Foundation Program for Residential Treatment

The Foundation Program at Serenity Knolls, provides personalized residential treatment for adults age 18 and older who have been struggling with substance use disorders. For individuals who have completed residential treatment at our facility in Forest Knolls, California, we also offer a unique extended care program, the Enrichment Launch Program When you start your addiction recovery journey at Serenity Knolls, you will never walk alone.

Foundation Program Overview

Our Foundation program occurs in a supportive and nurturing environment in which residents work in close collaboration with teams of talented and dedicated treatment providers, including both staff and contracted professionals, many of whom are in recovery themselves. Depending upon a resident’s specific needs, he or she may work with the following professionals:

  • Drug and alcohol counselors
  • Marriage and family therapists
  • Registered nurses
  • Medical doctors

The Foundation Program at Serenity Knolls incorporates a variety of techniques, methods, and modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and client-centered education, which allows us to develop customized plans that feature the specific elements that are best suited to the unique strengths, needs, and goals of each person who heals with us.

Treatment Modalities

Though no two residents will have identical treatment experiences at Serenity Knolls, the following are among the more common elements that may be included in a person’s customized treatment plan:

Individual therapy: Conducted on a weekly basis in the residential treatment program, these one-on-one sessions with a qualified and experienced professional are excellent forums in which residents may process successes and setbacks, address issues that they may be unwilling to discuss in group environments, and receive expert guidance and feedback.

Individual counseling: Daily check-in sessions with knowledgeable and experienced drug and alcohol counselors provide residents with regular opportunities to address pressing concerns, evaluate progress toward treatment goals, prevent minor setbacks from turning into significant obstacles to their continued success in the residential treatment program.

Group therapy: Group therapy sessions are a foundational element of treatment in the residential program at Serenity Knolls. Multiple group sessions are conducted each week, which provide residents with several opportunities to give and receive support, share insights, learn from the experiences of others in recovery, and practice healthy, interpersonal communication skills. Group therapy sessions may be led by various professionals, including registered nurses, certified alcohol and drug counselors, psychologists, and marriage and family therapists. During a person’s time in the residential program at Serenity Knolls, he or she may participate in the following types of groups:

  • Process groups
  • Educational groups
  • Women’s groups
  • Men’s groups

Couples and family counseling: Residents and their loved ones may participate in couples and/or family counseling sessions on a weekly basis, or on an alternative schedule according to their needs. Couples and family counseling can be a transformative experience that allows family members to address the way that their lives have been impacted by their loved one’s addiction, heal family rifts, strengthen family bonds, and learn how best to support their loved one’s continued recovery.

Weekend Family Program: Current residents, alumni, and their family members are all welcome to participate in the Weekend Family Program, which occurs throughout the month.

Discharge planning and aftercare

At Serenity Knolls, we are well aware of the fact that the Foundation program is just one step along the long path of addiction recovery. Thus, we ensure that every person who completes residential treatment at Serenity Knolls leaves us with a detailed discharge plan that identifies the professional referrals, community-based resources, and other services that will support their continued recovery. Program alumni also have lifetime access to the weekly aftercare services that Serenity Knolls hosts at locations in San Francisco and Marin County and to the Weekend Family Program events that are held at our center.

To learn more about residential treatment at Serenity Knolls, or to get answers to any questions that you may have about any aspect of our programming, please feel free to contact us at your convenience. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you to make the most informed and beneficial decision for yourself or for a loved one.

Facility Interior
Individuals doing Yoga
Individuals in Circle Talking
Facility Pool and Basketball Court
Facility Exterior
Individuals Sitting and Talking
Individuals Sitting at Tables
Individuals Playing Basketball

My mental health suffered from my addiction and it was too much for me to deal with. With the help of my family, they admitted me to Serenity Knolls for co-occurring disorders treatment. This facility helped me tremendously.

– James W.