Hi, I’m Monica Olivares — Program Director at Hillside Mission and a firm believer that healing doesn’t have to be boring. With over 11 years in the behavioral health field, I bring clinical experience, leadership, humor, heart, and a whole lot of hustle to the work I love. I’ve worked in just about every setting imaginable — Detox, Residential, IOP, PHP, OP — and in nearly every role, from graveyard tech, lead tech, biofeedback therapy, to case manager, assistant manager, program manager, and now, program director.
I hold a CADC II certification and have a background of working with clients facing substance use, co-occurring disorders, and eating disorders. But more than anything, I bring my lived experience: I’ve been clean and sober for 13 years, and this work is deeply personal to me. I speak the language of recovery from the heart, and I’m passionate about reaching people in a way that makes them feel truly seen, heard, and supported.
At Hillside, we’re more than just a treatment center — we’re a family. Our home-like environment is warm, real, and full of life. We believe in laughing when we can, crying when we need to, and always showing up for our clients with compassion and honesty. We don’t do cookie-cutter care — we do soul work, and we take it seriously.
Outside of work, I’m a proud mom, wife, sister, and daughter. I love animals, nature, music festivals, escape rooms, movies, and adventures that make great stories later. I live life out loud and love helping others do the same. Recovery gave me my life back — and I’m here to help others find theirs.