About Us | DPE | Addiction Treatment Center in Los Altos

Our Story

Restoring Hope, One Life at a Time

For over 15 years, DPE Support & Advisors has been a beacon of recovery in the Los Altos community.

How It All Began

DPE Support & Advisors was founded in 2009 by a group of clinicians and recovery advocates who recognized a critical gap in quality addiction care on the Peninsula. Having witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of substance use disorders in Silicon Valley communities, our founders set out to build a treatment center that combined clinical rigor with genuine compassion.

What started as a modest 12-bed residential facility at 121 Main St in Los Altos has grown into a comprehensive addiction treatment center offering a full continuum of care. Throughout our growth, we have remained committed to our original promise: treating every individual who walks through our doors with the dignity and personalized attention they deserve.

Today, DPE stands as one of the most respected treatment centers in California. Our multidisciplinary team works tirelessly to give each patient the tools, support, and confidence they need to build a lasting recovery. We are proud to call Los Altos home, and we are honored to serve families across the state and beyond.

Front entrance of DPE treatment facility at DPE in Los Altos, California

Our Mission

To provide accessible, evidence-based addiction treatment that addresses the whole person -- mind, body, and spirit. At our physical treatment center in Los Altos, we empower individuals and families to break free from the cycle of addiction through personalized clinical care, compassionate support, and proven therapeutic methods.

Our Vision

To be a nationally recognized leader in addiction treatment, setting the standard for clinical excellence, patient outcomes, and community engagement. We envision a future where every person struggling with substance use disorder has access to the quality care they need to achieve lasting recovery and live a fulfilling life.

15+

Years Serving

4,200+

Patients Helped

72

Licensed Beds

85+

Clinical Staff

Our Approach

Evidence-Based, Holistic Treatment

We combine the latest clinical research with holistic healing practices to treat the whole person, not just the addiction.

Group therapy session at DPE in Los Altos, California

Treatment Philosophy

At DPE Support & Advisors, we believe that addiction is a complex medical condition requiring comprehensive, individualized treatment. Our philosophy centers on three core principles: clinical excellence, compassionate care, and lasting empowerment.

Every patient receives a customized treatment plan developed by our multidisciplinary team of physicians, licensed therapists, and certified addiction counselors. We integrate evidence-based therapies with holistic approaches, ensuring that we address the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of addiction.

Our treatment center in Los Altos provides a safe, structured, and supportive environment where patients can focus entirely on their recovery journey.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Identifying and restructuring harmful thought patterns that drive addictive behaviors.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Building mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance skills for sustainable recovery.

Group Therapy

Peer-supported sessions that build community, accountability, and shared understanding.

Individual Counseling

One-on-one sessions with licensed therapists tailored to each patient's unique needs and goals.

Family Therapy

Healing relationships and building a strong support system through guided family sessions.

12-Step Facilitation

Structured introduction to the principles of 12-step recovery with peer mentoring and support groups.

Holistic Therapies

Yoga, meditation, art therapy, and mindfulness practices that nurture mind-body wellness.

Our Continuum of Care

A seamless treatment pathway designed to support you at every stage of recovery.

1

Assessment & Intake

Comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation to determine the ideal treatment plan for your unique situation.

2

Medical Detoxification

Medically supervised detox with 24/7 nursing care to safely manage withdrawal symptoms and stabilize your health.

3

Residential Treatment

Immersive inpatient program featuring daily therapy, skill-building workshops, and a structured healing environment.

4

Partial Hospitalization (PHP)

Intensive day programming that maintains clinical structure while allowing patients to transition toward greater independence.

5

Intensive Outpatient (IOP)

Flexible evening and weekend sessions designed for patients stepping down from higher levels of care or those with work and family commitments.

6

Aftercare & Alumni Support

Ongoing relapse prevention planning, alumni groups, and community resources to sustain long-term recovery.

Our Team

Meet the Leadership

Our experienced clinical leadership team brings decades of combined expertise in addiction medicine and behavioral health.

Dr. James Whitfield

Executive Director

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, CADC-II, 20+ years in addiction treatment administration

Dr. Maria Santos, MD

Medical Director

Board-Certified Addiction Medicine, ABAM Diplomate, Fellowship in Psychiatry, 15+ years clinical experience

Rebecca Thornton, LCSW, LCDC

Clinical Director

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, EMDR-Certified, 18+ years in behavioral health

Our Staff Credentials

Licensed Therapists

LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, and LAADC credentialed clinicians

Board-Certified MDs

Physicians specializing in addiction medicine and psychiatry

Registered Nurses

24/7 RN staffing with detox and behavioral health specializations

Our Facilities

Amenities & Campus

Our treatment center provides a comfortable, home-like environment designed to support healing and personal growth.

Private Rooms

Comfortable, fully furnished private and semi-private accommodations for a restful recovery experience.

Gourmet Meals

Chef-prepared, nutritionally balanced meals crafted to support physical recovery and well-being.

Fitness Center

State-of-the-art gym equipment and guided fitness programs to rebuild physical strength and endurance.

Yoga Studio

Dedicated studio space for daily yoga, stretching, and breathwork sessions led by certified instructors.

Meditation Garden

Tranquil outdoor garden with seating areas for quiet reflection, journaling, and guided meditation.

Swimming Pool

Heated swimming pool available for recreational therapy and low-impact aquatic exercise sessions.

Recreation Room

Community lounge with entertainment, games, and comfortable seating for socializing and downtime.

Art Therapy Studio

Creative arts space equipped for painting, sculpting, and expressive arts therapy sessions.

Family Visiting Area

Welcoming private spaces designed for family visits, counseling sessions, and group activities.

Take a Tour of Our Campus

Private patient room at DPE in Los Altos, California

Dining area with gourmet meals at DPE in Los Altos, California

Fitness and wellness center at DPE in Los Altos, California

Outdoor meditation garden at DPE in Los Altos, California

Main lobby and reception area at DPE in Los Altos, California

Group therapy room at DPE in Los Altos, California

Recreation and community lounge at DPE in Los Altos, California

Landscaped courtyard at DPE in Los Altos, California

Patient Stories

What Our Patients Say

Real stories from real people who found lasting recovery at DPE Support & Advisors.

When I arrived at DPE's residential program, I honestly didn't believe recovery was possible for me. The team in Los Altos changed everything. My therapist helped me understand the root causes of my addiction, and the structured daily schedule gave me purpose again. I'm now 14 months sober and rebuilding my career. DPE didn't just treat my addiction -- they gave me my life back.

Michael T.

Residential Treatment Program

After years of struggling with alcohol dependence, my family found DPE Support & Advisors online and drove me to the Los Altos campus the next morning. The medical detox team made me feel safe during the hardest days of withdrawal, and the transition into residential treatment was seamless. The staff genuinely cared about every patient. I completed the full detox and residential track and I'm proud to say I've been sober for over two years.

Sarah L.

Detox + Residential Program

I chose DPE's outpatient program because I couldn't leave my job, but I desperately needed professional help. The evening IOP sessions at their Los Altos facility fit perfectly into my schedule. The group therapy was incredibly powerful -- I met people who truly understood what I was going through. The CBT techniques I learned at DPE are tools I use every single day. I'm eight months clean and I finally feel like myself again.

David K.

Outpatient Program (IOP)

About DPE Treatment Center