There are days when even getting out of bed feels impossible. At Alter Behavioural Health near Laguna Hills, we understand that struggle deeply. We’ve built a place where you can drop the mask and show up exactly as you are: exhausted, scared, or uncertain. Our team won’t rush or judge you. We’ll meet you in the mess and help you find solid ground again. Depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, whatever brought you to this moment, you don’t have to carry it alone anymore. Real healing starts right here.
Walk into our Laguna Hills centre and the first thing you’ll feel is relief. It doesn’t feel like a hospital at all. It’s a space designed around comfort and calm. Sunlight pours through windows overlooking peaceful views. Cozy seating areas invite you to settle in and breathe. Every single corner was chosen to help your nervous system ease down a notch. When you need silence and solitude, you’ll find private retreats waiting. When you’re ready to be around others who truly understand you, our shared spaces offer gentle connection without any pressure.
Real recovery is built with small, steady comforts that help you feel human again.
These aren’t extras we’re trying to sell you. They’re the basics your mind and body need to begin healing.
Our facility offers something rare: true peace without isolation. We’re minutes from Irvine, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, and Aliso Viejo, making visits from family easy and frequent. The rolling hills and mild coastal climate create a naturally calming environment that is ideal for healing. Laguna Hills itself strikes the perfect balance of suburban quiet with city conveniences just down the road. You’re away from daily triggers but not disconnected from life.
What happens when you’re ready to leave matters just as much as what happens while you’re here. That’s why we’ve positioned ourselves near the therapists, support networks, and wellness resources you’ll turn to next. You’re healing in a real community, not a bubble that disappears the moment treatment ends.
The cost question stops too many people from even picking up the phone. That’s why we’ve designed our programme in a way so that finances don’t have to be the reason you stay stuck. We accept most major insurance carriers. Our admissions specialists will spend a few minutes checking your exact coverage and explaining any costs you might see. No surprises, and no runaround.
You won’t get lost in a system here. The people guiding your care genuinely believe that you can improve with the right support. They want to see you get better.
Our team includes:
Dr. Araz Tawfique, M.D.
Medical Director/Psychiatrist
Dr. Araz Tawfique, M.D. is an award-winning, Board Certified psychiatrist in La Jolla, CA with over ten years of experience working with people of diverse needs. He pursued his true passion for psychiatry and completed his psychiatric residency training at the University of Reno, Las Vegas. A San Diego native, he returned to Southern California to receive additional training in mental health, and start his private practice. His specialties are psychiatry and psychotherapy, which are techniques that facilitate a better understanding of thoughts, feelings, and motivations. His approach explores the interplay of biology, psychology, and sociology in shaping individuals and their relationships.
Dr. Tawfique’s experience includes delivering comprehensive addiction treatment at substance abuse centers in San Diego.
Medical Director / Psychiatrist
Primary Therapist
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Yes, they have the degrees and clinical hours. But what really sets them apart is their empathy. They’ll spot when you’re slipping before you mention it. They’ll adjust what’s not working. And they’ll genuinely light up when you make progress, no matter how small it feels to you.
No two brains work the same way, so why would we treat everyone identically? We build your treatment around how you think, process, and heal.
We start by understanding what’s worked for you before and what hasn’t, what your goals look like, and how you learn best. Some people respond to traditional talk therapy combined with medication. Others need trauma work that addresses what the body remembers. We’re not following a script; we’re creating a plan that actually fits your life and your brain.
Predictability can help your anxious mind settle. But a rigid schedule makes you feel like you’re in prison. Healing happens when you feel safe. That’s why we’ve landed somewhere in the middle, a structure that supports you without suffocating you.
Your day includes individual sessions, group therapy, medication management if needed, and plenty of downtime to process and rest. You have optional activities in the evening, such as creative projects, casual movie nights, or you can simply relax. The goal is to teach you how to structure your days in ways that protect your mental health long after you leave here.
Right now, calling feels like climbing a mountain, but we’ve made the path as simple as possible for you. One conversation is all it takes to get started. We’ll ask what you’re going through, determine if our programme matches your needs, and verify your insurance for you.
You don’t need to hit rock bottom before you deserve help. If things feel unmanageable, you’ve already crossed the threshold.
After that first call, you’re not doing this alone. We’ll provide the expertise, the environment, and the unwavering support to help you find yourself again. Book your free consultation today.
Yes! Our chefs prepare tasty, nutritious meals every day to support your health and well-being.
Absolutely. We have set visiting hours, and we also offer family therapy sessions if we think they’ll help
Pack comfortable clothes, your personal toiletries, any medications you take, and a few things that bring you comfort, like photos or a journal. We’ll take care of the rest.
Yes, we do. If you’re dealing with both mental health and substance use issues, our team is trained to help.
Definitely, your privacy is very important to us. We follow strict rules to keep everything confidential.
We’ll work with you to make a plan for what comes next, whether that’s finding a therapist, joining a support group, or connecting you to other resources.
Yes, we work with most insurance plans and are happy to check your coverage for you.
Yes, all our rooms are private. Your comfort matters, and we want you to feel at home during your stay.
That’s okay. Our free consultation will help us figure out what level of care fits you best. There’s no pressure and no need to have it all figured out.
No, medication is never required. We offer it if it’s helpful for you, but the choice is always yours.
Connect with our compassionate team to get a personalized treatment plan designed around your needs.
All calls are 100% free and confidential
