For many, life is about focusing on personal goals and overcoming failures, but for Dr. Emily Stevens, success is defined by helping others achieve. “My goal is to facilitate awareness and insight so that each individual has the opportunity to change their emotional map by finding new internal routes to take to achieve a more positive experience in their life. I don’t think of it as saving someone’s life, although that is the ultimate goal,” says Stevens. “I think of it as helping a client save their own life by pushing through the pain and learning to live again. Learn to laugh, feel joy and feel hope is my ultimate goal for every client I work with.”
Known for her development of specialized programs and brain-based treatment interventions for clients with dual diagnosis—such as addiction and ADHD or addiction and anxiety—Stevens serves as the chief clinical officer of the Unity Recovery Group, which manages multiple dual diagnosis treatment facilities in South Florida. Its adventure track, a style of treatment that focuses on outdoor experiential activities such as hiking and equine therapy, was one of the firsts in South Florida.
“Both indoor and outdoor group [treatments] are powerful, but for clients who learn better through physical activity, the adventure track really allows them to grasp concepts and ideas that they might miss sitting in a group room just talking about a concept versus experi- encing a concept. The healing power of nature can never be underestimated.”
After more than 20 years in clinical work, Stevens’ passion has never subsided. “I feel exhilarated every time I see a client’s face light up with awareness. Those are the moments that keep you going and growing as a therapist.” She is currently collecting data to better understand a client’s level of functioning when they enter treatment and when they leave to help continue to evolve treatment protocols. “The ultimate goal is to create a formula for treatment that is client specific and changes the course of treatment, relapse and their lives. We have to change our focus from looking at relapse post treatment in research to looking at the beginning of treatment and changing that clinical outcome nation- wide. That is the game changer and the lifesaver.”
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