The Refuge, A Healing Place

About The Refuge, A Healing Place

Refuge, A Healing Place is a CARF accredited drug and alcohol rehab located in Ocklawaha, Florida. They provide treatment to adults of all genders who are struggling with co-occurring disorders and addiction. They offer LGBTQ inclusive treatment, military and first responders programs, and medication assisted treatment (MAT). They specialize in residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP) programs, detox services, and relapse prevention.

Some of the amenities here are volleyball, canoeing, yoga, hiking trails, and meditation trails. They also utilize holistic forms of therapy like equine therapy and art therapy.

What sticks out to me the most is the scenery and location at this facility. They are located on 94 acres in the mesmerizing and beautiful Ocala National Forest. This creates a tranquil, calm and private environment for you to begin your recovery journey. They provide a different approach, seeking to keep treatment thorough but also enjoyable by utilizing holistic therapies outdoors. Hiking and meditation trails help release endorphins and boost dopamine levels.

Equine therapy is both calming and enjoyable because you have the opportunity to spend time with horses. Horses are known to be highly intelligent animals and this helps you develop trust, boost self confidence, reduce anxiety and manage your emotions. Equine therapy consists of horseback riding, brushing, feeding, and help with grooming.

PTSD treatment is also available here and they use a variety of different psychotherapies to help you process and eventually identify the root cause of triggers, negative beliefs and behaviors as well as feelings. You will work with a therapist who will provide you with coping skills and techniques that can help you with problem solving and help you build back your confidence.

Latest Reviews

Shaina Cambern

3 weeks ago on Google

I am a former "client". I was approved by staff to leave on my 30 days, and therefore left on 09/02/24. It has been over 4 months, and I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED MY PHP REFUND- despite leaving many messages! I chose to attend an IOP program where I live (outside of Florida), and was promised a full refund for PHP, as I chose not to attend. Not one person has returned my voicemails. I have left multiple voicemails for the same 2 people in the finance department, and have also left voicemails for the front desk. This is extremely frustrating.They treat you very well here on your first day, but then do not care at all after they have received your money.I will say though, that the therapists do really seem to care, and mine was very kind.Also, the RA's were wonderful. They have a really tough job, with exhausting hours, and they still manage to be so kind and helpful to everyone.There was no house cleaning the entire month I was there (I don't think they ever clean). We are expected to sweep and mop our own floors and do our own laundry, but the towels, bedding, and pillows are never sanitized between clients, and they do not provide you with any cleaning products for your cabin!When I arrived, my bed did not even have a fitted sheet- only a dirty mattress cover.There is mold everywhere, and the washer and dryer machines are so dirty and disgusting that they make your clothes smell worse than they did before using them!They also gave me a medication I was allergic to! They even had it clearly documented that I was allergic to it! Even worse, they kept it on my chart as a 3x's daily med! It took 3 weeks to have it removed, and until then, I had to make sure the nurses did not give it to me every time I got my meds, which meant it was documented that I was not taking my medications correctly....Also most of the nurses are extremely uneducated. I have a list of at least 5 people who were given the incorrect medications or incorrect doses of their medications- one even had a seizure because of it, and I almost had to call the police because it took them 3 hours to give me my withdrawal meds after asking for them. They were prescribed for anytime I needed them- the nurse said later that she was just "too busy", and a different nurse I was finally allowed to talk to, told me that "she couldn't help me because I was not her patient"! I'm lucky nothing worse than sickness and a horrible panic attack happened. Had I been older or weaker, who knows what could have happened to me.I had a medical issue, so they sent me to the hospital, but did not give me my phone. When I used the hospital phone to call and say I was released, they told me that they had no means to pick me up, and left me there for around 6 hours, until finally the hospital needed the room so badly- that they sent me back by ambulance. Had I been given my phone- I could've ordered a ride back. Not to mention now I have a bill due for the ambulance ride!So many things happened that were unacceptable and detrimental to both my physical and mental health, as well as all the other clients' health there.I'm not going to even go into the Covid outbreak that was silenced and taken care of extremely poorly. It ended up spreading like wildfire.I am grateful for the help I did receive here- from my therapist, and the amazing community, but I am scared for other people to get treatment here. It is not right. It's scary.I just want my PHP refund so that I can move on with my life.

Response from the owner2 days ago

Thank you for taking the time to offer this feedback. Receiving feedback is crucial to the work we do, as we strive to constantly improve and ensure that we are a positive source of support for everyone in need. It would be extremely helpful if we could gather more information, and we ask that you please reach out to FeedBack@TheRefuge-AHealingPlace.com so that we can speak directly.

Bethany Mulberry

1 month ago on Google

DANGEROUS FACILITY. My sister in law went here for care and has since been in contact with another male client who was there feeding into her delusions and paranoia. There is *zero* accountability or communication from this facility. This fellow client/individual is now calling our family members over and over all night long with threats. Her mental health declined dangerously quick here and as a supportive family, we are scrambling to get her the health and safety she needs. She still thinks this guy is safe. We informed this facility about the situation and *nothing* was done to protect my loved one.

Response from the owner1 week ago

Thank you for taking the time to share this with us, though it is very concerning to read. We strive to be a place of hope and solace a place where individualized, compassionate care is delivered in a manner that meets all identified needs. We would be incredibly grateful if you would reach out to us directly so that we can gather more information. Please email us at FeedBack@TheRefuge-AHealingPlace.com.

Dominic Abbott

2 months ago on Google

I was just there for the 2 hurricane s the place did a very poor job of preparing for the and made all sorts of promises that went out the window as soon as we were in the buildings that we were assigned to. In my time there I am 42 and I was harassed by a girl who was barely 18. I complained about it on 3 separate occasions each time they told me they were taking care of it but did nothing. They allowed this girl to steal, harass numerous clients, and break about every rule they have but still did nothing. They do the exact same groups over and over again giving you the exact same information. This was my second time there and I regret going back. It was like being back in high school where there are clicks and lots of rumors and your HIPAA rights are violated without any consequences for those who violate the. They hold you hostage for as long as your insurance will pay even if you are ready to go home. They don t have most of the stuff you see on their website and the cleaning staff rarely cleans. My very first day I saw a smashed frog on the medical floor that was there more than 21 days later. They left throw up in a sink at the cafeteria for over a week. When they run out of drinks or snacks they don t restock for over 2 weeks. They allow couples to form and openly have a relationship even if one or both members of the couple are married. When I tried to leave before the hurricane I was threaten and forced to stay against my will. Their ac broke and it took almost 3 weeks for them to fix it. When I finally was being discharged they were rushing me to get packed only to have my Uber waiting for 15 minutes while they got my stuff that they held hostage together. They only open the pool 1 or 2 times a week. Their equine therapy is not done by a therapist it s just a horse caretaker. They only have 2 riding slots 3 times a week. Not once did they have canoeing or any outdoor activities other than the pool. The BHA s (people who run the place at night) don t do there jobs, are passive aggressive, and condescending. You only see the mental health staff once a week if you are lucky but it s only for 5 minutes tops. They have 6 phones which don t work a lot of the time. You can rent tricycles which are poorly maintained. The grass is overgrown and the place is over run with feral cats. The medical staff is very poor at there job. The staff runs around on golf carts and go way to fast and making it dangerous to walk around at night. They say they offer detox but they will ask you to go to a detox program before admission. The only place to get drinks and snacks is locked most of the day so you have to buy stuff from the store which is a large mark up. The laundry room is filthy and some of the machine were broke my entire stay. If you bring drinks that are in cans they hold them in the landing which is closed most of the day and I d rarely open the hours posted on the door. They say they have all of these meeting and not once was there NA or half the other meeting they say they offer and AA was only going for about 10 days my entire 35 days. Bottom line is it over priced and not what it says on the website. Chance are you will be upset with a lot of the program. You get everything you can after about two and a half weeks.

Response from the owner1 month ago

Receiving feedback is of the utmost importance to us, and we are so grateful that you were willing to bring these concerns to our attention. That said, we are very troubled by what has been shared and would be grateful to have an opportunity to gather more information. If you would be willing to speak with us directly, please email FeedBack@TheRefuge-AHealingPlace.com. Thank you.

Rehab Score

Our Methodology

Scoring is assigned by a proprietary system which helps surface key metrics that determine quality. The 10-point scale factors in categories such as operations, customer satisfaction, and trust metrics. Read Full Methodology

8.6 / 10

Gallery

The facilities at The Refuge, A Healing Place in Ocklawaha, FL 1

The facilities at The Refuge, A Healing Place in Ocklawaha, FL 2

The facilities at The Refuge, A Healing Place in Ocklawaha, FL 3

The facilities at The Refuge, A Healing Place in Ocklawaha, FL 4

The facilities at The Refuge, A Healing Place in Ocklawaha, FL 5

Location

Accepted Insurance

The Refuge, A Healing Place works with several private insurance providers and also accepts private payments when possible, please contact to verify your specific insurance provider.

Aetna

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Bright Health

Other Forms of Payment

Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.

Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

Outpatient

Outpatient rehabs encompass multiple levels of care to facilitate clients' progress through their recovery journey. Clients who are stepping down from inpatient treatment may require intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment, which involves more frequent and substantive therapeutic interventions than does standard outpatient care. Outpatient centers typically provide extensive addiction counseling, including individual, group, and family therapy. Medication assisted treatment programs (MAT) and recovery-focused life skills training are also common in outpatient care.

Inpatient

Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.

12-Step

12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).

Partial Hospitalization Program

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a short-term form of intensive rehab, usually for those with acute symptoms that are hard to manage but don’t require 24-hour care. PHPs have structured programming (i.e. individual and/or group therapy), and usually meet 3-5 days a week for around 6 hours (i.e. 9am-3m). Some PHPs are residential (patients sleep on site) and some are not, so patients sleep at home. PHPs can last from 1-6 months, and some offer transportation and meals.

24-Hour Clinical Care

24-hour clinical care in Florida is an essential part of treatment, particularly with medical detox. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, and supervised detox provides around the clock access to medical professionals who can adminsiter proper medications and treatment to address these symptoms and step in should an emergency occur. This intensive clinical care will help curb the withdrawal effects, minimize substance dependence, and prepare you for the next step of treatment.

Medically Assisted Detox

Drug and alcohol addiction often takes a heavy toll on one's body. Over time, a physical dependence can develop, meaning the body physiologically needs the substance to function. Detox is the process of removing drugs and/or alcohol from the body, a process that can be lethal if mismanaged. Medical detox is done by licensed medical professionals who monitor vital signs and keep you safe, healthy, and as comfortable as possible as you go through detox and withdrawal.

Treatments

A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.

Programs

Adult Program

Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.

Young Adult Program

Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.

LGBTQ Program

Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.

Military Program

Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Clinical Services

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.

Equine therapy, aka equine-assisted therapy (EAT), is a form of experiential therapy that involves interactions and activities with horses. It does not necessarily involve riding horses, but all activities related to horses, such as feeding, grooming, haltering and leading them. A mental health professional frequently oversees the activities (often in conjunction with a horse professional), and helps patients process their thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns during and/or after the interaction.

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.

Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.

EMDR is a therapeutic modality originally developed to help process trauma. In an EMDR session, a patient is prompted to undergo eye movements that mimic those of REM sleep. This is accomplished by watching a therapist's finger move back and forth across, or following a bar of light. The goal is repetitive sets of eye movements that help the brain reprocess memory, which can significantly reduce the intensity of remembered traumatic incidents. Associated memories can heal simultaneously, leaving patients significantly calmer, more stable, and more emotionally relaxed.

Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.

Recreational therapy helps you recover from addiction by giving you structured activities that promote your physical health and mental well being. These activities could range from sports and fitness to creative arts and provide a constructive outlet for your emotions and stress.

Creativity is inherently healing, and can help those in recovery express thoughts or feelings they might not otherwise be able to. Creative arts therapy can include music, poetry/writing, painting, sculpting, dance, theater, sandplay, and more. Unlike traditional art, the final product matters far less than the experience of creation and expression itself.

Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.

Amenities

Gym
Yoga Studio
Residential Setting
Private Rooms

Staff & Accreditations

Staff

Peter Pennington

CEO

Jeanine Ballantine

CFO

Dr. Scott Kunce

Medical Director

Emily Coppola

Clinical Services Director

Kathy Colorio

Business Development Director

Jessica Kidd

Human Resources Director

Ana Pabon

Nursing Director

Penny Napier

Risk Management Director

Accreditations

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a non-profit organization that specifically accredits rehab organizations. Founded in 1966, CARF's, mission is to help service providers like rehab facilities maintain high standards of care.

CARF Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 236042

The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) is a professional association that represents organizations in the field of addiction services. Founded in 1978, NAATP's mission is to advance addiction services and ensure that high-quality addiction treatment is available and accessible.

NAATP Member: Yes
Member ID: 582

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.

SAMHSA Listed: Yes

Contact Information

(352) 499-1966

Website

14835 SE 85th Street
Ocklawaha, FL 32179

Get Help Now - 407-204-9068

Who Answers?

Fact checked and written by:

Johanna Rafael-Huertas

Edited by:

Courtney Myers, MS

Reviews of The Refuge, A Healing Place

3.6/5 (169 reviews)

Google Reviews

3.6 (169 reviews)

3 weeks ago

Response from the owner3 weeks ago

Kalee Hansen

1 month ago

2 months ago

Response from the owner2 months ago

Debra Walston

Oh, where to begin about the Refuge. My son, a 31-year-old recovering addict with and eating disorder and PTSD trauma was sent to the Refuge upon release from a hospital in SC that recommended continued higher level care. The refuge was supposed to be THE place. He was there for about a week, week in a half when his therapist Scott Ledford said that he needed higher level care than they offered, as he was taking up too much of Scott's time and he couldn t focus on other things. Scott and my son called me together to discuss this. Scott kept telling my son that he was going to a higher level of care for a few days/weeks until he was stable and would be coming back to the Refuge to work with him because he was" damn good" at what he did and could help him through all his trauma. Well, my son was sent to The Vines, which was awesome BTW, with only the clothes on his back. The Refuge kept his belongings at their facility. As I said Scott told Chase and I that he would be returning to them. Well upon release to The Vines, he was told by Jill also from The Refuge, I don't know how she fits into the picture, that he would not be returning. Anyway, my husband and I called and emailed The Refuge various times to find out what was going on, why he couldn't come back and inquiring about his belongings. They never returned a call or email. We contacted his therapist-Scott, Jill, the Case Management Supervisor-Ellen Mendez, and left messages with the front desk on many occasions all to no avail. My son was at the Vines, feeling horrible about himself, thinking that he was a bad person and had done something wrong and we could not get answers from The Refuge. Upon release from The Vines, who had my son stable in just over a week, my son and husband were told that The Refuge is notorious for getting tired of working with patients that need a little extra care, signing a Baker Act on them, sending them elsewhere, and not letting them return. My son, hearing this, finally got some relief knowing that it was not just him or something he did. The Refuge's action was deplorable. To put a person suffering with mental health issues through even more trauma is cruel to say the least. The day my son was release from the Vines, my husband called The Refuge again regarding his belongings, they advised that they had taken them to the Vines the night before. The Refuge never once asked how my son was doing, again just unacceptable. This shows how little they really care about their patients and their wellbeing. On a side note, my son turned 31 while at The Vines. We had sent birthday presents to The Refuge prior to his discharge to The Vines and we were told that they would take them to him because he was just down the street. Well, this finally happened the night before his release. Receiving these items on his birthday would have meant the world to my son with everything he was going through. So let me finish by saying that I would not recommend The Refuge to anyone suffering from mental heath issues as they obviously cannot handle the higher lever of care and trauma that they proclaim to be damn good at.

Thank you so much for your willingness to share this feedback, as any and all feedback is extremely important to the work we do. We are concerned by the statements made and would be truly grateful if we could have a chance to gather more information. Please contact us by emailing FeedBack@TheRefuge-AHealingPlace.com so that we can speak directly. We want to ensure that we fully understand all of the concerns.

Shannon Vanloozen

Therapists were AMAZING. Grounds were absolutely stunning and the food was very good. Cabins are clean and very comfortable. Case Managers need to take a few classes on empathy and communication. The medical director needs his license reviewed or revoked. The rest of the medical staff were very kind, compassionate, and competent. My treatment was not for substance abuse, so I can not comment on the therapy or treatment about that, but for Trauma and PTSD/ Anxiety the place is wonderful.

We appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts. Thank you.

David Schweinhagen

3 months ago

You share your pain in large group settings and there is no healing just constant stories of new patients pain stories! Honey Lake Clinic is where you need to go! Very small councilor settings with many psychologist one on one meetings a week with God centered healing!

Response from the owner6 months ago

Allison Salter

4 months ago

Justyce DeGraw

i went here from early march to late april 2024 and it s taken me a while to truly process the experience. this place overwhelmed me. it has great therapy and good therapists. it helped me in some ways. it made me realize what i had been through was not normal and that lead me onto my path of healing. i also met the best friend i could have ever asked for here, so overall a good experience and im glad i went. beautiful scenery and good food, i think its a good place to heal and process your trauma. make sure you are ready for it though, it is rough getting used to at first.

Response from the owner4 months ago

Thank you for taking the time to leave this feedback! Our priority is always to make a positive difference by offering treatment that results in lasting healing.

Tyler Ritch

Highest quality treatment facility I've been to. Truly a healing place.

We are so grateful for your feedback! Thank you! At The Refuge, our goal is to offer a place of respite where true healing can begin.

Sam Johnson

Julia Levy

Built next to a firing range. Most of the security cameras don t work, except the camera in the fire alarm in the cabins which you are told does not exist. My first day I was harassed by the IT guy reported it nothing was done.

We truly value your feedback, and we thank you for sharing your concerns. However, we are troubled by what we have read and feel that it is important for us to gather more details so that we can best understand the circumstances. Please consider reaching out to us by emailing FeedBack@TheRefuge-AHealingPlace.com so that we can speak directly.

Overall Experience

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