Meet Recovery Cafe

Welcome to Recovery Cafe, a beacon of hope and transformation located in the heart of Athens, Georgia. More than just a facility, Recovery Cafe is a community—a nurturing environment where individuals on their recovery journey find support, professional guidance, and a path to personal growth. Founded by Larry Walton, a trailblazer in addiction therapy with five decades of experience, Recovery Cafe has become renowned for its innovative approaches and highly effective recovery models.

At Recovery Cafe, we believe in empowering individuals through a holistic, person-centered approach. We utilize a unique “Learning to Learn” model that equips professionals with not only effective therapeutic methods but also the ability to apply them innovatively in practice. Our team, led by the experienced Steve Patterson and supported by the multifaceted Juliana Tabares, combines traditional and holistic methodologies tailored to each client’s needs.

We are proud to have partnered with respected institutions such as The Banyan Tree, Serenity Grove, and Kind Recovery, further enhancing the comprehensive services we offer. These partnerships allow us to be a cornerstone in Georgia’s addiction recovery landscape, providing both conventional therapy and alternative, holistic options for healing. Whether you’re seeking guidance on a traditional recovery path or exploring new therapeutic modalities, our team is here to support your journey of recovery and self-discovery.

Your path to wellness begins here. We invite you to meet our dedicated team and explore the transformative services offered at Recovery Cafe.

Larry Walton

Founder, Clinical Director, Visionary
“Retired” but still with us.
L.C.S.W, M.A.C., MSW/UGA 

Tommie L. (Larry) Walton, III is Recovery Cafe. A fixture in behavioral healthcare since 1973, Larry celebrated his 50th anniversary in substance misuse therapy in 2024. Known for his early adoption of harm reduction strategies in the 1990s, Larry’s progressive and compassionate approach has transformed countless lives and shaped the landscape of addiction treatment in Athens, Georgia.

Larry’s visionary spirit led him to establish Recovery Cafe in the late 1990s, marking the first time he used the name for his private practice. His approach—holistic, client-first, and steeped in innovation—quickly made Recovery Cafe a symbol of transformative care. Over the years, Larry has worked closely with institutions like The Banyan Tree and Serenity Grove to build a collaborative, therapeutic community dedicated to excellence in recovery services. His long-standing relationship with the University of Georgia further reflects his commitment to training the next generation of social workers and therapists. Additionally, over the years he has spearheaded many initiates involving mental health issues over the many decades.

A certified MINT trainer, Larry teaches the Prime for Life Instructors course and has used Carlo DiClemente’s Transtheoretical Model of Change since the 1970s. Today, Larry considers himself a “change coach,” helping individuals and professionals alike adapt and grow. Even as he steps back from daily operations following his retirement in September 2024, his legacy and advisory presence remain integral to Recovery Cafe.

Larry’s “Learning to Learn” model continues to inspire professionals, emphasizing adaptability, continuous learning, and innovative applications of therapeutic methods. Outside of his professional achievements, Larry’s passion for breeding and training Catahoula Leopard Dogs, along with his love for outdoor leadership, reflect his belief in holistic healing and personal development. A MINT instructor, Larry has held licensure in Georgia, Idaho, and Wyoming, Larry’s expertise runs deep, and his influence will be felt for years to come. Inactive but still involved day-to-day.

 

Steve Patterson

Programs Creation and Management
CCIT/GACA, CLC, Alternative Medicine

Steve Patterson is the author of “Is How It Feels to Heal,“ a shamanic account of cancer, recovery, and personal transformation. Building from that work, he developed the Healing Pathways Program, a narrative-based group model, as well as an Independent Counselor’s ASAM Level One Group Facilitator Guide: A 12-Session Program for Outpatient Behavioral Health

Steve began working with Recovery Café founder Larry Walton in 2015, when he was invited to speak to a recovery maintenance group. He later became a counselor in 2019, grounding his program development in direct clinical and group experience. A member of NAADAC and the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA) since 2015, he brings both professional grounding and lived resilience as a U.S. Army Infantry NCO veteran and liver cancer-transplant survivor. He is also a certified Recovery Coach Trainer (CCAR) and Prime Solutions Instructor.

Today, Steve’s focus is on program design and operations—refining the methods practiced at the Café into structured manuals that merge evidence-based frameworks with lived wisdom. Previously, from 1997 to 2014, he founded and built UGASports.com into a leading sports media platform, which was later sold to Yahoo! in 2014. He has been working remotely almost exclusively since 1997. Since 2024, Steve has been living with his wife in a country that the US no longer accepts immigrants from: Colombia.

Allison D. Hardy

Clinical Social Work/Therapist – LISW-CP, LCSW, MSW/UGA

Allison D. Hardy is a compassionate and experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Behavioral Health Therapist. With over 12 years of experience, Allison provides clinical counseling and therapeutic services to adolescents and adults, specializing in mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, and more.

Allison utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Her approach is warm, non-judgmental, and deeply client-centered, ensuring that each individual feels supported throughout their journey.

Currently accepting new clients, Allison offers both in-person and telehealth sessions, with a commitment to making therapy as accessible and comfortable as possible. Her goal is to help clients navigate challenges, transform their lives, and achieve long-term wellness.