SoCal Empowered LLC – Lake Forest

This was a great experience, all the staff were kind and receptive. Loved my therapist, Dominique and my case manager, Melanie. The chef made delicious meals and we did lots of group outings which helped balance the… busy days. Took a little time to get used to the rules and schedules but I had no negative interactions other than one other client and it was dealt with immediately. The owner stopped by daily and I thought that was really cool and spoke volumes of program. I came out a better version of myself and jumped right back into my busy life with ease. Like the name of the program, I came out empowered! Loved the program and would definitely recommend and come again if the need ever arises. Thank you staff!

This program far exceeded my expectations and other programs should learn from their example. Other programs I would have to search and fight for communication even with an information release signed. From the moment My… family member arrived, So Cal Empowered reached out to me! Immediately they provided me all the phone numbers for people involved in his care. Each of them reached out regularly to have a phone family session or update us in their area of my family member’s care and talked to me about progress, goals, issues, etc. I never had to hunt anyone down because I always had my questions answered. Furthermore, his transition to the next step was seamless. They reached out to those outside of their program that were involved in the next steps and ensured information and medications were not lost in the transfer. If all programs were this good, we would have less people suffering. Words do not suffice to explain how grateful I am and how amazing this program was.

I did socal empowered almost a year ago. This was my first time in residential but not my first time in the mental health world. Overall, my experience was good. Staff members of all levels protected confidentiality and… were very respectful, chef made good food but you were also able to make your own food, and rules were all fair. My only gripe with the program was my concerns about therapy weren’t taken seriously. At the beginning of the program I felt I didn’t connect with my therapist, Gwen, and expressed this very early on, around the first or 2nd week. I was told to just give it a shot and I’d change my mind. Around the 4-5th week I still couldn’t connect with my therapist and expressed again I wanted to switch. I was then told it was too late in the program and I never gave her a chance. Considering the whole point of residential was to get therapy I needed, this made my experience not as good as it could’ve been. I stayed in the program for about 12 weeks give or take. I didn’t have a single productive session with Gwen because we simply didn’t connect. I now struggle with therapy even more than before because I feel like I won’t get my needs met even with expressing how I feel. However, I don’t think Gwen is bad. Despite her knowing how I felt, she was always kind to me and at least tried to meet me halfway, even if it wasn’t always received well. I think she just wasn’t for me. The psychiatry side of the program was a little funky, but not bad. Whenever I had concerns over my meds they were addressed fairly quickly. The outings were always a nice change of pace, the house was very clean, and when repairs were needed they were fixed fairly quick. My favorite techs include Charlie, Ana, Bella, and Kyle. They were always looking out for me and I truly don’t think I could’ve got through the program without them. Melina and Melanie are great and lead very fun groups. Overall, I would recommend SoCal empowered, but I would not attend again if I had to.

I would highly recommend SoCal Empowered inpatient residential program. This program is great for those looking for a small and quaint atmosphere with at most six clients at any point given time. The program consisted… of Monday through Friday Group activities and group therapy sessions along with one-on-one therapy sessions twice a week as well as the case managers attending to my needs twice a week to take care of administrative and/or logistical stuff. Both Melanie, case manager, Dominique, therapist, as well as all the BHTs took great love and care of me as well as all the clients . They made available to me when situation or need arose. If that wasn't enough, chef Kevin was amazing in preparing nutritious and various foods to help nourish our bodies as we were getting assistance to work through our mental health journey.

I had a very positive experience at costa bella! I felt very comfortable and safe around my peers and staff. I made friends with my peers and the staff was very compassionate, fun, and warm. If you are coming here,… don’t be afraid to speak up and advocate for your needs. If you come in with an open minded positive attitude like me, you’ll get a lot out of your experience. Ashley and Melanie were amazing clinicians, the BHTs are incredible, and the food is fire!!

I have received care here three times within 2 years. And I can say with all my heart, that it has been, on all 3 occasions, the most stupendous mental health treatment I have ever received. Literally they have… contributed to saving my life and allowing me to regain my mind and mental capacity and for that I am forever grateful to SoCal empowered and everyone of their amazing staff!

best residential program i’ve been in and everyone there is so supportive and welcoming

amazing!! i ❤️ costa bella

Just graduated this program and I couldn’t be happier with the care I received. This place is the next level in residential mental health. 100% would recommend to any and everyone.

Kyle helped me with my extreme paranoia when I first came in by giving me kind words of reassurance as well as made sure I felt safe at all times, Quen and Melina helped me by providing services, resources and emotional… support. The whole team was full of awesome people who genuinely gave the best versions of themselves to help me throughout my journey into recovery as well as making sure i had a smooth transition coming back home! Quen is the best psychotherapist I’ve ever met, she was giving me honest feedback and advice on my personal life. I’m forever thankful to all these awesome people for helping me through this tough patch in my life, you guys are truly the best and it shows that everyone on this team is truly dedicated to what they do with love! Sincerely, Maria Martinez ♥️

My experience at SoCal Empowered was nothing short of transformative, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. From the moment I arrived, I felt a genuine sense of compassion and understanding from every staff member.… The facility itself is incredibly well-maintained, providing a serene and supportive environment that truly fostered healing.

Coming to Socal Empowered was the best place I could’ve gone to when I was at my absolute lowest point in my life. The amount of genuine support from the therapists, case managers, and staff members was what really made… my time there completely worth it. When I thought I was hopeless, they believed in me and helped me get out of feeling stuck in the hole I found myself in. It’s such a safe place, and as long as you make the most of your time there, it will change your life. I came out of Socal Empowered feeling like a whole new person. I’m so thankful for this program.

World class care! Attentive, respectful, and above all kind 😇 I feel blessed to have support from this company of dedicated individuals who work as a team to provide individualized care. Excellent communication!

SoCal Empowered truly helped me change my life. I came in at the lowest point imaginable—fresh out of a sexually and psychologically abusive relationship, emotionally shattered, and unsure if I could function in the… world again. It was my fourth time in residential treatment, and honestly, I was terrified. Previous facilities hadn’t treated me with care or respect, so I braced myself for more of the same. But SoCal Empowered was completely different. From day one, I felt safe, genuinely cared for, and deeply heard. Every single staff member—from the therapists to the BHTs, case workers, and psychiatrists— was compassionate, proactive, and completely committed to my healing. They didn’t just hand me coping skills; they gave me tools to rebuild my life. We created a safety plan that I still use today, and they helped me find the right medication that finally feels like it fits me. The environment was organized, thoughtful, and supportive. They took my allergies seriously, made accommodations where needed, and held everyone accountable in a way that fostered real community. I built genuine connections, I laughed again, felt solitude, and for the first time in a long time, I saw a future I wanted to be part of. Even now, I still call the house to give them updates—because they truly care, and that bond doesn’t disappear after discharge. I also plan to attend alumni events because the sense of community here is unmatched. SoCal Empowered gave me more than just a fresh start. They gave me the strength, structure, and confidence to re-enter the world on my terms. I recommend this place with my whole heart to anyone who needs support, structure, and real healing. Best treatment center I’ve ever been to—hands down.

I went to SoCal Empowered a very lost and miserable person. After 30 days, I had transformed into a version of myself that I never thought possible. Every staff member I came into contact with was absolutely amazing.… They all helped me in ways I never could have imagined. Being there was a life-changing experience, and I am forever grateful for them. It was very difficult to ask for help, but this was the best decision I have ever made for myself. It saved my life. This is the perfect place for a person to heal and discover their worth and strength, just like I did. I can't recommend them enough! Thank you all for everything you did for me! -Powerhouse

This was life changing. If you need support and tools for life this is the place to go. All the staff were amazing and really care. If you’re young or midlife and needing some help this is a safe place to stop and… redirect. Thank you SoCal. Be kind to yourself and take the steps.

I cannot thank Socal Empowered enough for the help and the support they offered me during probably the darkest time of my life. The structure of this residential program is wonderfully geared towards creating a space of… structure and safety when you need it the most. The staff here are people that I will never forget due to the generosity, encouragment, and unconditional support I received from them, even when I did not receive it well at first. They helped make what could have been a scary experience into a comfortable and positive one. It is clear that this program is run by staff who wholeheartedly want to be there and care about their clients. They still reach out to me and check in, as a client that means so much to me. My time at Socal Empowered was exactly what I needed to reset and stabilize so that I could move forward and give myself a better chance at life. Socal Empowered and the people I shared my time with there will hold a special place in my heart forever!!

The best residential I’ve seen or been to, staff is great and plenty of opportunities for fun outings! Thanks so much

I can Honestly say that I have added so many tools into my tool box from this place just skills to help me get thru life the people are amazing highly recommend!

I loved my stay here. It was friendly and has good vibes. This was the second residential that I have been through and honestly I have nothing bad to stay. They keep the house clean. The therapist and case manager here… are awesome. I would totally recommend this place to someone who is looking for something that is life changing. I also want to give a huge shoutout to the BHT’s here. They were all supper friendly and cool. I’d give this 10 stars if I could

I entered this program expecting to learn coping skills to help manage my anxiety and depression and to have the opportunity to learn from my housemates dealing with similar issues as me. Unfortunately this was not the… right program if you want to learn anything. My short stay became worse and worse as the days went on - schedule for monday and Wednesday- Breakfast, park for 1 hr, 1 group session, lunch, 1.5 hours at the gym, 1 group session, dinner, and 1 more group activity which was just a game played within the group. - In between each session was about 1.5 hours of time to yourself/other housemates but when there are only 3-4 others there with you, you end up having a lot of time to yourself and time for your mind to wander. Days like this made my depression even worse - we were not allowed to listen to music - ALL sessions were mandatory (even the park and the gym) - We were only allowed 3- 10 minutes calls each day and you had to ask a staff member before you could call and THEY SAT IN THE SAME ROOM WITH YOU WHILE YOU CALLED YOUR LOVED ONES and they watched your 10 minute time limit! - Each morning when I asked to call my daughters before they went to school (about 6:45-7 am) I was told "no" because it wasn't 8 yet. This was a HUGE issue for me because I told my daughters I would still be available to talk to them even while I was away and yet no one would acknowledge my concerns. This made me feeling so horrible, like I was a bad mom. It really broke my heart ❤️ - When I decided to leave I asked for my phone so I could charge it while I was checking out and I was told a strong NO. They already told me that once I signed the papers I would have to leave immediately, so I felt it was reasonable to make sure my phone was charged because I would need it to find a ride yet I was told no. Instead of being helpful the females began mocking me like I was a child. I firmly feel that I was being bullied as some of them were making fun of me, treating me like I was stupid while the other females just sat back and allowed this to happen. I even asked twice to speak to someone higher in authority than the ones in front of me and I was told "I'm really busy right now so I will call later when I have time". No one was ever called to come speak with me. No one ever came to hear my side of things and all the women sat back and let this happen. - The female staff members were the 'Mean Girls' and it was incredibly hurtful considering that I came there for help but instead I was treated like I was less than a person to them. - So they wouldn't give me my phone or my wallet and told me I could not use the phone inside the house. I felt I had no other choice but to walk into the house to use that phone to call my husband who was 2 hrs away. - When everything was done I was sent to stand on the sidewalk of the neighbor's house while it was raining the entire day. After all that was taken from me and my unhealthy experience there it is sad to say that I can see this happening to many others who voluntarily enter this program seeking help but end up being worse off than when they entered the program at the beginning. To sum my experience up in 1 word I would say TRAUMATIC. I was made to feel isolated, alone, less worthy as a human to the staff. I felt unsafe, uncared for and I was not treated with respect and I was not treated as an individual but just as a $$$ making for their company. I still am feeling a strong sense of pain as I think about my time spent there. I decided to write this honest review to warn others who are seeking help. I just want others to be truly aware of the experience I had at SoCal Empowered. Everything that I mentioned is 100% my truthful experience and it has impacted me so much so that I felt I needed people to know what really happens inside this place. Please be careful everyone.

Really great place the nicest staff I ever met very welcoming would recommend to anyone

Thank you to everyone for everything! You guys rock!!!!

Everything from the locations to the staff were ideal for my recovery as a 4th generation socal resident. They helped halt my delusional mindset and swiftly brought me back to reality. I will forever be thankful for the… love they've shown me.

My name is Elizabeth and my son had stayed for 2 months with Socal Empowered. The staff were great, very professional and specially compassionate about their clients. My son felt safe and relieved during staying there.… I recommend your loved ones to send there. You don't regret it !! Special thanks to Mickey and Melina !!!!

Great staff, chef, outings, and group therapy sessions.

I am revisiting my review because if there’s one thing I’ve gained from this experience, it’s the understanding that my values and responses dictate how I show up in the world. And I want to show up with integrity. I… stand firmly by my belief that my discharge from this program was unethical. It felt deeply unjust for homelessness to be deemed acceptable for someone still working to detox, stabilize on medication, and navigate brand-new information about a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and rapidly declining vision. I was desperately seeking to change and clearly struggling to regulate enough to express that need effectively. There was an opportunity and space to build me up and help me move forward. Instead, the choice was made to place me in the most dangerous situation of all. I have never before experienced a program that would throw someone to the streets, particularly with my extensive history and documented disabilities. No matter how this decision is justified, the human reality is that it was profoundly wrong. If this is how the business chooses to handle situations like mine, so be it—but I cannot condone it. That said, I am walking away with something invaluable: the most crucial insights of my life. I had a brain scan done here—something I had never experienced before. That single act has become the catalyst for profound self-understanding as I move forward. SoCal is, overall—and ironically—a great place for treatment and success, possibly with the right mix of clients, clear communication, and adequate support. The food is simply amazing, the activities and outings are enjoyable, and the everyday staff are genuine people. However, I believe there is a lack of advocacy and care, as the staff appear overly submissive and often text each other directly in front of clients, creating a tense and fearful environment. That said, perhaps my experience was an anomaly, and they work well with others. Highlights of my honest and personal experience with the treatment team include: • Ashley, the therapist, has a remarkable gift for turning everyday conversations into life-changing moments of clarity. • Melanie, the case manager, comes across as intimidating and passive-aggressive in her conflict resolution communication. • Nikki, the clinical director, unfortunately, also in conflict resolution, lacks clarity and fails to communicate vital information in a way that feels genuine or supportive. As much as it’s easy to feel anger over what seems like an injustice, this place has taught me so much in such a short time. I’ve learned that I cannot control the world around me, nor can I change people’s minds or assumptions. Fighting to do so only creates an injustice against myself. It would be unfair to claim this isn’t a good program—it is an excellent program in many ways. The third-party services, like brain scans and GeneSight testing, alone justify my time here. For those groundbreaking modalities, I am deeply grateful. That said, there is significant confusion regarding communication, policies, rules, and procedures. As I mentioned earlier, I am choosing to focus on my own integrity because everything else is beyond my control. Thank you, SoCal, for being the catalyst for my rock bottom. Because, fortunately for me, the only way left to go is up. “If God is for us, who can be against us? … In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-39)