This program is now closed.
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New Reviews would be appreciated as apparently Oceanaire is under new management and owners.
Oceanaire has been under Discovery practice management since December and has ALREADY made all the necessary changes to the program. Some staffing changes have been made but many of the big players, so to say, are still there.
To those of you considering Oceanaire, please look at the new website: www.oceanaire – ed.com. Discovery Practice Management, the owners of Center for Discovery’s adolescent programs (www.centerfordiscovery.com) took over Oceanaire in December of 2008. They have completely changed the program and have even done some renovations to the house itself. The new program director is Dr. Carrie White, amongst other new staff, and the physician, Dr. Anorga is still there. If you have any questions.
Does anyone have recent experience here? I have heard it REALLY is better since the CFD took over but I’d like to see a review of what it looks like now. I have an intake tomorrow. Thanks ahead of time!
I have meant to do a review for a while, but I was there this summer. I would go anywhere else if you can. There are many tx centers in SoCal, and this is probably one of the worst. I’ve been to more residential facilities than I care to admit, and thought Oceanaire was poorly run, had nearly incompetent staff, and let behaviors run rampant in the community.
When were you there:
-July-August 2012
How many patients on average?
-6 Maximum
Does it treat both males and females? If so, is treatment separate or combined.
-Only females because it’s a house
How often do you see a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist (therapist), nutritionist, etc?
-Medical doctor comes in once a week but if you have ANY medical problems there is a CNC or nurse on staff 24/7 and if needed a staff member will take you to the doctor’s office 10 min away
Psychiatrist usually comes once a week
You meet with your therapist three times a week, plus optional family therapy
Nutritionist is here mon, wed, fri
What is the staff ratio to patients?
-Weekdays there are two therapists, a nurse, a CNC and a counselor (staff/group leader). Overnight there is one nurse. Weekends there is a CNC and a counselor.
What sort of therapies are used? (DBT, CBT, EMDR) etc?
-DBT, CBT, Body movement, walk, YMCA (if approved), Addictions, 12 steps, relapse prevention, process group.
Describe the average day:
5:30-7:30: Wake up, vitals (weights on monday),shower
7:00: Meal prep (for those preparing their meals)
7:30: Breakfast
9:00: Group/individual sessions
10:30: snack
11:00:Process Group
12:30: lunch
1:15: Group
2:40: snack
3:00: Group
4:15 walk (mon, wed, fri, sat)
4:45:Group
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Group or menu planning (alternates)
8:30 Snack
free time until lights out at around 11
What were meals like?
-Meals are at a dining room table. When you arrive you menu plan and staff makes your meals. As soon as you start progressing through the program (usually about two weeks) you can start preparing snacks, then meals. You also can choose to do “food diary” which is plan out your meals as you go through the day. The food plan is based on exchanges throughout the day…there are no set exchanges per meal. Staff eats with you and we usually play games. (For those of you who know the game “Contact” I was able to bring it to Oceanaire…you’re welcome!)
What sorts of food were available or served?
Everything comes from Ralph’s grocery store. It’s basic food that you would buy at home. Cereals, granola bars, bread, some snack items, deli meats, hummus, fruits, frozen yogurt, yogurt…etc. Dinners are “family style” and work on a four week cycle menu, the dietec cooks dinners (includes veggi burgers, lasagna, tofu stir fry, salmon, chicken and rice…etc.) There is a “sample plate” for portion sizes and clients plate their own food at the table without measuring. You have to have what’s offered, but one night a week you can substitute with soup and salad.
Did they supplement? How did that system work?
Yes. With Ensure or Boost. They estimate the percentage that you didnt finish and replace it with the equivalent supplement.
What is the policy of not complying with meals?
They have a level system, if you’re non compliant you stay on “pre-phase” which means no leaving for outings, no visitors, no phone time, no kitchen access, and 24 hour bathroom observation. If it continues, they will probably send you inpatient at another facility.
Are you able to be a vegetarian?
Yes. Every dinner has a vegetarian option and as far as the rest of the day, you can choose from a lot of different protein options.
What privelages are allowed?
Passes, less or no bathroom observation, laptop, time alone in your room, passes, making your own meals, walks, going to the gym, saturday outing, restaurant outing, phone time (there is no cell reception and you cant have your own cell anyways) the house phone is only for patients on certain levels/phases.
Does it work on a level system?
Yes. The Phase System. Pre-phase, Phases 1-5. Most people stay on Phases 1-3 during their stay.
How do you earn privelages?
Motivation, accountability to thoughts and behaviors, completing meals, challenging yourself, finishing therapy and nutrition assignments, participating in groups
What sort of groups do they have?
DBT, CBT, Body movement, walk, YMCA (if approved), Addictions, 12 steps, relapse prevention, process group, nutrition, health, assignment sharing, contract group, fun food outing, restaurant outing, food and feelings.
What was your favorite group?
It depends on who is leading it, I liked nutrition because the dietitian is amazingly sweet and funny. Health was good too, the nurse is great.
What did you like the most?
I liked how individualized it was. The therapy assignments are really aimed at trying to help YOU with what’s going on. Although I butt heads a lot with rules and being controlled, I really feel like the people here are doing their best to HELP. The therapists are always around during the week and go out of their way to connect with clients on a daily basis or check in whenever they feel like something is wrong.
What did you like the least?
I hate the phase system. For a bunch of highly competitive people it makes it very easy to compare your perception of your progress to others and feel either inferior or superior based on what level you get. They also announce the level changes every week in contract group in front of the entire group. Having been caught with gum numerous times, i was moved down to level 1 twice during my stay and it is embarrassing to have it announced. I also hated the phone rules and the fact that there is only one computer and you can only use it 20 minutes every other day.
Would you recommend this program?
Yes. But the individual would have to be ready to work and just need the extra support. They really don’t put up with blatant non-compliance or people who dont want recovery. Also, if you need close psychiatric monitoring this is not the place for you. The psychiatrist does not take suggestions and he’s only here once a week if that.
What level of activity or exercise was allowed?
There are exercise levels as well and they move you up one at a time. At first, its level 1, then 2A which is outings but no walks, then 2B 4 20 min walks a week and 10 min stretching during gym time 3x weekly. 3 is gym (15 min cardio, 15 weights). From there you add 10 min cardio and 5 min weights for each level up.
What did people do on weekends?
There is a Saturday outing and we get $10 from the house to spend. (Mini golf, nail salon, beach, bookstore)
Do you get to know your weight?
No. But if the dietitian feels it is healthy for you to know she will discuss it with you.
How fast is the weight gain process?
Not as bad as most places, but reasonably quick considering they want you to get to your goal and work on the real issues.
What was the average length of stay?
Depends mostly on insurance these days…anywhere from 1-3 months is typical.
What was the average age range?
18+ but typically 20-40. Most of the girls during my stay were 20-24
How do visits/phone calls work?
No visits until level 1. No outside contact for 72 hours after arrival. phase 1 gets 20 min phone time three times a week, phase 2 is 20 minutes each day, phase 3 is 1 hour every day, phase 4 I think is unlimited.
Are you able to go out on passes?
Once you are on phase 2 they encourage passes. Passes are Sundays during visiting hours.
What kind of aftercare do they provide? Do they help you set up an OP treatment team?
They are really good at setting up aftercare, they basically plan your step-down program as soon as you get there. They work with a lot of partial programs in the area to help transition clients.
Are there any resources for people who come from out of state/country?
There are a few partial programs with transitional living houses that they send you to when they discharge you.
Other?
Some problems were with staff. The day staff, with the exception of therapists only have to have a bachelor’s degree and it doesn’t have to be in psych. Most of them have little to no experience with eating disorders and while they can enforce the rules, don’t really understand the meaning behind them. This is also a problem when a client is having a hard time and no therapist is around to check in with. Some of the counselors have a good understanding of what to say; others…not so much.
Were there problems here before? If so, what were they? Were they REALLY fixed, or are they just saying that?
Julie Greene