About MTN Rehab
Compassionate, evidence-based addiction treatment in the heart of Downey, California
Our Story
MTN Rehab was founded with a singular, unwavering conviction: that every person struggling with addiction deserves access to compassionate, clinically rigorous treatment in an environment designed for genuine healing. Our founders, a group of addiction medicine physicians, licensed clinical social workers, and individuals in long-term recovery themselves, witnessed firsthand the gap between the care people needed and the care that was readily available in Southern California. Too many families in Downey, Los Angeles County, and the surrounding communities were cycling through programs that treated symptoms without addressing root causes, or that discharged patients back into the same circumstances that fueled their substance use in the first place. MTN Rehab was built to break that cycle.
Since opening our doors at 8335 Firestone Blvd in Downey, California, we have grown from a small residential program into a comprehensive addiction treatment center offering medical detox, residential inpatient care, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programming, and robust aftercare planning. Every expansion has been guided by the same principle that launched us: clinical excellence wrapped in deep human compassion. Our campus has been intentionally designed to feel more like a healing retreat than a clinical facility. From sunlit common areas and private rooms to our meditation garden and fitness center, every detail reflects our belief that the physical environment shapes the recovery experience. We have invested in our staff just as heavily as our facilities, maintaining one of the lowest client-to-counselor ratios in the region so that every individual who walks through our doors receives the personalized attention their recovery demands.
Over the years, MTN Rehab has helped thousands of individuals and families reclaim their lives from the grip of alcohol and drug addiction. We have treated executives, first responders, parents, young adults, veterans, and healthcare professionals, adapting our evidence-based programming to meet each person where they are. Our alumni network, which gathers regularly for peer support meetings and community events right here in Downey, is a living testament to the fact that sustained recovery is not only possible but thriving. We remain committed to advancing the field through ongoing clinical research partnerships, staff continuing-education mandates, and community outreach programs that reduce stigma and expand access to treatment across Southern California.
Our Mission
To deliver medically supervised, person-centered addiction treatment that addresses the whole individual, mind, body, and spirit, empowering lasting recovery and renewed purpose for every client and family we serve.
Our mission extends beyond the walls of our Downey campus. We believe that addiction is a chronic medical condition, not a moral failing, and that effective treatment must integrate the latest neuroscience, behavioral health research, and trauma-informed practices with genuine warmth and unconditional regard. We measure our success not by beds filled but by lives transformed, families reunited, and communities strengthened.
Our Core Values
The principles that guide every decision, treatment plan, and interaction at MTN Rehab
Compassion First
We meet every client with empathy, dignity, and unconditional positive regard. Addiction carries enough shame; our role is to replace judgment with genuine care and create a safe space where healing can begin. Every staff member, from our medical team to our kitchen staff, is trained to approach each individual with warmth and understanding.
Clinical Excellence
Our treatment protocols are grounded in peer-reviewed research and updated continuously. We employ board-certified addiction medicine physicians, licensed therapists, and certified counselors who engage in mandatory continuing education. Every care decision is informed by data, guided by best practices, and tailored to the individual.
Whole-Person Healing
Addiction rarely exists in isolation. We treat the complete person by addressing co-occurring mental health conditions, physical wellness, nutritional needs, family dynamics, and spiritual wellbeing. Our integrated care model ensures that no aspect of a client's health is overlooked during treatment or aftercare planning.
Integrity & Trust
Transparency is foundational to everything we do. From honest conversations about treatment expectations to clear, upfront insurance verification and billing, we build trust through consistent ethical conduct. Our HIPAA-compliant practices protect every client's privacy and confidentiality without exception.
Our Treatment Approach
A comprehensive, evidence-based philosophy that integrates proven clinical modalities with holistic healing practices
Treatment Philosophy
At MTN Rehab, we recognize that addiction is a complex, chronic brain disorder influenced by genetics, environment, trauma, and co-occurring mental health conditions. Our treatment philosophy rejects the one-size-fits-all approach in favor of highly individualized care plans developed collaboratively between client, family, and a multidisciplinary clinical team. From the moment a client arrives at our Downey campus, our admissions counselors and medical staff conduct thorough biopsychosocial assessments to identify the unique constellation of factors driving each individual's substance use. This comprehensive intake process forms the foundation of a personalized treatment roadmap that evolves as the client progresses through detox, residential care, and step-down programming.
We integrate evidence-based psychotherapies with medical management, experiential modalities, and peer support to address addiction at every level: neurological, psychological, social, and spiritual. Our clinical team continuously monitors outcomes, adjusting treatment intensity and modalities based on each client's response. This adaptive, data-driven approach ensures that care remains targeted, efficient, and responsive to the realities of recovery, which is never a straight line. Discharge planning begins on day one, because lasting recovery depends on a robust aftercare framework that supports the client long after they leave our facility.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Our licensed therapists use CBT to help clients identify and restructure the distorted thought patterns and maladaptive beliefs that fuel addictive behaviors. Through structured sessions, clients learn to recognize triggers, challenge automatic negative thoughts, and develop healthier cognitive frameworks. CBT equips individuals with practical coping strategies they can deploy in real-world situations, making it one of the most effective tools for relapse prevention. At MTN Rehab, CBT is woven into both individual and group settings, allowing clients to practice new skills in a supportive, clinician-guided environment on our Downey campus.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Originally developed for borderline personality disorder, DBT has proven remarkably effective for clients with addiction and co-occurring emotional dysregulation. Our DBT-trained clinicians teach four core skill sets: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills are especially valuable for clients who use substances to manage overwhelming emotions, trauma responses, or relationship conflicts. DBT sessions at MTN Rehab include individual coaching, skills training groups, and between-session phone support, creating a comprehensive learning experience that builds resilience from the inside out.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is a cornerstone of our treatment model because addiction thrives in isolation. Our facilitated groups bring together clients at various stages of recovery to share experiences, provide mutual support, and practice interpersonal skills in a safe, confidential setting. Group topics include relapse prevention, anger management, grief and loss, healthy relationships, and life skills development. Our experienced group facilitators create a container of trust where clients can be vulnerable, offer feedback to peers, and discover that they are not alone in their struggles. The bonds formed in group therapy often become the foundation of a lifelong support network.
Individual Counseling
Every client at MTN Rehab is assigned a primary therapist who provides weekly one-on-one counseling sessions throughout their stay. Individual therapy offers a private, confidential space to explore deeply personal issues such as childhood trauma, unresolved grief, relationship dysfunction, and shame, topics that may feel too vulnerable for a group setting. Our therapists draw from multiple modalities including motivational interviewing, psychodynamic therapy, and EMDR to customize each session to the client's needs. The therapeutic alliance formed in individual counseling is often cited by alumni as one of the most transformative elements of their treatment experience.
Family Therapy
Addiction affects the entire family system, not just the individual using substances. Our licensed family therapists work with clients and their loved ones to repair damaged relationships, improve communication patterns, establish healthy boundaries, and build a home environment that supports long-term recovery. Family sessions may include couples counseling, parent-child reconnection work, and psychoeducation about the disease model of addiction. We also offer a dedicated family program that provides education, support groups, and individual counseling for spouses, parents, and siblings, recognizing that the family's healing is integral to the client's sustained sobriety.
12-Step Facilitation
While MTN Rehab is not exclusively a 12-Step program, we recognize the profound value that fellowships such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous offer to individuals in recovery. Our clinical team integrates 12-Step principles into treatment for clients who resonate with this framework, facilitating step work, sponsorship connections, and attendance at local meetings throughout the Downey and greater Los Angeles area. For clients who prefer secular or alternative peer support models, we offer SMART Recovery integration and Refuge Recovery options, ensuring that every individual has access to a community-based support system that aligns with their values.
Holistic Therapies
Healing from addiction requires more than talk therapy and medication management. Our holistic programming addresses the mind-body connection through yoga, guided meditation, breathwork, art therapy, music therapy, equine-assisted therapy, and nutritional counseling. These experiential modalities help clients reconnect with their bodies, process emotions non-verbally, reduce stress and anxiety, and discover new sources of joy and meaning that replace the role substances once played. Our meditation garden and dedicated yoga studio on the Downey campus provide serene environments where clients can cultivate mindfulness practices they will carry into their lives long after treatment.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Board-certified clinicians and compassionate leaders dedicated to guiding your recovery journey
Dr. Rebecca Hartfield
Executive DirectorDr. Hartfield brings over 18 years of experience in addiction medicine and behavioral health administration to MTN Rehab. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from UCLA and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in addiction treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Before founding MTN Rehab's leadership team, she served as clinical director at two JCAHO-accredited treatment centers in Southern California. Dr. Hartfield's vision for compassionate, whole-person care shapes every program, policy, and hiring decision at our Downey facility. She is a published researcher in dual-diagnosis treatment outcomes and a regular speaker at national addiction medicine conferences.
Dr. Marcus Ellison, MD
Medical DirectorDr. Ellison is a board-certified addiction medicine physician and psychiatrist who oversees all medical operations at MTN Rehab. He graduated from the Keck School of Medicine at USC and completed his psychiatry residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, followed by an addiction medicine fellowship at the Betty Ford Center. With expertise in medication-assisted treatment (MAT), medically managed detoxification, and psychopharmacology for co-occurring disorders, Dr. Ellison ensures that every client receives safe, medically sound care from admission through discharge. He maintains active hospital privileges and supervises our nursing and medical support staff.
Vanessa Morales, LCSW, LCDC
Clinical DirectorVanessa Morales leads MTN Rehab's clinical programming with a rare combination of academic rigor and lived recovery experience. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and is dually licensed as a clinical social worker and chemical dependency counselor. Vanessa has over 14 years of experience designing and implementing trauma-informed treatment curricula for adults with substance use disorders, co-occurring mental illness, and histories of complex trauma. She oversees all therapists, counselors, and case managers at our Downey campus, ensuring treatment fidelity, clinical supervision standards, and continuous quality improvement across every program track.
Our Clinical Staff
Beyond our leadership team, MTN Rehab employs a multidisciplinary roster of over 40 dedicated professionals who bring diverse expertise and genuine passion to the recovery process. Every member of our clinical staff undergoes extensive background checks, credentialing verification, and ongoing professional development to ensure the highest standard of care.
- Board-Certified Addiction Medicine Physicians (MD/DO)
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC)
- Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN)
- Certified Peer Recovery Specialists
- Licensed Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
- Registered Dietitians and Nutritional Counselors
- Certified Yoga Instructors and Mindfulness Coaches
Our Campus & Amenities
A healing environment designed to nurture recovery in comfort and dignity on our Downey, California campus
Private Rooms
Each client is provided with a comfortable, fully furnished private or semi-private room featuring premium bedding, ample closet space, natural lighting, and a private bathroom. Rooms are cleaned daily by our housekeeping staff and designed to feel like a restful personal sanctuary, ensuring clients have the quiet solitude they need for reflection and rest throughout their recovery journey at MTN Rehab.
Gourmet Meals
Our in-house chef and registered dietitian collaborate to prepare three nutritious, chef-crafted meals daily plus healthy snacks available around the clock. Menus rotate weekly and accommodate all dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and halal options. Proper nutrition is a critical component of physical recovery from substance use, and our culinary program ensures clients receive balanced, delicious meals that fuel their healing.
Fitness Center
Our state-of-the-art fitness center features cardio equipment, free weights, resistance machines, and a dedicated stretching area. Physical exercise has been clinically shown to reduce cravings, improve mood, and accelerate neurological recovery from substance use. Our certified personal trainers design individualized fitness programs for clients at all fitness levels, and group exercise classes are offered daily to build community and healthy habits.
Yoga Studio
Our dedicated yoga studio provides a tranquil space for daily yoga sessions ranging from gentle restorative flows to more vigorous vinyasa practices. Led by certified yoga instructors who specialize in trauma-sensitive yoga, each class integrates breathwork, mindful movement, and meditation to help clients reconnect with their bodies, manage stress, and develop self-regulation skills that support lasting sobriety.
Meditation Garden
Our beautifully landscaped meditation garden offers a serene outdoor retreat where clients can practice mindfulness, journal, or simply enjoy moments of quiet contemplation. Featuring comfortable seating areas, a water feature, native California plantings, and shaded walking paths, the meditation garden provides a natural sanctuary for stress relief and spiritual connection throughout the treatment experience.
Swimming Pool
Our heated swimming pool offers clients a refreshing outlet for physical activity and relaxation. Aquatic exercise is low-impact yet highly effective for reducing anxiety, improving cardiovascular health, and promoting overall wellbeing. Pool hours are available daily under lifeguard supervision, and water-based activities such as aqua aerobics are incorporated into our holistic wellness programming at the Downey campus.
Recreation Room
Our spacious recreation room serves as a communal gathering space where clients can build sober social connections through activities such as board games, billiards, movie nights, and informal peer support conversations. Structured recreational programming helps clients rediscover enjoyment in substance-free activities, rebuild social skills, and practice the interpersonal communication strategies learned in therapy.
Art Therapy Room
Our fully equipped art therapy room provides a creative outlet for emotional expression and processing. Under the guidance of a licensed art therapist, clients explore painting, drawing, sculpting, and mixed media as vehicles for expressing feelings that may be difficult to articulate verbally. Art therapy has been shown to reduce trauma symptoms, improve self-esteem, and provide clients with a healthy, ongoing creative practice for life after treatment.
Family Visiting Area
We understand that family involvement is essential to the recovery process. Our dedicated family visiting area features comfortable seating, private consultation rooms, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere designed to facilitate meaningful reconnection between clients and their loved ones. Family visiting days are scheduled regularly, and our family therapists are available to facilitate sessions and provide support during visits at our Downey facility.
Recovery Stories
Real voices from real people whose lives were transformed at MTN Rehab in Downey, California
When I arrived at MTN Rehab, I had been battling a prescription opioid addiction for nearly seven years. My family was falling apart, and I had lost all hope that recovery was possible. From my very first day at the Downey campus, the medical team made me feel safe during detox, and my therapist helped me uncover the chronic pain and trauma that had been driving my substance use. The CBT and individual counseling sessions gave me tools I use every single day. I am now 26 months sober, back to work, and my relationship with my children is stronger than it has ever been. MTN Rehab did not just save my life; they gave me a life worth living.
Residential Treatment & Medical Detox ProgramI was skeptical about treatment because I had been to two other facilities before and relapsed both times. What made MTN Rehab different was the dual diagnosis approach. For the first time, someone recognized that my alcohol addiction was intertwined with untreated anxiety and depression. Dr. Ellison and the psychiatric team got my medication right, and the DBT skills group taught me how to manage my emotions without reaching for a drink. The Downey campus itself felt like a retreat. The yoga studio became my sanctuary, and the meditation garden is where I finally learned to sit with uncomfortable feelings instead of numbing them. I am 14 months sober and have never felt more grounded in my life.
Dual Diagnosis & Intensive Outpatient ProgramMy cocaine and alcohol addiction cost me my marriage, my career in finance, and nearly my life. I checked into MTN Rehab's residential program at 42 years old, broken and terrified. The family therapy program was a turning point for me. Vanessa Morales and her team helped me and my ex-wife have the most honest conversations we had ever had. While we did not reconcile our marriage, we built a healthy co-parenting relationship for our two kids, which matters more than anything. The 12-Step facilitation connected me with an incredible sponsor right here in Downey, and the group therapy sessions showed me I was not alone. Today I am 19 months clean, thriving in a new career, and present for every one of my children's milestones.
Residential Treatment & Family Therapy ProgramAs a registered nurse, I never imagined I would need addiction treatment myself. My Vicodin addiction started after a workplace injury and spiraled quickly. I was terrified of losing my nursing license and my reputation. MTN Rehab treated me with complete confidentiality and zero judgment. The holistic therapies, especially art therapy and yoga, helped me process shame I had been carrying for years. The individualized treatment plan addressed both my physical dependence and the perfectionism that made me afraid to ask for help. I completed the full continuum from detox through their outpatient program, and their aftercare team still checks in with me regularly. I am one year sober and back at work with a monitoring agreement. MTN Rehab understood my profession-specific challenges, and that made all the difference.
Medical Detox & Holistic Wellness TrackI started using methamphetamine at 19, and by 24 I was homeless in Los Angeles County. My parents found MTN Rehab in Downey and convinced me to give treatment one more chance. The moment I walked in, I felt the compassion that sets this place apart from every other facility I had encountered. The staff remembered my name, my counselor actually listened, and the food was better than anything I had eaten in years. The group therapy sessions helped me form real friendships with people who understood what I was going through, and several of those guys are still my closest friends. The fitness center and recreation room gave me healthy ways to spend my time instead of chasing a high. I am now 22 months clean, enrolled in community college, and volunteering at a local shelter. MTN Rehab showed me that I am worth fighting for.
Long-Term Residential & Aftercare Program