Dr. Steven R. Scanlan, M.D.
Medical Director at Banyan Stuart
At Banyan Treatment Centers, we believe that the heart of effective treatment lies in the expertise, compassion, and dedication of our clinical leaders. Our medical directors play a vital role in shaping the care we provide, ensuring that every client receives evidence-based, individualized treatment tailored to their needs.
In this Q&A series, we sit down with our medical directors to give you an inside look at their perspectives, experience, and approach to behavioral health. From discussing the latest advancements in treatment to sharing what inspires them in their work, these conversations highlight the passion and knowledge that guide our programs.
In this article, you’ll find insights from Dr. Steven Scanlan, the Medical Director of Banyan Stuart, our detox and residential addiction treatment facility located on Florida’s east coast. With his extensive experience in the field of addiction medicine, Dr. Scanlan shares his perspective on effective treatment approaches, the challenges clients face in early recovery, and the importance of compassionate, evidence-based care.
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Q: How do you and your team approach individualized treatment planning?
A: We begin with a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment to understand each patient's unique history, needs, strengths, and goals. Collaboration is key—we involve the patient, their family when appropriate, and our interdisciplinary team to co-create a dynamic treatment plan. We tailor interventions based on diagnosis, readiness for change, co-occurring conditions, and social determinants of health. The plan evolves as the patient progresses. Weekly reviews ensure we are still aligned with the patient’s goals and clinical needs. This individualized, patient-centered approach increases engagement and long-term outcomes.
Q: How do you ensure evidence-based practices are integrated into daily care?
A: We standardize care protocols around established clinical guidelines and ensure all team members are trained in evidence-based modalities like CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing. Ongoing supervision, case reviews, and outcomes tracking reinforce fidelity. We also incorporate evidence-based pharmacologic treatments and determine their effectiveness over time. Continuous education keeps our staff updated on emerging best practices. Integration into daily care ensures consistency and quality across all levels of treatment.
Q: How do you combine multiple evidence-based modalities to create individualized treatment plans?
A: We assess each patient’s clinical presentation and adapt the intensity and type of evidence-based therapies accordingly. For example, someone with trauma and addiction may receive EMDR alongside MAT and group CBT. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates to integrate medical, psychotherapeutic, and psychosocial supports into a unified plan. Flexibility is built into the model—modalities are added or adjusted based on patient response. This layered approach maximizes engagement and therapeutic effectiveness.
Q: How do you measure the effectiveness of evidence-based therapies over time?
A: We use validated outcome measures like PHQ-9, GAD-7, ASI, and craving scales to monitor progress regularly. We also track functional metrics such as attendance, MAT initiation, housing stability, and relapse rates. Clinical reviews help us determine if the current approach is effective or needs modification. Patient self-report and therapeutic alliance also inform our ongoing evaluation. Data-driven decisions ensure care remains responsive and effective.
Q: What makes our treatment programs different from others in the behavioral health field?
A: Our programs are successful due to the integration of medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial care within a trauma-informed, patient-centered framework. We prioritize individualized treatment that evolves with the patient. Our use of both evidence-based therapies and holistic supports, delivered by a highly trained multidisciplinary team, enhances engagement. We also emphasize continuity of care through aftercare planning and alumni support. This comprehensive model fosters both stabilization and long-term recovery.
Q: How do holistic approaches complement evidence-based medical treatment?
A: Holistic approaches like mindfulness, nutrition, yoga, and expressive therapies support emotional regulation, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. These practices enhance the effectiveness of medical treatments by promoting engagement and helping patients develop healthy coping mechanisms. They address the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—which is essential in recovery. Used alongside medication and psychotherapy, holistic care strengthens resilience and reduces relapse risk. This integrative approach respects the complexity of healing.
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Questions about our Facilities or Programs?
Our admissions coordinators are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have as you consider whether treatment at Banyan is right for you or your loved one.
Q: How does your team integrate technology, such as Telehealth, into patient care?
A: Telehealth allows us to extend care to patients who face barriers like transportation or geographic distance. We use secure platforms for therapy sessions, medication management, and family engagement. Digital tools also support ongoing monitoring and communication outside scheduled sessions. Telehealth increases access, continuity, and convenience while supporting exacting standards of care. It is now an essential part of our hybrid treatment model.
Q: How do you determine when medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is appropriate for a patient?
A: We assess the patient’s substance use history, severity of dependence, co-occurring disorders, and readiness for treatment. If there is a considerable risk of relapse, withdrawal complications, or if cravings are impairing function, MAT is often the first line choice. We educate the patient about risks, benefits, and alternatives, and collaboratively decide the best course. MAT is most effective when combined with psychosocial supports. Close monitoring helps us adjust treatment as needed.
Q: Can you explain the role of FDA-approved medications (e.g., Suboxone, Vivitrol, Methadone) in addiction recovery?
A: These medications target the neurobiological basis of addiction, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone and methadone activate opioid receptors to stabilize brain function, while Vivitrol blocks them to prevent relapse. They allow patients to focus on recovery without the constant burden of cravings. These medications have robust evidence for improving retention and reducing mortality. When combined with counseling and support, they significantly improve outcomes.
Q: What are some of your medical findings that have been helpful to those battling a substance use problem?
A: We have found that early initiation of MAT, especially within days of stabilization, reduces dropout rates and improves long-term recovery. Patients with co-occurring anxiety or PTSD respond better when psychiatric symptoms are treated concurrently. Genetic and metabolic differences influence medication response, so personalized prescribing is essential. Sleep disorders and nutritional deficiencies are also critical to address. Integrated care improves engagement and reduces relapse risk.
Q: How do you mentor and guide the clinical team here?
A: I prioritize collaborative leadership, providing clinical supervision, case consultations, and ongoing education. We hold regular interdisciplinary rounds where we discuss complex cases and share insights. I encourage a culture of curiosity, reflection, and accountability. Mentorship also includes fostering professional growth and resilience among staff. A supported team provides the best care to our patients. The only bad question is the one not asked.
Q: What advice do you have for someone considering entering treatment for the first time?
A: It is normal to feel uncertain or afraid, but seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. You do not need to have everything figured out—just take the first step and get help. Recovery is a process, and you will be supported every step of the way. Treatment is tailored to your needs and builds on your strengths. The earlier you take the first step the sooner healing begins.
Q: If there’s one message you’d like people struggling with addiction or mental health to know, what would it be?
A: You can get better , and you are not alone—recovery is possible. There is help, hope, and a community ready to walk with you and show you the path. No matter how far things have gone, it is never too late to start healing. You are worth the effort. Treatment works, and change is possible.
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Q: How has behavioral health treatment changed in recent years?
A: There is a stronger emphasis on integrated care, addressing mental health, substance use, and physical health together. Trauma-informed care has become standard, recognizing the impact of adverse experiences. Telehealth has expanded access and flexibility. There’s also greater use of data to guide and evaluate treatment. These changes have improved outcomes and reduced stigma.
Q: What innovative therapies or approaches are you most excited about right now?
A: I am particularly excited about the growing evidence for neurofeedback and brain-computer interfaces.. Neurofeedback uses real-time EEG monitoring to help patients regulate brainwave activity through visual or auditory feedback. It's been used successfully in ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, and even substance cravings. By reinforcing healthy brain patterns, patients learn self-regulation techniques that can have long-term benefits. BCIs represent the next frontier, allowing even more precise brain-computer communication and therapeutic feedback loops.
Q: What trends do you see shaping the future of behavioral health and addiction treatment?
A: There will be continued integration of mental health into primary care, expanded use of technology, and a shift toward value-based care models. Peer support and recovery coaching will play a bigger role. Culturally responsive and equity-focused care will become increasingly important. We will also see more emphasis on prevention and early intervention. The future is moving toward whole-person, lifelong support!
Q: What research areas excite you most in terms of advancing treatment outcomes?
A: I am excited about research in neuroplasticity and how targeted therapies can reshape brain pathways affected by trauma and addiction. Pharmacogenomics is helping us personalize medication choices and decrease side effects. Longitudinal studies on social determinants of health are guiding more sustainable interventions. There is also promising work in gut-brain health and inflammation’s role in mood and addiction. These areas hold immense potential for transforming care.
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