Milestones Ranch Malibu – Malibu

I am a 53 year old female who just celebrated my 4th year of sobriety after being at Milestones 4 years ago. I always reflect on this special day and remember my painful journey. I had tried other ways to stay sober and… through other programs, but Milestones trauma informed practices and individual sessions are what really made the difference for me. There were a variety of providers with expertise in everything from traditional group therapy and step work to hypnosis (which I found to be profoundly impactful). I took advantage of everything they offered -- art and music therapy, Brainspotting, DBT skills, yoga, soundbaths, hikes, as well as meeting with a personal trainer once a week in the beautiful gym. I am not independently wealthy, so I had to look at this as an investment. I was going to lose my life and my children were going to lose their mother. It was time. I have nothing but great memories of Milestones. Even on my darkest days, there was someone to talk to or cry with. On better days there was laughter and a lot of bonding. The staff was professional, kind and motivated. They listened and remembered important details. They set realistic expectations for all of the clients and challenged us to find solutions to the interpersonal nightmares most of us were in at home and at work. The setting was gorgeous, the houses were very clean and comfortable and the food was always fresh and healthy. The investment has already paid for itself. I am alive, I work and my kids get to go to college this year knowing their mom is sober and safe and thriving. I will always be grateful for my time there.

I went to Milestones Ranch (twice) to get off of Barbiturates. Denise and Savannah are both incredibly caring people and competent. They both go out of their way to help and even after 15 years they still are willing to… keep in touch. I was detoxed witl in the actual rehab the first time and it went better than I thought it would sans the first few days. You get to use the phone at certain times and the houses are both very well stocked and nice. They offered equine therapy and music therapy which I personally didn't like but I guess it was nice they had it. They also drove us to AA or NA meetings almost every night. Privelages included shopping, coffee trips, beach trips, the usual high end Malibu rehab stuff. Staff were mostly excellent and caring with some exceptional stand outs whose names I wish I could remember. The first time I was there I must say that things within the client base were crazy, but it wasn't the rehabs fault. In their defense they drug tested us and also set up aftercare (sober living), I just fell in with a crazy person who knew every drug that wouldn't pop on a standard panel test. I relapsed but didn't get caught (my 3 friends did get caught after using a certain substance) and eventually ended up getting 5 years of sobriety. I do attribute that to Milestones Ranch. That is the longest true sobriety I've ever had. I was able to work and be a productive member of society. One thing they do (or used to do) was a free 10 day stay if you relapsed. I did end up relapsing and they actually took me in free of charge. I have to say, that's an uncommon thing in Malibu rehabs (I went to multiple) and I've never seen it before. The second time around I had to detox at a facility and than go to the actual rehab which was annoying but it was whatever. Second time around they had definitely learned from the first time I was there and there was no drama within the patients. Unfortunately my family did not support a longer stay than 10 days for my second time but I am very grateful that I had that 10 days and was treated like a regular client. If you have the money or insurance I would recommend Milestones over most stereotypical high end Malibu rehabs, I found it to be much more effective. The only downside is the price, but you get what you pay for.

Approaching a subject as heavy as trauma and addiction, making a choice on where to go can be a bit daunting. I was assured by people close to me that work in that field that Milestones Ranch was the perfect place for… me. Upon arrival I knew this to be true. The team of people Denise Klein (owner) and her daughter Savanah have assembled is incredible. From the therapists to the techs to even the house cleaning personnel allows for an environment of safety and vulnerability. My experience there was truly life changing. Even after leaving I still benefit from the feeling I am part of a family that supported me through one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do. I appreciate the wellness checks from everyone checking on my progress and reminders that I can always count on the people of this amazing place…. Would also be remiss to not mention the location is beautiful Tucked away in the hills of Malibu above Zuma Beach. Was able to find a peace and tranquility I have needed for a long time. I miss being there everyday. But they provided me with tools to be more equipped to walk through any situation’s and have agency in my life again. Thank you thank you thank you to Denise and the entire staff With love and gratitude of course :)

Denise and Savannah who help run milestones as LCSWs go above and beyond. They are both so kind hearted and caring, while also being evidence based and clinically trained. I would send a family member here, and highly… recommend for any adult patient struggling. Very grateful to have them in the community.

It's a very nice place I would recommend it it do anyone who's looking to get clean. Staff is pretty good, a they really care about their clients, the food could be alil better.. but it's a warm cooked meal so I'm not… complaining. thank u to most the staff.

It’s a generic, bait and switch Malibu rehab. You pay for 30 days, and then you will spend those 30 days being manipulated into having your family empty their life savings to pay for another 60 days.

Milestones is hands down the best thing I could have ever done for myself and my family. Thankfully I was referred here, otherwise my life path would undoubtedly have gone a different route. Denise and Savannah are… always available, accessible, unbiased, not judgmental. Their ability to consistently stay balanced is truly incredible. I have continued my relationship with milestones, the staff, and incredible doctors for over 7 years. When I read reviews that are unfavorable, it feels that it comes from a place of Being vulnerable. It is uncomfortable, so it’s easy for people to fight against help and everything that is being offered to them. It is not easy by any means, but that is the difference in being open to an opportunity to save your life. Thank you Denise, Savannah, Joey, and everyone else that played a vital role in my recovery.

I went through Milestones in 2020, and have remained recovered ever since. That is an incredible achievement for a chronic relapser like myself, but not only that, many of the people I went through treatment with have… remained recovered as well. The success of our outcomes was a direct result of the foundation that Milestone's provided for us. Milestones' location is beautiful and perfect for recovery. It is in Malibu, on a ranch tucked away in the hills. There are wide open spaces and plenty of walking trails. The property has many water features and wildlife aplenty. Milestones' approach to recovery is effective because it is truly holistic. Many places say they approach things holistically, but Milestones actually delivers. The healthy food, the physical activity, the individual therapy, the group therapy, the hypnotherapy, sober fun activities, etc. all combine to deliver exceptional results. For me, it wasn't just the groups, or the staff, or the therapy, or the hikes, or the outings, or the family work - it was all of it. All of the elements that Milestones combined to produce a successful outcome in me worked together to give me a chance at an amazing, recovered, life. I owe this place everything I have today, they welcomed me back in with open arms after I burnt my life to the ground again. My condition needed to be treated with love, patience, compassion, and firmness, and that is what Milestones provided. My family and I are forever grateful and indebted to this miraculous place.

The harm i experienced by the incompetent nepotistic management at milestones has taken far more time to recover from than i spent here. Despite the Malibu claim, there's nothing luxurious about the location ( think 70s… college house for the men), stained pool, a mountain of deferred property maintenance including substantial fire hazards despite a recent wildfire (but they're sure to rinse the eucalyptus leaves off the pavement every morning). A chaotic spaghetti at the wall approach to treatment, complete with over prescribing dangerous mental meds. The worst part is the sheer incompetence of the management - completely unable to own their wrongs, and instead blaming the clients. Once a situation arised due to said incompetence, all subsequent therapist sessions were consumed by paperwork attempting to pin their incompetence on the client. I have never wasted money like this before or after in my life, despite the "scholarship." This place set back my recovery tremendously. If you are rich and want to scare your kid straight, consider. If you are serious about recovery, avoid like the plague.

Milestones saved my life. I have been to many facilities all around the country, and milestones is the reason I am alive today. The staff that Denise and Sav have put together is second to none. There is truly love and… magic and miracles on the ranch.

Milestones is a truly special, wonderful place. I tried tackling my problems on my own to no avail, and was lucky enough to be referred to Milestones when I finally sought help. Everyone from Denise (the executive… director) and the therapists to the staff and the chef are committed to providing a caring, comfortable, and healing environment for the clients. The team at Milestones understands that there is no cookie-cutter approach to recovery - each person comes in with their own set of issues, traumas, addictions, etc. - so each client is given the special attention they need to heal, learn and grow. The diversity of therapy offered is really helpful – there’s everything from art therapy, to mindfulness groups, to equine therapy and even hypnotherapy (I never thought that would work – but it does and isn’t as crazy as it sounds – shout out to Joey!) My life has completely turned around, and while things aren't perfect, I now know a freedom and a lightness in my sobriety that I never thought was possible.

The best thing about Milestones is the luxurious Malibu location. Pool, private chef, spacious rooms. For 50,000 a month however, this should really be a given. The staff are mostly caring, however the groups and… scientific evidence/ addiction research is not there. The “certified” hypnotherapist, is also a motivational speaker. He moved to LA to be an actor. He suggested that i had a traumatic childhood event which I couldn’t remember, which I thought was harmful to my recovery. Despite Joe being accredited by Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI) - doesn't make any of it real or scientific. The rehab runs on a lot of AA rationale, (addict for life, one drink = failure) as well as offering daily outings to AA meetings. By not allowing clients to take any “mind altering medications” including Suboxone, they are actually harming patients recovery. (It is proven that opiate dependent people are less likely to relapse if they can take Suboxone.) The “sound healing” therapy offered, was clients lying on a yoga mat the floor while a white hippie played a didgeridoo and sent healing vibrations through us. The psychiatrist spoke to me for 1 hour, incorrectly diagnosed me bipolar, and than proceeded to put me on lithium. Extremely harmful, and dangerous. Its not that different from most rehabs, in that the treatments are not run by addiction specialists, but rather former “addicts” themselves. Milestones is like Gwyneth Paltrow’s vision of a GOOP rehab. It appeals to new age Los Angeles spiritual capitalists, in that you can buy healing, or recovery in this case. Everything is very pretty to look at, however unjustifiably expensive and ultimately not based in evidence based addiction treatment.

Milestones is an amazing place. I have been to rehab before and nothing compares to Milestones. Most amazing and caring staff ever/ peaceful environment . I’m so glad I had the opportunity to be there and also do my… tune up . Very grateful for milestones

Hands-down this is the best treatment center in Malibu the most caring treatment professionals I’ve ever seen in my life I’ve worked with them for the last 11 years I own Riviera Recovery and the calibration has been… incredible top notch treatment facility incredible outcomes

This was the place that brought our son back. I'm enormously grateful.

Milestones has a warm welcoming culture with compassionate clinicians and caring staff. The clinical team, which includes multiple therapists, an internist and psychiatrist, offer a well rounded treatment plan to their… patients. Located just 6 miles from the beach in the Santa Monica Mountains, the location is serene and relaxing.