About Grace Recovery
Mission
HELPING PEOPLE IS OUR PASSION
Our mission is to offer ethical, abstinence- based treatment in a healthy environment that fosters a community of recovery, healing and change. To those suffering from substance dependence. We will provide an opportunity to develop a strong foundation in recovery from which they can build a life free from alcohol and drugs. We know that the best outcome for successful, long-term sobriety depends on the quality of recovery established during the first phase of the recovery process. Philosophically, we are grounded in 12-Step program, but will offer a variety of clinical and recovery-oriented activities thoughtfully combined with the result of a comprehensive and sophisticated treatment continuum.
WHO WE ARE
Grace Recovery is a treatment center that transforms struggling individuals into authentic and healthy members of society. Long term sobriety depends on the quality of recovery established during the first phase of the recovery process.
Philosophically grounded in the 12-step program, we offer a variety of clinical and recovery-oriented activities thoughtfully combined with the result of a comprehensive and sophisticated treatment continuum.
JOELENE KNIGHTCADC CAS
Co-Founder
OUR STORY
When Greg and Joelene first met 7 years ago, they instantly clicked. As the respective CEO and Clinical Director of a highly regarded Los Angeles based treatment center, they used their shared vision to build an engaging, supportive, and confidential environment for patients to heal and change. A key part of Greg and Joelene’s success was their deliberate approach to treatment. Their holistic philosophy of abstinence-based, 12-step recovery focused on the mind, body, and spirit. They provided a combination of education, psychiatric services, individual, group, and family oriented therapeutic strategies, exercise, and ongoing access to a loving community of peers in order to give clients the foundation for long-term success in sobriety.
Grace Recovery is the collaboration of 39 years of combined treatment experience. Greg and Joelene are ethical, determined, and hold integrity above all else. They recognize that since each patient brings his or her own unique experiences to the table, individualized and customized plans are crucial for long term recovery. Greg and Joelene have seen the benefits of creating a strong treatment community of support and understanding. They have learned that struggles, heartache, and pain are sometimes necessary pebbles in the flowing stream of life. They also insist that life in sobriety must be fun. Greg and Joelene have poured their hearts into the creation of a program that will introduce people to a new way of life, full of the wonder and grace they all deserve.
GREG HOLDENLMFT
CEO & Co-Founder
Meet Our Team
OUR STAFF IS WHAT MAKES US WHO WE ARE
Julia Gindi, CADC-CAS
Program Director
Julia Gindi is California State Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Certified Addiction Specialist. With more than 16 years of experience in the field of addiction, Julia has worked in every facet of addiction treatment from detox, residential, to long-term sober living. Julia’s specialties range from building strong healthy boundaries, family dynamics, conflict resolution, coping with emotions, building self-esteem and developing skills for a happy balanced life. Julia’s passion is helping clients and their families heal and rebuild their lives. Caring and compassionate, Julia has successfully treated over 1,000 people dependent on drugs and alcohol by offering guidance, encouragement, strength and wisdom.
Sarah Blanchard, CNA
Director of Client Care
Sarah serves as a Residential Advisor as well as Nursing Staff Supervisor at Grace Recovery. She has worked in Drug and Alcohol treatment for seven years. As a recovering addict herself she can recognize how the staff plays a vital role in client recovery.
Sarah started by working the overnight shift. The reason being that she knew this was the hardest time of day for clients admitted and compassionately wanted to be there to support them. Sarah wants residents to know that someone is always there for them, especially when feeling lonely and dealing with a troubled mind. Sarah deeply enjoys watching the clients grow during some their toughest struggles and complete the program with newfound confidence and self-esteem.
VALENTINA BIZZARRI, CADC II
Director of Admissions & Operations
Valentina has worked in Executive Assistant roles since 2007, supporting growth for large and small organizations across multiple industries. Valentina started working in substance use disorder treatment in 2019 and deeply connected with the heart behind the mission at Grace Recovery.
Valentina enjoys learning about and applying holistic treatment methods proven to support the body’s highest good – and in turn sharing these practices with clients seeking freedom from active addiction. She believes anything with the ability to save a life is worth exploring – from therapy to psychiatry, medication, acupuncture, breathwork, nutrition response testing, ayurveda, exercise, exploring spirituality, mindful eating, understanding anxiety, raising standards with interpersonal relationships, honoring one’s voice & boundaries, to studying gut microbiomes and the GI/Brain connection.
Valentina is fully invested in both the operations at Grace Recovery and with building external partnerships with trusted aftercare facilities. She enjoys and requires knowing first hand any client’s efforts made at Grace will only be supported and furthered appropriately if/when moving onto an alternative Residential Program, IOP and/or Sober Living. Valentina believes having open collaboration with other clinical teams in the community and utilizing all resources possible is the best way to advocate, search, find and fight for any client to have the best outcome.
Nicholas Bowden, RADT
Admissions & Operations
Therese Apontti, LMFT
Program Therapist
Jason Phillips, AMFT
Program Therapist
Donald Still, RADT
Program Counselor
Diana Hernandez, RADT
Program Counselor
Matthew Scully
Business Development
What we stand for
GRACE RECOVERY TENETS
I. TREATMENT
According to SAMHSA data, addiction affects over 23 million Americans, although according to the most recent data suggests the number may be closer to double that. This means that most likely you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, otherwise, you wouldn’t have wound up on our website. Here at Grace Recovery, our addiction treatment program is the core of everything we do. We understand what it takes to achieve long-term recovery and we provide each client with the tools to achieve that goal.
II. RECOVERY
While there are many people addicted in America, there are a large number in recovery from drugs and alcohol as well. Grace Recovery is a part of the movement to provide quality treatment that leads to sustainable, long-term recovery to those addicted. We get it. Many of our staff have personally been through the process, and others have experienced it first hand as a loved one. We understand the importance of providing those addicted with the tools needed to achieve recovery, once and for all.
III. COMMUNITY
Here at Grace Recovery we believe in building a community of support and healing. Those who enter our doors are not the only ones affected by their drug & alcohol problem. From family members, spouses to children and employers, those closest to the addict are typically affected as well. Grace Recovery has built a community of recovering families and friends through our unique program. We rely on each other and support each other through our recovery journeys. Many of those who work at Grace are in recovery themselves. Come join a community of people who truly care about your future and success in recovery.
& BEYOND
Grace Recovery believes treatment shouldn’t be a revolving door. If you choose our program to help you and your loved ones, we promise to provide quality, innovative treatment in order to achieve long-term recovery. We understand that recovery is a life-long process and that relapse is a reality for some. If you come to our program and find yourself having relapsed, we don’t judge or look down on you. We welcome you back with open arms. That’s the example of recovery we aim to live by. Whether you choose our program or not our staff will assist you in finding the best treatment that fits your needs.