Akua Behavioral Health - Newport Beach, California.

Being denied treatment for having a service animal that completely violate my civil rights.

This place is amazing, everyone is kind, helpful. Richard is a great leader. Candace is such a great listener and kind. Gaby is very patient and kind. All the staff shows lots of love and care. Very greatful to have had… the opportunity to thrive and learn more about recovery with Akua!

Grateful for this program, saved my life! Staff and crew all amazing!! Candace my case manager helped me through some of the hardest times of my life and don’t know where I would be without them.

I came to Akua feeling scared and entirely without directions. I ended up finding my safe space. I truly came to understand that I am not alone with my struggles. The people in the groups were respectful and I did not,… for one second, feel judged or made uncomfortable. The entire staff is welcoming, super friendly and knowledgeable. My counselor Kris was awesome! She helped me set up for a "life after Akua :)" with lots of research. My therapist Savannah was the best! I felt understood and my sessions with her always left me with hope and the reinforced knowledge that "yeah, I got this"!!! Good-feel bonus: yoga, acupuncture and sound- bath :) I would recommend Akua to anyone!!!

Just finished IOP at Akua Newport Beach. What an experience, I couldn’t be happier with my decision to participate in this program. All the staff are very professional, friendly and knowledgeable especially my Case… Manager Candace and Therapist Savannah. I would give a 10 star rating if I could and would definitely recommend this program for anybody who is seeking help.

I would put negative stars if I could. I went here as a teenager. I was given a medication that I now know, in the simplest terms, I am allergic to. I had a very adverse reaction to it and I told every staff I could at… the residential facility that I didn’t feel good. I felt weak, light-headed and exhausted constantly to the point where I couldn’t get off the couch of the narcotics anonymous meeting they took us to…I was there for mental health. I remember different parts of my body, I guess the best way to explain it would be “twitching” against my will while laying on that couch. They gave me a medication that was supposed to counter act the symptoms of the medication but it didn’t work. My parents and myself were told that I had borderline personality disorder and my parents were told that I was a manipulative liar. In order to receive such a serious diagnosis such as BPD, it requires meeting with a therapist for many months. I had never seen an actual licensed therapist my entire time at the residential. The doctor that “treated” me was Dr. Venice Sanchez. I met with her twice on zoom throughout the entire 50 days I was there. She was the one who diagnosed me with borderline personality disorder and pushed for me to take a loading dose or an initial higher dose of the same medication that was making me feel sick, just under a different name. She and the techs told me that they told my parents the best thing they could do for me is to pick me up ONLY after I had finished the program. In order to finish the program, they told me I had to receive two shots of the injectable version of the medication that was making me sick. After I left, I couldn’t get out of bed for 6 months which was the half life of the medication (It finally left my body). I had to go to physical therapy because I was in constant pain from barely moving for six months straight. UPDATE : They responded to my initial email but never followed up with the second one. This was weeks ago. I checked for missed calls from them recently and there were none. Bottom line, don’t send your loved ones here.

Akua Mind Body transformed my life. Their comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment program gave me the practical tools, coping strategies, therapy sessions, and personalized support I needed to build a strong… foundation for recovery. After completing treatment, I have stayed sober for 908 days and continue using what I learned daily. The compassionate staff created a safe, empowering environment that addressed both my addiction and underlying mental health needs. Truly life-changing. I highly recommend Akua Mind Body to anyone seeking lasting recovery.

This place was exactly what I needed. I am a totally different person today. My therapist was very educated, relatable and kind. She could see my needs and led me to a new life. They really know how to get every aspect… of healing at the same time bringing you to recentered and allows you to get out what your going through so art, music, talk therapy, group therapy and so much more! The food was amazing and nice to not have to think about during a healing time, they were on top of every meal and snacks. The Akua family is very welcoming and really knows how to make a person feel comfortable when you are going through a sensible time in your life! I wish I had done it 20 years earlier. Thank you to each and everyone of the staff and everyone I encountered throughout my journey there! Always Akua family! Denise Zarate

Going to Akua was hands down the best decision I could have made for my sobriety. The staff is professional, helpful, and truly cares about the care and recovery of their clients. Kris is an amazing case manager and… Gaby is a fantastic therapist. They both walked me through all the steps needed to graduate and jump back into the real world with all the skills needed to live a happy and healthy sober life. I highly recommend AKUA for anyone in the Orange County area looking for recovery options.

Last fall, I came to Akua at one of the lowest points of my life. Going to treatment was Plan Z and Plan Y had just fallen apart spectacularly. I was out of ideas and knew there was an issue of emotional constipation… that needed to be processed, or the downward spiral would continue. The people that I met at my time in Akua have changed my life forever! Led by Richard, the fiercest ally you could possibly ask for in a recovery journey, which creates a culture of fun and safety that permeates through the staff including (but not limited to): Candice, my case manager, helped me figure out a new Plan A and make my first steps towards a life within my values. Gaby, my therapist, always knew how to process my word vomit and provide fresh perspective while being supportive. Every member of the staff and all the other clients I met during this experience are incredibly special humans; I learned so much from all of them. Thank you for getting me put back together at just the right time. It's impossible to over-state how amazing my experience at Akua was, and how prepared I feel to take the tools I've been given to lead a sober and fulfilling life.

This was my second treatment facility, I had mixed thoughts coming into it because my last one was too intense. But Akua was awesome, I loved the staff they were very kind and helpful people and super supportive thru… all the 3 months I was there. They ran groups well and gave me a good perspective on myself and how do deal with my anxiety and addiction, also my sessions with my case manager and therapist were very helpful. I appreciate all the people I was with too and they being older than me since I am still very young, gave me a lot of good insight on life and how living sober is the best way to achieve my goals and dreams. I appreciated and am very grateful for my time there and would recommend this place to anyone who deals with mental health and substance abuse issues!!

I had the best time at Akua in Newport Beach. They are the most understanding and caring team one could ask for, and they truly are why I healed as well as I did. I highly recommend them for anyone going through tough… times, whether it’s mental health or substance abuse related. They are the best program around and I thank them for their service. The programming is very tailored and everyone truly loves their job. Thank you again, while I may never need to go back thanks to their work, I will constantly recommend and look fondly at them. You are amazing!

I was a client at AKUAs Outpatient program for 4 months and was very happy with my time there. The staff is super attentive and you can tell that they care for each of their clients. If I needed something specific or… was having a particularly stressful day, there was always someone to talk to. AKUA is also a great program to build community. I look forward to staying connected with the other clients through the Alumni network. I will always remember my stay here at AKUA and definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for help to improve their quality of life.

If I could give 0 stars, I would. I won't go into too much detail because it speaks to the experiences of someone I'm close to. The overarching theme is that the staff just isn't that great at their jobs. The therapists… were ok, but the remainder of the staff simply didn't know how to interact with patients who have a significant amount of trauma and anxiety.

The folks at Akua in Newport Beach are a very special group. Shout out to Quincy, Brooke, Gaby, Karen, Candace, Claire, Kris and Richard. All of you have impacted my life positively.

I was a client at AKUA mind body Newport Beach and I have been through multiple treatment centers and AKUA mind body is by far the best treatment facility hands down. They are highly professional and very caring and… understanding of their clients from all backgrounds and walks of life. I would highly recommend AKUA mind and body Newport Beach to anyone who is seeking treatment for substance abuse or mental health. AKUA has changed my life and I know they can change yours too.

Akua helped me in so many ways I can’t even express how thankful I am for this program and the way it helped me grow as an individual. Thank you to Richard, Karen, and Brooke for always being there to talk to me and a… safe place for me to reach out to in need. I love this place with my whole heart.

I spent 5 months this past year at AKUA and left feeling like I was ready to be able to go back out in the world as a stronger man. I’ve been to many treatment centers and this one has been one of the best. It all… starts with the staff which foster a healthy, family-like environment for their clients. I felt well-taken care of and any help that I needed was addressed while I was a client. They made sure that I was ready to graduate the program and had me set appointments for aftercare so that I wasn’t just left wondering what to do once I left their care. Excellent staff, fun environment where I was comfortable to open up. I absolutely would recommend this place to a close friend of mine should they ever need help.

This program truly changed my life in ways I didn’t think were possible. It supported me through both addiction recovery and my mental health, and it did so with compassion, structure, and real understanding — not… judgment. What stood out most was how much the staff genuinely cared. I never felt like just another client. They took the time to understand me as a whole person, not just my addiction or diagnosis. The program helped me build coping skills, emotional awareness, and accountability while also addressing the deeper issues that fed my addiction in the first place. Because of this program, I’ve gained stability, confidence, and tools I use every day to stay sober and mentally grounded. It gave me a foundation — not just to survive, but to actually live a healthier, more meaningful life. I’m incredibly grateful for this experience and would recommend Akua to anyone who is struggling and ready for real change. It works if you’re willing to show up — and it truly cares about your long-term recovery.

Akua is a fantastic place to recover filled with the most understanding and caring staff. My experience there is unforgettable and I hope anyone recovering from a mental health crisis seriously considers this program.

This place was a blessing! My mental health was trash, and i couldn’t even get a few hours of sobriety. I had no hope or fight left in me. I had been demoralized and brought to my knees. Akua’s program and staff got my… head straight, got me sober, and the tools that I need to stay that way. I was assigned a case manager to help stay on top of my needs with medications, disability claims, program structure, etc. I was also assigned a therapist to meet with on a regular basis. They hold regular feedback meetings, to see how they can do better for their patients. They have hot Cheetos, and the director has a sweet set of wheels! If I ever find myself struggling again, this is the only place that I will go!

Akua has played such an important role in my recovery journey. The staff is amazing, they genuinely care about your mental health. Akua provides a healing space for you to really focus on yourself and develop positive… skills. I loved my time here and everyone I met along the way 💚

Akua is an amazing place to be in recovery. My time at Akua was amazing, I was treated as an equal with the utmost respect. I learned life lessons and skills that help me immensely and never felt alone once I started… with Akua. If you want to rehabilitate with people who care, respect, and treat you equally then go to Akua in Newport!

I absolutely appreciate all the Staff at Akua and I Thank all of you for helping me through my obstacles, giving me the coping skills that I need to move forward In my recovery, I have been truly blessed to have had all… of you on my Recovery journey.

Review for AKUA Mind, Body, and Soul – Newport Beach I am writing this review to warn other families about the extremely unprofessional and dangerous way my son was treated by AKUA Mind, Body, and Soul. My son was… scheduled to be admitted to this facility. I informed AKUA ahead of time that he was heavily intoxicated. Despite this, they arranged for him to be picked up by Uber and transported to their facility. I personally spoke with the admissions/front desk staff, who reassured me that this was something they were trained for and that everything would be fine. I was later called and told that he had arrived and was admitted. Approximately 4–5 hours later, close to midnight, I received a call from my son. He was confused, disoriented, aggressive, and did not know where he was. He told me he was somewhere in Newport Beach near a hospital. I immediately contacted the hospital. The head nurse informed me they had found my son asleep in the hospital parking lot, without identification, with no information about why he was there, and no report from any facility. They had no idea who he was or how he got there. What I later learned is that AKUA decided his blood alcohol level was too high to accept him. However: • No one called me to inform me of this decision • There was no professional medical handoff • No one from AKUA escorted him inside the emergency room • The hospital was not notified why a confused, intoxicated person was left in their parking lot He was effectively dumped outside, in an unfamiliar area, in a medical emergency state, without identification. To make matters worse, I later spoke with a supervisor at AKUA who confirmed that they had my son’s wallet, containing all of his vital information. I asked for it to be shipped to me. I have called multiple times since then. No one has returned my calls, no wallet has been sent, and no one has told me what other belongings they are holding. This is not just poor communication — this is a serious safety failure. When a facility accepts someone, even briefly, they have a responsibility to ensure that person is left in a safe, supervised environment, especially when alcohol intoxication is involved and death is a real risk. I am disgusted by how my son was treated and by the complete lack of accountability afterward. I cannot believe this occurred at a facility that presents itself as professional and reputable. Families trust rehab centers with their loved ones’ lives. AKUA failed that trust completely.

Horrible communication and conflicting information given during scheduling and intake process. Caused unnecessary stress and would never trust this company again.

I cherish my time at Akua and the staff that helped me. Richard, Karen, Gabby, Emily, Candace, and Quincy gave me solid care and guidance every step of the way through PHP and IOP. If you’re serious about your recovery,… this is the place to go.

My time at Akua was good for my mental health. I was not in the best headspace upon entering the program. Sharing my story, learning about myself, and having the support of my peers and the Akua staff helped me become… more comfortable in my own skin and the world around me. I want to give a special thanks to My case manager, Candace. I’ve never been comfortable around people, but Candace made me feel safe and free to speak openly without judgment. Thank you Akua.

Akua Is a great place to go for aftercare, Whenever I first arrived they made sure I was comfortable at the sober living facility I was going to stay at. The management truly cares about your sobriety. Candace was my… Case Worker, she is very knowledgable on addiction. I learned so much in the few months I was there from her. Overall the place was a huge success! My life has completely changed. I am 10 months clean and finally loving life!!!!

Akua and their staff really changed the trajectory of my life. Before going in I was lost in my own head and battling the entire world around me. After a decent amount of time I was given the tools to get out of my own… way and begin to recover. My case manager Candace has profoundly helped me in too many ways to describe in this review, but mainly, she challenged my thinking while never giving up on me. Even when I was not willing to make the necessary changes when I first got there. I will forever appreciate her and the entire staff at Akua for helping me gain tools for a better life both mentally and physically. Thank you Candace, Gabby, Richard, Karen, Emily, Kirk, Q, and Marion. Love you guys!