Hannah has been working with adolescents and young adults for over a decade. Her experience working at a wilderness-based residential program initiated a love for the outdoors, experiential learning, and a strong belief in new beginnings. She enjoys developing programs in after-school programs and summer camps that focus on stewardship, science, culture, and expressive arts. Hannah has a love for travel and exploring the natural works through hiking canoeing, scuba diving, and gardening.
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Dr. Will White, DA, LCSW, LADC
Will has a long history in behavioral healthcare including providing psychotherapy at a community mental health center, a hospital, a private practice, and a boarding school. He is the co-founder of Summit Achievement, a hybrid wilderness therapy program located in Maine, which he owned and operated from 1996-2022. Will completed his master’s in social work (MSW) degree in 1987 and completed his Doctorate of Arts (DA) in leadership in 2011. His doctoral dissertation traced the evolution of wilderness therapy through critical leaders and incidents. He has been a licensed mental health professional (LCSW) in New Hampshire since 1987. Will wrote the book, Stories from the Field: A History of Wilderness Therapy and is the host of the podcast, Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy.
Will has been drawn to Mountain Valley for many years as the organization is seen by behavioral healthcare professionals as the leader in the country in the anxiety treatment field. Will is truly honored to advise Mountain Valley as it moves into the second decade of helping young people and their families, and has always been impressed by the clinical sophistication of its treatment team as well as the caring professionalism of the program staff.
Will has been immersed in outdoor settings since he was born as he spent the first months of his life, and every summer thereafter, at his Great Grandfather’s home in the White Mountains. He currently runs a tree farm on his Great Grandfather’s property. Will hikes, backcountry skis, and trail runs along with his wife, Lisa from their home in Jackson, New Hampshire, where they raised their two sons.
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TJ Baumann
TJ is happy to be back at Mountain Valley after teaching at a private school in Laconia, NH. TJ has worked in environmental education, corporate teambuilding, k-12 education, and previously for Mountain Valley Treatment Center. TJ holds a bachelor’s degree in Adventure Education from Plymouth, NH and is currently perusing a master’s degree in child and Adolescent Development from Southern New Hampshire University. TJ worked for Mountain Valley Treatment Center in 2018 for one year before moving on to teaching at Acton Academy NH. After three and a half years there he returned to Mountain Valley and is excited to further develop the Adventure Therapy program.
TJ grew up in Vernon, NJ. After high school TJ taught hang gliding and snowboarding professionally before returning to college later in life. TJ has two young children and currently lives in Rumney, NH with his wife.
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Antoinette Moody, MA
Antoinette has over a decade of experience working within the mental health field to include both inpatient and outpatient settings. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Castleton State College in VT and her Master of Arts in Psychology from The Derner Institute at Adelphi University in Garden City, NY. Throughout her years of providing treatment, she has become skilled at Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Her clinical style is that of synthesizing the dichotomy of acceptance and change. Antoinette’s passion to help initiate change earlier in individuals’ lives is what inspired her to start working with adolescents and young adults at Mountain Valley.
Antoinette was born and raised on Long Island, NY though decided during her master’s studies that she preferred the VT living experience she was exposed to during her time at Castleton. For her own practice of self-care, Antoinette reads and spends time outdoors, specifically swimming in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter. Spending time with her family which includes her three-year-old black Labrador Retriever, Betty, is on the top of her priority list.
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J’Amy Chamberlain, CTRS/L
J’Amy attended school in her home state at the University of Utah, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy (RT) and a minor in Psychology. J’Amy focused her studies on mental health and specifically how physical activity and recreational can act as powerful intervention tools for those suffering from mood disorders. While in school her passion for the outdoors was fostered even more as she learned about research linking time outside with a plethora of health benefits. J’Amy has spent time with children of all ages as a teacher of a forest preschool and an early learning center, an RT student in the pediatric unit of a mental hospital, and with students k-12 as a Recreational Therapy Intern.
J’Amy found Mountain Valley as a young professional, passionate about the holistic approach she found here. She was especially drawn towards the adventure-based programming provided here. J’Amy has loved providing opportunities for residents to engage in meaningful leisure activities during the club program.
J’Amy moved to NH from UT to complete her RT degree in 2020. Since moving here she received her RT license and certification. J’Amy met her fiancé here, with whom she shares two cats, Lucy and Jerry. J’Amy loves spending time with her nieces and family, some of whom she is lucky enough to share a back yard with. Whenever possible, J’Amy flies home to Utah to see even more family and spend time in the dessert. J’Amy loves being outside whenever possible, but especially during the warm weather.
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Kelsey Thayer
Kelsey’s journey to start working in mental health has been nonlinear. Following attendance at SUNY Purchase for her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in graphic design, Kelsey worked in communications and marketing for 10 years. She returned to school in January 2020 for psychology, seeking to fulfill a long-held dream of working in mental health. At the same time Kelsey started training and volunteering with a local organization known as WISE which provides crisis support to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Being present with and supporting others during their most challenging and dark moments proved to be personally and professionally fulfilling. Those experiences confirmed a desire to work in mental health full time and Kelsey officially changed careers to join Mountain Valley in June 2021. Kelsey began as a Residential Counselor, then supported the “back half” second shift as a Supervisor for just shy of a year before transitioning into the role of Milieu Support Specialist. To continue supporting her career and education Kelsey is now working towards her Master of Social Work (MSW) with a clinical focus at Boston University’s School of Social Work.
Kelsey was drawn to Mountain Valley because of a desire to work with adolescents. Adolescence is a challenging time for anyone, and even more so if serious mental health struggles are added on. Being able to address these challenges sooner than later gives the chance to improve outcomes later in life for current teens and young adults to experience an enjoyable and fulfilling life. The commitment and courage Mountain Valley’s residents demonstrate throughout their treatment is awe-inspiring, and the clinicians and residential teams are truly passionate about the work and relationships built with the residents. Additionally, Kelsey has been able to develop professionally in numerous ways through direct care work and management in her supervisor role, and with Mountain Valley’s professional development support. As a Milieu Support Specialist, Kelsey gets to work more closely with the clinicians and residents to support their ERP and other therapeutic work.
Outside of the bustling community that is Mountain Valley, Kelsey embraces a quiet home life with her two cats and husband (who is also her high school sweetheart). She finds enjoyment and calm in drawing and painting, kayaking, and hiking in the summertime, and starting more crochet projects than she finishes.
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Olivia Balise
Olivia has a partial education in Athletic Training and holds a CPR Certification. For several years she has worked with younger children from infants to 2nd grade age. Olivia also has 4+ years experience working in environments that require fast pace, accurate, reliable and approachable communication and sustaining a healthy atmosphere.
Olivia found interest in working at Mountain Valley and in the MV milieu because she enjoys working with adolescents while they improve and grow! Olivia loves helping people flourish while learning life’s lessons, showing them that hitting potholes and bumps is all part of the journey and helping them recognize how to be proud of their achievements and what they did to reach their destination.
Olivia is originally from New Hampshire, but has spent time exploring South Carolina and Virginia for a few years. Olivia’s hobbies include studying interior design, raising her 20 chickens, playing ukulele, training her beautiful Great Dane, driving her Honda CB500, camping and other outdoor activities, researching her way around her personal nutritional and fitness needs, & taking part in the ever changing fashion industry!
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Jacob Donovan
From his first hike at four years old to becoming a wilderness trip guide in Yosemite Valley National Park, Jacob’s connection to the natural world has profoundly shaped his life. A true New England native, Jacob was born on the North Shore of Massachusetts and grew up in New Hampshire, where he developed a deep love for the region’s mountains and coastline.
Jacob pursued his passion for the outdoors by studying Adventure Education at Plymouth State University. There, he learned to use his enthusiasm for nature as a powerful teaching tool to address the challenges of living in a world filled with mental health obstacles. Beyond his formal education, Jacob spent many years working in various summer camp settings, where he discovered a passion for working with youth of all ages.
Drawing from his own journey through mental health challenges, Jacob now shares his knowledge and passion for life with others. His unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise makes him a valuable advocate and mentor in the field of mental health and outdoor education.
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Hayden Fleischer
Hayden first came to Mountain Valley as a resident in the fall of 2018, seeking support for his own struggles with anxiety. The experience was life-changing, shaping both his personal growth and professional aspirations. Inspired by the care he received, Hayden developed a passion for mental health and a desire to help others navigate their own challenges.
Originally from Hanover, NH, Hayden went on to attend the White Mountain School before earning his degree in Communication with a minor in Human Development from Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, Florida. During his time at Eckerd, he interned at Mountain Valley, gaining hands-on experience and deepening his commitment to the field. After graduating in May, he returned once again—this time as a full-time residential counselor.
Hayden hopes to pursue an MSW and eventually become a clinician, with a particular interest in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active, hiking, watching baseball, and reading comic books. A longtime Ultimate Frisbee player, he ran Eckerd’s Frisbee club and continues to enjoy the sport. Above all, Hayden is passionate about giving back to a place that gave him so much hope for his future.
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Fabienne Maitre
Fabienne is originally from Hamburg Germany, but at a young age moved to Seattle Washington with her family, where she spent the entirety of her childhood. Her interest in Psychology was first sparked back in her junior year of high school, where she took a Psychology class and quickly became passionate about the subject. In 2020 she moved with her family to New Hampshire, where she spent the last three and a half years attending the University of New Hampshire. Having graduated with her bachelor’s in both psychology and German. Fabienne chose Mountain Valley because of her pure desire to help people struggling with mental health, by listening and providing the comfort and support they need. In the next couple of years, she plans on going back to school to get her master’s in clinical psychology, in hopes of one day becoming a neuropsychologist, which combines her fascination of the science of the brain and the study of behavior.
In her spare time, Fabi loves to stay active, by going to the gym and playing tennis. She also enjoys expressing herself creatively through reading, journaling, painting, and crocheting.