Our Team
Our men’s recovery program is led by Executive Director Susan Stader, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. Susan is supported by a professional and caring staff that includes certified substance abuse counselors and peer support specialists, case managers, life skills consultants, and a jobs coordinator.
Men who are farther along in their recovery process serve as mentors to newer patients in group therapy, and every patient has an AA or NA sponsor who supports them in their 12-step work.
Susan Stader, MS, LCMHC, LCAS, CCS
is Next Step Recovery’s Founder and Executive Director. Susan is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist who holds a master’s degree in community counseling. Susan oversees program and staff development and provides clinical support for NSR of Asheville residents.
Terence Streeter, CADC
is the Program Director for NSR of Asheville and has been with them since 2008. Terry helps Next Step Recovery’s IOP program integrate with NSR of Asheville’s residents. He maintains the quality and structure of their daily programming by providing staff training and support, substance abuse counseling, and individual case management. He ensures residents comply with house policies and actively work on their recovery to witness miracles in their own lives. Terry completed Substance Abuse Counselor certification in 2015. He is passionate about spending time with his family and supporting others in recovery.
Clark Wright
is in charge of Business Development. As a former resident of the program, Clark is a testament to,”Walking the Talk,” of the steps of a strong recovery program. He values the kindness, compassion, guidance, and support that was shown to him. He welcomes the opportunity to extend these to the current residents in the community and is grateful for the opportunities his recovery has afforded him. Clark is eager to guide the residents in maintaining a life of sobriety.
Click here to learn more about Clark
Charles Thomas
Charles is our Admissions Director. He moved from Los Angeles, CA to North Carolina in 2022. Before his move, he spent years in the Program Director role for structured sober living in the Los Angeles area. His journey began within 6 months of first entering a long term sober living environment where he began working in the recovery industry and realized his passion was working with others in early recovery. Charles has since spent the past 10+ years working in the field. In his free time, he enjoys writing music and short stories.
Click here to learn more about Charles
Renee Picone, MSW, LCSWA, LCASA
Renee is our Primary Therapist. She began her career with social work in New York working with children and families in residential facilities and in homes where she provided resources and therapy. From there, she worked in the child welfare system, which eventually led her into working with those impacted by substance use. She soon found Next Step Recovery and instantly fell in love with the staff and clients the moment she met them. In Renee’s free time, she loves adventures such as skydiving and want to take on scuba diving.
Click here to learn more about Renee
Ashley Carr, LCMHC-A, LCAS-A, NCC
is our Counselor who moved here from Virginia in 2017 to be closer to her family. She previously worked as a play therapist for at-risk children with severe trauma and then continued her work as an in-home Family Intervention Specialist. Ashley then moved on to working for the state of NC Vocational Rehabilitation Services for 5 years where she helped individuals with chronic disabilities get connected to resources and support that would allow them to find suitable and sustainable work. Ashley’s entire family has lived in WNC for decades. She has two children and has been with her high school sweetheart for 21 years. Ashley loves to spend her time outdoors including hiking, long evening drives, and is also an animal lover and a foodie.
Click here to learn more about Ashley
Bo Hess, MSW, LCSW, LCAS-A
Bo is our DBT Clinician. He lives in Asheville, NC, and is a practicing social worker and psychiatric clinician in an acute psychiatric hospital. Bo also has a small private practice in downtown Asheville, NC. Other professional roles and activities include Lead Clinical Resident Trainer and member of the Acute Behavioral Emergency Response Team in a large psychiatry department, Board Member of North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, Clinical Staff Consultant at Our Voice, Co-chair with District Attorney Todd Williams, of the District Attorney’s Jail Reduction and Addiction Task-force, Curriculum advisor for the Human Services Department at Asheville Buncombe Community College, and Law Enforcement and First Responder Crisis Intervention Trainer. Currently, Bo is enrolled in the Gillings School of Global Public Health, Master of Public Health, Leadership in Practice at UNC-Chapel Hill. Outside of professional roles, Bo enjoys playing drums, writing poetry, reading, relaxing on the beach, walking, cuddling with his miniature Australian Shepherd, road trips, hiking, flying in airplanes, and going out to eat and studying at coffee shops.
Click here to learn more about Bo
Tommy Cook, LCAS, LCMHCA, NCC
Tommy is a Clinician for Next Step Recovery. He moved to Asheville in 2015 in order to work as a wilderness therapy guide. After several years as a guide, he knew that counseling was the profession he wanted to pursue and received his masters degree in clinical mental health counseling.Tommy entered his first substance treatment at 17 years old. Through his recovery journey, he gained experiential wisdom surrounding self love, presence, the value of vulnerability, and how to best remain honest in all areas of his life. Over the years, he built a vast community of individuals also on a path of healing and transformation. In his spare time, Tommy enjoys ecstatic dance, drumming, and singing to express his true self.
Click here to learn more about Tommy
Get Help Now
Fill Out The Form Below
or Call (828) 761-0722.
"*" indicates required fields
Reach Out Today
Recovery is a lifelong journey, but you don’t need to take it alone. At Next Step Recovery, we give you the tools and support you need to get through early sobriety and find lasting healing. It is our goal to empower our patients to be their best selves and live the life they deserve.
If you have any questions about our programs, methods, insurance, or anything else, reach out to us today. We look forward to helping you to get started along the road to recovery!
Get in Touch Now
Take the Next Step Toward Recovery
"*" indicates required fields
