Serenity House

The Basics

Serenity House of Absecon, New Jersey is an all-women sober living and transitional housing facility. It was founded in 2001 by Jennifer Hansen through her family’s Hansen Foundation, which helps recovering addicts find housing and treatment throughout New Jersey. Serenity House is a 12-step based program that also offers holistic treatment. Since 2008, the facility has served over 250 women per year and is dedicated to providing the best care to those seeking refuge from addiction.

Accommodations and Amenities

Serenity House is a large, six-bedroom home with two spacious living rooms and kitchens, private bathrooms in each of the bedrooms and lounge areas with cable TVs. The rooms are all double-occupancy with the exception of the largest bedroom, which fits three beds. All bedrooms have walk-in closets and personal dressers for each resident.

The entire facility has high-speed Internet with two computers that the residents share, though they are welcome to bring personal laptops or cell phones with them as well. Bedding and toiletries are provided by Serenity House, as are all kitchen utensils and cooking tools. The facility fully stocks the kitchens with healthy, organic food and the staff teaches clients how to cook, as long as they want to learn.

The facility provides residents with transportation to meetings, job interviews and appointments. Clients are all given a membership to a local gym, with staff encouraging daily exercise and relaxation. Frequent sober outings take place as well as movie nights, open mics for comedy and music, AA/NA meetings and sober dances. Though residents are not required to participate, taking part in these activities is encouraged.

Rules and Regulations

Treatment at Serenity House is divided into three phases. Phase one requires all new clients to be under staff supervision 24 hours a day for the first 30 to 40 days while they acclimate to the schedule, rules and other residents. Phase two clients either find employment or a volunteer position in the community. All residents must also get a sponsor, attend daily AA or NA meetings and be actively working the steps.

During the first phase, clients are required to attend Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) treatment through Serenity House. This entails attending group and individual therapy sessions five days a week in the initial stages of treatment between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Clients work closely with a caseworker to design individualized treatment and plans. All therapy is evidence-based, with methods like CBT, DBT or trauma-focused EMDR. The facility also offers alternative methods like music and art therapy, guided meditation and twice-a-week yoga classes.

After the first phase is completed, residents can step down to a less intensive program that requires three days a week of therapy for three hours.

Serenity House requires all clients to commit to a minimum 90-day stay at the facility, with a maximum stay of six months. Each resident is responsible for cleaning the house, doing daily chores and keeping an open line of communication with staff and residents.

Extras

Involving family members in treatment is an important step in Serenity House’s process with clients, so family therapy is offered alongside IOP to all residents. Family members may also visit clients at the facility on the weekends.

In Summary

Serenity House gives clients many tools for success by offering a supportive environment and well-balanced treatment. Through individualized therapy in addition to the 12 steps, clients can find a path that works best for them in sobriety. Though the price is somewhat more expensive than other sober living facilities, those who want to spend a little more money should find the help they need here.

Serenity House
1501 N Albany Ave
Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Serenity House Cost: $5,000 (30 days including IOP). Reach Serenity House by phone at (609) 432-2130. Find Serenity House on Facebook and LinkedIn

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