Making the daunting decisions of where to get help for your loved one is a very tall mountain of considerations. After screening the hundreds of available resources.... 98% of them are eliminated. The remaining possibilities: phone interviews, accessible in distance or communications with the treatment center and your child. Is it even possible to be involved in your child/ family's healing? The few possible options upon touring the facility was the real eye opener! Everything looked good on the website....the phone interview was good, and even hopeful.....Not!! Finally !!! The one center, Paradigm Malibu has the most comprehensive treatments available. Ranging from traditional to alternatives that have proven success. Combining the individual, family, and group sessions daily is hard work for the adolescent. The reward is unbelievable for your child! A real honest sense of a calmer understanding of themselves. A maturity happens....and even smiles, hugs and laughter come with renewed confidence for them. I am so grateful for their expertise and passion for what they do for their clients..... The child that I once knew has returned, better, stronger, and willing to be happy!! Thank you so much Paradigm Malibu!! EWS

Words are not enough to express how grateful I am for the help our family received at Paradigm Malibu. Our 16 year-old daughter spent 6 weeks at Escondido House in 2014 for depression and self-harm. In 2015, when she was 17, she spent 10 more weeks at Cliffside. Before Paradigm, we were afraid for her safety and mystified as to why she was so miserable. We were desperate to find help. I had researched many places that claimed to offer treatment for her issues, only to find them disappointing, clueless or downright scary. When I finally called Paradigm Malibu, I heaved a sigh of relief when the person I spoke to (Jeremy Manne) was intelligent, knowledgeable, empathetic and HELPFUL. Over the course of several days, I had many lengthy phone conversations with Paradigm Malibu about my daughter, their program and whether or not it might be a good fit for her. I never felt rushed or pressured. I truly had the sense that everyone at Paradigm actually wanted to help us. Once we decided to admit her, our daughter most definitely did NOT want to go. Paradigm coached us during that difficult time, helping to make the process as smooth and painless as possible. When she finally began her stay at Escondido House, we were relieved to find that the program was, as we had hoped, stellar. Our daughter quickly settled in. She slowly began to get better. I really can’t say enough about the quality of the therapy and the caliber of the therapists at Paradigm Malibu. Every single person on our daughter’s team was brilliant, compassionate and highly, highly skilled. I am particularly grateful to Dustin Wagner who was her primary therapist during her first stay and our family therapist during her second stay. He had an amazing ability to identify, articulate and focus on difficult issues without alienating anyone. Thank you, Dustin – we love you! Thank you also to Dr. Nalin, Cole Rucker, Dr. Luzano, Steve, Shannon, Cindy, Jay, Kelani and Jerri Anna. Thank you to EVERYONE who was on our daughter’s team - all were spectacular, all were an integral part of our family’s healing process. Paradigm Malibu was not a quick fix for us. We brought our daughter in to be “fixed,” but we realized pretty quickly that her problems had a great deal to do with larger family issues. Fortunately, the therapy at Paradigm focused on the issues underlying her depression as they related to our family as a whole. We began to learn how to communicate with each other. We began to heal. Our daughter improved greatly during her first stay at Paradigm. Unfortunately, we were unable to find a good local therapy team when she returned home. Without sufficient follow up support, the pressures of high school and our unresolved family issues took her to a very bad place again. During her second stay at Paradigm, I think we tried much harder as a family to work through our issues and we also made sure that she had a solid therapy follow up plan in place before her discharge. Since she left Cliffside, we have all continued to use the tools that we learned at Paradigm Malibu to the best of our ability. As a result, although there have been some bumps along the way, both our daughter and our family as a whole are TRULY better. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that things were ever as bad as they were in 2014. Thank you Paradigm. Thank you for giving us our daughter back. Thank you for healing our family.

Paradigm is the third treatment program that we placed our daughter in. We had been told time and again that she had ADD, needed related medications and that we needed to be tougher on her. Paradigm was the first program that did extensive psychological testing and helped our daughter identify and deal with a serious trauma that we had been unaware of as a family. She came home to us happy, healthy and free of the need for any medication. Our daughter's time at Paradigm was the first step for our entire family to heal. We are so deeply grateful to Dustin, Jay, Mia, Steve and the many caring people there who continue to be an important part of our lives. It is hard to express how much gratitude we have for them and for Paradigm as a place of healing.

I was on my way out, lost and alone. I was numb. I had no desire to stop using drugs and nothing was going to change my mind. I was trapped with no way out. I was convinced that Paradigm, my fourth treatment facility, was going to be just like all of the others. Prior to coming to Paradigm I was in a hospital-like treatment facility for a little over two months and I had already made up my mind that Paradigm was going to be the same thing. The locked doors, the bars on the windows, the arcane rules dictating my every move, the staff who really didn’t care about me, and the kids who were going to judge me the second I walked through the door. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Instead, I was met with sincere kindness from every person I encountered. The doors were not locked and there were no bars on the windows. The other kids were genuine and immediately welcomed me into their home. Paradigm created a safe and caring environment where I could express myself without being judged. Paradigm created the type of environment that was going to help me recover. It took a while and a lot of patience and support from the staff, but I was finally able to escape the pain that had been eating away at me little by little. I started to feel again. I cried for the first time in years. I was finally honest with myself and in turn I was able to be open and honest with my family about everything. Paradigm helped me see that my life had meaning and that I was not worthless. Paradigm is responsible for the fact that I am here today, 8 years clean, getting my Master of Social Work. Paradigm helped me combat my addictions, cope with the trauma I had experienced, and put an end to my self-destructive behavior. Paradigm helped me escape from the pain and tear down the walls that I had encapsulated myself within. Paradigm not only saved my life, but it also helped me find myself.

When my parents first told me that they were thinking of sending me to a residential treatment center, I was incredibly upset. I said over and over that I didn't need it, and that I could overcome my depression and anxiety on my own. My parents both insisted that the place they had found, Paradigm Malibu, would be beneficial for me. To be completely honest I didn't believe them, but I made the final decision to give it a shot despite my doubts. And when I came out of Paradigm almost two months later, I realized that both of our expectations were wrong. Paradigm had been beyond beneficial for me. Being an east-coast girl, I was terrified to travel all the way out to California and leave behind my family and friends. The thought of living in a new place for an extended period of time where I didn’t know anyone scared me. However, when I first walked through the doors of the Meadows house and was greeted enthusiastically by both staff and clients alike, I was reassured that all would be ok. I was in a safe and loving environment where I could be authentic and share my struggles without feeling like I would be judged. I’m not saying that my stay was easy and happy and positive every single day, because it wasn’t. For the first time I had to face the things I was going through, not avoid them, and it was extremely hard. But for once, I wasn’t stuffing my feelings. I was able to talk to the therapists, clinical assistants, and other clients about what I was going through without worrying about what they would think of me. Paradigm helped me so much, and I will be forever grateful for the time I spent there.

I don't know who will see this, but I just thought I'd put it out into the world that Paradigm Malibu changed my life forever. Long story short, I had nothing but anger inside me when I got there, and putting the rest of the world to the side for a while and being present with people I grew to love helped me gain my sense of self back. I'm forever grateful for the people of Paradigm.

When I first went into Paradigm, I believed that showing emotion was a sign of weakness, but quickly learned that it is truly a sign of courage and strength. I was extremely lucky to have Rob, Jay, Jess, Shannon, and Jeff's help. Their advice and kind words have stuck with me for over two years already. Paradigm helped me make changes in my life and break several bad habits. These changes have stuck and will continue to stick for the rest of my life. The Paradigm staff is fantastic, kind, funny, and overall a group of sincerely caring people who are more than willing to listen to your life story, and offer advice if you want it. The help the staff and other teens provide will help you create a more healthy and stable lifestyle.

Paradigm honestly helped me so much. I was sent there to work on issues with depression and anxiety and because I was suicidal. At first I didn't know what to work on or to think because there was so much going on in my head but the therapists never gave up on me, no matter how many times I fought the treatment. I wasn't willing to put in the work for the first month I was there, but throughout the next month and a half I explored traumas and family issues I didn't realize existed. The therapists really care about the clients and actually want to get to know us and help us. It really is a family. The therapists aren't just therapists, they're there throughout the day and we get to have fun with them. The clinical assistants are really helpful too. Everyone at Paradigm is there to help the clients. The staff really put a lot into helping us get better. I got close with almost every therapist there and even played guitar with Steve (Hi Steve I miss you and your John Mayer obsession) which helped me clear my mind a lot. I gave up a lot to spend my summer at Paradigm but I wouldn't change anything about my summer. I was there June - August 2015 and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I got to work with Dustin, Shannon, Steve, Erin, and a lot of other people who made my experience what it was.

I was lucky to work with Rob and Shannon on my personal family problems. Unfortunately, the patients (for lack of a better term) there typically didn't want to work, and therefore caused a slightly awkward and hostile environment. The teen drama definitely hindered my treatment

My experience at Paradigm Malibu was life-changing. I went from December of 2014 to February of 2015. As much as I was initially opposed to treatment, getting away from my family, my home, my friends, and seeking help at Paradigm was ultimately the best possible decision I could've made. I went to treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. My life was perpetually chaos, and I was slowly killing myself. When I first got to Paradigm, I was welcomed by staff and other clients and could immediately sense the feeling of comfort and family in the house (Cliffside). While it took me time to adjust being away from home, once I opened my mind to change, and became willing to do the work, my life shifted. Paradigm never gave up on me. Being an addict, I was constantly attempting to self-destruct, but they never gave up on me. They believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. I did a lot of self-discovery work in treatment. A lot of my problems were rooted in my lack of sense of self - I didn't know who I was without the drugs, the alcohol, all of the numbing, all the masks. I discovered who I truly was, and learned to love myself and respect myself for who I am. Not until I was completely lost did I find myself, and Paradigm was the perfect for me to find myself. There was always someone to talk to, and the community at Paradigm is really a family. You get to know everyone on such a deep level, and you create the most genuine connections, which I found to be the best part. I made some of the most incredible friendships with not only the other kids but the staff too. Going to Paradigm introduced me to so many people I am so eternally grateful to have be apart of my life today. Paradigm is why I am sober. Today, I am proud to say I am 9 months sober, and I couldn't have come this far without the help I got in treatment. Paradigm marked the beginning of my recovery, my new journey, my new life. I learned so much about myself, about addiction, mental illness, and recovery in general. I gained so much perspective and learned how to have a grateful outlook on life. Paradigm saved me and changed my life. I will only ever talk in the highest regard of it, and even a year after going, I miss it so much! I always look forward to visiting, and know I will always be welcome there, which is a great feeling. Paradigm is an incredible facility and an incredible place. If it can get me sober, and change my life, it can change yours too.

I made the initial decision to go to rehab, but my parents found Paradigm for me, and I couldn't have been happier! I thought that getting treatment could only happen in hospitals, not in such a wonderful environment as that of Paradigm. As soon as I got there, I was met by an incredibly supportive staff, who had a lot of experience and could relate to things that I was going through. Also, the other kids were just as supportive, right off the bat. Paradigm is so special, in that it provides a warm and comfortable environment to make progress and start recovery in. It also offers different types of therapy, such as art, music, and drama (all of which I found very very helpful, considering it can be easier to express what you feel through creative outlets other than simply talking). There are three beautiful houses that the kids may stay in, which definitely makes the process more comfortable, and allows for a more nurturing environment. The idea of having a safe and happy environment really sets Paradigm apart from other rehab facilities. It made me feel very at home, like I could relax and be myself throughout the recovery process. I really felt like all of us became a big family. Paradigm helps both clients and their families to foster healthy lifestyles that will benefit recovery, once they leave. The staff make it very easy for clients and their families to share what they feel, and what progress is being made through weekly family sessions, and a big family group discussion on Saturdays, where every family can come and talk with each other. As for the kids discussing and sharing with each other, there are process groups where they can all say what's been on their minds, relate, and validate each other. It is a completely safe environment. In my time there, I never felt like there was something I couldn't share. Personally, I cannot think of a better decision you could make, than going to Paradigm Malibu. I wouldn't be anywhere near as healthy and happy as I am today if it weren't for the help that I received, and the relationships that I formed there. If you are seeking treatment for yourself, or a loved one, and are looking for a comfortable and unique place to heal, Paradigm is definitely the place for you!

Paradigm Malibu was one of the best experiences I have encountered. It truly helped my addiction. They had staff there that went through similar realities that I did. There was always someone to talk to 24/7 and I would recommend it to any adolescent who is facing a difficult point in their life. Since going to Paradigm Malibu, I am very close to being 2 years sober.

I stayed at Paradigm (Meadows house) for two months. I was struggling with many things, including self-harm and suicidal ideation. I had been in hospitals before, and was used to strict professionals who were just there for the paycheck. I got there with a closed mind preparing myself for the worst: . I couldn't have been more wrong. i walked into a beautiful house with tennis courts, a pool, and spotless rooms. The other clients were in school (3 hours set apart for schoolwork or therapy work) when I came, but a client came to greet me, saying how excited they were to have me here. I was immediately put at ease. The staff there are incredible. They are truly passionate about their job, and it shows. Apart from ever so patiently leading groups and chaperoning us at activities, they are open and caring and can tell when you're feeling down. They have changed my life and inspired me. A common concern may be the clients. I know my mom was scared to send me off because she didn't want me to be exposed to things or be in danger. But I can honestly say that all of the clients were there because they wanted to get better. They were all very nice people who not only cared about their self-improvement but cared about the people around them and contributed to a safe, positive environment. They were (and still are) another family to me. We became very close friends and still serve as accountability to each other. It should go without saying that the therapy was truly life-changing. The staff to client ratio is very high, meaning that at almost any given time you could ask to talk to somebody. The groups were honest and open, and therapy was incorporated into almost everything we did, even the conversations we had with our fellow clients. The one-on-ones I have had with staff and the conversations I have had in group have left a lasting imprint on my life and have changed me for the better. Overall, Paradigm Malibu helped me turn my life completely around. I walked in a struggling, hopeless girl who thought she was broken beyond repair, and I walked out with feelings of hope and worth that I hadn't felt in over a year. There are so many memories of wonderful people and stories that will forever remain in my mind. They make me glad to have called that place home.

I was a patient at Paradigm for 2 months and I can undeniably say that Paradigm has changed my life. When I first arrived, I was naturally terrified. My biggest worry is that I would not 'fit in' because God knows how hard it is for teenagers to make friends in new environments. However, I can 100% reassure you that you will make some of the most meaningful relationships of your whole life. I met other kids who were similar to me when I had existed in a world for so long thinking I was alone. The staff there is so, so kind and the activities they plan are playful yet sincere. I 100% recommend Paradigm Malibu for you (or your child). And the first few days are rough. They really are. But things get better. Your whole life gets better. You meet kids you can really rely on. And you meet adults who won't betray or leave you. I wish I had gone to Paradigm earlier in my life, honestly. But nevertheless, some of the best days of my life happened while I was there.

This was a wonderful expierence for me as a teen that was struggling with so much and not knowing what to do. I'm so great full for the staff, therapists, and directors of this program for helping me realize my capabilities to handle what life throws my way.

There is no simple way to summarize my experience at Paradigm. It was tumultuous, trying, and overall some of the hardest months I’ve ever had. But all of it was incredibly necessary. Paradigm made those months MEAN something. They made those months bearable to the extent possible. Paradigm made it so that those months saved me. I came into Paradigm after a purposeful overdose; I was ready to take my own life. Paradigm was my parents’ last hope; they trusted Paradigm with my life. I wish I could say there was one thing that changed my whole life and made my depression subside. Then I could simply tell others to just do that ONE thing and everything will be better, but in the end it was a combination of things that changed everything. It was the early morning surfing, the ice cream runs, and the hikes. It was the morning and evening group therapy, the family sessions, and the amazing meals. Paradigm is the perfect balance between fun and serious. I spent many nights crying about my past, but also many moments contemplating how the things I was doing at Paradigm weren’t so bad… so maybe I didn’t have to die? To say that I loved the staff is an understatement. I feel so blessed to have worked with so many amazing people. They completely transformed my life. I felt truly loved and taken care of. People might think of treatment as this grim place where they are trapped, but for me Paradigm was what freed me. I am now living my life, happily and healthily. I owe everything to Paradigm, although I don’t think these words express my full gratitude, I would like to just say Thank You.

My experience at Paradigm was an experience that I will always remember. The staff is some of the best therapist in the country. I felt the most comfortable I have ever felt in a house before. There are other kids in the house that are the same as you, have the same problems and are trying to get better for the same reason.

Honestly, this was one of the best decisions I've made in terms of treatment. The therapists are great, the other staff are fantastic. Good food too! The continual scheduled therapy was extremely helpful in the healing process. I made so many good friends and the opportunity to return as alumni is a weight off my shoulders.

As a patient at Paradigm, I first was resistant to treatment and getting help at all. I made this very clear to the staff, and to say the least I was a challenge. I thought I could push them away and they'd want me to leave so much they would just send me home early. However, the therapists and employees at Paradigm didn't give up on me. Each one of them provided me with constant support, guidance, and an optimistic outlook. I grew to love the staff, the other clients, and built amazing connections with each individual. Paradigm was amazing at providing their teens with a safe, trusting, comfortable setting and community. I felt a genuine connection with the therapists and clinical assistants, as they cared for each client of theirs. After a 60 day stay, and intense therapy after my in-patient treatment therapy, I am now a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, happy, and most importantly-- healthy.

I had the privilege to get treatment through Paradigm Malibu. I stayed for 60 days and it was the best decision I have made in my life. From the first day I went in I felt the love and acceptance. They set me up with the best psychiatrist so that I would detox safely. The psychiatrist has a lot of experience and so they knew exactly how to treat me. Also the therapist working there are all very loving and understanding. They won't judge you nor make you feel any less of a person for your past. They just try to build you up and let you have a truly amazing experience. Their are at least 3 staff on duty at all times and out of those 3 staff their is a therapist. Which to me was very useful so that I could just pull the therapist aside or even one of the clinical assistance and just talk about what is bothering me and I can just vent to them, they were always very supportive. Paradigm always met my needs as well, if someone in the house was bothering me they would sit down with them and talk about it, if I wanted more orange juice they would go get me some from the store because I did love my orange juice. All in all I had an amazing experience here and the staff made my experience even better.