Highlands in Bloom is a licensed residential treatment center in Agoura Hills, California providing individualized residential treatment for high-functioning adults navigating mental health disorders, autoimmune conditions, chronic stress, trauma, and burnout. Our clinical program is developed and overseen by Clinical Program Director Stacy McNeal, PhD, LMFT and Medical Director and Psychiatrist Dr. Todd Hill.
This page provides educational guidance and video resources on the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) modalities available to residential clients at Highlands in Bloom, including far infrared sauna, cold plunge, hot tub hydrotherapy, vibration plate, BEMER Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy (PEMF), and red light and near-infrared therapy. Each modality is integrated into individualized residential treatment plans as a supportive complement to licensed clinical care. For a full overview of our services and modalities, visit our Services and Modalities page.
*CAM therapies are not intended to treat or cure medical or mental health conditions. Instead, they are used to help support physiological regulation, reduce stress responses, and create an internal environment where clinical and therapeutic work can be more effectively received and integrated.
Infrared Sauna
Session Recommendations:
• 20–30 minutes per session
• 3–4 sessions per week
• 120–130°F per session
Cold Plunge
Session Recommendations:
• 30 sec–3 minutes per session
• 2–3 sessions per week
• 50–59°F per session
Hot Tub
Session Recommendations:
• 10–20 minutes per session
• 3–4 sessions per week
• 99–102°F per session
Video
Coming Soon
Vibration Plate
Session Recommendations:
• 5–10 minutes per session
• 3–4 sessions per week
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF)
Session Recommendations:
• 8–16 minutes per session
• 2 times daily
Red-light and Near-infrared
Session Recommendations:
• 10–20 minutes per session
• 3–4 sessions per week
Video Coming Soon
CAM Disclaimer
CAM services offered at Highlands in Bloom are provided as supportive wellness modalities only. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical or mental health condition.
CAM modalities are not a substitute for licensed medical, psychiatric, or psychological care. All clinical treatment at Highlands in Bloom is delivered by appropriately licensed professionals in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations.
Participation in CAM services is voluntary and integrated as part of a comprehensive, individualized care plan designed to support nervous system regulation, stress reduction, and overall wellness. Outcomes may vary by individual.
Clients are encouraged to consult with their licensed medical or mental health providers regarding any health concerns and before making changes to prescribed treatment plans.
FAQs
What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine and how is it used at Highlands in Bloom?
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) refers to a range of evidence-informed health practices used alongside conventional licensed clinical treatment rather than as a replacement for it. At Highlands in Bloom, CAM modalities including far infrared sauna, cold plunge, hot tub hydrotherapy, BEMER PEMF therapy, red light therapy, and vibration plate are integrated into each client’s individualized residential treatment plan to support nervous system regulation, reduce systemic inflammation, and create an internal physiological environment where licensed clinical and therapeutic work can be more effectively received and integrated.
Is CAM a replacement for clinical therapy at Highlands in Bloom?
No. CAM modalities at Highlands in Bloom are supportive wellness practices that complement licensed clinical treatment, not replace it. All clinical care including individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric oversight, and evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR is delivered by licensed professionals and remains the foundation of every client’s residential treatment plan. CAM is integrated to support the body and nervous system alongside that clinical work.
How does far infrared sauna support mental health and autoimmune recovery?
Far infrared sauna uses infrared light to produce therapeutic heat at a cellular level, supporting detoxification, circulation, inflammation reduction, and nervous system relaxation. Unlike conventional saunas, far infrared operates at lower ambient temperatures while producing deeper tissue effects. It is particularly relevant for clients managing autoimmune conditions including fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and chronic fatigue where systemic inflammation and circulatory dysfunction are active clinical concerns, and for clients managing anxiety and burnout where parasympathetic activation supports nervous system regulation.
What is BEMER PEMF therapy and what does it do?
BEMER is a clinically validated Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) device that uses low-intensity electromagnetic pulses to stimulate microcirculation, support cellular energy production, and promote the body’s natural self-regulatory processes. PEMF has a research base supporting its use in pain management, immune modulation, nervous system regulation, and fatigue reduction, all relevant to both autoimmune and mental health presentations. At Highlands in Bloom, BEMER sessions are recommended at eight to sixteen minutes per session, twice daily, as part of the broader integrative treatment schedule.
What are the benefits of cold plunge hydrotherapy?
Cold plunge hydrotherapy involves brief immersion in cold water at 50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, typically for 30 seconds to three minutes per session. Cold exposure activates the vagus nerve, stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, reduces systemic inflammation, and supports mood through norepinephrine and endorphin release. Research supports its use for nervous system regulation, depression management, and autoimmune inflammation modulation.
How does red light and near-infrared therapy work?
Red light and near-infrared therapy delivers low-level wavelengths of light to the body, supporting mitochondrial function, cellular repair, inflammation reduction, and mood regulation. Research supports its use in managing chronic pain, depression, skin conditions including psoriasis, and fatigue-related autoimmune presentations. It is non-invasive, non-thermal, and integrated into the residential schedule as a passive daily practice. Sessions are recommended at ten to twenty minutes, three to four times per week.
Are CAM modalities safe for people with autoimmune conditions?
The CAM modalities offered at Highlands in Bloom are selected in part for their relevance and accessibility for clients managing autoimmune conditions. That said, every client undergoes a comprehensive clinical and medical assessment at intake, and participation in CAM modalities is integrated into an individualized plan that accounts for each client’s health history, physical capacity, and clinical presentation. Clients are encouraged to discuss any health concerns with their licensed medical or mental health provider before participating in any new wellness practice.