When someone you love goes to treatment far from home, you want to know you are still part of the process. At Retorno, a kosher therapeutic community in Givat Shemesh, near Beit Shemesh, Israel, families are involved from the first conversation through the return home. Here is what that looks like.
During treatment
- A first meeting with the parents: early in treatment, the therapeutic team meets with the family.
- Family therapy is part of the treatment plan.
- Regular updates: a social worker updates the family about once a month on how treatment is going.
- Visits: families can visit, coordinated in advance with the staff.
- Outings: time outside the program is granted step by step, as the person progresses through the program’s stages.
To picture daily life during treatment, see a day at Retorno.
Before discharge
When needed, the family and the team meet before discharge to plan the next stage together.
After returning to the US
- Follow-up sessions with the therapist.
- Help finding a therapist and a support group in the US.
- Direct contact with Aharon Sopher, director of the English-speaking program.
- Family support through Mifgashim, Retorno’s outpatient center (for a fee).
- The door stays open: returning to treatment is always possible.
Frequently asked questions
How often will we hear from the staff?
A social worker updates the family about once a month on how treatment is going. You can also reach the director of the English-speaking program directly.
Can we visit?
Yes. Visits are coordinated in advance with the staff.
What happens after our loved one comes home?
Retorno helps arrange follow-up sessions with the therapist, help finding a therapist and a support group in the US, and direct contact with the program director. Returning to treatment is always possible.
Talk to us
Call our US line at (646) 248-7297 or message us on WhatsApp at +972-53-840-0374. Our admissions team will guide your family through every step. For the key facts about the program, see Retorno at a Glance, or read our guide to rehab in Israel for Americans. If your loved one is not yet ready for treatment, read what to do when an adult child refuses rehab.
Last updated: November 2026