Thelma McMillen Recovery Center building exterior

The Thelma McMillen Recovery Center at Torrance Memorial is the South Bay’s leading hospital-based outpatient alcohol and drug treatment center dedicated to helping community members return to a full and rewarding life. For over 30 years, our program has allowed our clients to get clean and sober while continuing to work, live within the family home, recover in their normal environment and learn to develop a healthy lifestyle.

Through customized treatment plans, experienced staff support and evidence-based outpatient treatment, our center offers a comprehensive program accepted by most insurance plans that helps teens and adults recover and successfully break free from the destructive patterns of substance use, abuse and addiction.

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smiling couple Adult Program

Designed for adults who are ready to get clean and sober within the framework of their real lives.

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teen in counselingTeen Program

Seeking early intervention for substance use, abuse and addiction is an important step toward your teen’s recovery and ongoing wellness.

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Testimonials

"Thelma McMillen was my home. It's where I felt safe to be."

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Services & Programs

Intensive Outpatient Program

Our three-phase intensive outpatient program is specially designed for adults and teens who need a structured program to get back on a healthy path, but who do not require inpatient care. Our patients may choose either a daytime or evening program to accommodate their schedule, allowing them to continue attending work or school and living at home while receiving the support they need to get — and stay — clean and sober within the framework of their everyday lives.

Our adult program typically lasts nine months and our teen program typically lasts six months, but patients have the option to continue with the program for as long as they wish. Our program uses a cognitive behavioral therapy approach to recovery and is divided into three phases:

  • Phase I - Intensive Care
  • Phase II - Transitional Care
  • Phase III - Continuing Care

Individual Therapy

During individual therapy, patients will meet one-on-one with an experienced mental health professional who will use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other highly effective, proven therapeutic techniques like motivational interviewing to provide personalized recovery support. CBT helps patients to identify and change destructive thinking patterns so they can learn to respond to difficult or stressful situations in a more constructive way. We use the latest evidence-based techniques and methods to help our patients achieve their goal of getting — and staying — clean and sober.

Depending on each patient’s needs, individual therapy will be combined with group and/or family counseling — as well as education, mentoring and support programs — to promote a successful recovery.

Group Therapy

Group therapy can sound intimating for some but it’s OK to feel that way – we are not going to force you to talk if you are not ready. Our groups are a safe place for you to share and learn from others. Most people struggling with addiction or mental illness feel they have no support system but in our program, group therapy is a place to meet people dealing with similar hardships.

During group therapy, patients will meet with other group members and an experienced mental health professional who will teach cognitive behavioral therapy and other highly effective, proven therapeutic techniques such as motivational interviewing. We offer a wide range of specialized group therapy options, including opioid process and education, trauma education, and multi-family counseling.

Alumni Community

We care about the continued success of our valued alumni, and our staff has developed an exceptionally strong alumni program. We offer relapse prevention programs and weekly aftercare sessions that provide ongoing support for patients who complete intensive outpatient treatment. Our center also participates in outreach and is a presence in the local 12-step community. Click here to learn more.

Medication Assisted Therapy

Our team recognizes that people who use, abuse or are addicted to opioids have unique treatment needs and require specialized care to address triggers, use patterns and withdrawal symptoms. Our dedicated providers have the knowledge and experience required to assist patients in managing medications that are used to treat addiction and a variety of mental health conditions.

Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) uses a combination of medications, counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy to treat substance use, abuse and addiction disorders. MAT is especially beneficial for patients who are struggling with addiction or misuse of opioids, including heroin and prescription pain relief medications such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. MAT may also benefit patients who take medication for underlying or co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety, trauma and depression.

Integrated Recovery Care

Our staff at the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center understand that recovery from drug and alcohol use, abuse or addiction is a physical, social and psychological journey. To provide the highest level of outpatient recovery care and promote overall well-being, we offer a variety of programs designed to heal the mind, body and spirit, including:

  • Yoga
  • Fitness center access
  • Art therapy
  • Mindfulness training
  • Nutritional counseling
  • Stress reduction programs
  • Mentoring
  • Relationship and communication skills training
  • Coping skills training

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