Frequently Asked Questions
Honest answers for families and individuals.
Is plant medicine required to work with Epic Journey?
No. Plant medicine integration is one option in our care coordination model, never a requirement. Many of our clients choose the traditional recovery path with no plant medicine at all. Early recovery in particular benefits from biological stabilization, regular therapy, accountability, and lifestyle structure before any psychedelic-assisted work is considered. We follow the evidence and your beliefs, never the other way around.
What does a personalized recovery path actually include?
Each plan is built after a pre-assessment with founder Preston Durnford. A typical plan coordinates: virtual licensed therapy (CBT, DBT, EMDR, IFS, brainspotting, somatic), functional medicine with blood biomarker testing, optional psychiatry consultation for medication evaluation, 1-on-1 recovery coaching, nutrition, fitness and movement programming, and family work. The exact combination depends on biology, history, beliefs, and goals. Every service is delivered by independent contracted licensed providers; Epic Journey is the coach and care coordinator.
Do you take insurance?
Epic Journey coaching services are cash pay only. We do not bill insurance, including commercial PPO/HMO, Medicare, Medi-Cal, Tricare, or state-funded plans. We offer financing for qualifying clients to spread the cost over time. If you need inpatient detox or residential treatment, our vetted partner facilities accept commercial PPO and HMO insurance separately.
Can I work with a female coach instead of Preston?
Yes. Our contracted recovery coach team includes experienced female coaches. During the pre-assessment we discuss your preferences, goals, and what kind of mentor will be the strongest fit. Many clients work primarily with Preston while also engaging female team members for specific topics.
How does virtual therapy actually work for addiction?
Decades of telehealth research, including studies in JAMA Psychiatry and the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, show that licensed therapy delivered virtually produces outcomes comparable to in-person therapy for non-acute populations. Our coordinated network of licensed therapists delivers CBT for thought-pattern work, DBT for emotional regulation, EMDR and brainspotting for trauma, IFS for parts work, and somatic experiencing for nervous-system regulation. Sessions are conducted via secure video platforms.
Why is blood work and functional medicine part of recovery?
Substance use and chronic stress measurably alter biology. Hormones drop. Neurotransmitter precursors get depleted. Inflammation rises. Sleep architecture breaks down. Many of the symptoms that clients describe as "cravings" or "feeling unwell after stopping" are biological. Coordinated functional medicine work tests for these specific imbalances and supports the body's repair, which makes the psychological work meaningfully easier. We coordinate with an independent functional medicine physician.
Does Epic Journey offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT)?
Epic Journey itself does not prescribe medication. When medication-assisted treatment is clinically appropriate, we coordinate with a contracted licensed psychiatrist who evaluates and prescribes. This includes naltrexone, buprenorphine, and other medications supported by the American Society of Addiction Medicine for opioid and alcohol use disorders. Medication is one tool, never the only tool.
What kind of interventions does Epic Journey do?
Founder Preston Durnford has led over 500 professional interventions across the United States for substance use disorders, eating disorders, gambling, and behavioral addictions. We use a structured, family-centered, low-drama clinical approach based on the evidence-based ARISE and Invitational models, which have substantially better long-term engagement outcomes than the confrontational "reality television" style of intervention. Interventions are conducted in person nationwide.
How much does this cost?
Recovery coaching engagements typically range from $15,000 to $25,000 for a 3-month foundational plan, depending on intensity and services included. Optional add-ons (functional medicine workup, psychiatry consultation, additional therapist hours) are billed separately by the contracted providers. Interventions are quoted individually. We offer financing through approved partners for qualifying clients. Final pricing is discussed on the free initial consultation.
Is Epic Journey a licensed treatment center?
No. Epic Journey is a private recovery coaching, mentorship, intervention, and care coordination brand. Founder Preston Durnford is not a licensed clinician. We do not diagnose, treat, or prescribe medication. All licensed clinical care (therapy, psychiatry, functional medicine) is delivered by independent contracted licensed providers we coordinate with as an extended team. This structure is intentional and is what allows us to assemble the right team for each client.
