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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.

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Miranda Collins, MSW

Miranda has a passion for helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and create meaningful change through a compassionate, strengths-based approach. Her academic and professional experiences have prepared her to support a wide range of emotional and mental health needs with both empathy and practical tools. She believes deeply in meeting clients where they are and walking alongside them as they develop insight, build skills, and grow more confident in themselves.

Clinically, Miranda has worked in both community mental health and public school settings, where she supported children, adolescents, and adults experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and relationship issues. She has a particular passion for working with adolescents and finds fulfillment in helping young people make sense of their emotions, strengthen their coping strategies, and feel more at home in themselves. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in trust and mutual respect.

At Mountain Valley, Miranda works closely with each resident and their support team to provide care that is individualized, thoughtful, and responsive. She brings a steady and calming presence to her work and values honesty, curiosity, and connection as core parts of the therapeutic process.

Outside of her professional work, Miranda enjoys reading, building Legos, fishing, and spending quality time with her family. These activities help her stay grounded and reflect her belief in the importance of creativity, play, and meaningful relationships—values that guide both her personal life and her clinical work.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

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MOVING MOUNTAINS

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MOVING MOUNTAINS

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Renee Horst, MS, OTR/L

Renee brings a wide range of clinical experience to Mountain Valley, having worked across home health, outpatient, inpatient, and skilled nursing settings with individuals from infancy through older adulthood. Her background has given her a strong appreciation for developmental nuance, sensory attunement, and the importance of hands-on, experiential work.

Renee was drawn to Mountain Valley after discovering the position while preparing to return to New England. As she learned more about the program, she immediately recognized aspects of her own adolescence in the experiences of the young people we serve. Her history of intense anxiety, avoidance, and fear of judgment informs her deep empathy for residents and her belief in their capacity to build skills, confidence, and meaningful change.

Before becoming an occupational therapist, Renee worked in group home settings supporting older adults with complex behavioral histories who required continuous supervision. That early experience shaped her commitment to trauma-informed practice and her appreciation for environments that prioritize safety, structure, and warmth.

Outside of Mountain Valley, Renee loves reading—especially nonfiction—spending time outdoors, taking on home improvement projects, and being with family. She brings steadiness, creativity, and a grounded presence to the OT team and is grateful for the opportunity to support residents as they take brave steps toward growth. Renee lives in Lebanon, New Hampshire, with her husband and son.

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Sharon McCallie-Steller, MS, MHC

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.

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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.

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Matthew Pedersen, MA

Matt brings a background in school-based counseling, crisis response, and clinical mental health, shaped by years of work with adolescents in high-needs school and community settings across the country. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Binghamton University, with concentrations in education and developmental psychology, and completed his master’s degree in School Counseling at Concordia University Chicago.

As a first-generation college graduate, Matt was drawn early to the helping professions and to work that supports young people’s social and emotional growth. He has worked in schools in Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Vermont, and Philadelphia, often in communities facing significant academic and mental health challenges. In Denver, Matt was part of a leadership team that helped turn around a struggling middle school, contributing to rapid improvements in school culture and student engagement.

Matt has extensive experience supporting adolescents with severe anxiety, school avoidance, and emotional dysregulation, including young people who struggle to leave home or engage in daily life. Prior to joining Mountain Valley, Matt worked in mobile crisis services, supporting individuals and families during periods of acute distress.

Matt is drawn to Mountain Valley’s values-based and experiential approach to care, informed by person-centered and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles. He is passionate about helping young people clarify what matters to them and build the courage to move toward meaningful lives. Matt and his wife live in Claremont, New Hampshire, and outside of work he enjoys spending time outdoors, including backpacking, skiing, hiking, and biking.

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Aric Eaglestone

With a love of food and cooking as a youngster, Aric enrolled at Culinary Institute of America where he received a degree in Culinary Arts. Aric worked at restaurants and resorts around Lake George, New York, and Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, Florida. With the arrival of a newborn baby girl, Aric and his growing family moved back to New England. In New England, Aric worked at The Woodstock Inn & Resort, Blake Hill Preserves, and the Salt Hill Pubs. 

Aric enjoys sharing his passion for food with others and cooking for a purpose. Mountain Valley is the perfect setting for both of these. 

Aric is originally from Lake George, New York, and has settled in Weathersfield, Vermont with his wife Tara, daughters Anna and Abigail, and dog Hazel. They enjoy walks and hikes around Woodstock and Mt Ascutney, kayaking, swimming, cookouts, and Red Sox games. Aric’s hobbies include property and vehicle maintenance.