Dove Recovery House for Women is excited to welcome Melissa Oran as our new Chief Clinical Officer. With a background in social work, behavioral health, addiction services, and higher education, Melissa brings extensive clinical experience and a deep commitment to supporting women on their recovery journeys.
Before joining Dove House, Melissa served as a Child and Family Service Manager at Centerstone and as an Adjunct Faculty member at Ivy Tech Community College. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Indianapolis and a Master of Social Work from the University of New England where she is also currently pursuing her Doctorate of Social Work.
Throughout her career, Melissa has completed specialized training in recovery coaching, crisis intervention, EMDR, Seeking Safety, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and trauma-informed care. Her professional philosophy centers on promoting the dignity, well-being, and self-determination of those she serves.
What attracted Melissa to Dove House was the organization’s impact and commitment to collaboration. She values the way community organizations can work together to support individuals and families, and she is especially passionate about helping women in recovery build healthy, fulfilling lives. As a social worker, she sees supporting women as they achieve their goals and discover their strengths as both meaningful and empowering work.
Melissa was also excited by the opportunity to return to clinical addiction services and work within an urban setting. After spending more than a decade serving rural communities, she looked forward to expanding her knowledge of addiction treatment and the intersection of substance use disorders, co-occurring diagnoses, and access to support services in a larger community.
As Chief Clinical Officer, Melissa provides clinical supervision for therapists and peer recovery specialists while helping strengthen clinical programming across Dove House’s three locations. She also supports staff development through training opportunities and professional guidance, ensuring providers have the tools and resources needed to deliver high-quality care. In addition, she looks forward to working directly with Dove House clients, learning about their experiences, recovery journeys, and personal goals.
Melissa hopes her role will create a lasting impact not only through direct client support but also by helping staff continue to grow and develop professionally. By equipping providers with effective tools and evidence-based practices, she aims to help reduce the long-term effects of trauma, substance use disorders, and housing instability while supporting women as they move toward lasting recovery and self-sufficiency.
One of the things Melissa appreciates most about Dove House is its comprehensive approach to recovery. Rather than focusing solely on treatment, Dove House supports women through every stage of their journey, from early recovery to securing employment, housing, transportation, and other essential resources. She believes these practical supports often make the greatest difference in helping women achieve long-term success and stability.
Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, canoeing, traveling, and exploring new places. She enjoys attending live concerts, reading thriller novels, baking pies from scratch, and watching basketball with her two sons. Family is a central part of her life, and she describes raising her boys as both her greatest challenge and greatest reward. Her busy household also includes three dogs, a bearded dragon, and several fish.
Melissa is also a musician at heart. She played drums in high school and still has a drum set in her garage, hoping to inspire a love of music in her children. More recently, she has begun learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu alongside her kids.
A quote that resonates with Melissa is, “Into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul.” It reflects her love of the outdoors, mindfulness, and being fully present in life’s moments.
We are thrilled to welcome Melissa to the Dove House team and look forward to the expertise, leadership, and compassion she brings to our mission of empowering women in recovery.