Our Team
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Who We Are

Recovery Built on Relationships

Valley Spring Recovery Center is an outpatient addiction and mental health treatment center in Norwood, New Jersey. We're located in Bergen County, just 20 minutes from the George Washington Bridge — close enough to reach, far enough to breathe.

Our clinical team is led by Henry Iwuala, Clinical Director, and Dr. Michael Olla, an addiction psychiatrist who provides medical direction for every treatment plan. Together with our therapists, counselors, and program coordinators, we deliver evidence-based care that treats the whole person.

We believe that the people delivering treatment matter as much as the treatment itself. That's why every member of our team is chosen not just for credentials, but for compassion.

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The People Behind Your Recovery

Meet Your Care Team

These are the people who will know your name, remember your goals, and celebrate your progress.

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Henry Iwuala

Clinical Director

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Dr. Michael Olla

Medical Director, Addiction Psychiatrist

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Cynthia Johnson

Dually-Licensed SUD/MH Therapist

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Cameron Kennedy

Program Coordinator — Intake & Tours

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Meet the Full Team →
Treatment Programs

Programs Shaped by the People in Them

Our 4-stage model — Restore, Activate, Accelerate, Thrive — guides every patient from stabilization to lasting independence. But don't take our word for it.

When I stepped down from inpatient, I was terrified of losing my support system. Partial Care gave me that same level of structure while I rebuilt my daily life. Six days a week, I had somewhere to be and people who believed in me.

— Rebecca M., PHP Graduate

Partial Care Program (PHP)

📅 Mon–Sat ⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM 🎯 Stage 1: Restore

Our highest level of outpatient care, designed for individuals transitioning from inpatient treatment or those needing intensive daily support. Six hours a day, six days a week of structured therapy including individual counseling, group sessions, and psychiatric oversight from Dr. Michael Olla.

Learn About PHP →

The five-day IOP was the perfect middle ground. I worked during the day and got treatment every evening. The group sessions were where the real breakthroughs happened — hearing other people's stories made me feel less alone.

— Anthony P., IOP Graduate

Intensive Outpatient Program (5-Day)

📅 Mon–Fri ⏰ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 🎯 Stage 2: Activate

Our evening intensive outpatient program provides structured treatment five nights a week without disrupting your work or school schedule. Three hours of focused therapy each session, including CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and relapse prevention.

Learn About IOP →

Stepping down from the 5-day IOP to three days a week was a big moment. It meant I was making progress. I still had my support system, but I also had three nights a week to practice what I'd learned in real life.

— Nicole F., IOP 3-Day Graduate

Intensive Outpatient Program (3-Day)

📅 3 Days/Week ⏰ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 🎯 Stage 2: Activate

A flexible step-down from our 5-day IOP, this program maintains clinical intensity while giving you more time to integrate recovery skills into daily life. Ideal for patients who are building independence while maintaining therapeutic support.

Learn About 3-Day IOP →

I live an hour away and couldn't make the drive three nights a week. Virtual IOP gave me the same therapists, the same group members, the same accountability. The only difference was I logged on from my kitchen table instead of driving to Norwood.

— James T., Virtual IOP Graduate

Virtual IOP Program

📅 3 Days/Week ⏰ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 🎯 Stage 3: Accelerate

Our dedicated virtual intensive outpatient program delivers the same evidence-based treatment through a secure telehealth platform. Not a watered-down version — a purpose-built program with the same clinical team, treatment modalities, and accountability.

Learn About Virtual IOP →

I came for anxiety that was ruining my marriage. The mental health program taught me CBT and DBT skills I use every single day. Cynthia helped me understand that mental health treatment isn't a weakness — it's the smartest thing I've ever done.

— Karen W., Mental Health Program

Mental Health Program

📅 Mon/Wed/Fri ⏰ 3 Hours/Day 🧠 CBT & DBT Focus

A dedicated outpatient program for individuals struggling with mental health conditions — with or without co-occurring substance use. Led by dually-licensed therapists including Cynthia Johnson and Laura Schneider, this program delivers focused CBT and DBT treatment three days a week.

Learn About Mental Health →

I graduated from IOP over a year ago, but I still come to the monthly alumni meetings. These people are my family now. We hold each other accountable, celebrate milestones together, and show up for each other no matter what.

— Marcus D., Alumni Member

Alumni Program — Family for Life

📅 Monthly Meetings 🎉 Events & Activities 🎯 Stage 4: Thrive

Recovery doesn't end at graduation. Our alumni community provides lifelong connection through monthly meetings, social events, and ongoing support. Once you're part of Valley Spring, you're part of a family that doesn't give up on its members.

Join Our Alumni Community →
As rated and recognized by
CARF
CARF Accredited
#1
Best of NJ
A+
BBB Rating
NAATP
Member
For Families

Together We Heal

A 6-Session Family Workshop Program

Addiction doesn't just affect one person — it impacts the entire family. Together We Heal is our dedicated family workshop program: six 75-minute sessions led by a facilitator with lived experience. Open to the public and all family members, not just those with a loved one in our programs.

1–2
Narcan Training & Crisis Skills
3–4
CRAFT Communication & Boundaries
5–6
Trust Rebuilding & Wellness Planning

Each session builds on the last, giving your family practical tools — not just hope. By the end, you'll know how to support your loved one without losing yourself.

Learn About Together We Heal →
Conditions We Treat

We've Helped People Just Like You

We've helped people struggling with alcohol addiction who couldn't get through a day without a drink. We've worked with individuals dependent on opioids, heroin, and fentanyl who thought they'd never break free. We've treated cocaine and methamphetamine addiction, benzodiazepine dependence, and the quiet struggle of prescription drug misuse. We've seen people through marijuana dependency, Adderall and stimulant addiction, kratom withdrawal, and nicotine addiction.

Every one of them sat where you're sitting now. Every one of them made the call. And every one of them would tell you: it was worth it.

Mental Health Conditions

We also provide specialized treatment for anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, and insomnia. Our dually-licensed therapists treat co-occurring disorders as interconnected — because that's what they are.

Insurance & Payment

Most Plans Cover Treatment. Let's Check Yours.

Don't let insurance confusion stop you from getting help. We work with most major carriers and our admissions team will verify your benefits before you start — so there are no surprises.

Verify My Insurance →
What to Expect

Here's What Happens When You Call Us

We know the first call is the hardest one. Here's exactly what you can expect, step by step — from someone who's guided hundreds of families through this moment.

1

You Call — We Answer

When you dial (201) 781-8812, you'll speak with our admissions team — not a call center, not a recording. A real person who understands what you're going through. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There's no wrong time to reach out.

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We Verify Your Insurance

Within minutes, we'll check your insurance benefits and explain exactly what's covered. We work with 17 major carriers. No surprises, no hidden costs — just clear information so you can make an informed decision.

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You Meet Cameron or Ron

When you arrive at our Norwood location, Cameron Kennedy or Ron Lopez — our program coordinators — will greet you at the door. They'll give you a tour of the facility, introduce you to staff, and make sure you feel comfortable before anything clinical begins.

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Clinical Assessment

Henry Iwuala, our Clinical Director, will conduct a thorough assessment to understand your history, your needs, and your goals. Dr. Michael Olla will review any medical or psychiatric considerations. Together, they'll build a treatment plan that's genuinely yours.

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Treatment Begins

You start your program — whether that's Partial Care, IOP, Virtual IOP, or our Mental Health program. From day one, you're not just a patient; you're a member of a community that wants to see you succeed. And that community stays with you long after graduation through our alumni program.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Partial Care (PHP) is our highest level of outpatient care — six hours a day, six days a week (Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 3 PM). It's ideal for patients stepping down from inpatient treatment who still need daily structure. IOP is an evening program (6 PM to 9 PM) available in 5-day or 3-day formats, designed for people who need to maintain work or school during the day.
Absolutely. Our IOP and Virtual IOP programs run in the evening specifically so you can maintain your work, school, or family responsibilities during the day. Many of our patients continue working full-time throughout treatment.
Yes. Our Virtual IOP is not a condensed or simplified version of our in-person program. You work with the same clinical team, participate in the same evidence-based modalities (CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing), and build relationships with the same group members. The only difference is the delivery method. Research consistently shows telehealth treatment achieves comparable outcomes to in-person care.
We accept 17 major insurance carriers including Horizon Blue Cross, Anthem, Empire, NYSHIP, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana, Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, Emblem Health, Fidelis Care, GHI, Magellan Health, and UMR. We'll verify your benefits before you start so there are no surprises. Call us at (201) 781-8812 or use our online verification form.
In most cases, we can complete your insurance verification and clinical assessment within 24-48 hours. Our goal is to remove barriers, not create them. If you call today, you could start as early as this week.
This is one of the most common challenges families face. We recommend starting with our Together We Heal family workshop, which teaches CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) communication techniques. CRAFT is an evidence-based approach that helps families encourage their loved one toward treatment without ultimatums or confrontation. You can also call us at (201) 781-8812 to speak with our team about strategies specific to your situation.
Together We Heal is a 6-session family workshop program, each session lasting 75 minutes. It covers Narcan training, CRAFT communication skills, boundary setting, trust rebuilding, and wellness planning for the whole family. It's led by a facilitator with lived experience and is open to anyone — your loved one doesn't need to be enrolled at Valley Spring for you to participate.
With your loved one's consent, absolutely. Family involvement significantly improves treatment outcomes. In addition to the Together We Heal workshop, we offer family therapy sessions and regular communication with the clinical team. We believe recovery is a family effort, and we welcome your participation at every stage.
We encourage you to visit. Cameron or Ron can give you a tour of our Norwood facility, introduce you to the clinical team, and answer any questions. You can also call (201) 781-8812 to speak with our admissions team. There's no commitment — just a conversation to see if we're the right fit for your family's needs.