Bayside Marin Treatment Center - San Rafael, California

Gabriel G.

Bayside Marin is an excellent treatment center.

At first, I didn't want to go here, mainly because of negative reviews and hearsay from an acquaintance, and corporate ownership.

But I quickly changed my mind. I came here devestated by a very traumatic year of my life, in as much of a mental health crisis as I was in a substance one. Throughout the length of my stay, I was treated with understanding, patience and compassion.

The bulk of their program is cookie cutter evidence based, but high quality.

The employees at Bayside really care about their work, and their clients, and because of this it didn't have a corporate feel, even though they're owned by Acadia.

What made this stay extra special for me was the therapy and one on one conversations I had with staff. I had the honor and privilege of working with the best therapist I've ever seen. When there's a true match with therapy it can be magical, spiritual. I have transformed into a better version of myself because of the one on one work with my therapist, whose intelligence, wit, patience, and compassion helped me to rise above and shine, despite facing some extremely challenging triggers in residential this time. When you can't fully care about yourself, sometimes you can borrow someone else's faith in you until you're able to care about yourself a little more. By the end of my stay, I felt more confident and centered than I had in a long time.

I also wanted to say, the tech supervisor helped guide me psychologically and spiritually as I faced various challenges at Bayside, and helped revive my interest in spirituality, meditation and awakening.

I had the best spiritual and psychological support I could have asked for, which I thought would be impossible after being at Olympia House in 2022. (Both are good rehabs with their unique strengths and weaknesses. I learned a lot at both, but they're not directly comparable, OH is a little more unique in terms of approach and programming. Bayside was extra meaningful because of the particular therapist I worked with, the behavioral technician supervisor I mentioned and the particular clients I bonded with.

They actually listen to client feedback and I watched them make numerous improvements over the three months I was there.

With that said, there is room for further improvement. Clients are shuffled over to the main campus from detox with very little explanation of where to go and when, which leaves freshly detoxed clients confused, angry, and feeling disrespected. I've been told they're working on fixing this problem.

Scheduling glitches do happen, but that's true of any medium or large rehab. They do their best. And also, sometimes communication can be a little complicated between departments. No place is perfect.

Gorgeous campus. Food was great. I was told this was a rehab for rich people who valued aesthetics over content, but that's not what I found here. They have some incredible talent working for them and client socioeconomic backgrounds are mixed.

Last. I would encourage people, strongly, to ask to change their therapist if the initial assignment isn't a match. I did, and it made all the difference in my stay.

Casey J.

This facility saved my life in 2017! They treated me as an individual while helping me process my trauma and grief. I was able to create new habits, build self esteem and stop
self medicating through life. My children & I are forever grateful to Bayside for showing me a new way to live!

AnU B.

I'd like to preface by saying that I gave this a two star because for me PERSONALLY, looks aren't everything and I value honesty.

My stay here wasn't all bad, and no program is perfect, so there's that context to take into consideration as well. But for me, I derived more benefit from honing into what was most valuable for me, as a lot of the elements I experienced while in residential were unfortunately distracting and discouraging. Granted, again, it wasn't all bad.

I'd say to those considering this place, be strong enough to embrace change, honor the opportunity to connect and learn from your peers, and try not to focus on things outside of your scope of what's meaningful to your process. Trust those staff members you resonate with and gain wisdom and inspiration from, and don't allow those who don't to make you lose sight of why you chose Bayside. I'm a graduate/alumni, so clearly there is a layer of being there that will fortify you if you can connect to it. Good luck dear spirits. 😌🙏🏾✨👁️✨💞🌈🌎☮️☯️🕉️

Herman G.

To all the staff members text and doctors to Bayside Marin I would like to give my sincerest gratitude for the help that you have given me the love and respect that you have shown me in the life that you have given that I was throwing away back to me and my family my friends my coworkers and the people that depended on me I was there for 45 days they were the best the hardest the honest the good and the bad days of my life I made a choice I asked for help and they gave it to me the rest was up to me they truly believe that everybody has a chance if one decides to take it I chose to take it and I am not alone in this war for my life the staff there was very professional and loving and caring as so are the doctors and if you're lucky and you leave your mind open and your heart open and I'll make this a I statement I have found a support group that I was with while I was there so I have nothing but great admiration respect love for everybody concern that doesn't mean that life isn't hard when it gets hard but what I have learned is that I can keep it simple and I can breathe and I can give myself a chance to deal with life at life's on terms with a sober mind a good and open heart give it a try it might surprise you.

Christian N. S.

I am currently a client/resident here and I can tell you THIS PLACE IS A JOKE! Shame on Kaiser for referring this place. Understaffed by unqualified individuals. Please do not be fooled by the FAKE 5 star reviews. Only reason I choose to finish my 30 days is for myself. No set standards, communication, or organization amongst the staff. I'd give 0 stars if possible. Thank God my time is up Thursday...which can't come soon enough

Alison W.

I can't say enough about my experience with Bayside. As the mother of an addict who suffered for years, this center was focused on getting her help, supporting her when she first arrived,and following through with after care as she re entered society. When I called to ask about her progress, I was treated with respect and kindness. Then, came a family support group where we met in person. Fortunately my daughter was more than ready for help, but with Bayside she was given the support, care and tools that she needed to become a productive person

Forrest G.

You couldn't pick a better facility. They truly care about the team that runs the place and the clients who call the place home for the 1-3 months we're here. I am currently a patient. I have dual-diagnosis and a cross addiction. These folks have seen me at my worst more than a few times. When I returned I cried when they came over and hugged me, even the kitchen staff, who stole my heart from the very beginning (and who I absolutely adore). I’d like to give a special shout out to Elisa, the Assnt. Program director and Tech. Tim O., who are both amazing! Elisa takes time out of her busy schedule to help me out even though she’s not my therapist. Tim always has a smile on his face, asks how I’m doing, and if I need anything, has great communication skills, listens, and solves problems. He'd make a great therapist. Not only is the staff great, but also the content. First, they detox you for three days (this includes starting the stabilization process where you get extra rest and are monitored). Next is when you start diving into the program and there's a lot of it so get ready to roll up your sleeves. Their program addresses both the body and mind. Besides going to the gym, and yoga, meditation, qigong, and mindfulness classes, there’s an array courses where they break you down and build you up. Get ready to bust out that tissue because it’s going to get emotional, especially during Process Group. You’ll not only share, but hear stories from the past, dreams for the future, while everything is lead by a caring team of professionals who know what it’s like because they’ve been there. You can’t ask for more. The bonds that you’ll make in Group will not only last a lifetime but will be the deepest ones you’ll probably ever make. I could literally pick up the phone at 3:25 a.m. and call any one of them and tell them I need help and they would answer the call and I’d do the same. That’s how strong the bond is. Bayside gives you all the tools you need, however, the trick is in the aftercare plan and carrying over what they teach when we’re reintroduced into “the wild.” That’s critical because inside, everything is peachy-keen but when we get out it’s a different story so don’t mess around, take it seriously, and – focus.

Kat V.

Oh, there were many things wrong with this place. Will not send my medical records. Hipaa and California law violations everywhere. Only commenting to rate and warn others NOT to go there. Badly run, and in my opinion, completely unethical / doesn’t care about patients / cannot handle your meds. RUN.

Official complaint certainly won’t be on Yelp or other review sites. Best of luck, Bayside.