Our Team
At Motivate Recovery Center, our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized care to every person who walks through our doors. We understand that recovery is a deeply personal journey, which is why our professionals are committed to creating a supportive, respectful, and healing environment built on trust and connection.
From clinical staff and counselors to support specialists and case managers, each member of our team shares a common mission: helping individuals overcome addiction, restore hope, and build a healthier future through evidence-based care and genuine compassion.
Jerry Heary
CEO/Business Development I’m a passionate advocate for recovery, driven by my own personal journey through addiction and healing. With over 7 years in the behavioral health and addiction treatment industry, I’ve dedicated my career to creating safe, supportive environments where individuals can rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
I am a certified Life Coach through the International Association of Professional Recovery Coaches (IAPRC). For the past two years, I’ve owned and operated a sober living home, where I’ve had the privilege of guiding residents through early recovery with structure, accountability, and genuine care. I especially enjoy facilitating group therapy sessions, creating spaces where people feel heard, supported, and motivated to grow.
I bring high energy, motivation, and an unwavering belief in every person I work with. Whether you’re just starting your journey or strengthening your recovery, I’m here to walk alongside you with compassion, honesty, and the practical tools needed to motivate lasting change.
Emily LaVigne
Compliance OfficerEmily LaVigne is a behavioral healthcare leader with over a decade of experience driving clinical excellence, operational performance, and sustainable program growth across substance use and co-occurring treatment settings. She brings a rare combination of frontline clinical insight and executive leadership experience, with a background spanning program operations, clinical training, case management leadership, regulatory compliance, and strategic program development.
Throughout her career, Emily has been recognized for building and leading effective, mission-driven teams, strengthening organizational infrastructure, and creating treatment environments rooted in accountability, compassion, and ethical care delivery. Her leadership approach emphasizes clinically informed decision-making, staff development, and systems that improve both client outcomes and organizational effectiveness.
Emily holds an Associate of Applied Science in Substance Use Disorder Counseling and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC-II). She has extensive experience supporting adult outpatient and inpatient behavioral healthcare organizations through program expansion, operational optimization, compliance readiness, and implementation of client-centered models of care. Her philosophy is grounded in the belief that strong leadership, emotional intelligence, and clinical discernment create the conditions for meaningful recovery and long-term impact.
John Gonzalez
Program DirectorJohn Gonzalez is a dedicated and results-driven professional with a strong commitment to helping individuals overcome substance use disorders and rebuild meaningful, productive lives. With a deep understanding of addiction, recovery processes, and behavioral health systems, he brings both practical experience and compassionate leadership to the field of substance abuse treatment.
John specializes in developing and overseeing Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) that provide structured, evidence-based care while allowing clients to maintain their daily responsibilities. His approach emphasizes accountability, consistency, and individualized treatment planning, ensuring that each client receives support tailored to their unique circumstances.
As a leader, John is focused on building high-performing clinical teams, maintaining compliance with regulatory standards, and fostering a culture of integrity and professionalism. He is passionate about creating programs that not only address substance use but also promote long-term recovery through life skills development, emotional resilience, and community support.
Drawing from both professional expertise and personal insight into the challenges of recovery, John connects authentically with clients and staff alike. His leadership style is grounded in discipline, clear communication, and a mission-driven mindset to deliver measurable outcomes and lasting impact.
Riley Collins
Clinical DirectorRiley Collins, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 10 years of experience working across the behavioral health continuum, specializing in both Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Mental Health (MH) treatment. Throughout his career, he has held leadership and clinical roles in outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential, and community-based treatment settings.
Riley has extensive experience in clinical program development, utilization management, staff supervision, crisis intervention, and multidisciplinary team leadership. His clinical expertise includes the treatment of co-occurring disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, trauma-related conditions, substance use disorders, and complex psychosocial challenges.
As a clinician and leader, Riley is passionate about delivering evidence-based, client-centered care while fostering a culture of clinical excellence, accountability, and compassion. He is dedicated to supporting both clients and clinical teams in achieving meaningful, sustainable outcomes and advancing the quality of behavioral healthcare services.
Dr. Eric Chaghouri
Medical DirectorDr. Eric Chaghouri is a double board-certified physician in Adult Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, specializing in the treatment of substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.
He earned his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine of USC and completed his psychiatry residency at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident in Psychiatric Emergency Services. He later completed fellowship training in forensic psychiatry at the USC Institute of Psychiatry and Law.
Dr. Chaghouri is the founder of The Recovery Doctor, a national healthcare organization providing psychiatric and addiction medicine services to behavioral health treatment centers across the United States. Throughout his career, he has built and led multidisciplinary clinical teams and helped develop evidence-based treatment programs designed to support meaningful, lasting recovery.
His approach recognizes that addiction and mental health are often deeply interconnected. He is committed to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care that addresses the whole person while helping patients build the stability and foundation needed for long-term recovery.