Best Alcohol and Drug Rehab FL in Okaloosa Island, FL

Denise is a dedicated licensed mental health provider with nearly 30 years of mental health, co-occurring and substance use disorders experience. Prior to joining American Addiction Centers, Denise served most recently and for the past nine years as the Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services for Aventura Hospital and Medical Center. Denise is a proud graduate of Nova Southeastern University where she earned her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling and holds a license in the state of Florida.

Gus formed 1st Step Behavioral Health on the concept of providing a full continuum of care. We pride ourselves on having achieved the goal of becoming one of the few accredited care facilities that determines their client’s discharge date based upon clinical assessment rather than financial resources. Our goals extend beyond the client’s enrollment in our program as we continue to provide support and encouragement well beyond discharge.

Michelle is responsible for the leadership, vision, and strategic planning for all areas of SJRP, including Outreach Marketing, Human Resource Systems, Recruiting, Compensation, Benefits, Talent Acquisition and Learning. Prior to opening SJRP, Michelle held a medical management position and gained knowledge and experience in various medical methodologies. As the drug overdose rate continued to double and having lost loved ones to this epidemic, Michelle felt it necessary to address the crisis aggressively through prevention and treatment and joined forces with a physician to promote a “Detox Under Anesthesia” treatment center. Michelle quickly recognized detoxification is only the initial step to recovery and removing the substances from the body does not do anything to treat the ‘mind of addiction.’ She was driven to dynamically re-invent the recovery model—it had to be more expansive and integrated than the older traditional approach. It would be an alternative healing path combining advanced technology and science-based practices with an effusion of holistic-healing; one of mind, body, and spirit. Michelle’s vision is to empower, teach, and inspire through the belief that unconditional love with support is the most powerful healer. Michelle is meticulous and diligent to uphold the precious values that embody SJRP. She selectively picks a highly qualified, dedicated staff that genuinely serves the SJRP Mission and Vision whilst maintaining the highest standards of excellence.