Adult Program
The Thelma McMillen Recovery Center at Torrance Memorial offers an intensive outpatient program for adults who are ready to begin recovery from alcohol or drug addiction while continuing to live and work within their everyday environment.
Our program combines individual, group and family counseling with educational, mentoring and support services designed to promote long-term recovery and wellness.
Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to creating a comprehensive and personalized treatment program that meets the unique needs of each individual.
Your experienced support team may include psychiatrists, psychologists, addictionologists, counselors, family therapists and support staff.
About Our Program
Our adult outpatient program is specially designed for clients age 18 and older who need an intensive, structured treatment program but do not require inpatient care.
Patients may choose either a daytime or evening program to accommodate work, school and family schedules while continuing to live at home and recover within their community.
The program is designed to help clients get — and stay — clean and sober with ongoing professional support and evidence-based care.
The team at the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center provides a combination of individual, group and family counseling to deliver the highest level of recovery care.
Our staff has also developed a strong alumni program that provides continued support for clients who complete the intensive outpatient program.
The center actively participates in outreach efforts and maintains a presence within the local 12-step recovery community.
We are affiliated with Torrance Memorial Medical Center and supported by the McMillen Family Foundation.
Clients receive consistent, affordable and personalized care from experienced professionals who follow evidence-based treatment guidelines — all in a safe, stable and confidential environment.
How We Can Help
- Identify alcohol and/or drug misuse, abuse and addiction and provide expert treatment
- Address underlying disorders such as anxiety, depression, trauma or other mental health conditions, when needed
- Provide support for adults and their families throughout recovery
- Help adults develop effective coping strategies for stress and other life challenges
- Help prevent unintended consequences of substance misuse, including relationship difficulties, legal concerns and health complications
- Help adults break patterns of substance abuse and build strong support systems within their community
What to Expect
Our experienced providers will perform a confidential, one-on-one assessment at no charge to determine whether you or someone you know may be abusing or dependent on drugs or alcohol.
If our intake specialists determine that outpatient treatment is appropriate, we will create a personalized and comprehensive treatment plan.
Guidance will also be provided if inpatient treatment is recommended.
After the initial screening, our staff nurse will complete a health screening.
You may also meet with one of our consulting psychiatrists to discuss your specific treatment needs.
Outpatient treatment may not be effective if the client has an unstable home environment, limited support system or is unable to remain substance-free for at least 24 hours.
Our affordable, confidential program typically lasts nine months and is divided into three phases:
- Phase I — Intensive Care: Attend treatment five days a week for approximately six to eight weeks.
- Phase II — Transitional Care: Attend treatment four days a week for approximately four to six weeks, with the goal of gradually tapering down to weekly treatment sessions during the final phase.
- Phase III — Continuing Care: Attend treatment once weekly, typically for six months.
Throughout the program, clients continue working, attending school and living at home while recovering within their everyday environment.
Participants are encouraged to maintain relationships with their physicians, psychologists and counselors while building a healthy social support network.
Our program also provides practical strategies to help manage stress and other life concerns in healthy ways.
We offer individual family and multi-family counseling to address communication, conflict resolution and healthy boundaries.
During treatment, adults and their families are encouraged to participate in additional community-based support programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), SMART Recovery and spiritual care resources.
Many self-help groups traditionally meet on the Torrance Memorial campus, though meeting availability may vary.
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention Group
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention combines traditional relapse prevention techniques with mindfulness practices to help manage cravings, triggers and the risk of relapse.
Through mindfulness exercises focused on awareness of thoughts, emotions and body sensations, participants learn how to acknowledge discomfort without immediately reacting to it.
This compassionate, evidence-based approach emphasizes acceptance, self-awareness and openness rather than shame or guilt.
