About

Our treatment program integrates the best of modern western scientific knowledge with ancient eastern healing techniques.

In integrating the two facets together, we endeavor to "combine and adapt in order to attain a particular effect". That particular effect is to heal our residents by addressing aspects of the whole person in order to identify the root causes of their problems.

Conventional and alternative methods are utilized to create a comprehensive holistic model of healing. Striving to facilitate the human body's inherent healing mechanisms, Casa Palmera focuses on less invasive modes of intervention.

The newest, most advanced scientific theory, body-mind principles, and healing technologies are synthesized to provide the most effective care for the individual. This integrative philosophy permits the best care for the individual as well as providing the individual with the greatest range of treatment options.

Many people misinterpret the word Holistic. The Canadian Holistic Medical Association defines Holistic Medicine as "a system of health care which fosters a cooperative relationship among all those involved, leading towards optimal attainment of the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of health.

"It emphasizes the need to look at the whole person, including analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual and lifestyle values. It encompasses all stated modalities of diagnosis and treatment including drugs and surgery if no safe alternative exists. Holistic Medicine focuses on education and responsibility for personal efforts to achieve balance and well being."

At Casa Palmera we focus on a holistic approach of healing.

It is important to go beyond just treating symptoms. Striving to identify the underlying causes of the symptoms or problems is vital to the success of healing.

Rather than merely eliminating or suppressing surface symptoms with a quick remedy, it is our goal to identify the symptom, recognize its root cause, and address the symptoms with a holistic approach. In holistic medicine, symptoms are considered a warning sign or message through which our bodies communicate that something needs to be fixed. If a problem is to be solved, so that is does not manifest itself as something else, then the causes must be attended to.

At Casa Palmera each person is considered to be a unique individual rather than an example of a particular disease.

The Disease Model of Conventional Western Medicine categorizes the person as a "________ patient" (diabetes, bulimia, or whatever "disease" they are diagnosed as having).

This differs from the Holistic model which alternatively considers the whole person and all aspects of their life.

These two components are viewed as precursors to identifying the cause of the problem: the resulting imbalance. The Holistic model allows one to search for the cause affecting an individual, but moreover provides the tools to overcome the identified problem.

The Holistic model also allows the individual to think about their circumstances in alternative ways. For example, a person diagnosed with diabetes could say "I am challenged with diabetes", not "I am a diabetic". In the realm of the mind, there is a significant correlation between thought patterns and individual health.

Recognizing the enormous influence of positive and negative thought patterns, belief systems, and mental programming language is imperative to restoring mental and physical well being.

Ease is defined as: "freedom from pain, worry, agitation, difficulty, hardship, or effort" and "to move or proceed with little effort." When we are living a healthy, balanced life and are on the right path, things seem to flow effortlessly or with ease.

We all have certain lessons to learn but when we make poor lifestyle choices our lives are out of balance and thus living does not seem as easy. For example, when we get a cold, headache, stomach ache, etc., our body is trying to warn us that something is not right. Continually ignoring the prolific warning signs by suppressing symptoms eventually may lead to more severe conditions.

Thus holistically speaking, we consider a person to be in a state of dis-ease (not disease) when they are experiencing imbalance in any of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects. By addressing all of these potential factors of dis-ease, seeking the root causes, changing lifestyle, reprogramming old habits and belief systems, healing can be facilitated and the person returned to balance.

We believe that a good program should be based upon sound science but also open to new paradigms. The goal of Casa Palmera is to assist our residents in the healing process and we are committed to using the most effective treatment options available to achieve that goal.

Our programs promote growth and innovation over stagnation and reliance on tradition. At Casa Palmera, our various programs implement an array of well-established techniques and therapies that have proven to be very successful, and simultaneously remain open to new scientific discoveries.

Our focus is geared towards positive outcomes and healing. If science and clinical practice have shown a particular therapy to be effective, without side-effect, it should be utilized. To do otherwise would be a failure to give the safest most successful care possible.

The word "spiritual" is often misunderstood. A simple way to think of it is: how one thinks or feels about being connected to everyone and everything in the Universe.

ome people feel very isolated or disconnected from others and the world around them. Spirituality is not limited to science, religion or a particular belief system. In fact, it can be void of religion or encompass one or a combination of doctrines. Spirituality is really about connectedness and peoples own personal beliefs.

At Casa Palmera, we are open to and tolerant of any religion or belief system that promotes connectedness and healing. We emphasize expanding one's understanding of and connection to life and the world around them. We do not teach or advocate a particular belief system. We encourage each resident to pursue an individual path of growth suited to their needs so they can find out for themselves what life is all about. Thus, we try to help our residents gain a perspective on life and what really matters, while at the same time living in the present and enjoying each day.

In order to assist each resident in the healing process, Casa Palmera has assembled a comprehensive, highly skilled, knowledgeable staff of treatment professionals.

Our team consists of medical doctors, psychotherapists, psychologists, certified addiction specialists, hypnotherapists, acupuncturists, registered dieticians, holistic health practitioners, yoga instructors, meditation instructors, functional fitness instructors, registered nurses, body work therapists, art therapist, dance therapist, music therapist, and other types of health practitioners.

Inherent in this diversity is a unity of purpose: to work as a team to help each resident heal and learn the tools necessary to continue to live a healthy, successful and productive life.

We emphasize the word functional because learning useful enjoyable exercises and natural movement patterns help to maintain regular fitness habits.

In turn, regular fitness habits provide people with a body that feels good and functions properly at work or play. While all of our fitness experts have a superior understanding of the human body and movement, they are able to instruct in practical ways that are easy to understand and apply.

Casa Palmera seeks to help residents revitalize and restructure their bodies during their stay and empower them with the tools needed to continue healthy exercise habits in their daily life. It is central to our fitness philosophy, that each person develop reasonable exercise habits that are enjoyable and conducive to the individuals body and lifestyle.

With a wide range of activities to choose from, each guest can discover the most advantageous fitness routine based upon individual needs. This will help the individual to maintain a lifetime of balanced fitness activities.

The concept of life-long learning is a cornerstone of our philosophy.

Our intention is to help our residents heal as well as provide them with the skills necessary to live a better life. We promote self awareness and a heightened perspective while concurrently teaching the benefits of proper nutrition, exercise, healthy lifestyle, stress management techniques, mind-body principles and relapse prevention.

We are healers and students as well as educators, and this educational emphasis provides the foundation for Casa Palmera's program.

There is an old Chinese Proverb that says: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime". It is crucial that our residents understand, in simple practical terms, just exactly how and why certain techniques and practices affect their mind-body system.

Explaining something, clarifying it in simple practical terms, then demonstrating how and why it affects the person, and giving them the tools to apply it on their own is far more effective than merely giving an unexplained directive.

Behavior modification techniques are important but only go so far. Positively affecting a person's conscious awareness, belief systems, life perspectives, priorities, personality traits, self-esteem, vitality, nutritional deficiencies, toxicity levels, creative expression, and mental-physical-emotional-spiritual health make a person function much more optimally.

When functioning is more effortless, the knowledge, techniques, tools, and life-skills are much easier to assimilate into daily life. Working in conjunction with the medical and psychological aspects of treatment, learning healthy lifestyle skills is vital to the successful dissemination of rehabilitating lifestyle practices. The knowledge and skills for living a lifestyle that makes people feel good naturally every day makes a huge difference.

One of our foremost objectives is to provide a truly individualized treatment program. Our treatment program concentrates on the healing of the entire person, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. At Casa Palmera we treat residents according to our holistic philosophy.

We prefer to first implement an assessment, to listen, and to recognize all aspects of a person rather than to label a person with a specific disease and put them through a strictly routine treatment program. Each person is unique and has had different life experiences.

Therefore, it is normal that each patient may require a different treatment method. Our facility, staff and individually holistic approach allows us to provide programs and schedules that address the particular needs of an individual and therefore are sure to be beneficial.

Casa Palmera's Family Program is an integral part of the treatment process. Since the family is the resident's primary support system and is often considerably affected by the disorder, their involvement is critical to the recovery process.

Families are given the opportunity to participate in the treatment process with their loved one and are able to learn about their specific addiction and/or disorder. The two day Family Program incorporates individual, experiential and educational modalities. The Family Program provides a safe and therapeutic environment to recognize and discuss difficult issues, learn how to be supportive, acknowledge unhealthy lifestyle habits and heal together as a family.

These two days are often life-changing because relationships begin to mend from the prolonged feeling of being confused, hurt, and misunderstood. After the Family Program, family members are encouraged to work on their own issues and utilize the skills they learned to continue developing healthy relationship with each other.

Resources and recommendations for support services will be given to each family, specific to their needs.

Upon arrival each guest undergoes a comprehensive Clinical Diagnostic Assessment.

This initial analysis enables us to gather as much information about our residents as possible, which is crucial for cause-based treatment of the whole person. The information acquired then allows our professional team to assess all aspects of each unique resident in order to create a truly individualized treatment program; a program that is prioritized and tailored to address the root causes of the guest's problems.

Sunny San Diego, California has some of the best overall weather in the United States. The average annual temperature is 70° F with average highs of 78° F in August and 65° F in January.

San Diego is routinely ranked among the top of "America's Healthiest Cities". Casa Palmera is located just 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The peaceful community of Del Mar is tucked away at the base of North County San Diego--a very conscious, healing environment. It is a wonderful location to undergo a life-altering experience and return to wellness.

Read more about the ideal environment »

Casa Palmera's licensing, facility, size, and location make it a truly unique experience.

Unlike some treatment facilities, where patients have to travel off-site to perform certain activities, a resident never needs to leave the grounds unless they so choose (except for equine growth and learning). All of our amenities are provided on 5 acres of enclosed, private land. residents' privacy and protection is of the utmost concern.

Our privately owned limousine can pick up residents at closely located private airport in Carlsbad and be back to the property in 20 minutes. Casa Palmera is a sanctuary where people can come to reflect and focus on healing, completely removed from their previous lives. Our residents can truly "get away" to recover and heal in a peaceful, quiet setting.

The all-inclusive healing program takes place in a beautiful award-winning facility with lush tranquil landscaping bathed in gentle ocean breezes. Located on five acres, Casa Palmera is a 37,000-square-foot facility.

Designed by feng shui experts, the comfortable luxurious rooms, meditation garden, organic vegetable garden, organic herb garden, and koi pond create an ideal atmosphere for healing, personal growth and healthy living.

Our superior fitness program includes a state-of-the-art exercise center, equine growth and learning area, adventure ropes course, and climbing wall. Casa Palmera is a peaceful, profoundly healing environment in a resort-style setting.

The true essence of Casa Palmera is a wellness center. We want to help our residents heal and obtain the tools to continue to pursue an optimal state of health on their own.

The current Standard Medical perception of health is:

1. The absence of disease and illness and
2. The ability to live a long life

This incomplete definition only examines the physical realm and fails to consider overall well-being. A more comprehensive definition of health-which is more prevalent in other parts of the world, but is gaining more acknowledgement in the US - as defined by the World Health Organization: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity."

Thus we strive to help our residents achieve a sense of optimum well-being: happiness and a healthy balance in all aspects of one's life. That is our goal and we will provide the necessary resources, and the understanding that ultimately, optimum health is achieved and maintained by exerting self-responsibility.