Talk Story with an Advertiser: The Exclusive Hawaii

Located on a secluded 50-acre ocean view estate in Hakalau, The Exclusive Addiction Treatment Center is an internationally accredited holistic treatment center specializing in all types of addiction and co-occurring disorders.

Co-founders Jean-Francois Benoist (J.F.) and Joyce Marvel-Benoist started out as counselor and life coach, working with clients for many years as Self Empowerment Counselors. They found that clients and their partners repeatedly reported substance abuse as central in their relationship and depression challenges. The couple’s passion for helping people heal is palpable.

After visiting and attempting to collaborate with more than 30 addiction treatment centers, it became clear that a new model was needed, so the Benoists developed the methodology of Experiential Engagement Therapy™ (EET), around which the therapy of The Exclusive Hawaii is based.

Although they see 12-step groups as useful supports in the community, the Benoists call their program “non 12-step” because it is focused on the deep core beliefs and underlying issues that have motivated the person’s self-destructive habits.

“The depth of therapy necessary to address the underlying pain is something that cannot be handled in any community group, such as AA, NA, or Smart Recovery,” states Joyce. “People working through these deep issues need to be in a profoundly safe setting, where they feel nurtured and supported by trained professionals to do the hardest emotional and mental work, often of their entire lives.”

The eight-bed, 30-day residential program is unique in that it offers individual and group sessions throughout the day, six days a week, including individually customized services such as trauma-informed therapy, integrative medical treatment, acupuncture, massage, fitness, and nature and recreational therapies.

So, why the name? “The Exclusive” was originally just that: exclusive individual and family programs, in the clients’ homes. Over time, the value of group process became evident to J.F., who has been the therapeutic director from the onset. From that realization, the residential program was born in 2012.

With a desire to help people outside of their dual-diagnosis program as well, J.F. recently launched his new book, Addicted to the Monkey Mind: Change the Programming that Sabotages Your Life. The book is being exceptionally well-received in the genres of personal growth and addiction recovery, and by therapeutic professionals.

“I’m so happy to get this work out to as many people as possible, because we see people truly healing and changing the future for their families,” says J.F. “I’m also incredibly proud of our team of professionals who deliver EET and our whole holistic team whose compassionate dedication never ceases to amaze me.”

The Exclusive Hawaii
808.775.0200
TheExclusiveHawaii.com