Our clients can now join us for evening IOP on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Led by esteemed professionals, our evening substance use and mental health IOP program promises a supportive and transformative environment and experience.
Dr. José Calderón-Abbo is the Medical Director at Imagine Recovery. Board-certified in psychiatry, addiction, and mind-body medicine, he oversees patient care and conducts mind-body skills groups. As Chief Medical Officer for Behavioral Health at Optum/United Health Care, Louisiana, Dr. Calderón focuses on behavioral health strategy, service expansion, and health equity. He also serves as an Associate Professor at LSU School of Medicine and senior faculty at the Center for Mind-Body Medicine. His interests include the behavioral health impact of climate change, addiction recovery, and healthcare disparities. Born in México City and an honors graduate from the National Autonomous University of México, Dr. Calderón lives in New Orleans with his family.
August Boyd, LCSW-BACS is the Clinical Director of Imagine Recovery. She has developed comprehensive therapeutic curricula for our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Outpatient DBT Skills Program (OP). She provides individual, group, and family therapy, as well as psychosocial and diagnostic assessments. August is extensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and is a certified Mind-Body Medicine practitioner, leading weekly mind-body medicine skills groups. Her practice is built on a deep love for community and positive regard for all individuals. She is also a published author and advocate for mental health reform to enhance the quality, outcomes, and accessibility of behavioral health services.
Brian Hirsius, LPC grew up in Metairie, Louisiana, and has proudly called New Orleans home for the last fourteen years. He earned a B.A. in Addiction Counseling and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Holy Cross in 2017. Brian brings a wealth of experience to Imagine Recovery, not only through his education but also through his personal journey of recovery.
Russ Rhodes, LPC began working with individuals struggling with substance misuse while employed by the Division of Children and Family Services in 2012. It became apparent that drugs and alcohol were the primary factors that disrupted families in his work. After 3 years in this field, he decided he wanted to become a therapist.
Service to others is important to Russ. He has a deeply spiritual outlook, and this shows itself in his belief in others. “I consider myself a cheerleader of the human spirit. I believe that it is never too late to begin one’s healing journey, and that there is no work more worthy or sacred.” Russ has a robust mindfulness meditation practice which has been strongly informed by DBT.
Russ is originally from a small town in Oklahoma and moved to Baton Rouge as a teenager. He moved to New Orleans in 2016 and has loved it here ever since. He received a BA in Psychology from the University of Arkansas, and a Masters of Science from Southeastern Louisiana University. Russ uses a mixture of modalities such as DBT, Person Centered Counseling, and Existential Counseling.
Our late afternoon/early evening Intensive Outpatient Program provides comprehensive support, insightful therapy, and pathways toward lasting healing. When seeking guidance, community, and tools for recovery, our evening IOP program delivers a holistic approach tailored to the client’s needs.
Each client receives individual therapy weekly with a licensed clinician.
Join us as we embark on this empowering journey. Schedule an assessment and tour today by contacting us at (504) 605-4095.
Imagine Recovery is highly skilled in treating substance misuse, addiction and mental health in a way that makes sobriety and mental wellness a permanent way of life. We provide multiple types of creative therapeutic approaches; each is proven to help people get back on a healthy path and enjoy life again.
Imagine Recovery’s IOP is 10 hours a week for 10 weeks. It consists of nine hours of group therapy and one individual therapy session weekly. The program is designed to serve adults 18 and older seeking recovery from substance misuse, substance use disorders, and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Our clinical team consists of 7 licensed clinicians (licensed social workers, professional counselors, addiction counselors) and 3 addiction medicine psychiatrists. Our clinical staff is highly experienced in treating substance misuse and other mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, and personality disorders, self-harm behaviors, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and trauma-related conditions.
We now offer 2 choices for IOP, a day program and late afternoon/evening program.
Each client is assigned a primary therapist upon admission and receives one individual therapy session weekly.
Additionally, Imagine Recovery provides clients with an introduction to the 12-Step program developed by Alcoholics Anonymous. It is our belief attendance and participation in 12-Step programming offer our clients the opportunity to join a worldwide recovery community. As well, it allows them to continue their growth post-treatment and enjoy support long after leaving our care. Clients will also learn about alternative recovery options such as SMART Recovery, Recovery Dharma and Celebrate Recovery.
Psychoeducation groups address the neuroscience of addiction and co-occurring mental health issues. Through education and support, clients practice new behavioral skills in a safe environment.
We understand the challenges of staying sober. In early recovery, clients frequently experience triggers and may often feel intense cravings to use drugs or alcohol. This happens despite their motivation to abstain from alcohol and other substances. Clients learn basic recovery skills that prevent relapse, and make sobriety more enjoyable.
Self-love, acceptance, healthy relationships, and wellness are essential to a fulfilling life. For that reason, we teach clients positive coping skills. They learn to accept and experience feelings and develop self-esteem and emotional maturity. Additionally, they learn to identify personal strengths, set boundaries, and establish better communication skills.
One 3-hour group per week is dedicated to DBT skills. These skills are incredibly important in achieving mental health wellness and long-term recovery.
Emotion Regulation: This helps a person process and understand their emotions. One learns skills so they won’t feel out of control when emotional situations arise.
Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness skills makes a person experience each moment and event as it happens. Therefore, each moment in life takes on a deeper meaning.
Distress Tolerance: These skills enable people to handle stressful events. They accept reality, rather than fight it. Then, they can apply healthy coping skills that allow them to deal with what’s happening.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: People learn to be effective in interpersonal interactions with others. They practice achieving their goals without alienating the other person. This helps with current relationships and building new ones.
Music therapy is used within a therapeutic relationship to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of people.
Qualified music therapists assess the needs and strengths of each client. From there, they can provide relevant treatment through creating, moving to, and listening to music. As a matter of fact, music therapy can help people of all ages and abilities.
It can be beneficial for those who deal with:
Consistent good nutrition makes a huge difference in anyone’s life. It proves especially important for those in recovery from substance use disorders and mental health challenges. Many people ignore their basic nutritional needs when struggling with substance misuse and other mental health issues. Often, they suffer problems related to their physical health and sleep. Learning to eat healthy again and take good care of themselves physiologically helps individuals focus on all aspects of their recovery and overall wellness.
Contact Imagine Recovery today to start treatment or ask about our programs. We’re here to guide you to the help that you or your loved one needs. Visit our admissions page for more!
When I came through the doors of Imagine last year, I looked and felt like the “before” photo in a pet adoption advertisement: Sick, scared, confused, and probably not smelling all that great. I didn’t know exactly what I needed, only that I wanted a better life, a healthier, happier one. Soon after, I became Imagine Client #1. No pressure, right? After ten weeks of IOP and eight weeks of outpatient treatment, I felt as though I’d been born again. It’s not hard to see why Imagine has chosen a phoenix as its spirit animal and logo, a legendary mythical creature that is continuously born anew from its own ashes. And that’s precisely how I feel today, rebuilt from the charred remains of an unhealthy and fearful life, a new and better man, husband, brother, son, and (at least I hope) member of the human race. For the first time in a long time, I have peace, health, and hope, which are no small things. I am, and will always be, eternally grateful for those gifts.
Scott G.
I will NEVER forget you and Chris taking my hand and walking me through the hardest time in my life. Your words gave me hope when I needed it the most. I make 6 months this week!!”
Catilin S.
I can’t say enough how much Imagine has impacted my life. Being in a new city, I felt lucky and grateful that a place like Imagine was a familiarity and sort-of home base in my life for the first couple months – and I know it will always be there for me moving forward. It has not only helped me build a strong community and confidence as I start this new chapter of my life, but it also has given me tools to continue to succeed in whatever life throws at me.
Sarah
Felicia & Chris,
We are beyond grateful for what you have done for our son and our family. You caught a soul before he fell too far and redirected the course of his life. What we are learning about epigenetics is that you have not only impacted our son, but also his future children and their children. You are deeply impacting this world. You are both such inspirations to all those that are fortunate enough to know you.
Parents of an Imagine alumni
I’M SO GRATEFUL
Hi everybody,
To everyone in the Imagine Family, I wanted to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. This truly was one of the greatest experiences of my life and I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you. I promise to come back every now and again because I don’t want to lose touch with the people that changed my life for the better.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you and with love,
Anonymous male graduate, 24
I was sitting outside, enjoying the breeze, watching the trees sway and admiring the beautiful colors. For me, that is a stillness I was once uncomfortable being in. I must admit, I did not think I needed IOP at Imagine after completing a 30-day inpatient program. In fact, I felt I knew all the cliché sayings, read the material, had it thrown at me from every direction, and I would not gain anything from attending IOP post-inpatient treatment. Oh how wrong I was! While attending group meetings and one-on-ones, I gained so much insight, compassion and confidence. I learned to fully forgive, both myself and others. I am more patient when I used to be reactionary. The shell of a person I once considered myself is now humbly strong. And guess what – I like me. I could not have made these leaps without the guidance and suggestions I received at Imagine. I am beyond grateful to have y’all as part of my journey. Thank you so much for everything you do and everything you’ve allowed me to gain through your program.
Much Love Ladies 🙂
To the wonderful people of Imagine,
Someone wise once told me that we should live our lives in a way that, when we pass, the most important words spoken about you will be “They made a difference.”
In the game of addiction, hope is hard to come by, the pain swallows people whole and the wounds can turn into an unimaginable cancer. If one can muster up enough strength and conviction, recovery is possible. But still, the process has to include the contrasting element to addiction, connection.
At Imagine, Felicia, you’ve devoted your life to be a healer. You have provided the pace for connection – that is a crucial element in having a chance at conquering addiction. The wonderful staff are all as equally important as you are. Thank you all for your compassion. It is a breath of fresh air!
I know I speak on behalf of many people when I say… Imagine is making a difference in this world!
Thank you.
Reach out to Imagine Recovery today with any questions about our treatment programs!
728 Nashville Avenue New Orleans, LA 70115