Residential Treatment
Residential mental health treatment offers adults a supportive living environment with personalized care for depression, trauma, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and co-occurring addiction.
Finding the right depression treatment can make the next step feel more manageable. Alter Behavioral Health provides personalized, evidence-based care for adults across Southern California, with residential, crisis stabilization, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs. From acute support to structured recovery planning, compassionate clinicians address depression alongside trauma, anxiety, addiction, and other co-occurring concerns.
Structured depression care across residential, crisis, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient levels of support.
Residential mental health treatment offers adults a supportive living environment with personalized care for depression, trauma, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and co-occurring addiction.
Crisis Stabilization and Intervention provides acute support, clinical assessment, safety planning, psychiatric stabilization, and family sessions for adults experiencing a mental health crisis.
PHP provides intensive outpatient care for adults who need structured depression treatment without residential placement, using therapies such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, and family therapy.
IOP offers structured mental health and substance use treatment at a lower level of care than residential or partial hospitalization, with individualized evidence-based therapy.
Alter Behavioral Health offers a full continuum of depression treatment for adults in California, from crisis intervention and residential care to PHP and IOP support. Care plans may include CBT, DBT, EMDR, family therapy, mindfulness, and other evidence-based approaches. Southern California facilities provide options for people who need intensive support while addressing trauma, anxiety, addiction, or other co-occurring conditions.
Personalized programs help adults and families move toward stability, functioning, and sustained recovery.
"Alter Behavioral Health truly saved my life. I have GAD, MDD, and ADHD, and in September of 2021 I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. I began spiraling into some really destructive tendencies and poor coping mechanisms. I was destroying my life. Finally, in early August of 2022, I decided..."
"This was life-changing. Jack in admissions is the reason I came here. I was ready to go elsewhere, but after speaking with Jack I realized this place suited my needs. The staff was A-plus amazing. I can’t say enough about my experience. I feel this place saved my life. Thank..."
"My stay at Alter's Irvine facility was very pleasant. The staff and accomodations were excellect. They treated me with dignity and helped me get back on my feet. Mentally, emotionally, and physically. Highly recommend"
"This was my first treatment center and was the best experience in my life. The staff are amazing. The care goes beyond. You will not find a place like this anywhere else in California. If you are looking for help in recovery from addiction this is the place to be!..."
"I had a great experience in Alter's PHP/IOP/residential programs. I learned practical strategies to manage my mental health and received the care and support I needed to move forward with my life. The staff is dedicated and the therapists are exceptional. I would highly recommend Alter to anyone seeking treatment!"
"My experience was an amazing one. The staff were absolutely amazing. I couldn't give enough stars."
"Absolutely amazing. The staff is more than accommodating. They really make your experience at this facility the best it can be. They pay attention to close detail and are on top of the game. My admin Jordan walked me through the steps and answered all of my questions in full..."
"This is by far the best mental health treatment center I’ve experienced. From the admission staff to the therapists and counselors, I was treated with the utmost care and compassion. The staff and facilities are amazing and provided me with all the support and tools I needed to feel the..."
"This place saved my life! All the staff are amazing and caring. I was there for close to 6 weeks, and the staff became my second family. I cried when I left. I still miss them up to today!!! I can't say enough good things about this caring place. So..."
"Me being a Registered Nurse never imagined being in need of the same services that I’ve given over the years. I can truly say I’m very pleased with my overall stay at Alter Behavioral Health, starting with the admission coordinator, The Therapist and case manager I give all staff an..."
"Great staff and a wonderful program. Would absolutely recommend any stage of their treatment! Everyone was so supportive and wanted what was best for me, it was an incredible environment."
"I had a beautiful experience here and the staff was amazing. Everyone was so caring and sweet. They’ve turned my life around for the better."
"Alter has been the BEST experience in our son's 7-year battle against Bipolar 1! The staff actually cares about their patients and family members. They truly understand the difference between stable, safe, and baseline. The staff was a lifesaver and also kept us informed, being extremely timely in responding to..."
"Alter had been an incredibly unique opportunity for my family. If you or a loved one are facing a mental health crisis look into Alter. The staff was absolutely amazing and the treatment program is top notch."
"Our son has been struggling for 4 years with mental health issues. We’ve had some terrible experiences with other hospitals and getting his medications right. Once we heard about Alter Mental Health, we hoped this was an answer to our prayers. From the first time we contacted them, they have..."
"Alter Behavioral Health truly saved my life. I have GAD, MDD, and ADHD, and in September of 2021 I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. I began spiraling into some really destructive tendencies and poor coping mechanisms. I was destroying my life. Finally, in early August of 2022, I decided..."
"This was life-changing. Jack in admissions is the reason I came here. I was ready to go elsewhere, but after speaking with Jack I realized this place suited my needs. The staff was A-plus amazing. I can’t say enough about my experience. I feel this place saved my life. Thank..."
"My stay at Alter's Irvine facility was very pleasant. The staff and accomodations were excellect. They treated me with dignity and helped me get back on my feet. Mentally, emotionally, and physically. Highly recommend"
"This was my first treatment center and was the best experience in my life. The staff are amazing. The care goes beyond. You will not find a place like this anywhere else in California. If you are looking for help in recovery from addiction this is the place to be!..."
"I had a great experience in Alter's PHP/IOP/residential programs. I learned practical strategies to manage my mental health and received the care and support I needed to move forward with my life. The staff is dedicated and the therapists are exceptional. I would highly recommend Alter to anyone seeking treatment!"
"My experience was an amazing one. The staff were absolutely amazing. I couldn't give enough stars."
"Absolutely amazing. The staff is more than accommodating. They really make your experience at this facility the best it can be. They pay attention to close detail and are on top of the game. My admin Jordan walked me through the steps and answered all of my questions in full..."
"This is by far the best mental health treatment center I’ve experienced. From the admission staff to the therapists and counselors, I was treated with the utmost care and compassion. The staff and facilities are amazing and provided me with all the support and tools I needed to feel the..."
"This place saved my life! All the staff are amazing and caring. I was there for close to 6 weeks, and the staff became my second family. I cried when I left. I still miss them up to today!!! I can't say enough good things about this caring place. So..."
"Me being a Registered Nurse never imagined being in need of the same services that I’ve given over the years. I can truly say I’m very pleased with my overall stay at Alter Behavioral Health, starting with the admission coordinator, The Therapist and case manager I give all staff an..."
"Great staff and a wonderful program. Would absolutely recommend any stage of their treatment! Everyone was so supportive and wanted what was best for me, it was an incredible environment."
"I had a beautiful experience here and the staff was amazing. Everyone was so caring and sweet. They’ve turned my life around for the better."
"Alter has been the BEST experience in our son's 7-year battle against Bipolar 1! The staff actually cares about their patients and family members. They truly understand the difference between stable, safe, and baseline. The staff was a lifesaver and also kept us informed, being extremely timely in responding to..."
"Alter had been an incredibly unique opportunity for my family. If you or a loved one are facing a mental health crisis look into Alter. The staff was absolutely amazing and the treatment program is top notch."
"Our son has been struggling for 4 years with mental health issues. We’ve had some terrible experiences with other hospitals and getting his medications right. Once we heard about Alter Mental Health, we hoped this was an answer to our prayers. From the first time we contacted them, they have..."
"Alter Behavioral Health truly saved my life. I have GAD, MDD, and ADHD, and in September of 2021 I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. I began spiraling into some really destructive tendencies and poor coping mechanisms. I was destroying my life. Finally, in early August of 2022, I decided..."
"This was life-changing. Jack in admissions is the reason I came here. I was ready to go elsewhere, but after speaking with Jack I realized this place suited my needs. The staff was A-plus amazing. I can’t say enough about my experience. I feel this place saved my life. Thank..."
"My stay at Alter's Irvine facility was very pleasant. The staff and accomodations were excellect. They treated me with dignity and helped me get back on my feet. Mentally, emotionally, and physically. Highly recommend"
"This was my first treatment center and was the best experience in my life. The staff are amazing. The care goes beyond. You will not find a place like this anywhere else in California. If you are looking for help in recovery from addiction this is the place to be!..."
"I had a great experience in Alter's PHP/IOP/residential programs. I learned practical strategies to manage my mental health and received the care and support I needed to move forward with my life. The staff is dedicated and the therapists are exceptional. I would highly recommend Alter to anyone seeking treatment!"
"My experience was an amazing one. The staff were absolutely amazing. I couldn't give enough stars."
"Absolutely amazing. The staff is more than accommodating. They really make your experience at this facility the best it can be. They pay attention to close detail and are on top of the game. My admin Jordan walked me through the steps and answered all of my questions in full..."
"This is by far the best mental health treatment center I’ve experienced. From the admission staff to the therapists and counselors, I was treated with the utmost care and compassion. The staff and facilities are amazing and provided me with all the support and tools I needed to feel the..."
"This place saved my life! All the staff are amazing and caring. I was there for close to 6 weeks, and the staff became my second family. I cried when I left. I still miss them up to today!!! I can't say enough good things about this caring place. So..."
"Me being a Registered Nurse never imagined being in need of the same services that I’ve given over the years. I can truly say I’m very pleased with my overall stay at Alter Behavioral Health, starting with the admission coordinator, The Therapist and case manager I give all staff an..."
"Great staff and a wonderful program. Would absolutely recommend any stage of their treatment! Everyone was so supportive and wanted what was best for me, it was an incredible environment."
"I had a beautiful experience here and the staff was amazing. Everyone was so caring and sweet. They’ve turned my life around for the better."
"Alter has been the BEST experience in our son's 7-year battle against Bipolar 1! The staff actually cares about their patients and family members. They truly understand the difference between stable, safe, and baseline. The staff was a lifesaver and also kept us informed, being extremely timely in responding to..."
"Alter had been an incredibly unique opportunity for my family. If you or a loved one are facing a mental health crisis look into Alter. The staff was absolutely amazing and the treatment program is top notch."
"Our son has been struggling for 4 years with mental health issues. We’ve had some terrible experiences with other hospitals and getting his medications right. Once we heard about Alter Mental Health, we hoped this was an answer to our prayers. From the first time we contacted them, they have..."
A compassionate, evidence-based approach supports adults and families through different stages of mental health treatment.
Access residential, crisis, PHP, IOP, transitional, outpatient, and therapeutic support services.
Individualized plans address depression alongside trauma, addiction, and other co-occurring concerns.
Clinical and admissions support is available around the clock across Southern California programs.
Psychiatrists and doctorate- or master’s-level clinicians deliver evidence-based, trauma-informed care.
Compassionate clinicians support personalized mental health treatment across California.
Founder and CEO
Michael Castanon is the Founder and CEO of Alter Behavioral Health, a Southern California-based organization dedicated to advancing the future of mental health care. With a vision rooted in combining scientific rigor, genuine compassion, and lasting transformation, Michael has built Alter Behavioral Health into a comprehensive provider offering a full continuum of care, including residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient services. He is committed to ensuring that every client receives individualized, evidence-based treatment delivered by skilled psychiatrists and clinicians. Under his leadership, the organization has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval and recognition as a Care Predictor Certified Treatment Facility. Michael's mission is to empower individuals and families across Southern California and nationwide to heal, thrive, and achieve sustained recovery through innovative, whole-person care.
Yes. Adults experiencing severe depression or an acute psychiatric crisis may need hospital-level or residential support, depending on safety concerns, symptoms, and clinical assessment. Alter Behavioral Health offers Crisis Stabilization and Intervention, residential treatment, PHP, and IOP options. The appropriate level of care is determined through consultation and assessment, with safety planning and psychiatric stabilization available through crisis services.
Speak with admissions about available programs and the next step.
Alter serves Southern California communities and supports clients traveling from across the nation for care.
Southern California
Primary Region
24/7 Admissions
Support
Nationwide Support
Care Access
Contact admissions to discuss locations, programs, and enrollment.
Accreditation identified in Alter Behavioral Health company information.
Recognition listed in Alter Behavioral Health company information.
Recognition listed in Alter Behavioral Health company information.
Recognition and certification listed in company information.
Nomination listed in Alter Behavioral Health company information.
Contact Alter Behavioral Health to discuss depression treatment options, program availability, insurance verification, and enrollment.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at (866) 248-9285.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at (866) 248-9285.