Testimonials

“I remember speaking with Camille by phone. I remember how warm, gentle and understanding her voice sounded. I remember the weight of my unbearable shame, guilt and fear. I remember her saying “D, you will feel better once you get here”. I remember my disbelief and skepticism.

Nearly a year later, I feel transformed. My mind is clearer, my body and soul healthier. I am filled with so many beautiful memories and valuable lessons from my time at Avery Lane. And I have no doubt that the best decision I have made in my adult life was to listen to Camille on that awfully lonely and grey November day.

I spent 60 days at Avery Lane’s beautiful house with 6 other ladies at the end of 2017. We woke up every morning together, ate together, took our meds together, drove to the center together, cried and laughed together. I owe so much to these ladies and have managed to stay in touch with some of them. But I arguably owe even more to the staff, counselors, therapists, nurses, doctors and our amazing chefs (!) at Avery Lane….I think I will be forever indebted to them. I grew and healed in ways I didn’t think possible. And after leaving the inpatient program, I spent 4 months as an outpatient.

I can only say that seeking help is the first big step. I am so grateful to have found the team at Avery Lane…this past year has been far from easy or simple. I’ve had my moments of doubt, crisis, despair, loneliness…. but in each of those instances I had an incredible group of women to help me through my journey…reminding me of the many tools at my disposal, the strength of my soul and the freedom that comes when you face your worst fears.

Everyone has their own personal demons, trials, tribulations, past and present. I can only say that seeking help is the first big step. I am so grateful to have found the team at Avery Lane…this past year has been far from easy or simple. I’ve had my moments of doubt, crisis, despair, loneliness…. but in each of those instances I had an incredible group of women to help me through my journey…reminding me of the many tools at my disposal, the strength of my soul and the freedom that comes when you face your worst fears.

Thank you – each and every one of you. I know that this is only the beginning of my recovery, and I’ve never been more excited to wake up every day with gratitude and courage to live a life and be a person I’m proud of.

To all the ladies struggling out there – take that first step. Make that call. Pack some comfy clothes – along with all the patience and open-mindedness you can muster. I can promise you it will NOT be easy but it WILL be worth it. Try not to worry about time or money – this is the most important investment you’ll make.”

D.R.
Avery Lane Alumni

“Words cannot express how grateful I am to Camille and her wonderful staff at Avery Lane. They gave us hope and help when our daughter was on a path of destruction and despair. I do not think that she would be alive today without Avery Lane. We were so blessed to find this substance abuse treatment center that is also a dual-diagnosis treatment center. It was a perfect fit for our daughter since she needed more than just treatment for her addiction. My daughter chose to go to Avery Lane because it was founded by a woman, run by women and only treated women. It gave her a safe sanctuary to heal as well as peace of mind for us, her parents, who did not want her in a co-ed treatment program. It has been a little over a year since my daughter was admitted to Avery Lane and today she is thriving on her new lease on life.

My daughter chose to go to Avery Lane because it was founded by a woman, run by women and only treated women. It gave her a safe sanctuary to heal as well as peace of mind for us, her parents, who did not want her in a co-ed treatment program.

We just celebrated her first birthday for a life of sobriety and we have Avery Lane to thank for getting her started on her path to recovery. I highly recommend Avery Lane to any parent that has a daughter that has a substance abuse as well as a dual diagnosis problem. They were caring, professional and they went above and beyond in my daughter’s recovery. We are forever thankful for Camille for having the vision to start such an innovative program!”

C.H.
Avery Lane Mother of Alumni

“It’s unbelievably frightening to look back to how fragile my daughter was, and I’m indebted to you for encouraging and allowing her into your facility precisely when there wasn’t a minute to spare. It’s a miracle she hasn’t had any seizures since, and it’s undoubtedly due to the integrative and holistic approach that Avery Lane employs – such as eliminating harmful prescriptions and replacing them with positive ones, therapeutic counseling offered by highly trained and caring professionals, and fantastic cuisine to name just three, and all provided in a beautiful, female-only home and facility, which our daughter certainly needed to accept it all. By all appearances she is completely healthy now, but I think the strongest indication of her recovery is her gratitude and willingness to help others who are still struggling.

It’s a miracle she hasn’t had any seizures since, and it’s undoubtedly due to the integrative and holistic approach that Avery Lane employs – such as eliminating harmful prescriptions and replacing them with positive ones, therapeutic counseling offered by highly trained and caring professionals, and fantastic cuisine to name just three, and all provided in a beautiful, female-only home and facility, which our daughter certainly needed to accept it all.

Similarly, in addition to the wonderful help Avery provided our daughter as an inpatient, perhaps just as amazing was the help she received as an outpatient – ongoing counseling and medical care, assistance into a sober living environment with her peers, introduction and transportation to local support groups, even educational guidance that I’m delighted to say she has embraced. The Family Workshop that Gael provided to family members was also very helpful to me. It’s extraordinary the professional care and attention that Avery Lane gave to our daughter and where she is today because of it!!!”

T.S.
Father of Avery Lane Alumni

“We were all so fortunate to find Avery Lane when our daughter was at a low point. An initial diagnosis was confirmed by staff and the time spent there in recovery was very beneficial to both our daughter and ourselves. Our daughter was able to find out why she was behaving the way she was and was given many tools to help her recovery. After several months, we see that Avery Lane remains a part of our daughter’s life. She has kept friendships from there and has been able to call staff when she needs to. It is gratifying to know that Avery Lane is still there for its residents after they have moved on.

Our daughter was able to find out why she was behaving the way she was and was given many tools to help her recovery. After several months, we see that Avery Lane remains a part of our daughter’s life. She has kept friendships from there and has been able to call staff when she needs to.

We feel that Avery Lane’s care, methods and standards are pursued with integrity. We don’t care to dwell on what may have happened without Avery Lane being there when our family was in need. We would be happy to recommend all those in crisis to Avery Lane.”

D.A. and J.A.
Parents of Avery Lane Alumni

Contact Avery Lane Admissions Today

Summer Lan Franco
MA, MFT-t, Primary Therapist

Summer Lan Franco loves working with people to facilitate recovery from substance use disorders, disordered eating, mental health issues and complex trauma. She earned her BS in Nutrition and Food Science from California State University Chico and MS in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University of California. She has worked in community-based and private practice settings. Her approach is personable and sincere. Summer believes in helping people rediscover their true selves by uncovering barriers that stand in the way. Her warmth and earnest interest in others’ wellbeing are always present in the work she does with people seeking help. She has experience with trauma recovery, substance abuse recovery, codependency, family issues, disordered eating, treatment for anxiety and depression, and working with personality disorders.

Alaina Dunér
Office Manager, Sound Healing Group Facilitator, Reiki Master

Alaina Dunér is a Sonoma County native. She studied sociology and outdoor adventure programming for two years at Loyola University of New Orleans and Warren Wilson College. In 2016 Alaina was on a recreational skydive and had a crash landing that resulted in her fracturing multiple vertebrae in her spine. Since her accident, Alaina has emersed herself in understanding the nuances and complexities of health and spirituality. She is passionate about supporting clients through Reiki and Sound. Since taking a pause from university, Alaina has become a certified Reiki Master Teacher in the Tibetan Usui system, an Ayurvedic yoga instructor, a health coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and a trauma informed sound facilitator. At the end of 2022 Alaina will attend Southern Utah University to complete her bachelor’s in aerospace and aviation with an emphasis on rotary flight.

Sunnie Skillman
Energy Worker

Sunnie has worked within the field of Energy Psychology for over 20 years and has been trained in a number of healing modalities, including EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and Access Consciousness. She has been using the tools of Access Consciousness for 23 years, teaching classes and working with clients using various hands-on energy body work techniques. She specializes working with clients who have symptoms of PTSD and assisting in clearing where trauma is stored in the body.
Sunnie brings her personal experience with trauma healing as well as her kind and
caring energy to support the ladies interested in working with other healing modalities
at Avery Lane.

Nicole Collins,
AMFT, Primary Therapist

Nicole Collins entered the field of healing after receiving her BA from Colorado State University
in Human Services, which led her to work in domestic violence. Following her beliefs and
passion in the body-mind-spirit connection and the Intelligence of the Self-healing power, she
got her MS from Touro University in Vallejo. She believes that addiction, alcoholism,
depression, the things that push against your joy, calm, serenity, and sense of security, are
powerful and baffling. Still, there is something unique inside of you that is ready to push back
against it all. The fear, anxiety, depression, and trauma that press against your head and chest
are real, but they should not define you. She feels her role is to help you find the resources
within to overcome the challenges and suffering that life may bring. She specializes in trauma,
substance abuse, LGBTQIA+ community, matters of belonging, helping individuals heal in their
relationships within themselves. In your work together, she will meet you where you are and
support you in reacquainting you, with all parts of yourself, including your inherent wisdom.

Erin Miller, RADT
Recovery Counselor

Erin is a Registered Alcohol Drug Technician, Certified Recovery Coach, and Certified Clinical
Trauma Specialist-A (Trauma and Addiction). She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in
Psychology and Addiction Studies at Aspen University. Through her personal experience with
alcohol addiction and recovery, Erin was inspired to support others on their recovery journeys.
She brings kindness, compassion, and encouragement to her work at Avery Lane. Erin lives in
Sonoma County with her husband and their two adventurous children.

Laurel LeMohn
Recovery Counselor

is a Mendocino County native. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Sonoma State University in 2014 and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University. She has been a Recovery Counselor at Avery Lane since October, 2021, and works from a trauma-informed, psychodynamic, and humanistic lens. She has had a desire towards helping others since she was young and looks forward to working with you as you transition your life into one where you are thriving and proud to be living.