The Ranch

The Ranch is a program that combines PHP programming at Alta Loma and supportive living at Casa Sana.

When it comes to therapy for mental health and co-occurring substance use disorder, it’s crucial to find the perfect balance for your unique needs and circumstances. There’s no one-size-fits-all fix. At Alta Loma, we believe in a blended approach, with numerous therapeutic methods provided to each client across the duration of a long-term program.

For individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, supportive housing with PHP programming has proven one of the most effective approaches for achieving long-term recovery. Constant access to medical professionals, addiction specialists and a supportive community can go a long way in rebuilding your confidence and establishing healthy habits. There are countless treatment programs out there, but to truly achieve lasting recovery, it’s essential to find one that resonates with you.

The mental health initiatives you have the opportunity to take part in are listed below.

Get Healing on Your Terms at the Ranch

If you or someone you care about is struggling to address your need for mental health, Alta Loma could mean the difference between relapse and long-term recovery

Alta Loma's Primary Program Schedule

Types of Mental Health Programming Offered At The Ranch

Meditation Groups

For many people who struggle with mental health issues and addiction, feeling powerless in the face of overwhelming emotions is a concern. Overthinking takes people to dark places in their mind, and meditation is a highly effective way of breaking that cycle. There are practically unlimited ways to meditate, and our friendly team can help you find what works for you.

Learning how to meditate often begins with mindfulness. That means learning to stay in the present moment and put space between your feelings and your actions — which is easier said than done, but entirely possible with guidance and support.

Another way we can help you learn how to stay grounded and self-soothe in the face of overwhelming feelings is through breath work. When emotions run high, it’s common for people to hyperventilate or take short, shallow breaths. By learning how to regulate your breathing, you can gain more control over your thoughts and feelings.   

Life Skills Groups

Mental illness and addiction are the result of a complex mixture of genes, experiences and social influences. While it’s not always the case, lots of people with these problems come from dysfunctional families. The patterns and habits you learned when you were very young have a strong disruptive impact on your behavior in later life. Luckily, it’s possible to reconfigure your mind by learning skills and filling in the blanks from your upbringing.

The way we think about and speak to ourselves and others plays a key role in our experiences and the reactions we get. Plus, not understanding or having the words to describe how you feel or what you need can be extremely frustrating — and you probably won’t even know why you’re so frustrated. 

Life skills you can learn with the team here at Alta Loma include:

  • Daily living skills
  • Communication
  • Self-awareness
  • Changing thoughts
  • Recognizing triggers
  • Job skills development
  • Self-sufficiency skills development (cooking, cleaning)

Process Groups

Process groups are indispensable in the therapeutic process because they teach valuable, actionable skills and help therapists understand your requirements. When you work through issues in the presence of others, you learn from them and discover the power of speaking your truth. Hearing about other people’s struggles can be eye-opening, helping you understand yourself from a different perspective and develop empathic skills.

Another style of process group we oversee is psychoeducational classes. Learning about the processes and mechanisms in your brain and body that influence mental illness and substance use disorders helps you take a step back. It’s not your fault, and you’re not alone — your symptoms are the result of dysfunction, and there are plenty of ways to help yourself heal.

Primary Long-Term Addiction Treatment at the Ranch -- left sideview

Health and Wellness

Lifestyle plays a defining role in how we experience the world. Of course, a consistent routine, proper nutrition, regular exercise and positive attitude can’t cure mental illness and substance abuse issues, but they can help you manage your symptoms and feel better. Highly processed food and sugar are harmful to mental health when consumed in excess, and exercise is one of the best ways to develop physical and mental resilience.

One of the best things about our programs is that we teach you how to add structure to your life without being rigid or restrictive.

Group Therapy

Support groups are safe spaces where you can learn about addiction, mental illness and yourself, as well as sharing your story and learning from others. Opening up and being honest about your experiences and how you feel isn’t easy, and it’s a learning process. At Alta Loma, group therapy is a nonjudgmental space where you can learn about yourself and your peers and gain insight into what drives people to behave in certain ways.

Outside of Group Therapy, residents can choose between NAMI connection and 12-step groups, and other peer support groups.

Individual Therapy

Last but by no means least is individual therapy, overseen by our skilled and experienced team of qualified professionals. Every week, residents have at least two one-on-one therapy sessions with their primary therapist, plus at least one psychiatric session.

During these sessions, you talk about your upbringing, life experiences and goals. Together with a mental health professional, you identify triggers and develop coping mechanisms to help you manage and move through difficulties.

We believe dual diagnosis treatment requires a whole person approach. As such, we offer individual sessions with a range of professionals with different skills and specialties. You’ll take part in individual sessions with:

  • Case managers
  • Behavior analysts
  • Nurses
  • Mentors

Recovery sessions for co-occurring disorders include:

Goal Review

When you’re working toward something, the more clearly and accurately you define the end result you’re seeking, the better able you are to get there. From day one, we help you set short-, medium- and long-term goals and intentions and periodically assess progress. We also show you how to document, track and review goals for optimal results.

About the Facility

The Ranch is a sprawling, luxurious addiction and mental health-supportive living environment set across 20 acres. It consists of four main buildings, each with its own unique purpose and charm. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose a semi-private or private room.

In the main house, there’s space for a maximum of nine men, with five cozy, well-decorated bedrooms and five bathrooms. There are two other houses, affectionately referred to as the cabins. Each one is home to a maximum of six men and has five comfortable bedrooms and five bathrooms. In the main building, clients can make the most of the facilities, including a well-stocked cafeteria and modern gym.  

Scheduling

Monday – Friday’s schedule can be found in the graphic on this page.

The Ranch Weekend Programming:
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Process Group
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Recovery Support Group
9:30 PM- 10:00 PM: Goal Review

Amenities

  • Swimming pool
  • Stocked Fishing Pond
  • Half-mile fitness trail
  • Basketball court
  • Several shaded outdoor seating areas
  • A field with miniature donkeys and goats
  • Nutritious, tasty meals served daily
  • Around-the-clock supervision from our experienced, friendly team