We are a group of treatment providers with a singular dedication to the health, recovery and wellbeing of our patients. Our commitment is to God, our families, our patients and our community. It is our prayer to bring hope to those suffering mental and emotional pain, as well as the anguish of addiction. We hope to educate the families and friends of our patients, as well as the community at large, as to mental health and addiction issues. We wish to be a harbor for those suffering distress and debility, welcoming those laboring under the burden and stigma of addiction.

As a group, we have over 80 total years of combined experience treating both psychiatric and alcohol/drug abuse patients. Our desire is to bring the hope of a fulfilling life to our patients, helping them to regain confidence in themselves; restore relationships with others; and replenish their ability to cope with the stresses of daily life.

Our Medical Director, A. R. Doyle, M.D., is originally from Rock Island. He returned to the area upon completion of his four-year psychiatric residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. While at Loyola, he did work at the Veterans' Administration Hospital and the Madden location of the state psychiatric hospital system. He studied Gestalt and EMDR techniques, as well, and also studied marital/sexual therapy under Dr. Domeena Renshaw.

He is the former medical director of the MARC (Multiple Addictions Recovery Center) unit at Genesis Hospital in Davenport, with an abundant inpatient practice. He was also a staff psychiatrist at Vera French Community Mental Health Center in Davenport. Following some personal life changes, in October of 2004 he decided to concentrate on his private practice in order to have the time to start looking into fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Dr. Doyle and Susan Alden, N.D., APN, opened their private practices at the new building at 111 19th Avenue in Moline on May 2, 2005. Dr. Alden has several years of experience in the psychiatric nursing field.

John Heath was a counselor on the MARC unit for several years. He has extensive experience conducting groups such Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) as well as facilitating group, family, couples' and individual therapies, as well as interventions. John is an Advanced Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ACADC), and has an MSE degree. John received intensive training in above therapeutic approaches at the Johnson Institute. John actually taught CADC courses in Iowa.

Denise Davis was a registered nurse (RN) for several years at various hospitals, and then became an ACADC on the MARC unit, where she worked for x years. She, too, has extensive experience in facilitating various therapies and groups.

Nancy Iversen and Jean Bruinsma are our front desk personnel. Nancy also handles RBCC's billing. She has been with Dr. Doyle since 1997, and is familiar with most aspects of Dr. Doyle's private practice. Jean is currently working toward a Certifiication at her church. Jean was with Susan Alden at her private practice and came over to join RBCC with Susan.

Gabriele Doyle is our Business Manager. Gabriele received her MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago/Evanston with concentrations in marketing, economics and international business.

Our History

Dr. Doyle is originally from Rock Island. He returned to the area in the summer of 1997 to begin his practice at Genesis Hospital and Vera French Community Mental Health Center in Davenport. After some personal life changes in the summer of 2004, he decided the time was ripe to start looking into fulfilling a lifelong dream.

And River Bend Christian Counseling is the fulfillment of that dream.

The first step was to locate a building to serve as the home of the new facility. With the help of Merle Henning, a longtime family friend and local realtor, the location at 111 19th Avenue in Moline was found. It had been closed for many years and bore the evidence of this neglect.

After gutting the building of its aged HVAC and other systems, knocking down walls to establish group rooms and relandscaping the damaged and overgrown outside areas of the building's site, it was time to start compiling the 700-page manual required by the state of Illinois for licensure as an alcohol/drug treatment facility. After countless late-night sessions on the computer, the manual was finalized and shipped to the Illinois Department of Human Services main offices in Chicago, and we received our license in May 2005.

Dr. Doyle and Susan Alden opened their private practices at the new building on May 2, 2005. The alcohol/drug treatment program started in July, but officially opened in September 2005. The program offers various therapies, including group, individual, family and couples therapy, and DUI evaluation and education programs are also available. The new buprenorphine treatment is also available at the facility. This program provides an alternative to methadone treatment, and has a highly-rated efficacy.

But we don't plan to stop only at treatment and therapies—our desire is to bring the highest standards of education and information to the Quad City community so that citizens of the area can become aware of mental health and substance abuse issues, educating themselves to recognize and combat these difficulties in their personal lives. RBCC's healthcare staff is available to present such educational programs and materials to local churches and schools.

Our Goals

• We seek to apply Christian principles to our psychiatric, counseling and alcohol/drug treatment services.
• We value the patient as a unique individual created by God and seek to honor him or her by using these principles in conjunction with proven scientific principles.
• These principles include those of 12-step recovery, to achieve the highest possible level of health for each patient.
• We believe that alcoholism/substance abuse is a disease which affects the individual physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
• We also believe that not only is the individual affected, but also his or her family and significant other relationships.
• Along with 12-step principles, we are strongly committed to a comprehensive patient education program concerning all phases of the addiction process.
• We also strongly believe in the therapeutic value of the group process and group
  counseling.

You may also view our Vision and Mission Statement.

The River Bend Christian Counseling Clinic is now operating in a newly-refurbished facility in Moline, Illinois.