June 1, 2026
From Patient to Team Lead: Careers in Addiction Treatment Recovery
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In this episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Travis Hupp, Director of Milieu Management, sits down with three of the facility’s clinical associate team leads — Dalton Wicker, Sharon Robinson, and Matt Hutchinson — for an honest and inspiring conversation about what it means to build a career in addiction treatment and recovery.
All three guests share a common thread: each found their way to Cumberland Heights through a deeply personal connection to recovery. From their first days as patients or early-career clinical associates, to now leading teams on a 177-acre campus in Nashville, Tennessee, their stories offer a powerful look at the professional and personal growth that comes from working in this field.
Topics in this episode include the realities of milieu management, the journey toward becoming a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC), what makes Cumberland Heights’ culture different, and why so many staff members stay for years — even decades.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- What milieu management means in a residential treatment setting and how it supports patient recovery
- How all three team leads transitioned from their own recovery journeys into meaningful careers in substance use disorder treatment
- Why individualized treatment is at the heart of the Cumberland Heights philosophy — for patients and staff
- How the LADAC licensure track works and how Cumberland Heights supports staff pursuing their license
- What skills — patience, empathy, delegation, public speaking — clinical associates develop that they never expected
- Why people stay at Cumberland Heights long-term: career growth, mentorship, tuition reimbursement, and a one-of-a-kind culture
- How the extended care program works and what makes the close-knit extended care team operate like a well-oiled machine
- Real patient interaction stories that remind staff why this work matters every single day
About Our Guest
Dalton Wicker — Clinical Associate Team Lead, Young Men’s Program. A former Cumberland Heights patient who told staff during treatment that he would come back to work there — and did exactly that. Dalton now leads a team while completing his LADAC supervision hours.
Sharon Robinson — Clinical Associate Team Lead, Men’s Program. With nearly four years at Cumberland Heights, Sharon began her career working with women and was encouraged by Travis to step into a leadership role in the men’s program. She is close to submitting her application for LADAC licensure and has found her voice as a leader and group facilitator.
Matt Hutchinson — Clinical Associate Team Lead, Extended Care Program. A psychology major who spent years in sales before returning to his original calling, Matt is a Cumberland Heights alumnus who was recruited by Travis after his strong reputation in the 12-step community preceded him. He leads the extended care team with a focus on communication, forecasting, and community integration through volunteer work.
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Every Call Finds a Home
At Cumberland Heights we understand every patient has unique needs. Our experienced staff will develop a personalized treatment plan based on past traumas and/or other co-occurring illnesses.