Serenity Knolls
Overview
Upscale residential substance use and mental health care on a forested campus with detox, a flexible tech policy, and equine therapy. Clients attend one-on-one therapy sessions and psychiatry appointments at least once a week. More sessions can be scheduled depending on individual needs and goals. Evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches are blended with yoga, mindfulness, and creative art and music therapies. Serenity Knolls is located on 12.5 private acres in the Marin County hills, with hiking trails, gardens, a swimming pool, and plenty of outdoor space. Loved ones can visit and participate in family therapy on weekends. This facility accepts private insurance and self-pay.
Ages Served
- Adults (Ages 26-64)
- Young Adults (Ages 18-25)
Genders Accepted
- Female
- Male
Languages Served
- English
Treatment
- Long-term residential
- Residential detoxification
- Short-term residential
Special Programs
- Adult men
- Adult women
- Court referrals
- Military families
- Past domestic violence
- Past sexual abuse
- Past trauma
- Mental health disorders
- HIV/AIDS
- Pregnant/postpartum
- Pain management
- Young adults
Detox and Residential Treatment
Withdrawal management (detox) and residential treatment are offered in one location, allowing for a smooth transition from one phase into the next. During withdrawal management, clients receive 24/7 medical support from doctors and nurses. Medications for addiction treatment (MAT) can be prescribed to help ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and to ensure safety. During residential care, clients work with staff to create a treatment plan unique to their needs, including any co-occurring mental health conditions. Structured days consist of frequent groups, weekly one-on-one therapy, and weekly psychiatric visits for those who need them. A flexible technology policy allows clients to use their personal electronic devices in the afternoons and evenings when not in therapy sessions.
Private Hillside Campus
Serenity Knolls sits on a campus that used to be a summer camp. The area is surrounded by scenic hillside views and large wooded spaces to spend time in nature. Clients may go on group hiking and fishing trips, play basketball on the outdoor court, swim in the outdoor swimming pool, work out in the on-site indoor gym, and meditate either indoors or outdoors. An outdoor dining area is available for clients to eat outside when the weather is nice.
Evidence-Based, Experiential, and Holistic Therapies
Proven treatment methods used by therapists include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Special groups are offered, such as anger management, cost-benefit analysis, and education on recognizing boundaries. Experiential equine therapy is available, allowing clients to bond emotionally with horses. Clients may also participate in yoga, art therapy, and music therapy, with the option of bringing their own musical instruments to treatment.
Family Support and Lifetime Aftercare
On weekends, loved ones visit and participate in a family therapy program. This includes education sessions on communication, codependency, healthy relationships, and other topics meant to help families heal together. Clients who complete a 30-day residential stay receive aftercare for life with no additional cost. This includes access to an alumni network which hosts meetings, weekend programs, yearly gatherings, holiday evenings, and sobriety milestone celebrations.
Pre-Admissions Experience
We conducted a series of pre-admissions calls, the most recent on May 21, 2026, to evaluate response time, transparency, and patient experience.
When we reached out to Serenity Knolls Treatment Center, the admissions team was prompt and knowledgeable. They clearly walked through amenities, accommodations, and adapted client treatment plans. The conversation felt genuine and supportive, with clear explanations around cost and specific therapies.
Client Reviews
Reviews by clients and family members most often describe compassionate staff, a peaceful setting, strong peer connection, and helpful aftercare.
- Treatment Quality & Outcomes (95% positive): Many reviewers describe Serenity Knolls as a place where clients made significant recovery progress, with mentions of continued sobriety after treatment. Family members also credit the program with helping loved ones stabilize after years of difficulty. “I’m sober and I’m happy and I’m forever grateful for my experience there.”
- Staff & Care Experience (95% positive): Reviews frequently describe the staff as experienced and personally invested in clients’ recovery. “Everyone there really cares.”
- Facility & Environment (100% positive): Reviewers often praise the property, setting, accommodations, food, and amenities. Several describe the campus as well-suited for focusing on recovery, with mentions of the gym, pool, views, meals, and small setting helping make treatment feel more comfortable. “Lovely setting.”
Facility Transparency
Verified by Start Your Recovery: On May 31, 2026, our research team conducted a comprehensive review of this facility's advertising claims, registrations from public health departments, national accrediting bodies, and SAMHSA.
Pre-Admissions Experience Evaluation: Most recent call conducted on May 21, 2026.
Cost and Insurance
Insurance Accepted
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Optum Health Plan of California
Disclaimer: Additional insurance plans may be accepted. Please contact the provider directly to confirm current coverage details, as this information may change.
Financial Assistance
- Does not offer Free
- Does not offer Payment assistance
- Does not offer Sliding fee scale
Treatment
Treatment Setting
- Long-term residential
- Residential detoxification
- Short-term residential
Treatment Approaches
- 12-step program support
- Brief intervention
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational interviewing
- Relapse prevention support
- Substance use counseling
- Trauma-focused counseling
Additional Support and Services
- Case management support
- Help with transportation
Counseling and Education
- Couples counseling
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- One-on-one counseling
- Substance use education
- Tobacco and vaping cessation counseling
Transition Support
- Discharge and next steps planning
- Ongoing recovery care
- Overdose prevention and naloxone education
- Post-discharge follow-up
Testing & Pre-Treatment
- Breathalyzer testing for alcohol
- Community outreach and support
- Comprehensive health checkup
- Mental health assessment
- Mental health screening
- Oral fluid testing for drugs or alcohol
- Substance use assessment
- Tobacco use assessment
- Tuberculosis screening
- Urine testing for drugs or alcohol
- Substance use screening
Amenities and Experiences
Amenities
- Basketball court
- Fitness center
- Pool
- Access to nature
- Equine therapy
- In-house chef
- Walking paths
Room Amenities
- Air conditioned rooms
- Outdoor space
- Shared bathroom
- Shared room options
Activities
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
- Yoga
- Fitness activities
- Gender-specific support groups
- Hiking
- Offsite outings
Settings
- Country
Policies
- Allows cell phones
- Smoking allowed in designated areas
- Vaping allowed in designated areas
Ownership Type
- For-profit
Quality and Trust
Trust Score
A simple A–E grade that offers a quick view of how much confidence you might place in a facility—based on public and self-reported data. It’s not a guarantee of quality or outcomes, but a data-informed tool to help guide your search. More on our methodology.
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
CARF reviews rehab programs to make sure they provide respectful, effective, and personalized care. For addiction treatment, CARF uses standards developed with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), so this accreditation shows the program follows trusted, evidence-based guidelines for treating substance use.
Learn moreReviews and Ratings
- Life-changing treatment that saved lives.
- Lovely setting for a great place to get well.
- Caring staff who provide a brilliant experience.
Start Your Recovery provides facility information using publicly available data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as well as other sources. We cannot independently verify the accuracy of all data. Start Your Recovery does not guarantee the quality of care or results of working with any provider or treatment facility. Please contact us if you are the proprietor of a facility and have updates or corrections to site content. The information provided on this site is intended for educational purposes, and is not a substitute for professional medical guidance or treatment.