The Health Retreat

The Health Retreat is a residential program that is located in Queensland, Australia set in the woods close to national parks. The Health Retreat combines clinical and holistic treatment approaches to address not only substance abuse, but also a client's overall well being. The Health Retreat accepts men and women who are struggling with drug and alcohol addictions as well as co-occurring mental health disorders. The program is 29 days and includes an assortment of treatments including evidence-based practices such as rational emotional therapy (REBT), emotional freedom technique (EFT), psychodynamic processing, gestalt therapy, clinical hypnosis, narrative therapy, and group and individual therapy. The Health Retreat considers itself an alternative to AA/NA, and they do not offer or support the 12-Step program. The Health Retreat works with outside medical services for clients who need hospitalized detox. The mixed gender staff includes a psychologist, licensed psychotherapist, CSACs, and administrative support staff. The staff-to-client ratio is 1-to-1.

The Health Retreat uses an alternative and homeopathic therapy that includes Tai Chi, yoga, art, music, pet, and dance therapy. The residences include 2 main houses, converted train carriages, and individual cabins that used to be a bed and breakfast. The camp-style retreat can accommodate 19 men and women. All bedrooms are private and include a private bathroom. On site, they have a gym, pool, hot tub, and sauna. Meals are prepared by chefs with farm to table organic produce and are served home-style. In addition to being organic, the chefs prepare gluten, dairy, sugar and caffeine-free meals for the clients. The clients may attend weekly health cooking classes with the chefs.