For women struggling with addiction, recovery often requires a program that addresses the unique challenges they face. At New Directions for Women, every interaction, session, and treatment approach is designed specifically for women. The team combines expertise, empathy, and a deep understanding of women’s experiences to provide women-focused rehab programs that foster lasting change.
Heather Black-Coyne, LMFT, CADC II, Executive Director at New Directions for Women, shares her perspective on what makes the team unique and how their approach helps women achieve long-term recovery.
Dedicated to Women’s Addiction Recovery and Empowerment
The foundation of women’s addiction recovery at New Directions lies in the dedication of the team. Heather describes how every staff member brings a personal commitment to helping women succeed in treatment:
“The team at New Directions for Women is one of my favorite teams that I’ve had an opportunity to work with. There is this drive, this passion, this care and concern for being a woman in recovery, being a woman in general, being a woman in recovery and helping women find recovery. And each person shows up in that way. First and foremost, everybody shows up for the mission, which is to transform the lives of all women seeking recovery from addiction. You find that and you notice that when you see people doing things that are outside of their job duty, they’re trying to help the individual feel welcome, secure, safe. Everybody on our team shows up in that way.”
This dedication goes beyond formal responsibilities. Staff actively create a supportive and safe environment, ensuring that women feel seen, valued, and encouraged at every stage of their recovery journey.
Curiosity and Collaboration: Improving Women-Focused Rehab Programs
One of the distinguishing qualities of the New Directions team is their curiosity about what truly helps women in treatment. This mindset drives continuous improvement in female addiction treatment:
“The individuals on our team are curious. They’re curious about what helps a client stay in treatment. How do we get over this moment where someone is upset about a meal or wants to leave treatment? How do we bring the family in and help this person have successful recovery outside of here with all individuals involved? Each person on the team is looking for ways to not only improve their lives, their profession, but to improve the lives of the people that we work with. And that shows up in such a synergistic and collective way.”
Through collaboration, innovative problem-solving, and thoughtful engagement, the team ensures that each woman’s experience is personalized and effective. This gender-specific addiction treatment approach addresses the unique emotional, social, and psychological needs of women in recovery.
Addressing Powerlessness and Fostering Empowerment in Women’s Recovery
A core aspect of addiction treatment is understanding and addressing the feeling of powerlessness—a concept that can have distinct meaning for women. Heather explains:
“There are conversations about what does powerlessness mean for a woman? How do we explore that in a safe and meaningful way? How do we integrate recovery communities while avoiding narratives that have been hurtful to women? Each woman on our team is committed to that journey, and we have these colorful conversations, laugh together, and really try to model what it means to be a community so that our clients can see that and create that in their own lives.”
By addressing powerlessness thoughtfully, the team helps women reclaim agency in their recovery. This method reinforces the core of women-focused rehab programs—providing tools, strategies, and support to help women rebuild confidence, resilience, and independence.
Modeling Community and Long-Term Support in Women-Focused Rehab
At New Directions, recovery isn’t just about structured programs—it’s also about witnessing healthy, supportive relationships in action. Heather emphasizes the importance of modeling community:
“We play together. We laugh together. And we really try to model together what it means to be a community so that our clients can see that and create that in their own lives.”
By showing women what a healthy, connected, and supportive environment looks like, the team helps clients integrate these behaviors into their own lives, fostering sustainable recovery and empowering them to thrive beyond the program.
Women-Focused Addiction Recovery That Transforms Lives
The team at New Directions for Women demonstrates that women’s addiction recovery is most effective when treatment is tailored, compassionate, and empowering. Their dedication, curiosity, and collaborative approach create a unique environment where women can heal, grow, and transform their lives.
If you or someone you love is seeking alcohol rehab for women or guidance on women-focused addiction recovery, contact the experts at New Directions for Women to start your journey toward lasting change.
