When most people think of mental health or substance use treatment, they picture a clinic: sterile walls, a couch, a desk, and a patient opening up to a clinician. But healing doesn’t always start in a waiting room. For many, true recovery begins at home, in community spaces, or through practices that restore both body and mind.

That’s exactly the approach of Dr. Monique Brown Faust—known as Dr. Moe—CEO of Integrated Healthcare System. Her vision challenges the traditional “clinic-first” model, proving that recovery can be more compassionate, more effective, and more human.

Rethinking Recovery Beyond the Clinic

For decades, behavioral healthcare has focused heavily on clinic-based treatment. But as Dr. Moe explains, this model doesn’t always reflect the lived experiences of those struggling with mental health or substance use disorders.

“We cannot separate the mind from the body and expect sustainable healing.” – Dr. Moe

Instead of relying solely on medication or standardized treatment plans, Dr. Moe’s approach is holistic, integrative, and deeply personalized. She believes recovery should happen wherever people are—schools, shelters, sober homes, or even community streets.

A Whole-Person, Holistic Approach

Dr. Moe doesn’t just treat symptoms—she seeks to uncover the root causes behind co-occurring disorders. In her experience, mental health and substance use challenges rarely exist in isolation. They’re often tied to:

• Personal histories and trauma

• Unmet emotional needs

• Environmental stressors and triggers

• Biological factors like hormone imbalances or gut health

This integrative approach includes:

• Nutrition and lifestyle support – focusing on gut health, sleep cycles, and diet

• Trauma-informed yoga and breathwork – to regulate the nervous system

• Relapse prevention programs – that emphasize safety and trust before clinical strategies

• Community-based therapy – bringing healing outside the four walls of a clinic

By treating the whole person—not just the diagnosis—Dr. Moe helps individuals reclaim health, purpose, and hope.

Replacing Stigma With Compassion

One of Dr. Moe’s strongest beliefs is that recovery should be compassionate, not stigmatizing. Too often, people struggling with mental health or addiction are met with judgment instead of empathy.

Her mission is clear:

• Remove barriers to care

• Replace stigma with understanding

• Encourage providers to listen deeply and respond creatively

• Create safe spaces where healing feels possible

This approach not only empowers patients but also challenges healthcare providers to reimagine what true support looks like.

Why This Matters Today

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), recovery is “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.”

But achieving that vision requires systems that look beyond prescriptions and quick fixes. Dr. Moe’s model does exactly that. It acknowledges that recovery isn’t just clinical—it’s personal, environmental, and emotional.

With rising rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders across the U.S., her outside-the-box thinking offers a roadmap for a more effective, compassionate future in behavioral healthcare.

Final Thoughts: A Vision for the Future

Dr. Moe’s leadership at Integrated Healthcare System is more than professional expertise—it’s a call to action. She reminds us that healing is not one-size-fits-all, and recovery is most powerful when it honors the whole person.

Her vision: a world where recovery is accessible, holistic, and rooted in compassion.

Want to explore this further? Read Dr. Moe’s feature in The Well of PBC (pages 26–27) for deeper insights: The Well of PBC — August/September 2025.