MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

Alex Ozolins

Alex first started his career in his hometown, doing odd jobs for people around town. From dog walking to helping people move, Alex took any opportunity that came his way. During the later parts of his elementary career, Alex gained a fascination with psychology. This was greatly expanded with psychology classes he elected to attend during high school. Alex is a graduate of Colby-Sawyer College with a bachelor’s in psychology. Between semesters, Alex took a job at a deli, working diligently during the summer breaks. During his final semester, Alex interned at a nearby assisted living. There he got his first exposure to hands-on social work as he interned as an activity assistant.

After graduating, Alex wanted to find a job that he could apply to his years of studies as well as get a feeling for what he wanted to pursue in a master’s degree. Once Alex came across Mountain Valley, he was immediately interested. Alex has always been interested in helping those struggling with mental illnesses ever since he was a kid. His 6th grade big sibling program which paired 6th graders with the kindergarteners was the first spark that ignited his passion. This passion has endured through his high school and college career. Now Alex wants to use his passion to help those who need it.

Alex is passionate about photography. Specifically of nature and wild animals. Moving to New Hampshire from his home state of New York has given him ample opportunities to explore the many hikes of New Hampshire and hone his passion. Aside from photography, Alex is a huge fan of analyzing and discussing movies, television and media in general. In his spare time, he works on making jewelry from the beach glass he collects on walks. Fun Fact: Alex is on a mission to find the best grilled cheese.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

Daisy Phelps

Daisy has always had a passion for helping others and a curiosity about how the human mind works. After graduating from Hartford High School in Hartford, VT, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychological Science with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Vermont. She’s excited to continue her education with a master’s degree in clinical psychology.

Daisy was drawn to Mountain Valley because of its holistic approach to mental health care and its warm, supportive environment. She loves that Mountain Valley focuses on personalized treatment plans, which aligns perfectly with her belief in the importance of individualized care.

In her free time, Daisy enjoys being outdoors, trying new activities, and meeting new people. Whether hiking, exploring new hobbies, or joining community events, she loves connecting with others and embracing new experiences. Her enthusiasm and dedication make her a great addition to the Mountain Valley team.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

Katelyn Sheldrick

Katelyn joined Mountain Valley driven by a love of helping others and giving them the opportunity to grow and learn more about who they are and how to work through their struggles. Kate has enjoyed the amazing experience of seeing residents progress to their goals, leaving Mountain Valley feeling more confident and ready to take on the world.

Along with her work at Mountain Valley, Kate also works at another non-profit in the area in the field of early childhood education and is taking college classes to stay up to date with licensing. Prior to joining Mountain Valley, Kate was a manager at a local restaurant.

Kate grew up in the area, originally from Quechee, Vermont. Growing up she played basketball competitively around the country, enjoying the competition and opportunities that came along with it. She has done a cross country road trip to visit the northern states, and has spent time doing the van life in Maui! At home, Kate has a pug who is a little spitfire and keeps her busy, walking on local trails and taking a dip in the rivers along the way.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

Anne Srimunee, MEd

Anne has worked as a teacher since receiving her Bachelors Degree in Education. She loves learning and traveling; she earned several scholarships to serve as a visiting student/teacher in India, Malaysia, Australia, England and United States. Before moving to the US, Anne also attended an industrial and community college for designing, baking and cooking, which led to her passion for opening a bed and breakfast at her home in Perkinsville, Vermont. Anne started working at Mountain Valley in 2019 as a residential overnight counselor. Her favorite part of the shift is cooking healthy and delicious breakfasts for the residents and she sometimes cooks authentic asian food or bakes cookies and cakes for special occasions.

Anne has many interests and always keeps herself busy. She loves to cook and grow her own food. She enjoys indoor activities like yoga, swimming, painting, baking and cooking as well as outdoor activities like hiking, biking, paddleboarding, gardening and taking her cats out for a walk.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

Joey Guarnaccia, MSW

Joey earned his Bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Cornell University before continuing his education at the University of Chicago, where he received his Master’s in Clinical Social Work. Throughout his career, Joey has gained valuable experience in a variety of settings, including residential substance use treatment, K-12 schools, educational programs for incarcerated individuals, and the diversion court system. His diverse background reflects a commitment to advancing social justice and providing trauma-informed care, always with a strengths-based approach that empowers clients.

Joey is passionate about working with young people on their journeys of self-discovery and is a dedicated advocate for gender-expansive and neurodiverse youth. His background as a lifelong summer camp counselor has fostered a love for connecting youth with nature and building strong communities. Joey’s approach to therapy is rooted in collaboration and skill-building, helping clients navigate challenges while embracing their unique identities.

Thrilled to relocate to Vermont, Joey was drawn to Mountain Valley for its comprehensive and holistic treatment approach, particularly its emphasis on the therapeutic value of outdoor experiences. He is excited to be part of a team that shares his dedication to helping young people thrive in all aspects of life.

In his free time, Joey enjoys exploring the natural beauty of Vermont through hiking, spending time with his beloved cats, Cricket and Clover, and indulging in his hobby of aquarium keeping. A passionate road-tripper and concert-goer, Joey is also a die-hard rock & roll fan and aspires to write a book that explores the intersection of mental health and the music industry.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

Sharon McCallie-Steller

Sharon has lived in New England her whole life, most recently in Vermont, where she and her husband raised their four sons. Sharon attended the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA receiving her BA in English Communications. Her career took her on a journey through many roles in various industries while focusing on raising her family. As her family grew older and began to set out on their own, Sharon began to feel the draw to change her career and focus her energy and talents on helping others. As an adult-learner Sharon received her Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Springfield College.

Sharon initially worked with adolescents in substance abuse treatment and then was an early member of the clinical team at Mountain Valley Treatment Center. For five years she worked extensively with adolescents with all types of Anxiety, OCD, and related disorders using Exposure Response Prevention therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, CBT, and leading the Expressive Arts Therapy program. Much of her work at Mountain Valley included family therapy and parent coaching. Sharon later worked in an assessment program for boys in the foster care system, and most recently she worked as a therapist at a specialized boarding school for students who have struggled in more traditional settings, facing all different types of struggles.

Sharon’s unique combination of personal parenting experience, direct work with adolescents and their families in an assessment setting, residential treatment setting, and in a boarding school setting post-treatment, allows her to bring a special set of skills to her roles, as part of the Transition Planning Team at MVTC and as a Parent Coach and Program Director of the new Mountain Valley Transitions program.

Sharon believes there is a promise of possibility in every young person, no matter the challenges they face. Sharon believes that every parent that has the desire to be the best parent they can be and is capable of learning how to be the parent that their child needs. She has a passion for helping teens and families wade through the many barriers that can get in the way of reaching this possibility; helping them blaze their own path towards finding meaning, purpose and contentedness while discovering and following their passions; getting reconnected, re-engaged, and pulling in the same direction.

Contact Sharon to learn more about Mountain Valley Transitions.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

Hannah Bernardi

Hannah’s connection to the Earth was found with their hands deep in the soil of a small organic vegetable farm. Throughout completing their Bachelors in Animal Science at the University of Connecticut, this passion blossomed into a love for animal husbandry and dairy production. After milking many cows, throwing a hay bale or two, and managing thousands of animals, Hannah was called to realign their agricultural purpose away from the commercial dairy industry to a place of regeneration, sustainability and connection to the land, creatures, and consumer. An advocate for change and animal welfare, Hannah has since experienced the holistic management of several small farm-to-table dairy operations, they have taught students on a university dairy farm, and they’ve studied the craft and affinage of artisanal cheeses.

Mountain Valley’s approach to healing supports the values Hannah has behind the interconnection between nature and our personal, physical and mental wellbeing. Through deepening our relationship to the ecosystem, bringing awareness to the means of food production and exploring the therapeutic potentials of animal companionship, the opportunities for residents at Mountain Valley serve not only as mirrors for their own self discovery but as foundational pillars on which they can build their lives beyond the program. Hannah’s intentions coming to Mountain Valley are to support the community and contribute to an environment that provides residents a fertile medium to cultivate self-sovereignty, interpersonal development and reconnection to themselves and to the Earth.

Beyond farming, Hannah is passionate about esoteric and evolutionary astrology, spiritual healing practices and creating art. In their spare time Hannah loves to write, read, dance, play bass, star gaze, and adventure in nature with their dogs. Fun fact: They enjoy taste testing milk from all the local farms around.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

Chelsea McHugh, BSN, RN

Chelsea joined Mountain Valley Treatment Center in March of 2021. She brings with her seven years of LPN experience which includes pediatrics, obstetrics, and program coordination. In May of 2021 Chelsea graduated with her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Vermont Tech and shortly thereafter passed the national board exam to become a licensed Registered Nurse. She has been inducted into both the Phi Theta Kappa international academic honors society and Sigma Theta Tau international honors society for nurses. Chelsea is currently finishing up her BSN degree while working full-time.

Chelsea loves the close knit feel the Mountain Valley program offers, both among staff and residents, and appreciates the unique staff members with diverse educational backgrounds and skillsets, and that everyone brings something unique to the table to support each other. Chelsea enjoys the beauty of campus, providing her with a sense of nostalgia, having grown up on a farm. She loves her role as Program Nurse because she gets to practice a wide range of nursing skills each day.

Chelsea is a Vermont native and grew up on a rural horse farm in Vermont.  She appreciates the pastures that are just steps away from the health office at MVTC and has a love for creatures, big and small.  She lives at the base of Ascutney Mountain in rural Vermont with her husband, Joe, their two fluffy cats, and a Siberian husky.  In her free time, Chelsea enjoys snorkeling in the Caribbean, gardening, reading, and boating on local lakes with her husband.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources