Hands down the very best outpatient mental health day program in the bay area. Truly amazing clinicians, evidence based curriculum (CBT, DBT, ACT), specialized process groups for LGBTQ and BIPOC populations, etc. What makes the difference at La Selva is the quality of the therapists and the extremely supportive milieu. Highly recommended, and they take Kaiser insurance as well as many others. They also have a residential option (you live at their house), as well as a supportive housing option (kind of like a halfway house). I am better, more regulated, than I was when I came in. Can't recommend them enough! read more

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La Selva is a superb place for healing with competent diverse team that deeply cares about the well being of the patients, and saying this doesn't fully describe my very positive experience nor how much this place helped me with the skills, sense of safety I learned from it. Not to mention, my experience with the community was actually incredibly unique and helpful. Thank you La Selva's team, I feel very fortunate that my path took me to this healing place. read more

While La Selva's intentions may be noble, the staff often refuse to acknowledge criticism or, quite frankly, the reality of their own wrongdoing. Simi Bhaurla, once head of (literally rat-infested) supportive residential services, has notably changed positions in the (dis)organization after failing to provide scheduled groceries for her charges as well as deciding to evict a resident on the direct grounds of photographing her La Selva-subsidized sandwich (evidence that La Selva was feeding her well, while its patients were going hungry). Oh, and the rats infesting the residencies ate the scarce food Simi's role was responsible for providing. There's also Ligia Law to look out for, who has violated HIPAA law in the past and has reportedly gossiped about residents to others to the point at which complaints about this fell to Simi's deaf ears. They may mean well, and may be working with limited resources, but pretending that immediate issues don't exist is exactly how they may take advantage of the vulnerable. read more

Overall the program (PHP /IOP) provided excellent printed resources and information on CBT/DBT. The point person I had was nice but there were some communication issues. I didn't feel heard. Per La Selva my discharge date was determined by Kaiser. I had an actual letter stating I was authorized until a certain date but the clinical director explained that Kaiser gives that date but cuts services off earlier. I had confusion & doubts about the validity of her explanation. Kaiser confirmed her explanation was incorrect. I ended up returning to a Kaiser program that was a much better fit with experienced, honest and upfront professionals. Breakdown : Printed materials: (available at Amazon) - 4 stars Point person - 2 stars Clinical Director: 2 stars Psychiatrist: 3 stars Dual Recovery staff: 4 Peer support staff: 4 Overall score: 3 read more

I went here about 4 years ago, it was quite the time in my life. I liked the gym and most of the staff. My psychiatrist and therapist didn't take my medication concerns seriously, saying it was just anxiety when it was severe Akathisia, I was lucky to get off of that medication immediately when I got home. The Akathisia literally made me suicidal it was so bad. So that's why I put the bad rating. I am in search of a staff member... I think his name was Paul. Or maybe Mark. He was very kind - he came in a couple times a week I think. Very nice guy and I sincerely appreciated his spiritual support. read more

Overpriced, low quality of service, condescending and unmotivated staff, and mask rules are loosely enforced.

It was all very sickening. The experience was traumatic in itself. I have changed my view on the practice of psychiatry to believe that because psychiatrists get extra $$ for every pill they prescribe you, a lot of them have prioritized prescriptions rather than addressing your issues with natural remedies such as diet and exercise. If you are sick, I don't recommend you subject yourself to a stay in a situation isolated from the basis of normalcy and full of equally or more sick people. I would say find something else, maybe a nature camp for people who just want to feel closer to life. read more

I disagree with most of these 1-star reviews. I'm currently enrolled in the dual (not duel) diagnosis and in the residential program. It's my 2nd day here, and i have experienced nothing but compassion here (released from the ward after 7 days for SI. All the people bitching out there, life/therapy is what you make of it. Expecting somebody to do the work for you is stupid. It's like that joke, "how many psychiatrists does it take to switch a lightbulb? Just one but the lightbulb needs to want to change." You can't blame others for your failures. This place is helping me take responsibility over my life and be my best self. Looking forward to my days here. read more

My review is for La Selva's residential program specifically. It saddens me to write a negative review because all of the staff were so nice, but the program overall just felt like a holding environment, not the intensive treatment you'd expect at that level of care. The typical length of stay is 2 weeks and clients usually get 1 individual therapy session per week. How much progress can you make in 2-3 hours of therapy? Exactly. Groups exposed us to some basic ideas at lightning speed but not in any depth. One hour of CBT per week, one hour of DBT, etc. Mostly handout reading, not a lot of interaction. If you have ever been exposed to an evidence-based program, you have likely heard most of it before. What you do get is a structured environment with 3 meals a day and supervision around high-risk items like medications and knifes. It's a good alternative to a hospital if all you need is a break from the obligations of everyday life, or a bit of time to plan your next steps. Just don't expect any more than that. read more

I had a mixed experience at La Selva. I was in the residential program for 1 month, supportive housing for a few weeks, and then PHP/IOP for another month in 2018. I'd recommend it in terms of it comprehensively teaching basic coping skills, especially in the DBT and WRAP groups. Those groups gave me important skills that allowed me to stabilize from the crisis state that I was in. Kristen and Brenna are both great clinicians, Kristen especially. However, La Selva is not a good place for dealing with trauma or other more complex psychological challenges. The staff vary significantly in quality and, once you're assigned an individual therapist, you're stuck with them (I tried very hard to advocate for a change). My individual therapists were not helpful and even damaging. Mariella was overly cheerful, which felt very invalidating at a residential program in which many ppl were in crisis. Imagine sharing a deeply painful trauma and receiving a cheerful response! She also tried to jump straight to trauma work despite having very limited time which I now know is an unethical practice - bringing up traumatic events without appropriately addressing them in therapy can be re-traumatizing. She was also lazy about our meetings - some of them were just short walks around the neighborhood. My second therapist, Robert, didn't meet with me at all! He also wasn't even a therapist - his only qualification is that he's been through a 12 step program and is in recovery, which was irrelevant to me since I don't have substance use challenges. I complained to many program staff about how Robert wasn't meeting with me and eventually he got enough complaints that he met with me twice. He was so inattentive that he forgot when I was leaving the program and called me a few days later asking where I was. Meanwhile, Jurek is a skilled therapist but can be sexist and made a very anti-Semitic joke. I complained about the anti-Semitic joke but was told my complaint didn't matter since I hadn't witnessed it directly. I felt unsafe seeing him every day in the residential setting knowing that he'd made a joke like that. I am non-binary and requested that group leaders include pronouns as part of the check in to normalize sharing pronouns - they told me that was illegal. I later learned that was not true, it's perfectly legal to do so and I've been in groups at other places that do exactly that. The staff member Alex is insensitive and can say invalidating and stigmatizing things about mental health challenges. I had a mixed experience with the psychiatrists, who were constantly changing. One gave me way too high of an antidepressant prescription which another psychiatrist was shocked by and immediately decreased. Another prescribed me Ativan (a benzodiazepine) and didn't fully explain how addictive it was. I am very lucky I didn't get addicted to it as I was taking it daily as administered by residential staff. On the other hand, Dr. Owusu was WONDERFUL, one of the best clinicians I've worked with. Finally, although it's a good idea in theory, the way that the residential program had residents organize cooking the meals themselves ended up becoming a practice that reinforced sexism - the women patients ended up having to take the lead because the men had no idea how to cook and felt like they could get away with barely contributing. Being in such a sexist environment when trying to recover from a traumatic event is triggering and not conducive to healing. Overall, I would still recommend La Selva although it could benefit from some major changes. La Selva is the reason I was able to stabilize and eventually get back to school. I witnessed many other clients benefitting from it as well. read more

I came to this program after being kicked out of the Mission Oaks PHP program at Good Samaritan for not improving and I'm so happy it worked out that way that it did. The staff at La Selva worked with me to find solutions, rather than abandoning me. Their program offers individual weekly therapy, great group therapy and skills groups, and a great staff of doctors that work to determine the right combination of medications rather than overmedicating you. They listen to what you have to say and they teach you what you need to succeed outside of the program. I would come back to La Selva in a heartbeat and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking mental health treatment and support. read more

This place is amazing. I've been to a number of rehabs before and this by far tops all of them. My clinician is amazing her name is Claudia. She works with me three times a week on an individual basis. I also go to day program five times a day, I find it to be very helpful to my recovery for mental health and addiction. I would recommend this place to anyone struggling. Thanks to Anthony the director and all of the staff for such a wonderful stay here. Lisa Windesheim read more

I'm am extremely saddened to even be in a position to write a review like this but, if I don't then others won't know what to be weary of. My adult daughter was diagnosed w/a condition that creates the brain to lose its ability to reason and comprehend which causes a great deal of anxiety & other medically related issues . Her level of maturity is that of a teen approx 16-17 yrs of age and yet she biologically is 27. We have unfortunately battled this her whole life & yet as her court advocate/ mom I find myself always searching for the best treatment or programs that can help her. We enrolled my daughter in "the Selva Group" after strongly searching for a program that could be the best match for her needs . After flying her all the way to San Francisco from San Diego I was certain we found a place that could meet my daughter where she was emotionally. They also conveyed to us along w/my child's Dr they had the program for her. After my daughter was in this facility for a week & a few days I get a call from Aaron San Nicolas who was my child's designated therapist. She asked me what exactly was my child's diagnosis & what behavioral issues was she displaying? I was shocked by the questions because she had full details from professionals before my child was ever accepted into this program. Aaron stated she didn't see any of the behaviors described by myself or the hospitals Dr who had been treating her. During her stay my child was also left to wander the streets alone in an unfamiliar place a 10 hr drive away from her home & yet ended up lost & Panicky. I called the facility asking them if anyone can pick her up sadly the response was we are busy now we can when we free up time. She was later found and returned to this facility. Days later we had a over the phone session that went very well not one complaint! What followed just 2 days later was just shocking to say the least by myself as well as family who while at the hospital awaiting my husbands surgery Aaron Immediately started demanding that i find a way to come get my child off the property by 3 pm at latest. Mind you I'm 10 hrs away. Aaron's words to me were I don't care whats happening she needs to be off this property by 3 pm. The calls kept dropping because we were located in the basement of the hospital and reception/ internet was not very stable. While I'm upset, crying about my husband I'm panicked trying to get my child home without anyone to be with her while traveling home. Aaron kept leaving multiple recorded messages demanding I call her back & repeatedly said if she isn't off our property by 3pm I will have her removed by the police which by this time has my child scared & upset and fearing for her own safety. She is a child who needed support & guidance due to her lack of limited comprehension. Who threatens a disabled adult child who promotes to the public that they have a client based center with Vision and leadership along with a reputation for quality care with a personal touch? BS... I left the basement surgery area to step out of hospital to call Aaron back & ask if they can give her a ride to the airport if I bought her ticket & she first responded "NO" that's "NOT" our job you need to arrange all her transportation/flight home. I booked her a flight but, I let Aaron know that my child doesn't have a valid ID because she lost it. The response that followed made my stomach turn Aaron said who lets their child travel alone without proper ID? She then said you are her court appointed advocate & you don't have ID for your own child? who sends their child out of the area without proper ID? I was so upset by her tone & lack of compassion. she took on a role as bully. I asked my child to record everything this therapist said and to my surprise she did just that. This therapist should be ashamed of her behavior as a so call top professional to threaten good people and place them and their family in an UNSAFE position so far away. I called to have my child picked up & taken straight to the airport. She had zero money left she was given no food or snacks then had to sit in the airport for over 7 hrs. Aaron kept repeating over & again get your daughter off our property by 3pm or ill call the police & have her removed. I wasn't in a position to talk down in the basement. I have 3 VM messages from the therapist "yes the therapist" who is supposed to be professional grounded and supportive!! I called the director a few times to no avail. Be cautious out there and fight for your rights! I know we will! read more

I cannot understand why there are so many poor reviews. La Selva mental health program creates a very supportive client community, and the clinicians are all top notch. I had only an excellent psychiatrist too. The classes taught there are intensive and skill-oriented, with options to create plans in the event of a relapse. Delicious lunches are included besides. Clients are treated with respect and compassion. And the staff is open to new ideas for classes. I would highly recommend La Selva for healing. read more

i was here in August 2020 and the service I received was top notch during every step of the way--My counselor Danielle was awesome to work with as was the entire staff (Joe,Lettie,Em,Kyle,Janelle,Emily, Laila, Alex,Tengfei ) I'd recommend La Selva House Palo Alto 150% but at the same time I hope I never see them again---I cannot say enough good things about the staff and the program read more

I was a patient there at 22 years ago very professional and very safe helpful place I would highly recommend this place for long-term inpatient and outpatient the staff is great caring people the house is nice And kept very clean when I was there I cannot say enough great words about the program I hope this It's helpful to someone who is looking into the program I would highly recommend the Salva not enough words for how grateful I am to them read more

La Selva has been the one place that I felt like I was treated well, truly heard, and actually accomplished my therapy goals. Before coming to the program, I was very depressed and anxious. I was too ashamed of how I felt to ask for help or reach out on my own and I let it get to a very serious point. Everyone from the residential director (Anthony) to my therapist (Aaron) was very kind and treated me with fairness and respect my entire stay. The groups were highly productive and educational and I gained more from these 3 weeks here than I have at the other outpatient/residential treatment programs I have attended. I would definitely recommend La Selva to anyone who is struggling and feels like that extra step would help, whether it's daily outpatient groups or residential treatment. read more

It's been years since I was at this program now. I wrote my last review almost 10 months after I left, I was there Oct 2016 (I remember because I spent my birthday there). The last time I was ever hospitalized was directly after leaving this program. I haven't suffered from or been medicated for depression since June 2017, my ptsd is under control, I am now happily married and expecting my first child, per my doctors orders I am completely off of all medication now and I'm doing really well. I am happy, healthy, and stable IN-SPITE of the horribly traumatic experience I had at this place. I say this to give anyone struggling hope that there is truly another side and don't give up, life really can get better, BUT this was the absolute biggest set back in my recovery, It truly ruined my life back then, they kicked me when I was at my lowest point, when I desperately needed help, when I was still trying to heal from very very recent rape and abuse trauma, I was blatantly victim shamed/blamed and targeted by the director. I still get really upset when I think about my time here. La Selva left me shattered, humiliated, severely over medicated, crippled with the most severe depression I've ever endured, and battling suicidal ideation for months. The other 1 star reviews sadly aren't a shock to me, it sounds spot on, I know they're accurate. What a huge mistake. Still to this day I deeply regret going. Someone who's been in the program for a day or 2 can't possibly give you the whole picture on what it's like to be there for a month or longer. I loved it there for the first week, and the longer I stayed the more my opinion changed. I would've saved myself so much trouble and pain if I had just reached out to good doctors and group therapy elsewhere. Maybe some people have a different experience but I swear to you when I was there the predominant experience was incredibly negative. I still keep in contact with a friend I made there he agrees it was the worst most counterproductive treatment he ever received. I stand by what I said avoid this place (mostly residential) at all costs. You'll do 1000x better finding help from people who actually care about your recovery, or just check out the day program if that's an option some of the staff and classes there were very helpful. read more

La Selva is truly the most sacred place you could find to recover and get better. This year was the second time that I was in the program, and it saved my life again. The group of staff that works here along with all the clients and the classes they offer represents the special community that you cannot find anywhere else. The staff is very supportive, and they truly do their best to tailor the treatment based on your own unique needs. The clients are also very helpful and willing to support you in your recovery. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is struggling with addiction, mental illness or just general life hassles. You will find here variety of classes that satisfy the different needs of the clients. From Anxiety Reduction to DBT skills building workshops all the way to Heart and Mind Alignment with one and only Jurek. If you need help and support in any particular area of your life, La Selva can be your stepping stone that will help you get where you need to be. Blessed are all the people who work here with all the clients who come to get support. Amen read more

I am not so happy now, having been out of the program for many weeks. the program failed to teach a key skill to me - the skill of not going to work when I am in a mood episode. I tried a medication, Zonegran, which caused a mania episode, and I was at work and did something that resulted in my being fired from a most perfect job where everyone used to respect me a lot. I am devastated. Had I simply stayed home, I would have avoided this disaster. I have very specialized skills, so it is not easy to find a replacement job. Also, Dr Owusu, who was my psychiatrist at La Selva, warned me that Zonegran might destabilize me, but did not offer a simply suggestion to stay with the program for a few more weeks to try the medication in safety. Kathy Sanguinetti, my counselor, also failed to offer an extension for a Zonegran trial, and I am not even sure that Dr Owusu told Kathy about the Zonegran. In 2009 I lived at La Selva house, and shortly upon discharge I made several decisions against my best interest which included ceding the custody of my children. In 2017, I was eager to give La Selva another try, forgiving them for not realizing in 2009 that I was being emotionally abused domestically, and so I was eager to try the skills and approaches and before leaving the program, wrote a most enthusiastic, grateful review. Now that I see that the program did not equip me with key skills, I am no longer enthusiastic about La Selva. read more

Best experience of my life. The staff and program are all extremely helpful. I wish I could stay forever.

This place saved my life. The staff are so loving and caring. With the compassion of the staff and the support from the team I had an amazing experience at La Selva. Thank you! read more

Amazing place! Classes are awesome, loved the structure of the program. I had an amazing therapist who I met the day I got there. She was the only one to finally hit the nail on the head in terms of my diagnosis. She was also available almost any time. The staff is warm and friendly. The house was great to live. There are rules and they are there for a reason. You have some free time daily. The structure is great and it forces you to get to know the other patients. I would recommend this place to anyone. read more

It's been a while since I was here but the structure here helped me manage my symptoms and I enjoyed Jurek's groups and Aaron was always helpful and empathized with what I needed. Everyone here at the house was supportive and I recommend this program with the support that if you stick to following rules focus on your treatment and keep an open mind to suggestions from the team that you can get better. read more

This place saved my loved-one's life. It was the only facility on my health plan in all of Northern California that focused on severe depression as a primary diagnosis rather than most others which concentrate on substance abuse primarily. Jurek is truly remarkable in his ability to reach into the root of challenges and address them in a way that embraces both empathy and accountability, allowing clients to again take control of their lives. read more

I am grateful for the treatment I got during the time I spent at La Selva. The staff members, composed of overnight workers, nurses, and clinicians who I am grateful most for are Paul, Joe, Letty, and Jurek. I am eternally grateful for the service you provided, thank you. read more