Mountain Laurel Recovery Center

Trauma-informed therapy and family support

The facility uses a trauma-informed approach that focuses on safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment but does not assume that every client has experienced trauma. Care may include motivational interviewing, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), individual counseling, group therapy, family therapy, and principles from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). For families, the facility also offers an intervention specialist who can help them navigate intervention, evaluation, and placement decisions.

Peer connection and shared responsibility

The facility focuses on addiction as being connected to isolation and recovery as being associated with collaboration and supportive relationships. Active participation is expected of clients, and clients are also expected to model recovery-related values to newer residents. This is intended to create shared responsibility and provide regular peer connection. Care also helps clients work to rebuild self-esteem, strengthen family and personal relationships, develop healthy routines, set realistic life goals, improve work-related productivity, and establish a support network that helps them continue recovery.

Specialized treatment for veterans

A Tactical Recovery track offers specific substance use treatment for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), service-related trauma, chronic pain, or military sexual trauma. The facility is a PsychArmor Veteran Certified Program, and staff are trained in military culture and concerns affecting veterans. With a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) authorization, the facility may provide temporary detox, trauma-informed treatment, residential care, or outpatient services while a veteran waits for placement at a VA facility, with the program facilitating bed-to-bed transfers with VA medical centers. After residential stays, staff can also connect veterans to resources in their home communities.

Residential setting and wellness

Located on 25 acres near the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, the 20,000-square-foot, 36-bed facility offers gender-specific accommodations with private and semi-private rooms. Holistic activities and therapies may include exercise, yoga, meditation, and nutrition education. An executive chef also prepares three meals each day.

Client reviews

Google reviews for Mountain Laurel Recovery Center are positive, with reviewers most often highlighting meaningful progress in recovery, caring staff, and a comfortable treatment setting. Peer and alumni support also stand out as strengths, while critical reviews focus primarily on discharge planning, communication, medical responsiveness, and some aspects of day-to-day management.

• Treatment quality & outcomes (85% positive): Reviewers frequently describe treatment, counseling, groups, and recovery tools as meaningful and effective, with many crediting the program with helping them establish or maintain sobriety. A smaller number raised concerns about treatment consistency, program structure, or discharge experiences. “They gave me the tools to value myself and the hope to rebuild my life.”
• Staff & care experience (85% positive): Staff are commonly described as caring, compassionate, supportive, and invested in clients’ recovery. Other feedback includes a smaller number of concerns about inconsistent staff interactions, empathy, or responsiveness. “The staff there truly care and take the time to help all who are there.”
• Support & community (80% positive): Reviewers often value the sense of connection they develop with peers, staff, and the alumni community. Alumni events, continued outreach, and relationships after treatment are recurring positives. “The care, connection, and sense of family continue long after you walk out the door.”
• Facility & environment (85% positive): Many reviewers appreciate the mountain setting, scenery, comfortable rooms, cleanliness, food, and recreational opportunities. A smaller number mention concerns related to upkeep or accommodations. “The rooms were clean and comfortable.”
• Access & process (60% positive): Feedback about administrative and transition processes is more mixed. Positive reviews mention helpful admissions staff, transportation, and drivers, while some reviews describe communication difficulties and challenges during transitions.

Facility transparency

• Verified by Start Your Recovery: On September 17, 2026, our research team conducted a comprehensive review of this facility's advertising claims, registrations from public health departments, national accrediting bodies, and SAMHSA.