Megan Stevenson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 8 years of experience in providing therapy, case management, and other clinical roles to adults, children, and families. She has a Master of Science in Social Work degree from the University of Louisville and is licensed to practice in Kentucky and Indiana. Megan believes in treating the whole person and building upon their strengths to help them develop healthy habits for long-term sobriety. As the Clinical Director at Avenues Recovery, Kentuckiana, Megan has implemented new strategies, techniques, and modalities to ensure top-notch client care. She is committed to evidence-based approaches and considers clients as members of the Avenues Recovery Community family for a lifetime.

Since childhood, Heather Downs has had a passion for helping others. Heather started her decorated career in the medical field at the tender age of 17, beginning as a nurse’s assistant.,  

She achieved a Master’s of Science in Nursing and has been certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner since 2018. In the past ten years, Heather has been involved with substance dependency and recovery in both outpatient and inpatient programs. She now brings her considerable skill and experience to Avenues Recovery at Kentuckiana, in her role as a nurse practitioner  

Her passion for changing the lives of people affected by addiction is constantly evident. Heather  is driven to give her patients the hope and motivation necessary to attain sobriety and draws strength from seeing the real-life changes possible with recovery.  

Heather is a loving mother to four wonderful children and her oldest daughter serves in the United States Air-Force.  In her spare time, she and her family enjoy the outdoors, traveling, hiking, and practicing martial arts.  

Emily Forster is a nurse practitioner who combines her medical and mental health expertise to drive lasting positive outcomes for her patients.  She views educating clients as an important aspect of care, empowering them to take control of their lives and allowing them to discover their unique path to recovery.  

Emily holds a Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing. She uses her extensive education, practical experience in the field, and a warm bedside manner, to establish an atmosphere of open communication with those under her care 

In her spare time, Emily loves to read and spend time with her family. 

Brittany Middendorf is a social worker with a passion for addiction treatment. Originally from Evansville, IN, Brittany moved to Louisville, KY in 2016 after attending the University of Southern Indiana, where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work.

Currently, Brittany is working towards becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both Kentucky and Indiana. Her passion for addiction treatment stems from personal experience, having lost loved ones to the disease. She takes a person-centered approach, meeting each individual where they are in their journey and helping them to become the person they aspire to be.

Outside of work, Brittany is a proud homeowner in Louisville, KY. She values her relationships with family and friends and enjoys going on new adventures, having game nights, being a part of her book club, and dog-sitting for her friends’ furry companions. And, of course, she enjoys long walks on the beach.

James “Chris” Parker is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with a passion for addiction treatment. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Chris attended the University of West Georgia where he earned his Bachelor of Psychology degree. Since 2009, he has been a licensed Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Addiction Consultant II.

Chris’s passion for addiction treatment began in the early 90s, and he has found it to be the most rewarding both personally and professionally. He believes that addiction affects not just the individual, but also their family and community. Chris takes a head-on approach to addiction treatment, helping his clients to build themselves up to be the best version of themselves while addressing the social and mental destruction that addiction can cause.

Outside of work, Chris is happily married with a young son. He also has three cats and loves to travel to either London, England, or Cancun, Mexico. In addition to his work in addiction treatment, Chris has a huge passion for music and enjoys being on stage playing various instruments.

Shemika Whiteside is a licensed social worker with a passion for addiction treatment. Originally from Springfield, Illinois, Shemika now resides in Louisville, Kentucky. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois in 2006 and her Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Louisville in 2013. Currently, she is working towards her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) licensures and pursuing a Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) at the University of Louisville, which she expects to complete in 2026.

Shemika’s passion for addiction treatment stems from her love of helping others, particularly those with a dual diagnosis. She finds it incredibly rewarding to witness her clients successfully transition to and maintain sobriety. Shemika takes a unique approach to addiction treatment by emphasizing the importance of personalized care and treating the individual, not just the addiction. She understands that each client’s journey is unique and requires a tailored approach that takes into account their unique circumstances and needs.

In her personal life, Shemika is a proud mother of two, a 15-year-old son named Christian and an angel baby, named Zora. She is happily married to her husband, Jeremy, who is a devout Marvel Comics fan and staunch believer that “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie. As a family, they enjoy board games and trivia tournaments, and love to travel, with San Francisco being their favorite city to visit.