FAQ

treatment of alcohol and drug dependence including detox and withdrawal from drugs and alcohol; prescription drugs
treatment for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression;
management of chronic pain; grief and loss
treatment for general stress and post traumatic stress disorder;
treatment for eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorders;
weight management programs;
family programs or family involvement in programs; and
stop smoking programs; gambling addiction

Where is The Sanctuary?

We are located in Byron Bay, New South Wales, one of the most beautiful regions in Australia and renowned by indigenous Australians prior to white settlement as a powerful place of healing. For confidentiality and privacy reasons, The Sanctuary is not in one specific place. Each client has their own privately leased home and all properties are secretly scattered across the beachfront in Byron and secluded estates in the hinterland.

Cape Byron is Australia’s most easterly point, located on the north coast of New South Wales, approximately 800kms north of Sydney and 175kms south of Brisbane. Airports are located in Ballina (30 mins south) for domestic flights or Coolangatta (60 mins north) and Brisbane for international flights.

With average summer temperatures of 21-28C and average winter temperatures of 15C-21C, those who visit The Sanctuary can take advantage of the many enjoyable outdoor activities Byron has to offer.

What do we do at The Sanctuary?

At The Sanctuary we tailor treatment programmes to address the specific needs and issues of the individual client concerned. Specifically, we take into account the client’s: personal issues; relevant historical background; co-existing psychological issues such as depression and anxiety; ways of being and relating to the world; and relationship difficulties.

Our programmes are created on a client by client basis by renowned professionals from a range of healing modalities, working as a team to create a customised treatment plan with the aim of restoring optimum health within an intensive time-frame. Our multidisciplinary team, specialising in the best of both Eastern and Western healing modalities, includes: general practitioners, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, psychotherapists, nurses, naturopaths, dieticians, physiotherapists, shiatsu practitioners, yoga and meditation instructors, massage therapists, personal trainers, personal chefs and 24 hour carers. Our entire team liaises daily, observing the changing needs of the client, and making adjustments to their programme as needed in order to reflect the growth of the client and to move them to the next level of healing in the shortest possible time.

How does The Sanctuary differ from other rehabilitation programmes?

See how we are Unique.

What does a person do if they want to attend The Sanctuary?

In order to attend The Sanctuary the potential client first needs to contact us either via email at info@sanctuarybb.com, by telephone at +61 2 6639 8888 or by visiting our website at www.sanctuarybb.com and completing either the Expression of Interest Form. The first point of contact at The Sanctuary will be our Director, Michael Goldberg. Michael will speak to the potential client over the phone in order to gather information relating to their personal background and their problem. He will also explain our programme in further detail, including our programme costs.

Michael will then schedule a phone consultation with our Clinical Consultant. During that consultation our Clinical Consultant will discuss with the potential client their needs and what can be achieved in various time frames. The client’s programme will be tailored so it fits into their particular schedule and to ensure their goals are achievable during their stay. Our Clinical Consultant will also discuss with the client the preparations required for the period immediately after their stay, including the possibility of an aftercare programme. Family or significant others are also invited to participate in some aspects of the programme, however, this is assessed on a case-by-case basis and will also be discussed during the consultation.

After the phone consultation with our Clinical Consultant, the client is given some time to think about and discuss their options with their family, significant others and/or friends. They can then call The Sanctuary office and arrangements will be made to schedule their arrival.

How long do people usually stay at The Sanctuary?

Each client’s programme length and structure is devised after their phone consultation with our Clinical Consultant and it varies according to their individual needs and issues. We adopt a flexible approach and we work around family and work commitments whenever possible. We are able to meet each client’s preferred beginning and end dates with greater personal responsiveness than other programmes which have a set beginning and end date.

Can partners or children attend The Sanctuary?

Family or significant others are invited to participate in some aspects of the client’s programme, however, this is assessed on a case-by-case basis and will also be discussed during the client’s consultation with our Clinical Consultant. Similarly, if a client has young children and would like to bring them to The Sanctuary, our Clinical Consultant will make an assessment based on the individual circumstances of the particular client concerned.

Does The Sanctuary do Couples Therapy?

If our Clinical Consultant decides it is therapeutically beneficial for the client’s partner to take part in their programme, and providing both parties agree, couples therapy sessions will be scheduled.

Does the Sanctuary only take certain age groups?

No, The Sanctuary caters to all age groups, having had clients ranging from 16 to 70 years of age. We tailor programmes based on the client’s individual circumstances, including their stage of life.

What conditions and issues has The Sanctuary treated?

We have treated a wide range of issues for a wide range of clients. These include, but are not limited to: anxiety, depression, trauma including post traumatic stress disorder, chronic-stress, alcoholism, various drug addictions, gambling addiction, sex addiction, work addiction, eating disorders, relationship issues, grief issues, exhaustion and chronic pain. We have also assisted clients with mental health issues such as obsessive compulsive disorder and borderline personality disorder as well as clients with neurological issues including brain injuries.

Does The Sanctuary have disabled access?

If a client is in need of disabled access we will organise a house which satisfies those requirements. We will also tailor the client’s programme specifically taking into account those specific needs.

How does The Sanctuary ensure confidentiality for its clients?

The Sanctuary prides itself on providing our clients, who come from all corners of the globe, with anonymity and exclusivity. Our operations are structured to ensure unsurpassed privacy and confidentiality for our clients. Each client is housed in their own private home with no obvious connection to a treatment facility and our properties are privately leased on a rotating basis under a pseudo-name. No-one outside The Sanctuary has access to the details of our clients and all our employees and contractors are bound by strict confidentiality agreements and trained to respond to media inquiries with no comment. Additional security measures can be requested by particularly prominent or famous clientele to further assist in guaranteeing anonymity.

What happens if someone is not able to attend The Sanctuary?

We fully respect and understand some people will not be in a position to attend The Sanctuary. It is the Sanctuary’s protocol that when a person contacts us we try to ensure they get assistance somewhere, either with us or through a referral. If a client is unable to attend our programme for any reason, Michael will assist them by referring them to other appropriate treatment facilities in their area.

Testimonials

“I never thought that I would overcome my drug addiction especially as I refused to go to a rehabilitation centre. The last thing I wanted to do was sit around with drug addicts or alcoholics, discussing my personal drug abuse and addiction issues. The Sanctuary offered me a complete inpatient rehabilitation program, that was private and completely confidential, and in a luxury setting. I am forever grateful to the therapeutic team at The Sanctuary and for the respectful and dignified treatment that I received……” JB 43 years old

THE SANCTUARY BYRON BAY

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is The Sanctuary?