We turn the volume up on
mental health.
PR, speaking, advocacy, and press — putting the recovery crisis in the spotlight and the answer in people's hands. This is what recovery sounds like.
// The crisis we answer
Disconnection is the epidemic.
Technology isolates. Community structures are eroding. Music brings people back into the same room, playing the same song.
adults experiences mental illness
young adults affected by mental health conditions
the rate for veterans vs. the general population
California · Oregon · Tennessee · Washington
// Evidence-based results
Seven documented outcomes.
Anchored to the three pillars of the work: songwriting, playing as a band, recording.
- 01Songwriting
Enhanced engagement
The creative process and lyric writing help clients open up sooner and engage deeper in recovery.
- 02
Improved wellness measures
Significant gains in happiness, self-esteem, hope, connection, and vitality.
- 03
Increased treatment retention
Clients stay in treatment longer, citing their desire to continue R2R sessions.
- 04
Symptom relief
Notable relief from detox symptoms; measurable decreases in anxiety, depression, hopelessness, loneliness, and self-loathing.
- 05Songwriting
Deeper processing
Creative expression bypasses the rational mind to reach root issues talk therapy alone might not.
- 06Playing as a band
Neurological benefits
Associated with increased dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, and reduced stress hormones such as cortisol.
- 07Playing as a band
Social skill development
Teamwork, communication, and genuine community with peers.
// Voices
Real words. Cut from the room.
“Since being involved in Rock to Recovery, my life has been so awesome. I have over 5 years sober, I have a home and my son living with me, plus I have purpose now.”
“Wesley Geer led my Rock to Recovery groups in addiction and mental health treatment. He showed me how to have fun sober, which was a novel concept to me.”
“Rock to Recovery has provided a supportive and healing program. Working with them has been one of the best therapies I've experienced in the recovery spectrum.”
“The most elegant feature is that R2R is suitable to re-awaken the musician who has let their talent lapse, or for a non-musician who hasn't so much as even picked up a tambourine.”
“From team building to opening up minds, I've seen this non-profit open doors that medicine just can't do.”
“Getting to participate with R2R has not just opened my heart up to music again, it encouraged me to engage in other forms of art in my recovery.”
“Your sessions were the thing that spoke to me the most during my stay, and have helped me to not even think about getting loaded since I've left.”
// Military partnership
Inside the Air Force Wounded Warrior program.
Rock to Recovery is an integral part of the Air Force Wounded Warrior Wellness and Resiliency program — consistently one of its most popular classes, receiving top participant evaluations.
Program leaders report that participants very often seek help for suicidal thoughts instead of acting on them — a potentially life-saving intervention.
// Letter of recommendation
“Rock to Recovery is an invaluable program that consistently provides an important service to our participants and their caregivers. I enthusiastically endorse them.”
Branch Chief, Warrior Care Support
Department of the Air Force
// Where we work
Every region. Every room.
// Los Angeles
- Cliffside Malibu
- Newport Academy
- Visions Teen
- Destinations for Teens
- Westwind Recovery
- The Villa Treatment Center
- and many more
// Orange County
- Anaheim Lighthouse
- New Directions for Women
- Casa Capri Recovery
- Social Model Recovery
- Long Beach VA
- and many more
// San Diego
- AToN Center
- BrightQuest
- Montecatini
- and many more
// Palm Springs
- Michael's House
- Phoenix Rising Recovery
- and many more
// Northern California
- Evolve Treatment
- Elevate Rehab
- and many more
// Nashville
- Buffalo Valley
- Nashville Drug Court
- The Next Door
- and many more
// Portland
- DePaul Treatment Centers
- Recovery Works Northwest
- and many more
// Veterans & Wounded Warriors
- Air Force Wounded Warrior Program
- Semper Fi Fund
- Long Beach VA
- Los Angeles VA
// Youth & Schools
- The Herren Project
- Harmony Academy
- Newport Academy
// International
- The Dawn Rehab, Thailand
/ / / Backed by the industry / / /
- Fender
- Taylor
- Roland
- Shure
- QSC
- Apogee
- iZotope
- RØDE
- LP
- Toca
- Gruvgear
5/5 stars · 60+ reviews from participants and partners
// Press & publications
The scene is paying attention.
Coverage from 2018 forward — TV, radio, podcasts, print, and academic stages.
// As featured in
// Awards & recognition
// On air — TV · radio · podcast
Broadcast & audio
- NBC California LiveRock to Recovery Uses Music as Medicine2019
- KTLA5Rocking to Recovery with Wes Geer | Keepin' It Friel2019
- KABCWes Geer interview2019
- KOIN TV PortlandRock to Recovery feature2021
- Spectrum News 1with Shira Lazar2019
- Good Morning La La LandWes Geer2019
- Post-Traumatic & Thriving PodcastWes Geer: Drug Abuse, Trauma Recovery & the Dive Stage2023
// In print & online
Features & columns
- Psychology TodayOngoing column on recovery and music — incl. "Five Activities to Reduce Anxiety Symptoms," "Staying Sober During the Pandemic," "What to Do After Rehab"2020–2021
- Statesman JournalFormer Korn guitarist's music therapy, Rock to Recovery, now in Oregon2019
- Pure Grain AudioRock to Recovery 4 Honors Katey Sagal and John Feldmann2019
- PollstarYear End Survey feature2019
- Reverb GivesRock to Recovery: Therapy and Healing Through Playing Music2019
- VoyageLA#LadyBoss: redefining what a boss looks like2019
- SDVoyagerMeet Wes Geer of Rock to Recovery2019
- FOCUS Innovation IssueWritten by Wes Geer2019
- WKRN TennesseeRecovery program using music expands since coming to Tennessee2019
// Speaking & academia
Coverage archive available on request — press inquiries: info@rocktorecovery.org