Schedule a Call

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

FILTER

Amanda Ferris

Growing up on a horse and dairy farm in Randolph, Vermont, Amanda developed an appreciation for hard work, responsibility, and the therapeutic value of nature from an early age. Those experiences continue to shape both her personal life and her approach to working with adolescents and young adults. She believes that meaningful growth often happens through hands-on experiences, strong relationships, and the confidence that comes from trying something new.

Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Conservation and Management from Paul Smith’s College in the Adirondacks. Before joining Mountain Valley, she gained experience in landscaping, agriculture, and education, including several years as a substitute teacher and longtime involvement as a 4-H mentor. She also played collegiate lacrosse and later coached high school lacrosse, experiences that strengthened her passion for mentoring young people and helping them build confidence, resilience, and teamwork.

Amanda was drawn to Mountain Valley because of its experiential approach to treatment and its belief that the outdoors can be a powerful part of the healing process. She enjoys helping residents step outside their comfort zones, discover new strengths, and build confidence through everyday experiences. Her background in agriculture, education, and coaching allows her to connect with residents in authentic and meaningful ways while encouraging resilience, independence, and personal growth.

Outside of Mountain Valley, Amanda spends much of her time on her family’s farm, where she raises and shows oxen and cattle at agricultural fairs throughout New England. She also enjoys fishing, hunting, boating, and caring for her growing homestead, where she raises pigs and spends as much time outdoors as possible.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

FILTER

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.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

FILTER

Mia Gilardi-Dahlqvist

Mia believes that everyone deserves to feel supported, understood, and empowered to navigate life’s challenges. Passionate about mental health advocacy, she is committed to helping adolescents and young adults develop healthy coping skills, build confidence, and recognize that seeking support is a sign of strength. She believes that compassionate relationships and a safe, encouraging environment can have a lasting impact on a person’s ability to grow and heal.

Mia earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Mental Health. Throughout her education, she developed a strong interest in supporting individuals facing mental health challenges and became passionate about helping people recognize their own resilience. She plans to continue her education by pursuing a master’s degree with the goal of becoming a licensed therapist.

In addition to her work at Mountain Valley, Mia serves as an advocate at Windsor County Human Services, where she provides peer support and works alongside individuals navigating mental health challenges. She was drawn to Mountain Valley because of its experiential approach to treatment and its emphasis on the therapeutic value of nature. Having experienced the grounding effects of spending time outdoors in her own life, she appreciates the opportunity to help residents connect with nature as part of the healing process while supporting them through everyday challenges and successes.

Outside of work, Mia enjoys playing guitar and singing, attending concerts and music festivals, cooking, and staying active through tennis, running, hiking, and spending time outdoors. Whether she’s exploring local trails, swimming, or enjoying time with friends and family, she values the sense of balance and connection that nature and music bring to her life.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

FILTER

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

FILTER

Catherine Owens

Catherine’s commitment to helping others began in high school, where she volunteered for four years at a residential living facility for adults with Alzheimer’s disease. During this time, she provided consistent one-on-one mentorship to a resident, sparking what has become a lifelong dedication to supporting individuals with diverse needs.

After earning her BA in English from Quinnipiac University, Catherine went on to serve in a variety of educational roles. She has provided one-on-one behavioral support, adapted to the dynamic needs of classrooms, and gained experience teaching both first grade and STEM. Her ability to meet students where they are reflects her patience, flexibility, and genuine care for the people she works with.

Outside of work, Catherine enjoys activities that mirror her nurturing and creative spirit, including gardening and baking.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

FILTER

Madison Ricker

Madison is currently obtaining a bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology, concentration in counseling foundations, and a minor in leadership. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Madison plans to pursue a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling before becoming an adolescent psychologist. Madison has worked with adolescents for the last seven years and has a specialized focus on behavioral health challenges.

As a former residential supervisor at Mountain Valley Treatment Center, Madison utilizes aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy to help adolescents learn to manage their symptoms of anxiety and OCD so that they can live a meaningful life according to their values. Madison believes that unconditional positive regard and psycho-education can help teenagers understand how to handle stress, relate more closely to others, and make healthy choices for their future. Madison’s personal life experiences have driven her to become extremely passionate about helping others find hope in life and make progress toward their therapeutic goals.

When not working on her degree, Madison enjoys spending time at home with her animals, reading manga, playing video games, and dyeing her hair various colors. Not only does Madison enjoy spending time with her animals, but the residents enjoy frequently spending time with Madison’s dog, Bubby, on campus!

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

FILTER

Kiley Palin

Kiley’s path to Mountain Valley Treatment Center started on a family farm in Vermont, where she grew up surrounded by animals and the day-to-day rhythms of farm life. With deep roots in Vermont agriculture and a lifelong love of being outdoors, Kiley developed an early sense of stewardship for the natural world and a strong connection to animals.

At Prescott College, Kiley studied environmental studies with an emphasis in outdoor education. While building her experience in environmental education and farm-based programming, she found that she especially enjoyed helping others learn—both practical skills and the deeper “why” behind caring for land, animals, and community. Kiley has worked in farm education and residential treatment settings, and she is drawn to experiential, nature-based work that helps people reconnect with themselves, each other, and the world around them.

Kiley was introduced to Mountain Valley through a personal connection and immediately felt aligned with the role of the farm in the treatment environment. She brings a calm, steady presence, a strong educational lens, and a genuine belief that meaningful work with animals and the land can help residents practice courage, tolerate discomfort, and build confidence through real experiences.

Outside of work, Kiley lives in Hartland, Vermont with her daughter, and they enjoy outdoor adventures with friends, including canoeing, snowshoeing, hiking, rock climbing, birding, and tracking. Kiley also enjoys growing food and staying connected to farm life.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

FILTER

Taylor Simon

Having experienced anxiety throughout much of his adult life, Taylor brings a personal understanding of how challenging it can be to find a path forward when anxiety gets in the way. He values the opportunity to work with young people at a time in their lives when they are still discovering who they are, what matters to them, and the kind of relationship they want to have with themselves. For Taylor, helping residents recognize that anxiety does not have to define or limit their lives is one of the most meaningful parts of his work.

At the heart of Taylor’s approach is a simple belief: before anything else, we are people. By listening, learning from one another, and offering genuine support, he believes we can help each other through the difficult things that can be hard to face alone. Taylor is particularly grateful for the community he has found at Mountain Valley, which has not only given him the opportunity to support residents in their own growth, but has also helped him make meaningful strides in his own relationship with anxiety.

Outside of Mountain Valley, Taylor enjoys playing video games, watching anime and television, bowling, mini golf, and ranking just about every form of media he consumes. He also enjoys improv comedy with friends and, as he puts it, anyone willing to give it a try.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Resources

FILTER

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

FILTER

Alice Truong

Alice grew up in Lebanon and began her college studies at River Valley Community College during the pandemic. She later transferred to the University of New Hampshire, where she discovered a passion for psychology and added a second major in Justice Studies.

At UNH, Alice explored the intersection of social justice and mental health, which led her to join the Crimes against Children Research Center. There, she contributed to research on child sexual abuse cases and recovery programs, deepening her interest in understanding the link between trauma, justice, and healing.

After earning her dual degree, Alice expected to continue her work in a research institution or hospital setting. Instead, she joined Mountain Valley, where she has found the experience both rewarding and formative. Her role strengthens her long-term goal of bridging clinical research with clinical practice.

Outside of work, Alice enjoys painting, hiking with friends, and spending time with her family. She brings the same curiosity and care she values in her professional life to her personal passions and relationships.

© 2026 MVTC EDC. All rights reserved.

Privacy policy