Monte Nido was life changing for me! Even though I had to leave due to insurance I'll never forget that home on the Hill!
About Monte Nido – Laurel Hill
There’s a large overlap between those facing eating disorders and those experiencing substance addiction. Knowing this, Monte Nido assesses you for substance use disorder upon intake. If they know you’ll benefit from treatment then they’ll tailor your treatment plan to include addiction-focused care.
Something great about Laurel Hill is that they provide weight- and size-inclusive care. They understand that disordered eating doesn’t necessarily look the same for different people and they go out of their way to support people of all sizes.
Part of their treatment process includes cognitive processing therapy, an approach that helps you work through unhelpful thought patterns you’ve developed due to trauma. You’ll work with a therapist to understand how these patterns emerged and look at the ways they shape your behavior and emotions. Over time, you learn to manage your responses and thoughts in a healthy way. For those facing substance use disorder, this means relapse prevention and maintained sobriety.
Their program also includes nutritional care, meal support and kitchen access, and weekly health assessments to track your progress and adjust your program as needed. They offer yoga and other movement practices so you can enjoy moving your body in a safe and encouraging environment.
Fact checked and written by:
Hayley Wilson
Edited by:
Courtney Myers, MS
Latest Reviews
Laurel Hill was great and coming here is the best thing you could do for your recovery! I ended up discharging early and wish I stayed longer but I am so grateful for all the help i’ve got during my time and definitely suggest Laurel Hill if you are thinking about residential! You truly do feel at home here!
Response from the owner1 week ago
Thank you for your kind words and for being part of our Monte Nido community. Hearing about your positive experience means so much to our team. If you’d like to share your story more widely to support others on their recovery journeys, please reach out to us at stayconnected@montenido.com.
The chef and nursing staff were excellent but that is about it. As someone who has unfortunately had multiple treatment episodes I can honestly say this was one of the worst experiences I've had. I chose this program because they used to be considered one of the gold standards in the area. I had been to another Monte Nido program and had a great experience so was hoping I would find similar here. They are very short staffed and it effects client care, they have unqualified support staff running groups. They oftentimes will skip groups due to being short staffed however will say it is so you can learn to manage down time. The clinical director is nice and knows her stuff but runs groups while texting on her cell phone. She will ask questions then look down and continue her text conversation while you are answering. They advertise 3 individual sessions with your therapist per week, that was not the case. As a female with a trauma history I requested a female clinician. They said they didn't have one available and it's important to have "safe men" in our lives (another excuse for being short staffed). They are not a trauma informed program. They struggle with individualized care and thinking outside of the box and will often say something can't be done because it's a "Monte Nido policy" without any further consideration or thought. I have several examples of this happening. One "Monte Nido policy " I struggled with was the plant based meat they chose to use. It physically made me ill. I was the only vegetarian resident there and they knew it made me ill. I offered to pay for them to purchase me any other type of plant based meat however was told no and the meat that made me sick would need to be finished before an alternative could be given. Since the plant based meat made me sick and they wouldn't provide an alternative I was required to supplement with ensure. This was an easy fix but they outright refused to consider it. They regularly say things aren't in the budget. My co-pay was $922 per day until I reached my $7500 deductible. They could afford an alternative meat source or items that were not primarily store brand. The recovery coaches were not trained on meal support so behaviors regularly happened at the table. People would be struggling to complete and would be ignored by support staff. They switch your roommate or your room without warning so you don't want to get too comfortable in your room. The staff unpacks your belongings and puts everything away from you. There is no consistency on the belongings one staff will allow you to keep vs another staff. They don't follow their own rules and program format but are quick to say no to you because of "Monte Nido Policy". I could go on with the disappointment in this program but think this is enough for now. I do not think I received my $7500 deductible worth of treatment and care as my nervous system was jacked up the entire time I was there due to inconsistencies. Monte Nido started as 1 program out in CA. Since Carolyn Costin sold it - out appears to become too corporate and not personal at all. I would choose another program if you are looking for individualized, not cookie cutter, trauma informed and compassionate care.
Response from the owner1 week ago
Thank you for your feedback. We aim to provide quality care to every client who visits us. Federal and state privacy laws preclude us from commenting specifically about any individual’s protected health information online. However, individuals are welcome to contact us directly by emailing stayconnected@montenido.com with any questions or concerns. Our teams actively strive to implement feedback, improve service standards, and increase client satisfaction.
A truly amazing place staffed with kind, caring, wonderful, professional, fun, generous, thoughtful, and highly-skilled staff (I could go on) who are experts in ED recovery. My therapist at Laurel Hill is by far the best therapist I have ever had — I learned so much from her and am still in awe of how she challenged me and ED narratives. The clinical director treats clients like family and invests her time and energy into each and every one of us — she spent her Christmas holiday with clients baking cookies, enjoying holiday kareoke, and other festivities that she planned for us… it was a special holiday, filled with so much love and support. The nursing staff are SO cool and kind. The RCs are absolutely the best.. I don’t know how they do such a specialized and demanding job and do it SO well, all while getting to become so close with the clients.
I would 100% recommend this place to anyone struggling with an eating disorder. I had lost hope when I entered treatment, and now I look forward to the day when I can say I am fully recovered, because thanks to the LH team, I know that day will come.
Response from the owner1 week ago
Thank you for sharing! At Monte Nido our clinicians, many recovered themselves, combine clinical wisdom, evidence-based protocols and mindfulness practices, resulting in state-of-the-art care for mind, body and soul. We’re happy to hear your experience has been positive and look forward to continuing to support you on the path to full recovery. 
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Accepted Insurance
Other Forms of Payment
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are for those who want or need a very structured treatment program but who also wish to live at home and continue with certain responsibilities (such as work or school). IOP substance abuse treatment programs vary in duration and intensity, and certain outpatient rehab centers will offer individualized treatment programs.
Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.
Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Treatments
Mental health rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and more. Mental health professionals at these facilities are trained to understand and treat mental health issues, both in individual and group settings.
Mental Health And Substance AbusePrograms
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
Rehabs for women provide a safe, nurturing space for female clients to heal. These treatment programs consider the specific obstacles that women can face during recovery and place a special emphasis on mental, social, physical, and reproductive health. They explore how each woman's experience has shaped the trajectory of their substance use, addressing issues such as sexual abuse and past trauma.
Clinical Services
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.
Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.
Creativity is inherently healing, and can help those in recovery express thoughts or feelings they might not otherwise be able to. Creative arts therapy can include music, poetry/writing, painting, sculpting, dance, theater, sandplay, and more. Unlike traditional art, the final product matters far less than the experience of creation and expression itself.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.
Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and dysfunctional eating patterns. Many psychologists and other mental health professionals consider eating disorders to be food addictions, meaning food is being used in an addictive way (similar to drug or alcohol addiction). Certain substance abuse treatment programs will have treatment for eating disorders as one of the services offered. An eating disorder may also present as a co-occuring disorder or dual diagnosis alongside drug and alcohol addiction.
Equine therapy, aka equine-assisted therapy (EAT), is a form of experiential therapy that involves interactions and activities with horses. It does not necessarily involve riding horses, but all activities related to horses, such as feeding, grooming, haltering and leading them. A mental health professional frequently oversees the activities (often in conjunction with a horse professional), and helps patients process their thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns during and/or after the interaction.
Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.
Nutrition therapy, aka medical nutrition therapy (MNT), is a way of treating physical, emotional, and medical conditions through diet. Specific dietary plans are designed by professional nutritionists or registered dietitians, and patients follow them in order to positively affect their physical and mental health.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Four principles are key to motivational interviewing in Massachusetts. First, the therapist offers empathy for the client's feelings and experiences. Second, they encourage the client to believe in themselves and their ability to change. Third, the therapist refrains from imposing their own viewpoints. Lastly, the therapist helps the client identify discrepancies in their circumstances and future goals.
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Cassie McLean, MPA
CEO
Giulia Peterlongo, MBA
COO
Molly Perlman, MD, MPH, CEDS-C
Chief Medical Officer
Brandie Kalinowski, MBA
Chief People Officer
Anthony Modano
CMO
Joel Jahraus, MD, FAED, CEDS
VP of Medical Services
Accreditations
The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Contact Information
121 Mystic Street
Medford MA, 02155
Get Help Now - 617-862-0388
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