Women’s Flagship

At Synergy Houses, the phase system is put in place in order to guide residents through necessary steps that both take the time necessary to acclimate their transition into the house as well as hold them accountable for their progress in the program and their role in the community. There are four phases in the system and progression through each phase is dependent on each individual resident’s commitment to their own personal growth, advancement through the 12 steps, and leadership development in the house. The evolution and growth of each resident through the phase system is consistent with the fundamental values that Synergy Houses is based upon: community, process, and accountability.

Welcome Phase (Phase W)

Phase W or the Welcome Phase is the first step towards a successful recovery process at Synergy. Based as an introductory phase, residents in Phase W spend time adjusting to the house environment, getting to know other residents, and devoting themselves to the program. This helps create a base of understanding how they will benefit from their own demonstrated hard work. Over the 10 days of Phase W, Synergy staff will work with new residents in order to set up IOP, meetings with potential sponsors, begin discussions on adding structure and lay a foundation that encompasses various aspects of what a successful recovery looks like. We believe that each resident is unique, and their experience at Synergy will reflect their specific needs.

The success of our residents is based on our ability to help them create customized playbooks catered to their goals. Phase W is a proven discovery process where the outcome is each resident’s playbook. Additionally residents will experience:

Acclimation to the community
Engaged in 12 step recovery
Coordinate and case manage counseling

Following Phase W, Phase 1 status is earned when residents demonstrate ability to follow guidelines, engage a sponsor, and exhibit a commitment to the process at Synergy. It is essential in recovery to establish a healthy lifestyle and a structured routine in which residents are able to acclimate themselves both in the house and in the greater community.

Incorporate healthy living habits
Live a daily routine
Connect with staff
Demonstrate the ability to balance increasing responsibility

Phase 2 status is earned and residents in this phase are considered “senior house members”. In order to earn this standing, residents must have:

Consistent employment and/or school
Be committed to a service organization
Begin working on Step 4
Be in accordance with the Synergy program
Exhibited aspects of leadership in the house
Grasped a more permanent dedication to their personal and professional growth
Lead by example

Phase 3 status is earned when residents have all of the following:

At least 6 months of sobriety
Are on at least Step 8
Achieve expectations
Guide newcomers
Dedicated to their own recovery
Begin planning a realistic and healthy transition to total independence

Services

Case Management

Case managers actively support resident’s recovery and life goals

On-site Staffing

Staff is present to support residents and drive positive decision making. All staff are paid.

Meals

Synergy provides all meals and snacks for residents.

Drug Testing

Residents are frequently tested via urinalysis panel testing and alcohol detection devices.

Medication Observation

Residents are required to remain medication compliant. All residents have access to locked medication boxes in our office. Staff will observe.

Court Advocacy

Synergy provides endless support to highlight the transformation and success of our residents to the courts

Clinical Reference and Communication

Synergy is tapped into an incredible network of therapists and psychiatrists. We will always help residents access amazing care. Our process is flexible to work alongside any outpatient or private practice group. We record daily notes of all residents and provide detailed reports to our resident’s clinical support network.

Educational and Vocational Support

Our goal is for all residents to enter life after Synergy with the skills to be independent. Synergy staff support residents with budgeting, job searching, employment opportunity, interview preparation, resume building, educational support, etc.

House Programming

We host regular in person recovery-based meetings. These include 12-step based meetings, reflection meetings, and small groups run by different facilitators.

Activities

The recovery process at Synergy is rooted in the transformative aspects of an individual’s recovery journey, which includes fun! During the week, residents are encouraged to participate in impromptu activities like a group run or walk, community service, or house game nights that cater to spontaneous moments of connection, fostering a supportive and vibrant community. On the weekends, planned activities provide residents with a range of engaging options like paddleboarding, hiking, fishing, paintball, bowling, or a trip to the movies where residents can embrace an enriching and uplifting journey towards sobriety.

Key elements of Women’s Flagship Program

A principal aspect of programming at Synergy is individual case management based on the past, present, and future of each resident. Encompassing circumstances based on legal action, educational advancements, and future employment, Synergy staff are devoted to meeting the needs of each individual resident. Synergy is based largely upon process and staff support through case management which is fundamental to meaningful resident outcomes. Staff will maintain communication with residents throughout their journeys as they begin planning their next stages of life after Synergy. This includes updating residents’ families on a regular basis every two weeks about their loved ones’ progress.

A vital and often pivotal development in the recovery process is the establishment of various life skills that contribute to the progression of each individual’s success both in initial sobriety and in continuing recovery after Synergy. Synergy and its staff are passionate about recovery through action, which is demonstrated by a commitment to supporting residents through various aspects of life that will eventually lead them to a consistent healthy lifestyle. Residents have the opportunity to learn the skills necessary for independent living: budgeting, real estate, resume building, education, entrepreneurship, self care, nutrition, and more.

Everyone comes to Synergy with different levels of financial literacy.

Early in their recovery process, each resident will meet with a Synergy staff member to analize their budgeting. Budgeting at Synergy is one of the first opportunities in early recovery to prove to yourself that you can execute your plan in an area of life that has a lot of temptation to self-serve. This process ensures and teaches residents to spend their money wisely and to understand how to budget it accordingly to their unique lifestyle. Each distinct budget is reviewed with every resident on a regular basis in order to accomodate any changes or new additions.

Our staff is here to support you throughout your journey. Staff like to be considered as extensions of the community. All staff are people in longterm recovery that understand and know the challenges that early recovery brings. Our team is committed to establish connection with each resident.

our staff

Exercise is a key component and healthy coping skill in the development of personal growth throughout the recovery process. At the Women’s Flagship Program, residents have access to our Wellness Coordinator, Therese Nowlan, who facilitates twice-weekly yoga classes, followed by a group walk or run. Furthermore, our residents are encouraged to join the local LA Fitness, a short walk from the house, to expand the improvement of their physical and mental health.

The art room is a sanctuary of creativity and self-expression, offering individuals a therapeutic space to explore emotions, foster mindfulness, build connections, and cultivate personal growth on their path to recovery.

House Programming

Structure and routine is what we strive for. Residents are expected to engage in programming throughout the week outside of work, academic, and clinical responsibilities. Thus, there is a forever evolving rotation of residents in and out of programming depending on work, class, IOP, Individual therapy, and psychiatry schedules.

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