Heartwood Centre for Women
We treat addiction using a whole-person approach. We look at people's substance use, mental illness, chronic health conditions, triggers, history of trauma, and more.
The Heartwood Centre for Women (Heartwood) provides integrated treatment for women (19+), including members of Two-Spirit and gender-diverse communities, across B.C, who struggle with severe substance use and mental health challenges. The centre has 30 inpatient beds and is located in Vancouver.
Our care is based on research and is trauma-informed. "Trauma-informed" means our care teams will make sure you feel safe, secure, and supported throughout your time in the program.
We believe that people, when properly supported, have the strength and resiliency to manage their lives. This is why we focus on your strengths rather than solely on your symptoms and problems. You are a key member of your treatment team. Treatment is not happening to you - it is happening with you, and you are an active participant.
Who is the Heartwood Centre for?
The Heartwood Centre for Women is for women from across B.C., including members of Two-Spirit and gender-diverse communities, who live with severe substance use challenges and mild to moderate mental health concerns. The program is designed for those who have experienced several relapses, and whose treatment needs are beyond what local community health resources or health authorities can offer.
To receive treatment at the Heartwood Centre for Women, you need a referral from a health care professional and must be 19 years or older.
Treatment at the Heartwood Centre for Women is voluntary. You may be admitted to the program on leave from another care facility.
What to expect
Heartwood is a 90-day program. During your stay, we will develop a customized care plan for you based on your needs, challenges and history.
While you are in the referral process, before you are admitted to Heartwood, you can read the Heartwood Digital Handbook to learn more about what to expect during treatment.
What happens during your stay
You will begin the program with stabilization and assessment. This process usually takes two weeks. You'll work with your treatment team to set goals. Goals may include:
- Managing withdrawal from substance use
- Identifying and treating medical and mental health issues
- Developing stable daily routines
- Learning to live in a community
- Developing healthy sleep and hygiene habits
- Learning to engage in structured programming
If you smoke, we will work with you to develop a plan to decrease your use of tobacco, moving towards quitting. As part of this plan, you will attend a smoking cessation group for the duration of your treatment. You will have access to nicotine replacement therapy such as the nicotine patch and gum.
Other elements of the stabilization and assessment stage may include:
- Orientation sessions
- Counselling
- Early recovery groups
- Nutrition consultations and groups
- Pre-treatment groups
- Twelve-step meetings
You may also have appointments with a physician, begin learning how to manage chronic care, access spiritual care and take part in recreational activities and outings.
You'll spend the next 10 weeks participating in intensive and structured addiction and mental health treatment to support your recovery journey.
Your treatment will include groups and activities on topics such as:
Recovery skills:
- Trauma
- Substance use
- Mental wellness
- Enhancing your motivation
- Smoking cessation
- Relapse prevention
- Emotional regulation
Health and wellness:
- Women's wellness issues
- Spirituality and recovery
- Mindfulness skills
- Indigenous talking circle
- Indigenous medicine wheel
You'll also be able to take part in activities to help you develop wellness skills as well as different methods of coping with symptoms, cravings and difficult feelings. Some of these activities include:
- Acupuncture
- Peer support meetings
- Expressive art therapy
- Yoga
- Group and individual counselling
- Nutrition groups
- Recreational and fitness activities
- Family programming - we encourage your family members to attend
Occasional substance use relapses are often part of people's recovery journeys. They are not a sign of failure. If you experience a relapse and would like to continue your treatment at the Heartwood Centre for Women, we will work with you.
Some activities include escorted outings outside the facility. You’ll discuss these activities with your counsellor and recreational therapist. They are part of your treatment plan. Over time, when you and your treatment team decide it is safe for you, you will be able to leave the site without an escort. Before leaving on an unescorted pass, your treatment team will ensure that you have a safety plan.
Treatment at the Heartwood Centre for Women is only part of your recovery journey. We'll work with you and your local health authority to make sure you continue to receive the care and support you need after completing your treatment.
Your case manager from your regional health authority will continue to be involved in your care throughout your stay at Heartwood and will work with the Heartwood team to plan your transition home. Learn more about our community transition teams.
Your care team
Your care team includes the following health care professionals:
- Addictions medicine physician
- Nurse
- Nurse practitioner
- Physician
- Psychiatrist
- Acupuncturist
- Art therapist
- Clinical social worker
- Dietitian
- Indigenous care coordinator
- Music therapist
- Recreational therapist
Referrals
If you are interested in receiving treatment at the Heartwood Centre for Women, contact your health professional about a referral.
If you are a health professional looking to refer a client or patient to the Heartwood Centre for Women, visit our referral page for details.
Resources for Indigenous patients and families
If you are Indigenous, we have a dedicated Indigenous care coordinator (ICC) who can support you and your family while you are receiving care at the Heartwood Centre. The coordinator also helps empower you to determine your own health care needs.
The coordinator can support you by incorporating Indigenous medicines, ceremony, and wellness practices as part of your treatment plan. They can also facilitate access to Indigenous-specific programming that is culturally safe and relevant.
You can request support from the coordinator at any point during your admission. You can ask any member of your health care team to submit a referral.
The Indigenous care coordinator provides:
- Holistic care planning and Indigenous wellness programming
- Individual cultural and spiritual supports, including coordination and access to Sacred Spaces
- Client and family advocacy
- Help in addressing and/or reporting care that is harmful or discriminatory
- Health system navigation
- Communication support to your health care team
The coordinator can also assist with:
- Discharge planning and resource coordination
- Connecting with other sources of support available to all Indigenous patients
- Group facilitation
- Cultural programming
- Facilitating connection with your Indigenous community as needed
We also have an Indigenous wellness helper who leads Indigenous art, regalia, and sacred object-making groups. The Indigenous wellness helper also offers Indigenous wellness programming and services, such as:
- Indigenous wellness practices
- Indigenous medicines and bundles
- Healing and cleansing ceremonies such as smudging
- Group programming
- Indigenous art programming
For families and loved ones
Stay involved
Research shows that people are most likely to stay in recovery when they are supported by a family member or loved one. We encourage you to stay connected to your loved one. We will involve you in their treatment as we are able.
The first few weeks of treatment can be very difficult for your loved one. They are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, and they may want to leave the program. Our staff are here to support you during this process. Please call 604-875-2424 ext.2032 with any questions or concerns.
You're welcome to attend the family group program called Understanding Addiction with your loved one every Sunday at the Heartwood Centre for Women. Email heartwood@cw.bc.ca for details.
Visiting your loved ones
Visiting hours are on Sunday afternoons or by special arrangement, depending on the visitor. Children may have more frequent visits. Call 604-875-2424 ext.2032 or email heartwood@cw.bc.ca to learn more.
Contact us
4500 Oak Street
BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre
Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3N1
Phone: 604-875-2424 ext.2032
Toll free (B.C. only): 1-888-300-3088 ext.2032
Email: heartwood@cw.bc.ca