Reviews

My experience at The Sanctuary at Sedona was nothing short of transformational. I had the honor of attending a sweat lodge, and I was deeply moved by Deanhis presence, integrity, and the way he holds space for others is truly remarkable.What stood out just as much as the ceremony itself was the sense of community. Gathering around the table, listening and sharing what was alive for each person, created a space of genuine connection that feels rare and sacred.The land itself is absolutely magicalthe labyrinth, the medicine wheel, the stupa every inch of the property invites reflection, grounding, and expansion. It's a place where you can reconnect with your inner strength, gain clarity, and remember your purpose.I left feeling like a different person. Deeply grateful. Thank you, Dean, for the work you do and for the countless lives you touch.

Nearly twenty years ago I was introduced to a truly holistic group of practitioners at the Sanctuary at Sedona. As an Emmy winning documentary filmmaker, I traveled world researching and producing movies about healing that ranged from traditional clinical means, to ancient indigenous approaches to the latest in alternative practices. I have no words that adequately describe the positive transformation I witnessed here in hundreds of individuals, including myself.What began as me serving them by filming and producing a movie, quickly shifted to the Sanctuary at Sedona serving me on my healing path. In 2025, I returned to their beautiful campus and was amazed at the evolution of their programs, the new construction of high tech facilities that offer a perfect balance of clinical treatment married in an individualized holistic outcome driven program.The've perfected the skill to reach deep into the core issues buried in the body, mind, spirit and soul. What happened for me was an epic shift. They helped light the path to my passion, recover my true purpose and inspire my life's mission. Saying "Thank you Sanctuary" feels so inadequate for the magnitude of gratitude in my heart.- Skip Thomas

Our 30 year son happen to stumble upon the sanctuary while looking for a rehab for himself. He was looking for a place that was different and had a more holistic approach and spiritual component to it. His dad and I were invited out for his third weekend as guest and to do some work with him dealing with trauma from his years before and during high school. When we arrived we were not sure what to expect but by the time we left we had experienced a life changing event for all three of us. To say that The Sanctuary may have given life back to our son is an understatement. When we first saw him we quickly saw and realized that he was different, brighter , lighter and had a bluest sparkle back in his eyes. We were able to attend several of the therapy sessions with him including breathe work and the sweat lodge. It is undeniable how moving, healing and enlightening all sessions were not only for him but surprising for us is healing deep wounds, sadness and grief. I'm not sure I have ever met a more dedicated, down to earth caring individuals than the staff and the original founders of The Sanctuary. Dean in particular was so truly inspirational and caring it was easy to see why the clients and the staff are so dedicated to this special place. We thank them all from the bottom of our hearts for giving our son his life back and helping all of us to heal as a family.Medelise Reifsteck

It is hard to put in words what an incredibly special place the Sanctuary is. Every element of one's journey is carefully curated and it shows in the care you receive.

The Sanctuary blends new and ancient traditions of healing the spirit. I have spent 10 years in therapy, telling the same stories with only the circumstances changing. I was trapped in victim mentality after a traumatic marriage, and burnout only worsened as I believed I had to be strong enough to keep going. This place is a refuge for healing grief, processing trauma, and laying down the burdens my soul carried.They say it takes a village, and I now stand by thatas a mother and, in a sense, a villager. Our culture's hyper-independence and the sterile approach to mental health did not work for me. Here, I've gained lifelong friendships and found a safe haven for the rest of my journey on Earth.My experience at the Sanctuary has allowed me to explore the depths of myself with genuine compassion and care from both staff and clients. I strongly believe the Sanctuary has gifts that can change the world: by helping to mend and remind everyone who has been here to ripple this transformation into their communities and families.We have one precious life. Claim it. Make the call.

The most amazing place in the world. If your soul needs a reset, I can promise this place will beyond exceed your expectations

When I found The Sanctuary at Sedona, I felt broken, overwhelmed, and at times permanently damaged. I was living in deep emotional pain, caught in cycles of rumination, shame, and fear that felt inescapable. I did not need surface-level help; I needed a place that could hold the depth of what I was experiencing. Something beyond traditional outpatient care or medication management alone, while still having access to those supports when appropriate.I say this not only from personal experience, but also as someone who has worked in mental health since 2008 across PHP, IOP, inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment settings. I understood the system; and still found myself needing something different.After surviving a severe head-on collision with an 18-wheeler in 2018 with my husband and son, deeply suppressed trauma from early adolescence resurfaced. During COVID, things escalated into persistent rumination, overwhelming shame, and suicidal ideation. Living temporarily with my parents to stabilize financially (while practical), further impacted my mental health. I came to understand I was experiencing complex PTSD, including religious trauma and harmful early experiences with authority figures.When I reached a breaking point, I searched for a residential program focused on developmental trauma not rooted in a 12-step model. That search led me to The Sanctuary at Sedona. Choosing to go, and to fully engage in the work; was life-saving.The Sanctuary offers a deeply intentional, structured, and compassionate approach to healing. What stood out most was the genuine care, presence, and respect offered to each individual. There is a consistent sense of being seen and supported without judgment.The setting itself is part of the healing. The property is large and private, with space to walk, reflect, and regulate. Whether that's time by the creek, journaling, walking the labyrinth or medicine wheel, or sitting quietly with the mountain views. The program also incorporates Mind-Spirit-Body-based healing, including massage therapy, recognizing the impact of trauma on the nervous system. Additional supports such as individualized IV nutrient therapy and carefully facilitated ketamine-assisted therapy are offered in a thoughtful, sacred, and well-held way.Each client has their own private room and bathroom, creating safety, autonomy, and space to process. This supports nervous system regulation and allows for deeper internal work and emotional release.A core part of the work involved learning how to go inward rather than avoid or override what I was feeling. Through Shadow Work and other integrative approaches, I was able to identify long-standing patterns, express anger toward God in a safe and supported way, and begin healing deeper layers of complex trauma connected to my spiritual history. This process helped me shift my relationship with myself and develop genuine self-compassion. It also supported nervous system repair and improved areas I had struggled with for years, including chronic insomnia.As a licensed mental health professional, I can say the level of attunement and coordination among staff is exceptional. They hold space while maintaining a highly integrated program, something not easy to achieve. And a strong aftercare program provides continued support.Through my time there, I worked through a profound fear of death, addressed deep-rooted shame, and learned practical tools for nervous system regulation that I continue to use in my daily life and, at times, in my clinical work.If you are feeling lost, stuck, or without direction, this is a place that can meet you there. I strongly recommend The Sanctuary at Sedona.The Sanctuary provides space to work through deep wounds including: religious or spiritual trauma, emotional neglect, and patterns of self-neglect; while helping you build self-compassion, healthier boundaries, and a more grounded relationship with yourself.It is a place where real, lasting healing can begin.

I highly recommend The Sanctuary to anyone and everyone doing this thing called life. I am truly blown away by the entire experience and positive transformation within myself. The land and landscape is beyond gorgeous, and the facility is top notch. You will meet an entire team of staff that are willing to help you achieve any goal you may have. This place has an abundance of radiant energy that almost anyone could benefit from. The food is also some of the best I have ever had – consider my diet permanently changed. If you are on the fence about coming here, take the leap and DO IT. You will not regret it. Forever thankful & grateful for it all. I can't wait to come back and visit the tribe.

I'm incredibly grateful for my experience at The Sanctuary. I came while dealing with chronic health challenges and trauma, hoping to find a place that approached healing in a more holistic way, and for me it truly felt like a supportive environment to do that work.What stood out most was the range of therapies and healing modalities available and the way the program focuses on supporting the mind, body, and nervous system together rather than just treating symptoms.The staff create a compassionate and respectful environment where people feel genuinely supported in their healing journey.I would recommend it to anyoneof any faith or backgroundwho is open to exploring deeper healing around chronic illness, chronic pain, mental health challenges, trauma, PTSD, addiction, or other co-occurring struggles.I visited before the Brain Body Recovery Lab was completed, so I'm hopeful to return someday and experience that when the timing feels right. I'll always be grateful for my time there.