Joy Stevens and Dia Parsons each had established careers of their own when they decided to form Alegria Collaborative—a premium mental health and addiction service devoted to providing top-quality and concierge care—in 2021. Stevens had been a longtime life coach and sober companion, supporting clients in various settings, including a renowned treatment center in Malibu. Parsons, meanwhile, had worked in addiction counseling and inpatient care before moving into behavioral health and case management. Yet they had grown discouraged by the often sterile and formulaic industry. “We both saw the need for something different—a more compassionate, deeply personal and hands-on approach to care,” says Stevens. “That shared vision is what led to the creation of Alegria Collaborative.” The two have quickly established themselves as trailblazers in their field, renowned for their thoughtful approach and ability to meet the diverse needs of clients to recover safely, effectively and with unwavering support. Now, in honor of National Recovery Month, the two discuss their journey.
Q: What brought you to this work?
JS: Growing up near the California coast as the oldest of four, I developed a strong sense of empathy and leadership from an early age. Since 2008, I’ve dedicated my work to supporting individuals on their path to recovery. Helping those who are suffering or feeling hopeless has become not just my profession, but my life’s purpose. I feel deeply honored to walk alongside clients and families as they navigate some of the most challenging chapters of their lives.
DP: I was born in Los Angeles and now live in Brentwood. I’ve worked in behavioral health since 2007, always passionate about the intersection of addiction recovery and family systems. I received my counseling CADC II certification at UCLA, but my commitment to this work is also deeply personal. As a child, I split my time between my mother’s humble life in L.A. and my father’s affluent family in Asia. That contrast, and the emotional whiplash it brought, led me to self-medicate. After multiple treatment attempts, I entered recovery in 2006—and it saved my life. Today, I’m honored to help others find their path to healing.
Q: Alegria Collaborative isn’t your typical recovery model. How does your approach differ from traditional treatment centers?
DP: Traditional models tend to follow rigid systems; we meet clients where they are—literally and emotionally. We’re flexible, relational and discreet. We address real-world challenges while integrating family dynamics and building sustainable accountability. It’s recovery without the assembly line.
Q: What motivated you to build something new?
JS: Far too often, clients leave treatment only to find themselves unsupported—lacking real-world accountability, continued structure and family involvement. The system excels at crisis stabilization but struggles to address what happens after. We founded Alegria to fill that gap with a model rooted in long-term support, empathy and real-life integration.
Q: What are your respective roles?
DP: As owners, we often co-manage cases alongside our team of expert case managers, offering deeply collaborative wraparound support. Our clients are typically post-treatment or opting for a customized alternative to traditional treatment, so our level of involvement is intentionally high touch. We maintain a positive partnership and are willing to jump in whenever needed.
Q: What does the typical client journey look like at Alegria?
DP: It starts with a comprehensive intake exploring mental health, history, family structure and personal goals. From there, we create a customized care plan, which may include sober coaching, case management, family systems support and crisis intervention. From day one, we create a space that’s warm and nonjudgmental and in which clients feel supported, not managed.
Q: Mental health and substance use issues often go unnoticed in high-performing communities. Why is that, and how do you approach it?
JS: In high-performing or affluent circles, vulnerability is often mistaken for weakness—and the pressure to “keep it together” is immense. This creates a culture of silence. We meet that challenge with compassion, discretion and trust. No level of success shields someone from emotional pain. That’s why dignity and privacy are at the center of our approach.
Q: How can we begin to break the stigma, especially for high-functioning individuals?
JS: When people share their struggles—the messy middle and the breakthroughs—it humanizes the recovery experience. Asking for help is not weakness; it’s a radical act of strength. We aim to normalize vulnerability and create spaces where people feel safe enough to speak up and seek support.
Q: How do you tailor services for these individuals and their families?
JS: We understand the unique pressures, privacy needs and complexity faced by high-net-worth families or public-facing individuals. Our concierge model is designed to be seamless, professional and private. We meet our clients with care that fits into their lives—without disrupting it—while still addressing the emotional, logistical and relational aspects of recovery.
Q: Do you have any stories that capture the scope and impact of your work?
DP: One of my earliest cases at Alegria was uniquely complex. The client lived in New York, but their family was spread across multiple states and time zones. The client was dealing with chronic pain, mental health issues and substance use. We placed a coach to live with him full-time, providing structure and accountability. Over eight months, there were highs, lows and a completely unexpected—and ultimately powerful—outcome. That’s the beauty of this work: it’s creative, human and always evolving.
Q: What does success look like in your work?
DP: Success often starts with a tiny bit of willingness. When a client says, “I don’t like this, but I’ll do it anyway,” that’s the spark. From there, we build momentum. Family involvement is often a game-changer. We help families unlearn harmful patterns and establish healthier ones. Recovery is rarely linear—but we’re there through all of it. And yes, we celebrate the wins. We love a good graduation day.
Q: September is National Recovery Month. What does this mean to you?
JS: This month holds deep significance. It’s a time to reflect, raise awareness and reduce shame. We use this time to share stories of hope and advocate for those still struggling. Recovery is possible—and no one should ever feel they have to walk that road alone.
Alegria Collaborative; 8909 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills; 805-409-7203; alegriacollaborative.com
"We meet clients where they are—literally and emotionally. We’re flexible, relational and discreet. It’s recovery without the assembly line."