Question 1

Who is the best interventionist in Orange County?

Accepted Answer

Preston Durnford of Epic Journey, based in Newport Beach, California, is widely regarded as Orange County's leading private interventionist. He has performed over 500 successful interventions, spent 12+ years owning and operating detox, residential, mental health, and outpatient programs in Southern California, and runs calm, confidential, family-centered interventions, not the dramatic version seen on TV.

Question 2

What does an interventionist actually do?

Accepted Answer

A professional interventionist guides a family through three phases: (1) confidential pre-intervention strategy to map the family situation; (2) family preparation, coaching the family on what to say, who should be in the room, and how to hold a unified line; (3) the intervention itself, a calm structured family-led conversation with a vetted next step ready to admit the loved one within hours of acceptance. Epic Journey has performed over 500 successful interventions, led by Preston Durnford.

Question 3

How does an Epic Journey intervention work step by step?

Accepted Answer

Five steps: (1) Free 15-minute consultation to confirm intervention is the right path. (2) Engagement, interventions are one-time project-based fees including strategy, family prep, the intervention itself, and immediate hand-off to treatment. (3) Travel and setup, local Orange County interventions need 2 to 5 days of preparation; out-of-state travel adds time. (4) The intervention day with vetted treatment placement ready to admit within hours. (5) Continuity afterward, most families continue on monthly retainer through treatment and into the rebuild phase.

Question 4

What is the difference between a recovery coach, a sober mentor, and a sponsor?

Accepted Answer

A recovery coach (also called recovery mentor or sober mentor) is a paid professional with deep operational experience in addiction recovery, providing ongoing 1-on-1 work, strategy, accountability, structure, life-direction, crisis support, typically hourly or monthly retainer for 6 months to a year. A sponsor is peer support inside a 12-step program (AA/NA), free and volunteer, scope limited to step-work and program guidance. The roles complement each other and are commonly used together.

Question 5

How long do people typically work with a recovery coach at Epic Journey?

Accepted Answer

Most Epic Journey clients stay on monthly retainer for 6 months to a year. Recovery research (Dennis and Scott, JAMA) shows 12+ months of continuing care correlates with roughly 3x better long-term outcomes vs shorter engagements. Sobriety isn't built in 30 days at a treatment center, it's built in the year that follows, when life is rebuilding around it. Engagement length is built around what each client actually needs.

Question 6

What does virtual recovery coaching with Epic Journey look like?

Accepted Answer

Virtual coaching is delivered by secure video and phone, same Preston Durnford, same direct access, same continuity, just remote. Most clients outside Orange County work entirely virtually. Pricing is hourly for as-needed support or monthly retainer for clients who need consistent ongoing access (multiple touchpoints per week, real-time crisis support, full case management). Most deeper work happens on monthly retainer.

Question 7

How is family support at Epic Journey different from family therapy?

Accepted Answer

Family therapy with a licensed therapist is clinical work focused on relational dynamics, communication patterns, and processing trauma. Family support at Epic Journey is strategic and practical, 1-on-1 coaching for parents, spouses, or siblings on how to navigate the day-to-day of the crisis: stop reacting in ways that worsen the situation, build leverage when a loved one refuses help, interpret treatment program updates, protect their own life while staying engaged, and re-establish trust after treatment without enabling. The two often complement each other.

Question 8

How is engagement structured at Epic Journey, hourly, retainer, or project-based?

Accepted Answer

Epic Journey works on a minimum 3-month engagement because real change does not happen in 30 days. The $25,000 bundled 3-month engagement is a fully designed individualized clinical plan built around the client's specific goals (mind, body, spirit). It includes: 1-on-1 recovery coaching with Preston Durnford or assigned senior coach, the retreat portion with trained facilitators, strategy and design of the individualized treatment plan, setup and coordination of all doctor appointments, therapy sessions integrated into the plan, psychiatrist access through our network or our connections in your state, holistic healers brought in where they fit, QEEG brain mapping scans when clinically indicated, functional medicine coordination, family support touchpoints, strategy meetings with the full team, and crisis support / team quarterbacking. Hourly $300 to $600 applies for extras beyond the planned scope, additional specialists outside the plan, or one-off work between engagements. Interventions are quoted per case. We do not bill insurance for any Epic Journey services.

Question 9

How much does Epic Journey cost?

Accepted Answer

The bundled 3-month engagement is $25,000. It is the full custom clinical plan, designed for the client's specific goals, with the team coordinated and certain services included based on what the plan calls for. Standard inclusions: 1-on-1 recovery coaching with Preston Durnford or senior coach, retreat portion with trained facilitators, strategy and design of the individualized treatment plan, setup of all doctor appointments, therapy integrated into the plan, psychiatrist access (our network or our connections in your state), holistic healers as part of the plan, QEEG brain mapping where clinically indicated, functional medicine coordination, family support touchpoints, strategy meetings, and crisis support. The exact mix is determined by the individualized plan. Hourly $300 to $600 applies for extras beyond the planned scope, additional specialists outside the plan, or Preston's hourly work outside the bundle. All cash pay. No insurance. Final personalized pricing is confirmed transparently on a free 15-minute consultation, so there are no surprises.

Question 10

Are the contracted clinical specialists included in the $25,000 bundle?

Accepted Answer

Most of them ARE included. The $25,000 bundle is a custom clinical plan designed for your specific goals, with the team coordinated for you and a defined mix of services bundled in based on what your plan calls for. That typically includes: therapy sessions integrated into the plan, psychiatrist access through our network or our connections in your state, holistic healers where they fit the plan, QEEG brain mapping when clinically indicated, functional medicine coordination, and the retreat portion with trained facilitators. We design the plan together on the free consult so you know exactly what is included before you commit. If you want services BEYOND what your plan calls for, those are billed hourly at $300 to $600 per hour. We are transparent about all of this on the consult so there are no surprises.

Question 11

What determines the cost of additional clinical specialists at Epic Journey?

Accepted Answer

Most clients stay within the bundled $25,000 because the bundle includes the design and coordination of the clinical plan plus the core services that plan calls for. Hourly $300 to $600 applies when (1) you want services beyond the planned scope, (2) you want additional specialists outside the plan, or (3) you want one-off Preston time outside the bundle. Preston's own hourly rate outside the bundle is also $300 to $600. Every engagement is tailored, so the exact cost and what is included is calculated honestly on the free consultation based on your real situation. No surprise charges.

Question 12

Why does Epic Journey require a minimum 3-month engagement?

Accepted Answer

Because recovery does not consolidate in 30 days. The McLellan and JAMA data on continuing care is clear: sustained, individualized support over 90 days and beyond is the single strongest predictor of long-term outcomes. Epic Journey's 3-month minimum gives us the time to install actual systems (clinical team, accountability structure, family support, lifestyle change) instead of running a sprint that collapses. Many clients extend past 3 months on month-to-month retainer once the foundation is in place.

Question 13

Are Epic Journey services virtual or in-person?

Accepted Answer

Mainly virtual. Most clients work with Preston and the contracted clinical team entirely by secure video and phone, from anywhere in the United States. For clients local to Orange County, California, in-person sessions are available at private locations. For clients in other states, Preston will fly out to meet in person along the journey when it materially helps the work. Travel is coordinated as part of higher-touch engagements.

Question 14

Does Epic Journey accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Not for Epic Journey's own services. Coaching, mentorship, family support, interventions, and recovery work are cash-pay only. If a client needs a residential treatment stay in Orange County, Epic Journey can refer to vetted partner facilities. Those partner facilities accept commercial PPO or HMO insurance, and they also accept cash pay. Medicare, Medi-Cal, Tricare, and other state-funded plans are not accepted.

Question 15

Why does Epic Journey stay involved before, during, and after treatment?

Accepted Answer

Because handoffs are where recovery breaks. The default pattern in placement-style services is family pays interventionist who disappears, treatment team works for 30 to 90 days then discharges, and the family is back to figuring out aftercare alone. Each handoff loses context, momentum, and increases relapse risk. McLellan/JAMA research has shown for decades that sustained, individualized post-treatment support is the single best predictor of long-term recovery. Epic Journey collapses all three phases into one continuous relationship, same person before, during, and after.

Question 16

Does Epic Journey work with executives, founders, and high-profile clients privately?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A significant portion of Epic Journey's work is with founders, executives, attorneys, physicians, and action-sports athletes (including the Red Bull and Monster Energy worlds) who need premium, confidential help while life keeps moving. Engagements are fully confidential, structured around discretion (virtual when possible, off-hours sessions, private in-person locations), and Epic Journey coordinates with EAPs, executive assistants, and family offices when appropriate without any disclosure beyond what the client authorizes.

Question 17

How much does a private intervention cost?

Accepted Answer

Epic Journey interventions are cash-pay and priced per engagement based on family complexity, travel, and post-intervention support. Exact pricing is discussed on a free 15-minute consultation. Insurance is not billed for interventions, mentorship, recovery coaching, or family support.

Question 18

Can I get virtual recovery coaching?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Epic Journey offers virtual recovery coaching nationwide via secure video and phone. Many clients work with Preston entirely remotely without ever entering an inpatient program. Cash-pay only, hourly rate or monthly retainer.

Question 19

What is the difference between an interventionist and a recovery coach?

Accepted Answer

An interventionist runs the structured family-led conversation that helps a loved one accept treatment, typically a one-time engagement with family preparation, the intervention itself, and immediate post-intervention support. A recovery coach provides ongoing one-on-one mentorship, strategy, accountability, structure, and life-direction work, typically weekly or several times per week, for months or years. Epic Journey provides both, and they're often used in sequence.

Question 20

Does Epic Journey take Medicare or Medi-Cal?

Accepted Answer

No. Epic Journey's private services, intervention, mentorship, recovery coaching, family support, are cash-pay only. For treatment placement, our partner facilities accept commercial PPO and HMO insurance only. We do not accept Medicare, Medi-Cal, Tricare, or any state-funded insurance plans.

Question 21

Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

For private services with Epic Journey directly, interventions, mentorship, recovery coaching, family support, we are cash-pay only. For treatment placement (detox, residential, outpatient), our vetted partner facilities accept commercial PPO and HMO insurance only. We do not accept Medicare, Medi-Cal, Tricare, or state-funded plans.

Question 22

Where is Epic Journey located?

Accepted Answer

Epic Journey is headquartered in Newport Beach, California (Orange County). In-person sessions are available across Orange County including Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Newport Coast, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach. Virtual care is available nationwide via secure video and phone.

Question 23

Do you stay involved before, during, and after treatment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Epic Journey is built around continuity of care, one trusted relationship across every phase. Before treatment we run the intervention and prepare the family. During treatment we coordinate directly with the program, support the family week to week, and start aftercare planning. After treatment we continue with recovery mentorship, family integration, and life-direction work. One person, every phase.

Question 24

How quickly can you respond to an urgent intervention or crisis?

Accepted Answer

For most cases, Epic Journey mobilizes within 24 to 48 hours of your first call. Mention urgency when you book the consultation and we will prioritize your case. We are not an emergency service, for immediate danger call 911 or 988.

Question 25

Can I work with Epic Journey if I don't want to go to inpatient rehab?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Treatment isn't always the right entry point and forcing it when it isn't needed often backfires. Many clients work with Preston in virtual mentorship and recovery coaching directly without ever entering an inpatient program. On the free consultation we honestly assess whether your situation calls for treatment first, virtual care first, or some combination.

Question 26

Does Epic Journey work with executives and high-profile clients privately?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A significant portion of Epic Journey's work is with founders, executives, attorneys, physicians, and action-sports athletes (including the Red Bull and Monster Energy worlds) who need premium, confidential help while keeping life moving. Discretion is one of the main reasons high-performing clients choose Epic Journey.

Question 27

Do you work with non-traditional modalities like ketamine or plant medicine?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Epic Journey coordinates with vetted, ethical practitioners across functional medicine, ketamine-assisted therapy, plant medicine (where legal and ethical), holistic care, and somatic work. We don't push any one modality, we help clients understand what is appropriate, when, and who to trust to do it well.

Question 28

What virtual services does Epic Journey offer?

Accepted Answer

Epic Journey delivers a coordinated virtual team for high performers and people serious about recovery: 1-on-1 recovery coaching with Preston Durnford or senior coaches, licensed therapy (CBT, DBT, EMDR, IFS, somatic, trauma-focused), psychiatry and medication management, functional medicine with lab work, peptide education, nutrition coaching, holistic healers (breathwork, somatic, energy work), spiritual mentors, couples and family therapy, virtual or in-person interventions, treatment placement with PPO/HMO partners, and career and business coaching. All cash-pay. Stay in your home, your career, and your family while doing real recovery work.

Question 29

How does virtual psychiatry and medication management work at Epic Journey?

Accepted Answer

Epic Journey's contracted psychiatrists work with clients virtually for evaluation, medication management, dual-diagnosis support, and ongoing review. Covers MAT (medication-assisted treatment) when clinically appropriate, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anxiety medication, and stimulant management. Sessions are scheduled flexibly around the client's life. Medications can typically be prescribed in any state where the contracted psychiatrist is licensed.

Question 30

What is functional medicine for addiction recovery?

Accepted Answer

Functional medicine treats the biological root causes that fuel addiction and mental health issues. Epic Journey works with Dr. Kristi Vaughan, our go-to functional medicine partner. Protocols typically include comprehensive lab work (hormones, gut health, inflammation markers, micronutrients, neurotransmitter precursors), targeted supplementation, anti-inflammatory nutrition, and metabolic optimization. Clients commonly report better sleep, reduced cravings, improved focus, and more emotional stability within 30 to 90 days.

Question 31

What is peptide education and is it part of recovery?

Accepted Answer

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that signal specific biological processes. In a recovery context they can support neurological healing, reduce inflammation, accelerate physical recovery, and help with sleep and metabolic function. Epic Journey provides peptide education and clinical guidance through vetted practitioners. We do not push peptides on every client, we educate, screen for appropriateness, and refer to qualified prescribers when indicated. Evidence-based, never hype.

Question 32

What is plant medicine education at Epic Journey?

Accepted Answer

Plant medicine education at Epic Journey covers ayahuasca, psilocybin, ibogaine, and the integration work that follows. Preston Durnford has personal lived experience with plant medicine as a turning point in his own life and has guided dozens of clients through the screening, preparation, ceremony selection (legal jurisdictions only), and the integration phase where real change actually consolidates. We do not push plant medicine on every client, we screen carefully for contraindications and only support clinically appropriate use, never as a shortcut.

Question 33

What types of therapy does Epic Journey offer through its therapist network?

Accepted Answer

Epic Journey's contracted licensed therapists are trained in evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic experiencing, and trauma-focused therapy. We match each client to the therapist and modality that fits their actual presentation, not just what is available. Couples and family therapy is also part of the network for clients who need relational repair as part of recovery.

Question 34

Does Epic Journey work with holistic and spiritual healers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Epic Journey integrates holistic practitioners trained in breathwork, somatic experiencing, Reiki, energy work, and nervous-system regulation for the parts of recovery that talk therapy alone does not reach. We also work with spiritual directors and faith-aligned mentors (faith-neutral or faith-specific) for clients who want a spiritual dimension to their work. These integrate alongside clinical care, not in place of it.

Question 35

Do you offer career and business coaching for clients in recovery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Career coaching, resume support, interview preparation, return-to-work planning, and business coaching are part of Epic Journey's offering for executives, founders, and professionals rebuilding work and identity in recovery. Many clients lose career momentum during active addiction, the rebuild phase is where it all comes back. Coaching is delivered virtually around the client's schedule.

Question 36

What does virtual nutrition coaching look like for recovery clients?

Accepted Answer

Functional nutrition coaches work virtually with Epic Journey clients on gut-brain axis repair, recovery-supportive eating, anti-inflammatory protocols, meal planning based on actual lab results, and the specific micronutrient deficiencies common in early sobriety. Sessions are typically video calls, with food journals and lab data reviewed asynchronously between sessions. Pairs powerfully with the functional medicine doctor when both are active.

Recovery, taken to another level.

Trusted when it mattered most.

A life worth being sober for.

A full clinical team, in your corner.

1-on-1 Recovery Coaching

Professional Interventions

Therapy & Psychiatry

Functional Medicine

Plant Medicine Education

Treatment Placement

This work is personal.

Hear it in his own words.

Heard alongside experts.

Functional Medicine, Dr. Kristi Vaughan

Maurice Benard, The Lived Truth

Real-World Recovery

Sam Mandel, Ketamine & Recovery

Celebrating Recovery At 13,000 Feet

A Product Of Our Choices

Dr. Cambria Judd On Health

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