Immersion Staff Spotlight
Meet Our New Inpatient Clinical Director

We invite you to get to know Susan Shirley, the newest addition to the The Immersion Program family.
Serving as the Inpatient Clinical Director, Shirley will work directly with staff members, clients and family members to ensure the clinical program remains as effective and individualized as possible.

An Extensive Background in Addiction Recovery

Susan Shirley, the newest addition to the The Immersion Program family, is no stranger to the fields of behavioral health and addiction. She has over 25 years of experience, working in an inpatient setting, an outpatient setting, acute stabilization and nearly all other settings in the realm of addiction recovery. Shirley has worked closely with people of all ages and walks of life, from adolescents to older adults. She has served as the chief operating officer (COO) of five corporations in the substance use disorder and mental health realm, which include everything from startups to well-established treatment centers.

“As the Clinical Director for Immersion, I fill a wide range of roles,” says Shirley. “I work on team building and strategizing, client involvement, improving family dynamics, and helping to develop systems, strategies and processes that ensure the highest quality of care is consistently being delivered.”

The Client Experience

As described by Shirley, one factor that sets The Immersion Program apart from other treatment programs she has been a part of is ongoing dedication to making the client experience as positive as possible — from start to finish.
“Immersion is unique in the way we treat our clients,” she says. “Whether this is a client’s first time in addiction treatment or they have previously relapsed and are looking for a different kind of clinical care, they are treated with nothing but respect and compassion. The moment a potential client reaches out for help, we treat them as if they’re family. We strive to provide each and every one of our clients with the skills, tools and opportunity they need in order to ensure they are as successful as possible in their lives moving forward.”

A Family-Centered Treatment Program

Shirley also mentions the attention paid to family dynamics and restoring healthy family functioning sets The Immersion Program apart. “We work directly with our clients and with their loved ones, helping them work through all of the issues which have stood in the way of long-term sobriety. We facilitate family workshops on a monthly basis, which provide the opportunity for clients and their loved ones to immerse themselves in the recovery process. The combination of family involvement and 12 Step immersion makes the program unlike any other I’ve seen.”

A Holistic Approach to Recovery

Shirley grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana, and has maintained a love of both jazz and cajun cooking. She moved to Florida the day after she received her graduate degree, and is currently licensed in both Louisiana and Florida. For fun, Shirley stays active with the Special Olympics and focuses on giving back to her community in a variety of other ways. “I believe in giving back, and I bring this belief into wherever I work,” she says. “It’s important for clients to integrate themselves into their local communities, and giving back is a great way to build self-esteem and a sense of self-worth.” When Shirley is not working or volunteering her time, she enjoys traveling. “I love to see new areas and experience new cultures. Being well-traveled helps me further develop my holistic approach to addiction treatment and recovery.”
To learn more about Susan Shirley, any of our other staff members, or our clinical program, reach out to us today.