Aurora Charter Oak Behavioral Hospital, located in Covina, California, is a leading provider of mental health and substance use treatment services in Southern California. Our hospital has built a strong reputation for delivering complete and compassionate care for individuals facing emotional and psychological challenges. By offering multiple levels of care in one location, Charter Oak ensures that patients can receive the right intensity of treatment for their needs without having to transfer between facilities. This continuity helps create a stable and supportive healing environment where recovery can truly take root.
Charter Oak’s mission extends beyond simply managing symptoms; it focuses on empowering individuals to regain control over their lives, build resilience, and develop skills for long-term wellness. Whether someone arrives in acute crisis or is seeking ongoing therapy, Charter Oak tailors its approach to meet them where they are in their journey. Our multidisciplinary team combines psychiatric expertise, evidence-based therapy treatments, and holistic wellness practices to support mental, emotional, and behavioral health.
Set on a 10-acre landscaped campus with outdoor gathering spaces, a gym, and a pool, the environment is designed to be calming and therapeutic rather than clinical. This balance between high-quality medical care and a peaceful setting allows patients to focus fully on their recovery, supported by staff who are fully committed to fostering dignity, respect, and hope.
Conditions We Treat
Charter Oak provides care for a wide range of mental health conditions, making it an accessible choice for individuals of all ages dealing with diverse and/or complex challenges. The hospital treats anxiety disorders (including generalized anxiety and social anxiety) through targeted therapy, skill-building, and symptom management strategies. Depression, major depressive disorder, and adolescent depressive symptoms are also addressed, with treatment plans adapted to the developmental stage of each patient. Specialized programming is also available for adolescents ages 9–17, offering interventions that recognize the unique emotional, social, and academic pressures faced by younger individuals.
The center also manages complex mental health concerns such as bipolar disorder, mood disorders, personality disorders, and PTSD. In addition, it is well-equipped to treat co-occurring disorders, where a mental health condition is compounded by substance use. These dual diagnosis programs integrate psychiatric care with substance use services, offering both inpatient stabilization and longer-term relapse prevention strategies. For individuals facing emotional distress or acute mental health crises, Charter Oak provides immediate intervention through its inpatient programs, ensuring safety while beginning the healing process.
Substance use treatment is available as both a standalone service and in combination with psychiatric care. This flexibility allows individuals who struggle with addiction, or whose mental health symptoms have led to substance misuse, to receive comprehensive, coordinated treatment under one roof. With a team skilled in addressing both mental and behavioral health, Charter Oak ensures that no part of the patient’s experience is overlooked.
Therapies and Interventions Offered
Treatment at Charter Oak incorporates a wide range of evidence-based therapies to ensure that each patient’s care plan is effective, adaptable, and sustainable. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely used to help patients identify and change harmful thinking patterns, while Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) supports emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
Group therapy and individual counseling are cornerstones of the therapeutic process and allow our patients to build coping skills in a supportive environment. In addition, our patients also receive one-on-one attention from their clinician. Family therapy also plays an important role, helping loved ones understand mental health conditions, learn effective communication, and become active participants in recovery. Mindfulness practices, yoga, and other experiential therapies add a holistic dimension that teaches our patients how to calm their minds and strengthen their connection between mental and physical well-being.
Peer-led recovery groups and psychiatric oversight ensure that each patient receives comprehensive support, combining lived experience with clinical expertise. Medication management is seamlessly integrated into treatment when needed, and therapy sessions are structured to ensure progress toward personal recovery goals. Whether a patient participates in intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, or inpatient care, the therapeutic approach remains grounded in trauma-informed methods that promote safety, trust, and empowerment.
Personalized and Holistic Treatment Approaches
Every patient at Charter Oak receives an individualized treatment plan. This tailored plan is uniquely designed to meet each client’s emotional and psychological needs. Our team truly recognizes that no two experiences of anxiety, depression, or substance use are exactly alike, so treatment strategies are adapted accordingly. This personalization may involve selecting specific therapies, determining the right level of care, and incorporating lifestyle and wellness elements that support long-term healing.
Expert clinicians work closely with patients to provide evidence-backed strategies and research-supported methods, blending medical oversight with emotional support. Inpatient stabilization is also available for those in crisis, ensuring a safe space to begin recovery, while outpatient options offer flexibility for individuals balancing treatment with daily responsibilities. In addition, focused therapy groups create opportunities for deeper engagement. These small groups also allow our patients to share experiences and learn from others in a setting that feels intimate and connected.
Medication management is provided when appropriate, always in conjunction with therapy and other interventions. The overarching goal is to build emotional resilience, giving patients the tools they need to cope with future stressors and maintain stability beyond their time at the hospital. This whole-person approach ensures our treatment addresses more than symptoms; it aims to improve overall quality of life.
Treatment Environment and Facilities
The physical environment at Charter Oak is intentionally designed to encourage emotional growth and healing. Situated on a spacious 10-acre campus, the hospital offers amenities like a gym, pool, and landscaped outdoor areas where patients can relax, reflect, or participate in therapeutic activities. This peaceful environment contrasts with the often-sterile settings of more traditional hospitals, helping our patients feel more at ease and receptive to treatment.
Safety and structure remain top priorities, with staff maintaining a supportive setting where patients know they are protected and cared for. This combination of structure and warmth fosters trust, which is essential for effective treatment. Both inpatient and outpatient areas are designed to be comfortable and welcoming, supporting the belief that recovery happens best in an environment that feels secure yet non-restrictive.
In addition to its facilities, Charter Oak emphasizes a family-like atmosphere where patients can connect with staff and peers. This sense of belonging is a crucial part of the healing process, as it helps counter feelings of isolation and builds a network of support that can last long after treatment ends.
Family Involvement in Treatment
Family participation is strongly encouraged at Charter Oak, as loved ones play a vital role in supporting recovery. The hospital provides education to help families understand mental health conditions, learn about treatment modalities, and develop strategies for offering effective support. By empowering families with knowledge, the hospital helps create a stable environment for patients after discharge.
Therapy sessions can occasionally include family members, allowing open dialogue about progress, challenges, and next steps. This fosters stronger support systems and helps everyone involved feel aligned in supporting the patient’s goals. Families also receive regular progress updates, so they remain informed and engaged throughout the process.
Support systems are further strengthened through structured family engagement opportunities, where loved ones can share their experiences, learn from others, and build their own resilience. By integrating family involvement into the treatment model, Charter Oak reinforces the idea that recovery is a collective effort.
Insurance and Payment Options
Charter Oak accepts a broad range of insurance plans, including Medicare, Medi-Cal, TRICARE, and coverage from major private insurance providers like Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and more. This wide acceptance helps remove financial barriers that might otherwise prevent our patients from accessing the care they need.
For those without insurance or with limited coverage, Charter Oak offers financial counseling to explore payment plans and determine whether the patient qualifies for Medi-Cal or other assistance programs. This ensures that cost does not become an insurmountable obstacle to receiving treatment. The hospital’s staff works closely with each patient and family to navigate benefits, address socioeconomic barriers, and create a realistic plan for covering expenses.
Our admissions and business office teams assist with verifying benefits and determining eligibility before treatment begins, providing clarity on what services are covered and what out-of-pocket costs may be expected. By providing transparent benefits and coverage details upfront, Charter Oak helps reduce the stress often associated with the financial aspects of mental health care. This allows patients and their families to focus their energy on recovery rather than worrying about unexpected costs.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, call today at 800-654-2673. We are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
FAQs
What types of mental health conditions does Charter Oak treat?
Charter Oak Behavioral Hospital treats a broad range of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, mood disorders, PTSD, personality disorders, and co-occurring disorders that involve both mental health challenges and substance use. Specialized programs are also available for adolescents, addressing concerns such as depressive symptoms, emotional distress, and behavioral issues.
Do you offer treatment for co-occurring substance use disorders?
Yes. Charter Oak has integrated dual diagnosis programs that treat both mental health conditions and substance use disorders at the same time. These programs may include medically supervised detox, inpatient stabilization, and outpatient relapse prevention support to ensure a comprehensive approach to recovery.
What levels of care are available?
The hospital offers multiple levels of care, including inpatient treatment, residential rehabilitation, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). This range allows patients to step up or down in intensity as their needs change, creating a smooth and continuous recovery path.
How are treatment plans developed?
Treatment plans are personalized for each individual, taking into account the patient’s diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, and personal goals. The care team (which may include psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, and case managers) works collaboratively with the patient (and their family, when appropriate) to create a plan that integrates evidence-based therapies, medication management, and holistic approaches.
Can families be involved in the treatment process?
Absolutely. Family therapy sessions, progress updates, and educational programs are available to help loved ones understand mental health conditions and learn how to best support recovery. Involving families can strengthen communication, provide emotional support, and create a more stable environment after discharge.
What insurance plans are accepted?
Charter Oak accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Medi-Cal, TRICARE, and many private providers such as Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. The admissions team can verify your benefits before treatment begins and explain your coverage in detail.
What if I don’t have insurance or my coverage is limited?
For patients without insurance or with limited benefits, Charter Oak offers financial counseling, payment plan options, and assistance in applying for programs such as Medi-Cal. The goal is to ensure that financial concerns do not prevent anyone from accessing the care they need.
What is the daily schedule like during inpatient treatment?
Inpatient programs follow a structured daily schedule that includes individual therapy, group sessions, educational workshops, recreational activities, and regular check-ins with the clinical team. This structure provides stability while also allowing time for rest, reflection, and personal growth.
How long will I need to stay in treatment?
The length of treatment varies depending on the level of care, the patient’s specific needs, and their progress in therapy. Some inpatient stays last only a few days for stabilization, while residential or outpatient programs may continue for several weeks. Your treatment team will discuss the recommended timeline based on your goals and recovery plan.
