Charlford House

Charlford House is a 15-bed residential recovery program for women aged 19 and older, located at 6845 Kitchener Street in Burnaby, British Columbia. Established in 1970 and now part of the Together We Can (TWC) family of programs, Charlford House has been transforming lives one woman at a time for over five decades. The 90-day abstinence-based program combines evidence-based individual and group therapy with holistic wellness practices, life skills training, and a Surrogate Family Model of treatment — creating a home-like environment where women can heal and rebuild their lives in community.

Women-Centred Residential Recovery

Charlford House provides a safe, gender-specific residential environment where women can address addiction to alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, opioids, and benzodiazepines without the added pressures of mixed-gender settings. The trauma-informed, culturally inclusive approach recognizes that women often have distinct pathways into addiction and require tailored therapeutic responses. Individual therapy, substance abuse group counselling, and Twelve-Step programming are all integrated into the 90-day residential experience. Women must complete detoxification prior to admission, and the waitlist-based intake process ensures a structured, prepared transition into the program.

Surrogate Family Model and Holistic Wellness

What distinguishes Charlford House is its Surrogate Family Model — a therapeutic approach that creates a structured but nurturing home-like environment where residents learn to trust, communicate, and build healthy relationships, often for the first time. Nourishing meals, yoga, mindfulness practices, and art therapy complement the clinical work, addressing the physical and emotional dimensions of recovery alongside the psychological and spiritual. Life skills training and relapse prevention education prepare women for the practical demands of sober living after discharge.

Aftercare and Ongoing Community Support

Charlford House’s commitment to women’s recovery does not end at graduation. Aftercare planning begins during the residential phase, and ongoing support is available to help women navigate the transition back into community life. As part of the Together We Can network, Charlford graduates have access to a broader recovery community and alumni connections that provide the continued accountability and belonging that sustain long-term sobriety. For women in Burnaby and the Lower Mainland who are ready to make a serious commitment to recovery, Charlford House offers a proven, compassionate pathway forward.