The Dawn Thailand Rehab Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The Dawn is the only rehab in Asia accredited by CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, a US accreditation held to a three-year term, the highest level awarded. This means our clinical standards, safety protocols and evidence-based treatment methods meet the same benchmarks as leading rehabilitation centres in the US, UK and Australia. We are also fully licensed by the Thai Ministry of Public Health.

Whether you’re seeking treatment for a mental health issue or an addiction, we will tailor your treatment plan specifically to your needs. The length of your treatment will depend on the complexity of your diagnosis as well as your responsiveness to treatment, a process that can take anywhere from four weeks to six months. Ideally, we ask clients to try to clear their schedule for approximately two months in order to see clear results.

In some cases, yes. Shorter mental health stays are considered on a case-by-case basis and depend on your clinical assessment, so speak to our Admissions team about your situation.

We will also be honest with you about what a short stay can and cannot do. One to two weeks is enough to stabilise a crisis, get a proper assessment and start medication under supervision, but it is rarely enough to change what caused the crisis. Meaningful work that addresses the root cause of your depression or anxiety needs time for the therapy itself and then the practical work of building routines and relapse prevention skills before you go home, which is why our standard programme starts at four weeks with many clients staying longer to achieve sustainable results.

If time away is your constraint, tell our Admissions team and they will help you find the most effective option available to you.

Your day follows a structured programme: morning fitness and breakfast, a process group mid-morning, group therapy or psychoeducation around midday, and afternoons divided between individual therapy, holistic sessions and wellness activities such as massage, fitness and TRE. Evenings conclude with dinner, homework or recreational time before curfew. Attendance at your scheduled therapy sessions and group activities is expected, as the structure itself is part of treatment. You can see a full example in our weekly timetable.

Our clients typically participate in two individual therapy sessions and around 20 hours of group sessions per week, including process groups, group therapy, psychoeducation and relapse prevention. Your therapist will continually monitor your progress during these sessions. If they find that you are struggling, you will receive additional one-to-one sessions to explore your issues and needs further, and to strengthen your recovery. You can see how this fits together in our weekly timetable.

In a typical week you receive two individual therapy sessions, around 20 hours of group sessions including process groups, group therapy, psychoeducation and relapse prevention, and daily wellness sessions such as yoga, fitness, breathwork and TRE. Psychiatric consultations are arranged upon a referral from your focal therapist, with medication monitored throughout your stay. You can see how a week fits together in our weekly timetable.

Yes, group therapy sessions and group activities are a major component of treatment at The Dawn, and play a pivotal role in the effectiveness of both our mental health and addiction programmes. In fact, most of our clients attribute a big part of their recovery to the ability to identify with the group and the support they received from the community.

Our core clinical programme is built on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). We also use other evidence-based therapies such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and narrative therapy, depending on your clinical needs and how you respond to each approach. These are delivered in individual and group formats. We also offer EMDR, TMS therapy, trauma releasing exercises (TRE) and mindfulness-based approaches, integrated into your personalised treatment plan. You can read more about each of our evidence-based treatment methods.

We offer drug and alcohol detox prior to psycho-social primary treatment, if required. We have medical staff available onsite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that are in charge of overseeing detoxes. We recommend that clients who are severely dependent on substances like opioids and alcohol visit a local hospital for detoxification prior to coming to The Dawn. After that, our medical team can continue to monitor clients and effectively treat any remaining withdrawal symptoms.

The Dawn has a 24-hour onsite professional nursing team who has vast experience in handling detox as well as patients with psychological issues. Under the supervision of our psychiatrist, who handles all prescription medication, the team carefully monitors and assists clients as required.

This will depend on your initial assessment by our medical team. If medication is determined to be necessary for your condition, then it will be prescribed by our psychiatrist.

Yes. Our psychiatrist oversees all prescription medication at The Dawn, from initial assessment through to ongoing adjustment and monitoring during your stay.

Our nursing team is on site around the clock and trained to respond immediately, with our psychiatrist and medical team overseeing any escalation. For situations requiring hospital-level care, we are partnered with Chiang Mai’s leading internationally accredited hospitals, including the JCI-accredited Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai, a short drive from the centre. Our team manages the transfer and stays involved in your care throughout.

Yes, translation can be arranged on request. Treatment at The Dawn is delivered in English, and The Dawn has previously arranged professional translators for clients. Where our clinical team is confident we can treat your case effectively, translation can be built into a bespoke programme at an additional cost. Speak to our Admissions team early in the enquiry process so we can confirm what is possible for your language and treatment plan.

Yes. Where our clinical team accepts an eating disorder case following a thorough assessment confirming the condition is one The Dawn can treat, a nutritionist will design a meal plan for you, and our kitchen will prepare those meals throughout your stay. This is arranged as part of a bespoke programme at an additional cost.

Before you leave, you and your therapist build a structured relapse prevention and return-home plan covering your routines, triggers and support network. From your first week at home you can join our twice-weekly online aftercare groups. Clients who prefer a more phased and professionally supported transition back into everyday life may apply to join our Step-Down Programme.

We offer twice-weekly online group therapy sessions in both northern and southern hemisphere timeframes, free for life for every Dawn client. Aftercare is vital in helping you work through any issues as you settle back into your daily routine at home. It is also a key factor in preventing relapse.

Every Dawn client receives free lifetime aftercare, built on two elements. First, our Online Aftercare groups, held twice a week and scheduled for both northern and southern hemisphere time zones, so you can continue to attend live sessions wherever you are based. Second, you also join our Alumni Community, which offers access to exclusive recovery resources and benefits, and keeps you connected to peers who understand recovery long after you leave treatment.