportunities, and guidance with nutrition and exercise. Our weekly schedule includes, group therapy, individual rehabilitation therapy, art and equine therapy; acupuncture, yoga, massage and meditation; educational workshops and regular 12-step meetings.

Group therapy is an opportunity to explore and learn a variety of things about oneself that are otherwise difficult to access. In a group setting a person can learn more about how they react in relationships, personal boundaries and limit-setting tools, developing empathy for self and others, and building self-esteem. Group therapy is also an opportunity for individuals to hear other people’s struggles with alcohol/drugs, which can help with feeling of isolation and loneliness.

Core Groups
Core groups are designed to provide residents with a thorough education regarding their adddiction. Each group therapy session lasts ninety minutes, and is utilized as a learning platform from which residents become educated on various aspects of their disease. Common educational topics include early recovery skills, relapse prevention, co-occurring disorders, relationships in recovery, family systems, triggers, body chemistry and others. Other softer topics such as healthy lifestyles, stress reduction, “one day at a time”, and thought-stopping techniques are frequently covered.

The core group therapy program schedule is designed to deliver all relevant educational material during the course of the typical 30 day residential stay. Core groups (or other educational components) are delivered each morning, followed by a process group in the afternoon. Patients are not encouraged to process during the morning core group and instead are encouraged to process relevant material from the morning group/activity in the afternoon process group.

Process Groups
Cliffside’s process groups are designed as an open forum during which residents have the opportunity to process any issues and feelings relevant to recovery. While the group leader facilitates group process, content is driven by the needs and desires of residents. Process group is a forum where patients can discuss personal material, and group therapy program facilitators may also bring in simple topics to be discussed. Examples of these simple topics include anger, fear, forgiveness, gratitude and others related to recovery.

At Cliffside Malibu, we place special emphasis on family therapy. Over the course of three days, our family program educates, explores and breaks down existing issues.

Family Education Groups
Upon completion of the family component of the clinical program, residents and their family members have a solid education in the addiction process, the disease concept, the brain model, emotional byproducts, codependency and family systems. For instance, family members learn about symptoms of codependency including caretaking, low self worth, obsession and control. They are given the opportunity to identify their own denial, poor communication and weak boundaries and how addiction has resulted in lack of trust and anger. Speakers are frequently invited to present material on the treatment of families. Family education is presented prior to family process as the educational content and material often facilitates family process group by stirring emotional issues and reactions.

Family Process Groups
Building upon family education group, Cliffside Malibu’s family process groups provide a forum within which residents and their family members can process experiences and feelings in a safe and trusting environment. In most cases, family education stirs unexpressed feelings and experiences. Family process is the place where these feelings can be expressed in a healthy manner and the healing process begins. Family process is conducted in three separate groups (all members, patients only and family only). Family Process normally occurs during the afternoon of the second day of Cliffside Malibu’s three day family program, as trust between family members, residents and staff has been established.

Individual Family Therapy
Individual family sessions are offered during the last day of Cliffside Malibu’s three day family program. These sessions provide a safe place where material from resident’s Cliffside experience and family program can be processed and future goals established. Primary counselors and Cliffside Malibu’s family therapist may also make referrals to family members regarding aftercare and follow-up. If necessary, families are offered follow-up sessions to be conducted during the remainder of each resident’s stay.

Equine Assisted Therapy is also an alternative modality to help individuals better understand themselves and how they relate in the world. Dialogue between the substance abuser and their family and friends is often negatively colored because of hurt feelings and troubled histories, making it difficult for the individual to accurately see how they operate in the world. The horse actually becomes a co-facilitator to the certified Equine Therapist. Because of their dependence on instinct and intuition, the horse is adept at reading non-verbal and environmental cues and reflecting back with responses. The absence of language helps the individual stay focused on the moment of this equine assisted therapy encounter, so they can bring clarity to previously unseen behavioral patterns.

As part of Cliffside Malibu’s intensive treatment program, there is a high priority placed on individual therapy with sessions being offered up to five times per week. The therapists at Cliffside Malibu have extensive experience in the areas of dual diagnosis, recognizing that there are core issues underlying addiction and there are often concurrent disorders that need to be treated.

Among Cliffside Malibu’s therapists are eating disorder specialists, trauma recovery specialists, and dual diagnosis and addiction experts.

For individuals suffering from eating disorders, individualized treatment is offered, and the therapist works with the client on a daily basis to address the following:

Core issues underlying the eating disorder

Past trauma

Therapeutic approaches to address common dynamics of perfectionism, fear and control

Relationships with family and significant others

Redefining the relationship with food

Addressing body image issues, correcting cognitive distortions, maladaptive thoughts and negative belief systems

Redefining the relationship with the body

Learning coping strategies and grounding methods to deal with triggers and impulses through ground-breaking dialectical behavior therapy techniques, cognitive-behavioral interventions and process work, all based on a foundation of unconditional positive regard and strength-based support and motivation between therapist and client

Developing meal plans

Check-ins and monitoring before, after and during meals

Narrative work and food journaling exercises

Nutritional counseling

Acupuncture, yoga and fitness experts work with clients to build the mind-body connection and to facilitate and promote a healthy relationship with mind, body and food

Family sessions, couple sessions, group sessions

There is a unique opportunity in the serene and healing setting of Cliffside Malibu for the therapist to see the client at their most difficult times, for example during a meal, and the therapist serves as a source of comfort and a guiding presence for many situations.

Maximum structure and protection are provided to clients upon admission and with our extended care program there is the opportunity for clients to gain greater responsibility and freedom with options to go on passes with significant others and alone to practice their new skills in their lives and the community.