Group Psychotherapy in Pasadena
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Looking for group psychotherapy in Pasadena?
Annandale Wellness offers group psychotherapy led by professionally trained and licensed therapists who are experts at guiding clients through the challenges of recovery.
What Should I Expect in a Session?
During a group therapy session, a therapist meets with group members for about an hour each session. The therapist or therapists help manage the conversation, but group members primarily interact with each other. A particular session may be structured around a particular topic, or some sessions may be more free-flowing.
Group members discuss the issues that brought them to therapy, as well as other challenging situations in life they may be facing, like anxiety and depression, relationship issues, and other life stresses. But group therapy is much more than re-hashing the past. Members of a group learn how addiction developed in their lives, what sustained it, and how to manage it. Group therapy is a judgment-free environment where you can give and receive feedback about the issues you’re dealing with.
Questions? We’d love to talk!
Members of the group have a lot in common, as they’re carefully chosen by mental health specialists based on their needs, conditions, and experiences. During a group therapy session, how much you disclose about your situation, feelings, and thoughts is up to you. Group therapy at Annandale Wellness typically meets for about an hour each day at our luxurious treatment facility
What is Group Psychotherapy?
Group psychotherapy is a type of treatment in which a small group of clients with similar needs and issues meet together with one of our licensed psychotherapists. The goal of group therapy is to help people learn to make changes to aspects of themselves that have become problematic. Group therapy also allows people to explore emotions and past experiences in a safe, supportive environment.
Group therapy also promotes insight, which helps people identify and change behaviors, thoughts and beliefs that have consistently been barriers to leading a satisfying life.
Benefits of Group Psychotherapy
Group therapy is highly effective for treating addiction and addiction with co-occurring disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
The following are some of the advantages of group psychotherapy.
- Group therapy allows people to receive and give support and encouragement to other group members. Addiction leads to people becoming isolated and alone with little to no social support systems. Group therapy helps people rebuild those supportive bonds with others. It also promotes a sense of belonging, as people in a psychotherapy group have similar backgrounds and identical goals: to live a satisfying and addiction-free life.
- Group therapy reduces shame. People who are seeking recovery from addiction often suffer from incapacitating feelings of shame. In group therapy, people re-learn to value themselves and build up healthy self-esteem that’s essential for recovery.
- Group therapy gives the therapist greater insight into how group members interact with others. The ways in which people in group psychotherapy interact with others in the group often resemble the ways they interact with people in their personal lives. By identifying unhelpful communication patterns, therapists can assist patients in learning better ways to get their needs met.
- Group therapy provides education about how addiction develops and what sustains it. Understanding how addiction works is a necessary part of getting into recovery and preventing relapse. Group therapy also helps people learn the sober living skills necessary to get into and maintain recovery.
- Group psychotherapy helps provide insight. People learn to understand and change their own habitual maladaptive behaviors and challenge their irrational thinking by listening to others and observing their behaviors.
- Group psychotherapy teaches people how to manage disorders like stress, anxiety, and depression. Most people who suffer from addiction typically live with at least one other disorder, such as a stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depression. Group therapy teaches skills that enable people to learn how to manage simultaneous conditions.
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24/7 Comprehensive Care
Our residential setting provides round-the-clock support, medical detox when needed, and structured days designed to build stability and healthy routines.
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Safe & Supportive Environment
Clients heal in a fully supervised space, free from outside triggers and distractions, ensuring the focus stays on recovery and long-term personal growth.
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More Than Outpatient or Rehab-Only
Unlike outpatient care, our program offers full residential treatment—combining medical support, therapy, and daily structure for lasting results.
Annandale Wellness’s Group Psychotherapy Elements
The components of Annandale Wellness’s group psychotherapy program include:
- Effective Communication– Those in early recovery may have difficulty communicating appropriately. Together, in our effective communications group, we begin to explore CBT-based techniques, such as distorted thinking, assertive communication, and family styles of communicating, for a better understanding of your unique communication style. Then, we will work together to learn new ways of communicating our feelings. Better communication, in turn, helps us to decrease the chance of relapse.
- Family Systems– In the family systems group, clients begin to understand the following: 1. What their family system looks like. 2. Their role in the family system as the (IP), Identified Patient, and how the system keeps them stuck in this role. 3. What happens when the IP starts to make progress (patterns, need for family therapy). 4. Differentiating from the family system, (if needed), and how to find a new identity. Also, we provide an exploration into genograms, timelines, and other techniques to better understand any family history of drug/alcohol use and enabling behavior by the family.
- Relapse Prevention– This group uses both Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral-based techniques to help clients understand the following: 1. Identifying emotional and environmental triggers. 2. Practicing Thought Stopping. 3. Learning new coping skills to deal with emotional triggers. 4. Identifying negative consequences of use, and motivation to stay sober.
- Early Recovery– The Early Recovery group uses both Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral based techniques to help understand the following: 1. Problem-solving techniques to decrease relapse. 2. Change Plan and explore changes that the client wants to make and steps to make the change happen. 3. Learning to identify beliefs and values, to assist with motivation. 4. Building a balanced life, which includes family/sober friends, recovery, work, and new coping skills.
- Addiction and the Brain– This group focuses on helping to understand how addiction is a medical issue. Individuals receive psychoeducation on how drugs and alcohol change the wiring and chemistry of their bodies and brain. Clients begin to learn more about mental health issues and physical symptoms caused by their addiction. Psychoeducation on specific disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis is also explored.
Your Journey to Recovery Starts Here!
You deserve care that respects your privacy and supports your healing. We’re here to guide you every step of the way!
Who We Treat
Annandale Wellness provides high-quality evidence-based holistic care for people suffering from mental health disorders and addiction in Pasadena, California. At Annandale Wellness, we treat clients wanting to find better ways to lead healthy fulfilling lives free of substance abuse and addiction.
We also understand the complexities that arise when addiction occurs along with other psychiatric issues and disorders and are pleased to offer quality evidence-based holistic dual-diagnosis treatment for people with substance abuse and addiction.
Join Group Psychotherapy at Annandale Wellness Today
Annandale Wellness offers holistic, individualized treatment programs through group therapy in Los Angeles. Our highly experienced and trained treatment team will work with you to diagnose, assess and treat substance abuse or misuse disorders and any co-occurring psychiatric or medical conditions. Our programs are tailored to meet your specific needs to achieve the best possible outcome. To learn more about our group psychotherapy program, please contact us at 855-778-8668 for a free and confidential consultation.
Call us for a free confidential consultation
Giorgio Albanese
18:55 07 May 25
Annandale helped change my life. The clinical programming helped me tremendously and the house felt like a home. The environment was safe and comfortable. My life has improved significantly and the internal awareness I've gained has followed me into my work, my fellowship, and my marriage. I cannot thank the staff enough for helping me get back on my feet. I will recommend this facility to anyone that comes to me for help.
Chloe Nett
20:27 05 May 25
Darryl and Remy are both incredible and run a tight program that is highly ethical. Changed my life!
Larkin Hill
23:41 03 May 25
Be wary of one star reviews for treatment centers. There are some vindictive, bitter, angry clients who will blame anyone but themselves; and treatment centers and their staff tend to be a go-to target for abuse and retaliation.
In short, Annandale worked for me.
Short story made long: Like any treatment center, you will get out what you put in though. But a good treatment center will give you all the tools, support and understanding you need. And that is what Annandale provides: a structure and foundation for your success, which you build on once you leave.
All the various treatment center bells, whistles and accoutrements don’t matter without a good staff/therapists on hand to guide and support. Luckily, Annandale has both.
The program itself focuses not only on getting sober/maintaining sobriety, but also on modifying negative thought patterns and the troublesome behavior that arises as a result. They know that you must focus on the problem itself, not just the symptoms, in order to recover. Drinking is a symptom of a deeper rooted issue.
They also offer some unique elements to the program, such as equine therapy and soundbaths. I scoffed initially, but kept an open mind. And guess what? It was a great help. Other groups/activities included yoga, meditation, mindfulness walks, nature walks, art, gardening, etc. They take you to 12 step recovery meetings, but Annandale itself is non-denominational as far as I could gather. Which is a plus in my book.
Great location in Pasadena. Right up the street from the Rose Bowl, where you’ll take walks some days. Other walks go a block or two in the other direction and offer absolutely breathtaking panoramic views of the Rose Bowl, Pasadana and its environs, mountain ranges etc. It’s truly a sight to behold.
The house and its campus are extremely serene and quiet. The house is comfortable, a comfy “home” vibe with people that genuinely care. A special feeling to it. Doesn’t feel like some “facility”.
Private bedrooms with their own flat screen TVs. Almost all have their own private bathroom. You get to place takeout lunch and dinner choices (with a mind towards healthy options from some great restaurants) on the iPad every day (which is included with your stay).
But more than anything, it is the staff that makes or breaks the place. Darryl is the owner and possibly the first person you’ll speak to. a very kind, caring, genuine, astute and just cool guy. Very helpful and personable. I was in a bad way when I initially called and Darryl was an immeasurable help in easing my concerns and providing comfort in a very distressful time in my life. Remy, the on-site nurse, is extremely attentive and understanding. Dr Coe is one of the most brilliant doctors I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking with—the guy pulled things out that shocked me, things that no doctor-therapist/psychiatrist has been able to reach or decipher in all my years. He gave me a true, unbridled diagnosis of where my issues stemmed from. My wife of 20 years co-signed what he said with a very troubling passion (haha). Said he was spot-on, and he was.
Roxanne is one of the kindest and most lovely people I’ve ever met. The most gentle eyes, emphatic tone — a truly calming presence who offered me immeasurable support so thank you 🙏. Jordan was relatable, friendly and easy to talk to. Very intelligent and understanding of how addiction and sobriety work. Kevin, one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. Michael, who became a genuine friend and somebody I could always talk to — and was always willing to listen.
Becky, Carrie, Xenia, Alex, Chris and I know I’m missing a few, but really, everyone was great and offered their own unique approach/personality. This place quite literally saved my life. I was on death’s door and couldn’t even walk in my own when I went in. And walked out a “new’ man.
In short, Annandale worked for me.
Short story made long: Like any treatment center, you will get out what you put in though. But a good treatment center will give you all the tools, support and understanding you need. And that is what Annandale provides: a structure and foundation for your success, which you build on once you leave.
All the various treatment center bells, whistles and accoutrements don’t matter without a good staff/therapists on hand to guide and support. Luckily, Annandale has both.
The program itself focuses not only on getting sober/maintaining sobriety, but also on modifying negative thought patterns and the troublesome behavior that arises as a result. They know that you must focus on the problem itself, not just the symptoms, in order to recover. Drinking is a symptom of a deeper rooted issue.
They also offer some unique elements to the program, such as equine therapy and soundbaths. I scoffed initially, but kept an open mind. And guess what? It was a great help. Other groups/activities included yoga, meditation, mindfulness walks, nature walks, art, gardening, etc. They take you to 12 step recovery meetings, but Annandale itself is non-denominational as far as I could gather. Which is a plus in my book.
Great location in Pasadena. Right up the street from the Rose Bowl, where you’ll take walks some days. Other walks go a block or two in the other direction and offer absolutely breathtaking panoramic views of the Rose Bowl, Pasadana and its environs, mountain ranges etc. It’s truly a sight to behold.
The house and its campus are extremely serene and quiet. The house is comfortable, a comfy “home” vibe with people that genuinely care. A special feeling to it. Doesn’t feel like some “facility”.
Private bedrooms with their own flat screen TVs. Almost all have their own private bathroom. You get to place takeout lunch and dinner choices (with a mind towards healthy options from some great restaurants) on the iPad every day (which is included with your stay).
But more than anything, it is the staff that makes or breaks the place. Darryl is the owner and possibly the first person you’ll speak to. a very kind, caring, genuine, astute and just cool guy. Very helpful and personable. I was in a bad way when I initially called and Darryl was an immeasurable help in easing my concerns and providing comfort in a very distressful time in my life. Remy, the on-site nurse, is extremely attentive and understanding. Dr Coe is one of the most brilliant doctors I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking with—the guy pulled things out that shocked me, things that no doctor-therapist/psychiatrist has been able to reach or decipher in all my years. He gave me a true, unbridled diagnosis of where my issues stemmed from. My wife of 20 years co-signed what he said with a very troubling passion (haha). Said he was spot-on, and he was.
Roxanne is one of the kindest and most lovely people I’ve ever met. The most gentle eyes, emphatic tone — a truly calming presence who offered me immeasurable support so thank you 🙏. Jordan was relatable, friendly and easy to talk to. Very intelligent and understanding of how addiction and sobriety work. Kevin, one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. Michael, who became a genuine friend and somebody I could always talk to — and was always willing to listen.
Becky, Carrie, Xenia, Alex, Chris and I know I’m missing a few, but really, everyone was great and offered their own unique approach/personality. This place quite literally saved my life. I was on death’s door and couldn’t even walk in my own when I went in. And walked out a “new’ man.
judy hiep
20:08 02 Feb 24
I love this place. I had to check my niece in 2 years ago. It was a difficult time for our family. Remy explained everything step by step and reassured us she will be in good hands. Like most family, this is our first time having to figure things out. The Facility and staff were very sweet and knowledgeable. The place is like a sanctuary. Peaceful, well thought out and comfortable. We are forever thankful what they have done for us, and appreciate everyone on the team.
Zorina Pelant
16:21 26 Jan 24
Remy Olivier is wonderful. She is the Program Director at Annandale. She is caring, conscientious and so knowledgeable. She makes multiple arrangements and was always available to assist with anything that came up. Remy is an RN who has worked in behavioral health for many years and uses her nursing skills and knowledge of addition when dealing with patients. I can’t say enough nice things about her.
Annandale is owned and operated by Remy and her husband Darryl, who has also been working in the field for 30 years. You can expect outstanding clinical care in a program that is family owned.
Annandale is owned and operated by Remy and her husband Darryl, who has also been working in the field for 30 years. You can expect outstanding clinical care in a program that is family owned.
Alan Coe
03:26 26 Jan 24
Fantastic Rehab with intelligent, compassionate, and knowledgeable staff. This is easily the best facility in all of Los Angeles. Remy is the kindest and most supportive person I have ever met.
Samantha Myles
03:02 07 Dec 23
First class medical detox - the level of experience, compassion and care is unmatched. They are a hands-on, genuine team who truly treats their clients like their own family. Brendan and Remy have been a pleasure to work with. I would send my own family members to Elevate Wellness Center.
Morgan Vandewater
16:34 07 Apr 23
Elevate is a wonderful place. Treatment is tailored to each individual and the staff is absolutely wonderful. I would highly recommend this place for residential treatment. It is an incredibly calming and motivating environment to recover in.
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Our Medical & Clinical Treatment Team
Annandale Behavioral Health offers a highly experienced and trained treatment team to help you or your loved one safely detox from substances and design a customized aftercare plan to maintain sobriety. Our comprehensive treatment team includes Case Managers, Individual Therapists, RNs, LVNs, Psychiatrists, and more.
Darryl Olivier
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Remy Olivier, RN
Founder and Program Director
Jennifer Bembry
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
Eric Bembry
Founder and Chief Financial Officer
Tour Our Addiction Treatment Facility
Annandale Behavioral Health is located in a contemporary farmhouse situated on the sprawling grounds in one of Pasadena’s most beloved neighborhoods. This intimate recovery setting has just six beds, allowing for a higher level of care within a safe, supportive treatment environment. The park-like setting features beautiful gardens and an outdoor fireplace that enhances the serene atmosphere.
191052AP
Exp. 07/31/26
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