Music Therapy

Our innovative music program emphasizes healing through creative expression. Proficiency is not required; patients can make music with all kinds of instruments, and our music therapist will help them process their experiences and the work of treatment through music. With our Blue Door Recording Studio, patients can even record their own songs and take the recording home with them after they leave treatment.

Intensive Family Program

Intensive Family Program

We recognize the importance and need for family involvement (whenever possible) in the recovery process, because family support can be key to an individual's long-term success. At The Oaks, we provide education about the impact of addictive behavior and mental health issues on the family as well as the challenges that arise for the family when a patient begins the recovery process. We work toward making family therapy a significant part of each individual's treatment experience. We believe that in order to provide the best treatment possible for each patient, we need to make decisions about family therapy on a case-by-case basis following discussion with treatment teams and each individual. We believe that The Oaks provides many opportunities for patients to work on family issues in group and individual therapy as well as our Intensive Family Program, which takes place over a weekend. During that weekend, our sessions and groups provide an examination of the characteristics, histories, experiences and dreams of our families with a particular eye toward each individual’s role and responsibility in the family system.

Trauma Recovery

Trauma can affect anyone. At The Oaks, we know the importance of resolving the effects of trauma, which often contribute to substance use and mental health issues. We utilize a number of effective modalties to help patients process pain, negative thoughts, depression and anxiety. Healing from trauma paves the path to long-lasting recovery. We use three therapies specifically in regard to trauma issues: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). EMDR disarms past experiences that have set the groundwork for patients’ thinking and feeling patterns. It resets the path of dysfunctional emotions, beliefs and sensations while instilling a positive experience that is needed to enhance future adaptive behaviors and mental health. ACT helps patients take control of their lives and determine how much importance negative thought patterns and habits will receive. And CPT includes written or conversational exercises where the patient learns to take into account the context of the event, why it happened, his or her real role in the event and what is stopping the emotional processing from achieving natural closure. At The Oaks, we use these approaches and others to help each patient discover his or her most precious values and act on them. By learning to notice and accept unpleasant thoughts or feelings without giving them the power to control behaviors and attitudes, a person can once again enjoy a meaningful life.

Creative Arts

At The Oaks, we believe that creative arts can be a unique and powerful part of the overall healing experience. In the context of substance abuse treatment, these exercises can increase a patient’s creativity through art interactions, helping to build self-esteem and enhance the individual’s strengths while exploring issues that may not be as easy to address in traditional therapy sessions. Methods may include collage, painting, drawing and other forms of art, each of which can help teach different lessons and enhance different areas of creativity. Since so much of treatment is verbal—discussing issues and talking through problems and barriers to sobriety—a non-verbal option like creative arts can provide a welcomed break and allow patients to explore themselves and their addictions in a new way, often leading to fresh insights and a new perspective.

Exercise and Recreation

In 2015, the Oaks underwent some new developments in recreation, including the addition of a scenic nature trail, a sport court for basketball and volleyball, shuffleboard, and new equipment and curriculum for the in-house gym. We believe that engaging in exercise and activity is healthy for mind, body and spirit healing, and it can help patients develop new, positive habits as they pursue a life in recovery.

Facility Features

In addition to our nature trail, the landscaping at The Oaks is designed to emphasize our natural environment with an assortment of seasonal flower beds and greenery. We have bird feeders, a fountain and a fire pit for patients to enjoy, and our emphasis on music and the arts led to the addition of a large, colorful mural on one of our buildings.

Life Challenge Program

You faced the challenge of treatment head on, establishing healthy habits and using new tools to get through the tough days. You’ve done the hard work and set new goals. Now, as you prepare to leave The Oaks, the real adventure begins. You face that challenge known as life. Fortunately, our Life Challenge program (aka the L+C) has your back. 

Case Management and Aftercare

Treatment is the beginning of a lifelong journey of discovery and recovery, but what happens after treatment is equally as important as the treatment itself. We at La Paloma make every effort to assure that each client has a workable continuing care plan and the structure to sustain the growth generated in treatment.