The Clearing -

Kerry Wingo

I am reading the reviews below and wanted to share my experience. I was at the Clearing in September and had a powerful and transformational experience. We had a group of 8 and I remain in contact with most of my group. I attended for help with lifelong anxiety and panic spirals, and found the counselors to be compassionate, intuitive and very skilled. I would definitely recommend this program. My brain feels like it has been re-wired and I feel more balanced, grounded and at peace than I have in my whole life. Very grateful for the Clearing.

Caroline McGraw

If you're looking for a rehab that delivers on their promises, call The Clearing. The program is amazing, addressing core issues on all levels to facilitate real healing. That said, be prepared to get to work - the 28-day program is basically the equivalent of a two-year Master's in counseling. In workshops and therapy sessions, you go deep into all those issues you've been avoiding for years. But don't worry, all of this is done in an incredibly welcoming and supportive environment. The farm location itself is beautiful, but the people are what make this place so special. Every staff member I encountered truly cared and went above and beyond for us. They paid attention to the details and took great care of us. I loved my group and felt so fortunate to work alongside the other participants. (Also, it's worth mentioning that the guest house was nice and cozy and the food was delicious.) It was the experience of a lifetime. I highly recommend The Clearing!

Gregg Makuch

This place is truly amazing. It's a tough program, tough to be accepted, and tough to finish. But those who do are transformed. People come in broken and are welcomed with love, compassion, and support in a magical safe environment.

No guilt or shame here. Just "let's get on with the work to get folks' lives back."

There are 2 big differences with The Clearing: (1) They focus on underlying core issues causing the addictive behavior, not the substance itself; and (2) It is a cohort based group vs. rolling admission. Cohort means you start and finish with the same group of about 9-10 people. No interruptions of people coming in and leaving each day. Everybody goes through together and you come out with tight bonds you can't imagine.

If you commit, you'll see incredibly changes in your life. It all starts with commitment. Are you ready?

Jessica Brauer

I was a participant in The Clearing's 28-day program after watching the transformative process of a close family member graduate from the same program. Having gone through a tough season of change in my own life, and a lifelong struggle with mental health, the healing and the tools that accompanied the program were invaluable.

With the help of The Clearing's incredibly compassionate and wise counselors and staff, I was able to work down to the core of my upsets and begin healing in a way that I can only explain as powerful and life-altering. The attention to detail on the estate's property allowed for a peaceful, safe and comfortable space to learn and grow, without distraction from the important work at hand. I will forever hold The Clearing and Friday Harbor as a place of transformative love and growth-a place where I was able to start my life as a better, stronger, more authentic version of me.

As a real-life success story, as well as a loved-one to multiple graduates of the program, witnessing the life-altering effects peripherally, I will continue to send anyone, whether they're managing substance abuse, depression, anxiety or simply a desire for a more rich, full, beautiful life, to this program.

Kris de Leon

The Clearing is doing amazing work to help people transform their lives and finally break free of addiction and mental health struggles. Their blog provides helpful tips on topics ranging from choosing the right rehab program to dealing with anger and depression. I cannot thank them enough for the incredible work they are doing. You can tell from the videos that Joe and Betsy, the co-founders, are passionate and committed to what they are doing. I’ve felt inspired after reading stories of their graduates on how their lives have changed for the better since going through the program.

Nanette Stephens

Our family member was an attendee at The Clearing beginning July 2019. She had attended six 12 step inpatient rehab programs over the past 10 years and only experienced short term abstinence after each program. During the times she was "clean" it was through sheer will power. As a dear friend once said: "While she was in AA meetings, her addiction was out in the parking lot doing push-ups". Then this same friend recommended The Clearing. Several things struck us as different right away. Our family member was interviewed by the owners to see if the program was a good fit. Then, we learned that all participants start at the same time. They are on the journey together without new participants joining intermittently during the 28 days. Finally, this was the first place that REALLY looked at co-diagnosis. Other places gave lip service to treating co-diagnoses and gave 2-4 hours of counseling during a twenty eight day stay. At the clearing there was 120 hours of counseling. This is unheard of and in our hearts we know that this is what allowed our loved one to finally get to the bottom of her pain. Our family training is allowing us to better walk her new life with her and for that we are grateful. The post program support has made a huge difference in her confidence. We finally have our dear family member back and for that we will be forever grateful.

Brian Anton

I entered this program with an open mind, but was skeptical about the process of dealing with addiction by healing underlying issues. It only took a couple of days into the program to completely open my eyes to the amazing self work that everyone has the capability of doing. I watched in awe as my fellow -- once broken -- participants transformed into self loving individuals. To witness healing of some of the most unimaginable traumas that people have suffered in their lives is such an amazing experience. I as well, healed my heart of the baggage and pain that I have carried with me for way too long. Once broken, coping with life only by drowning it out with drugs and alcohol, I left The Clearing with intentions to manifest my life into what I desire it to be. Today I have an amazing job, a beautiful family, a sober mind, and a new love of life like I have never had before.

This program is difficult, but all things that are worth it are. The deeper a participant is willing to go into their heart, the more healthy they can become. We are powerful self healers, and The Clearing will give you the tools to love yourself for the rest of your life. This place is the real deal.

Thomas Brauer

In a word my experience at The Clearing was transformational! I had struggled with alcohol use for 35 years and unaccepted depression and anxiety. I did not understand until I went through the program that I could heal underlying core issues from my past and release the attachment I had to alcohol. I went into the program as an angry, depressed, but successful business owner. I came out of the program filled with optimism, peace and self-acceptance. The staff and the facility are amazing; my life changed for the better in 28 days. I learned incredible tools for life to address my emotional upset and core issues. This program resonated with me because we were able to identify and heal core issues; traditional 12 step programs, medications and counseling all focus on coping mechanisms. I hold The Clearing and the staff very close to my heart; they helped me to save my own life. Before I attended I was physically ill and fatalistic; I am now wildly optimistic and heathy. If you are willing to change, willing to be open, honest and vulnerable, intelligent and compassionate, dramatic change in your life is only 28 days away. It is not an inexpensive program, but knowing what I know now, I would have gladly paid more to have my life back!