Canyons is a residential treatment center for girls dealing with trauma and anxiety related disorders. Exclusively for young women between the ages of 12 and 17, Canyons provides a holistic healing environment that is meant to fill a gap for these underserved individuals. Our team feels that treating the underlying conditions of these individuals in a secure, all-girls setting will help clients make the most of our 45-90 day program for primary mental health (with or without resultant secondary substance use). Just like our other two programs, the Canyons program is accepting and affirming of any LGBTQ+ clients, and our treatment and staff reflect that.

The Facility

This residential treatment center for girls is located in Sand Canyon near the San Gabriel Mountains in Northwestern Los Angeles. The property is a humble farm right along the Angeles National Forest. It is a small individualized program that works with only 6 clients at a time. Each girl is assigned a roommate in hopes to build meaningful connections and peer support. The rooms are beautifully appointed with a maximum of two clients per room. Some of the other amenities Canyons provides include:

  • Full Kitchen
  • Outdoor BBQ & Lounge Space
  • Firepit
  • Beautiful Recreational Space
  • Hiking Trails
  • Stables
  • Backyard with Water Feature
  • Classroom

Therapy Modalities

Many of the clients in this residential treatment center for girls are dealing with trauma symptoms that range from anxiety and depression to anger, post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociation, and sexual concerns. Because our clients are dealing with such complex issues, we approach their therapy in intuitive and unique ways at the Canyons residential trauma treatment facility. Some of the exclusive experiential therapies that we utilize to build each client a personalized care plan may include:

  • EMDR
  • Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  • 12 Steps
  • Animal-Assisted Therapy
  • Somatic Experiencing
  • Drama Therapy
  • Music Therapy
  • Restorative Drumming
  • Dance Movement
  • Breathwork
  • Yoga
  • Meditation
  • Equine Therapy
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Horticulture Therapy
  • Art Therapy

With access to the farm grounds and a variety of hiking trails, we believe reconnecting with nature in a highly clinical setting allows adolescents to discover a new path towards healing.

The Impact of Animals in Therapy

Recent research has found that animals provide the calming, unqualified attention and love that are needed to help some clients flourish, moving away from illness and toward health. In this new residential trauma treatment program, clients will be assigned an animal to care for throughout the length of their stay. In accord with the holistic nature of the program, there will also be more of an emphasis on plant-based eating.

Animal Assisted Therapy, or AAT, is fully integrated with our clinical therapy modalities to ensure our clients experience a more powerful positive impact on their mental health including:

  • Positive Social Interactions
  • Lower Stress Levels & Anxiety
  • Higher Levels of Participation in Sessions
  • A Sense of Safety & Comfort
  • Decreased Trauma Symptoms

Many studies show that an animal can serve as a clinical bridge during therapy, and provides therapists an entrance to more sensitive issues.

Meet Our New Team Members!

Just a few of the animals that our clients interact with at the Canyons residential treatment center for girls include bunnies, goats, horses, pigs, and cows. Meet some of our most popular team members:

Max

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Dazzle

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Millie

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Olive

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Once a client is assigned a companion animal, they learn how to care for it and for themselves simultaneously. The duty of feeding another being and taking charge of its happiness helps them discover a new level of self-care and responsibility that was taken away from them due to trauma. Animal care can also act as a buffer from stressful life events and provides clients with the space they need to assess their trauma and confront it with the help of our therapists.

A Unique Approach to Mental Health

Under the guidance of Program Director Melissa Argueta, LMFT, the residential trauma treatment program at Canyons provides a gentle clinical approach that ensures clients learn how to show up for themselves, how to take responsibility for their lives, and how to care for others.

If you’re interested in the Canyons residential treatment center for girls, contact us online or call us directly at 310.388.3713.