What to expect

Life and Structure at Westcliffe

Residential treatment at Westcliffe House is a period of intense personal work, structured around safety, accountability, and deep therapeutic engagement. Here is a clear overview of what life in our program entails.

Your Daily Structure

The program is built on a structured daily schedule designed to build new, healthy habits and maximize therapeutic time.

Daily Structure
Monday – Friday8.30amWhole Group check-in meeting with Manager or Senior Therapist
9.30am – 12.30pmCore therapeutic/educational courses; individual counselling sessions. Coffee break included
12.30pm – 2.00pmLunch Time
2.00pm – 3.30pmGroup Work
3.30pm – 6pmClients free time or 1-1’s with therapist
6pmEvening meal (cooked by our chef)
7.15pmEvening group check in
Weekend time for structured community activities; family visits (as scheduled)
Sundays9.30amHouse meeting with Manager/Senior Therapist

 

The Therapeutic Environment

Our facility is designed to be a safe, clean, and supportive space where you can focus entirely on healing.

  • Accommodation: You will have a clean, comfortable private room where you can personalize your space and feel secure.
  • Community: You will be part of a small, supportive peer group. A culture of honesty, openness, and mutual respect is expected and enforced among all residents and staff.
  • Meals: All meals are nutritious, balanced, and prepared on-site by our chef, supporting your physical and mental health during recovery.

Visitation and Communication

We understand the importance of family and external support, which is managed through clear guidelines to protect the therapeutic environment.

  • Phone and Internet: Initial restrictions apply to allow you to settle and focus fully on the program. As you progress, scheduled communication with approved contacts will be facilitated by your counsellor.
  • Visitation: Visits from approved family members or support persons are arranged by your primary counsellor and typically occur during specific times on weekends. This is managed to ensure it supports, rather than distracts from, your core recovery work.
  • Mail: You can receive and send mail throughout your stay.

Items and Regulations (House Rules)

To ensure a safe and successful recovery for everyone, certain items and behaviours are prohibited

Allowed ItemsProhibited ItemsRule Focus
Comfortable clothing (including exercise gear)Drugs, alcohol, or prescription medication (unless approved by our medical staff)Safety and Abstinence
Personal toiletries and makeupEnergy drinks, protein powders, or supplementsMedical Protocols
Books, journals, and stationeryMobile phones, laptops, and tablets (initially)Focus and Engagement
Small personal photographsCash over a small, designated amountTherapeutic Environment

 

The Westcliffe Difference: Truly Individualized Care

We firmly believe that effective healing begins with understanding the person behind the addiction. Our high staff-to-client ratio allows us to facilitate small, concurrent group sessions. This provides a safer, more intimate setting with greater opportunities for self-expression and deeper understanding—ensuring you receive the truly individualized care you deserve.