From Clinician to Visionary

When you walk into River’s Bend, a leading outpatient behavioral healthcare provider in Southeast Michigan, you step into a space shaped by the vision of one woman: Stephanie Howey, LMSW. As Vice President, COO, and co-owner of River’s Bend PC, Stephanie does more than just run a clinic. She actively nurtures a culture of care, mentors the next generation of therapists, and ensures every program reflects clinical excellence.

Stephanie’s path is deeply rooted in the history of River’s Bend. She began her journey as a clinician while earning her Master of Social Work. Over two decades, she has mastered nearly every role, from office manager to chief operator. Consequently, this hands-on experience defines her leadership style as both strategic and deeply personal.

Architect of Integrated Behavioral Health Excellence

Stephanie played a pivotal role in transforming River’s Bend from a modest substance use clinic into a full-spectrum behavioral health provider. Under her guidance, the center now operates specialized programs for:

• Adolescent mental health and substance use
• Trauma recovery
• Co-occurring disorders
• Women’s mental health

Because of her strategic foresight, River’s Bend now offers over 15 distinct Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) and an established Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). Today, these programs serve as a pillar of evidence-based care in Michigan.

Culture Builder and Clinical Mentor

What makes Stephanie unique is how she infuses compassion into every level of the organization. As a nationally respected administrator, she prioritizes transparent, values-driven leadership. For example, she once initiated a bereavement policy on the spot to support a staff member in need.

Furthermore, Stephanie strengthens the field by:

• Building mentorship pipelines for graduate students.
• Investing in advanced clinician training, such as EMDR and trauma-focused modalities.
• Anchoring the organization in the belief that healing begins with the people delivering the care.

Champion of Community Mental Health

Stephanie’s impact extends far beyond the walls of River’s Bend. For over 14 years, she has served as an HPRP (Health Professional Recovery Program) provider, where she supports medical professionals through recovery.

In addition to her clinical work, she leads youth advocacy efforts by partnering with Metro Detroit high schools and suicide prevention coalitions. Her ability to navigate everything from insurance negotiations to crisis intervention has made her a trusted name in Michigan’s mental health ecosystem.

Why Stephanie’s Story Matters to You

Whether you are a parent seeking care for a teen or a clinician searching for a place to grow, Stephanie’s story offers a rare assurance. It proves that River’s Bend is led by someone who has lived the mission. As a result, she has built a culture where both clients and clinicians truly thrive.

Areas of Expertise

• Integrated outpatient care for co-occurring disorders
• Trauma-informed therapy and program development
• Staff supervision and behavioral health operations
• Joint Commission compliance and policy innovation
• Adolescent and adult mental health treatment

Meet the Leader Behind the Mission

Are you ready to learn more about the people shaping the future of healthcare in Michigan? Visit our Our Team page or explore how River’s Bend’s programs are transforming lives.

Schedule a Meeting or Tour to see our mission in action.

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Since opening its doors in 1995, River’s Bend has hit many milestones and has grown from a small outpatient behavioral Since 1995, River’s Bend PC has grown from a small outpatient clinic into a regional leader in mental health and substance use disorder treatment in Metro Detroit. Through compassionate care, clinical innovation, and evidence-based programming, we’ve become a trusted provider across Oakland County, Macomb County, and Southeast Michigan.

Here’s how River’s Bend evolved into one of the area’s most respected IOP and PHP behavioral health providers.

1995–2006: Building a Foundation in Outpatient Behavioral Health

River’s Bend opened in 1995 with a clear mission: to provide clinically rigorous, client-centered outpatient mental health and addiction treatment in Metro Detroit.

By 1998, Stephanie Howey joined the team, helping establish a culture rooted in collaboration, professional growth, and personalized care. Her leadership laid the groundwork for internal development and long-term clinical excellence.

In 2000, Bruce Goldberg expanded services by launching our Substance Use Disorder Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), offering structured recovery support for individuals seeking outpatient addiction treatment in Oakland County.

2007–2016: Expanding Access to Integrated Care

In 2007, River’s Bend entered a new chapter when Bruce Goldberg and Stephanie Howey became owners. At that time, the clinic had four therapists and a primary focus on substance use treatment. However, community demand quickly revealed the need for integrated mental health and co-occurring disorder services.

By 2009, River’s Bend became an approved provider for Michigan’s Health Professional Recovery Program (HPRP), delivering structured, evidence-based outpatient care to licensed professionals navigating recovery.

This period marked our transition into a comprehensive behavioral health provider serving Metro Detroit.

2017–2023: Responding to the Opioid Crisis & Post-Pandemic Mental Health Needs

As the opioid epidemic intensified, River’s Bend strengthened partnerships with hospitals, physicians, and community providers to create rapid referral systems and coordinated step-down care.

Following the pandemic, demand for higher levels of care surged. In response, we launched:

• A Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for depression, anxiety, and trauma
• A reopened Adolescent IOP in West Bloomfield
• A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for clients requiring stabilization without inpatient hospitalization

In 2023, we expanded further by opening our West Bloomfield behavioral health clinic, increasing access to structured group therapy and specialty programming throughout Oakland County.

2023–2025: Specialized IOP Tracks for Diverse Clinical Needs

To meet growing demand, River’s Bend introduced 15+ specialized IOP tracks, including programming tailored to:

• Trauma survivors
• Adolescents and teens
• Working professionals
• Women and men’s groups
• LGBTQIA+ individuals
• Clients with co-occurring substance use disorders

In 2025, we launched a dedicated First Responder IOP, providing trauma-informed care for police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and frontline professionals experiencing occupational stress and secondary trauma.

This expansion strengthened our position as a leader in specialized outpatient mental health and addiction treatment in Southeast Michigan.

2026 and Beyond: Advancing Trauma-Informed Treatment

Looking ahead, River’s Bend continues investing in clinical excellence. In 2026, we are expanding advanced trauma training, including broader clinician certification in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

By integrating cutting-edge trauma therapies into our IOP and PHP programs, we remain committed to delivering evidence-based, outcomes-driven care across Metro Detroit.

Why River’s Bend Matters in Southeast Michigan

River’s Bend has not simply grown—we have continuously adapted to meet the evolving behavioral health needs of our community.

Our legacy reflects:

• Integrated treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
• Accessible IOP and PHP programs in Troy and West Bloomfield
• Strong partnerships with hospitals, therapists, and referral networks
• A belief that healing requires structure, compassion, and evidence-based care

Whether you are a healthcare professional seeking a trusted referral partner, a parent looking for adolescent mental health support, or an individual ready to begin recovery, River’s Bend is here to guide you.

Contact our care team today to get started with confidential, compassionate support in Metro Detroit.

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