Stress, family challenges, mental health issues, substance misuse and economic insecurities can play a big role in your overall health and well-being. Integrated behavioral health services are offered at all our primary care locations. And our behavioral health providers work in close partnership with you and your health care team, led by your primary care provider, to address the physical, behavioral and emotional aspects of your overall health.

North Star Behavioral Health offers in-office consultations, screening and assessment, brief behavioral health interventions, stress management, psycho-educational skills training and development, and referral services to specialty mental health practitioners when needed. Services are available to all North Star Health patients as part of their overall care.

Services

  • Solution Focused Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Adult and Pediatric Medication Consultations
  • Parenting Consultations
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Behavioral Therapies
  • Substance Use Disorder Treatments

How can interventions help?

Short-term support (1-4 meetings) is an important step to addressing behavioral health concerns. These can take place at the time of a primary care visit or during separately scheduled visits. Our behavioral health consultants typically do not provide ongoing psychotherapy services; rather, they connect patients with additional resources and support within their communities or facilitate referrals for more in-depth, specialized services when needed.

Locations

      My Care Team

      Adam M. Ameele, PsyD, DipACLM

      Heidi Conley, LICSW

      Sandra Cotter, LCMHC, LADC

      Courtney Gandee, PMHNP-BC

      Marissa Martin, PMHNP-BC

      Theodore Miller, MD

      Deborah Harrison O’Brien, LICSW

      Merryl Pauly, MSW, LICSW

      Kristin Reifenrath, LICSW

      Angela Trauth, LICSW

      Claire Venman-Clay, PMHNP-BC

      James Walsh, PMHNP-BC

      Sarah Wimbiscus, LICSW

      Adam M. Ameele, PsyD, DipACLM

      Location:
      Springfield Health Center

      Education:
      Psy.D., Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology
      Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, Master of Arts, Professional Psychology
      University of California Davis, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Spanish
      University of California Abroad Program, La Universidad de Carlos Tercero, Madrid, Spain

      Internship:
      Massachusetts General Hospital – Psychology
      Chelsea HealthCare Center and Learning and Emotional Assessment Program – Teaching Hospital of Harvard Medical School, MA

      Heidi Conley, LICSW

      Locations:
      Ludlow Health Center, Mountain Valley Health Center, Springfield Health Center

      Education:
      University of Vermont, Master of Social Work, Children and Families Concentration
      Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders

      Sandra Cotter, LCMHC, LADC

      Location:
      Rockingham Health Center
      1 Hospital Court
      Bellows Falls, VT 05101
      802-463-9000

      Courtney Gandee, PMHNP-BC

      Locations:
      Springfield Health Center
      Ludlow Health Center

      Education:
      Master of Science in Nursing, Frontier Nursing University, Hyden, KY
      Bachelor of Nursing, Western Governors University
      Associates Degree in Nursing, Castleton State College
      Master of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University
      Bachelor of Social Work, James Madison University

      Special Interests:
      Yoga, singing, playing ukulele and making music with others, snowboarding, being outdoors.

      Marissa Martin, PMHNP-BC

      Locations:
      Rockingham Health Center
      Springfield Health Center
      The Windham Center for Psychiatric Care

      Theodore Miller, MD

      Locations:
      Charlestown Health Center, Rockingham Health Center

      Education:
      MD, Oregon Health Sciences University

      Residency:
      University of Vermont School of Medicine, Psychiatry Residency

      Internship:
      The Institute of Living, Hartford, CT

      Experience:
      Franklin Medical Center, MA, Staff Psychiatrist
      Brattleboro Retreat, Staff Psychiatrist
      UBC Pacific Gateway Hospital, OR, Medical Director
      Caremark Behavioral Health Services, OR, Clinical Director of Chemical Dependence Treatment Services
      Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, NH, Clinical Director, Drug and Alcohol Services
      Lakeshore Hospital, NH, Staff Psychiatrist

      Membership:
      Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
      Diplomate, National Board of Medical Examiners

      Clinical Interests:
      Chemical dependence, mood and impulse control disorders

      Deborah Harrison O’Brien, LICSW

      Locations
      School-Based Services
      Springfield Health Center

      Education
      Salem State University (formerly Salem State College), MA
      Master of Social Work (MSW), 1993

      Clinical Specialties
      Children/Families

      Areas of Clinical Interest
      Teens/young adults, LGBTQ+, Substance Use/Abuse, Trauma

      Philosophy of Care
      I have been trained and used throughout my career a strengths based, systems based approach. What this means is I believe that all people have the basic desire for a safe, healthy and happy life, and my job is to give them space to develop what that means for them. I believe people do the best they can, and I hope to assist in developing awareness and skills, connections and hope in order to overcome any barriers to living their best life.

      About Me
      I grew up in a family of nurses, and I knew I wanted to help people, but couldn’t deal with the sight of blood! So being a social worker seemed like a perfect fit – and still seems like a perfect fit! I’m originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts but moved to Vermont 25 years ago. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, including two Siberian Huskies, being outside, reading, and eating good food!

      Favorite Quote
      “Promise me you will always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter
      than you think and loved more than you will ever know.”       Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh -A.A. Milne

      Merryl Pauly, MSW, LICSW

      Locations:
      Charlestown Health Center, School-Based Clinics @ Elm Hill School & Union Street School

      Specialties: Behavioral Health

      Education:
      Smith College School for Social Work, Master of Social Work, 2012
      Lasell College, Bachelor of Science, Psychology, 2008

      Experience:
      Massachusetts General Hospital, Clinical Social Worker Neuroscience ICU – 2019-2020
      Massachusetts General Hospital, Clinical Social Worker Inpatient Psychiatric Unit – 2011-2016
      Y.O.U. Inc. Gardner Family Center, In-Home Therapist & Therapeutic Mentor – 2010-2011
      Wellpath Inc., Child Care Worker – 2009-2009
      Walker Home and School, Teachers Assistant – 2008-2009
      Walker Home and School, Child Care Worker – 2007-2008

      Licensure and Memberships:
      Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker – MA, VT, NH

      Kristin Reifenrath, LICSW

      Locations:
      Rockingham Health Center
      Springfield Health Center

      Education:
      Springfield College School of Social Work, Master of Social Work, 2007
      St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, 2000

      Experience:
      Stetson School, Inc., MA, Clinician
      Northeastern Family Institute, Social Work Intern
      Abigail Rockwell Children’s Center, Retreat Healthcare, Social Work Intern
      Northeastern Family Institute, Team Leader
      Abigail Rockwell Children’s Center, Retreat Healthcare, House Charge
      Abigail Rockwell Children’s Center, Retreat Healthcare, Mental Health Worker
      Bancroft Neurohealth, NJ, Reliability Data Collector
      Bancroft Neurohealth, NJ, Clinical Assistant

      Angela Trauth, LICSW

      Locations:
      Rockingham Health Center, Springfield Health Center

      Education:
      California State University – Master of Social Work
      Northeastern Illinois University – Bachelor of Arts

      Memberships:
      Member National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

      Claire Venman-Clay, PMHNP-BC

      Location
      Springfield Health Center

      Education
      Frontier Nursing University
      Post-Graduate Certificate, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), 2022

      Frontier Nursing University
      Master of Science in Nursing, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), 2012

      Clinical Specialties
      Behavioral Health
      Women’s Health

      Area of Clinical Interest
      Women’s Health

      Philosophy of Care
      My approach to care is to connect with people and meet them where they’re at. Developing a client-led treatment plan that addresses their mental health concerns is a good first step in helping them move forward.

      About Me
      I’m a native Vermonter. I was drawn to the healthcare field because it allows me to use my strong interpersonal skills and empathic nature in service to others. In my down time, I enjoy hanging out with my dogs, taking walks and cooking.

      Favorite Quote
      “Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” -Unknown

      James Walsh, PMHNP-BC

      Sarah Wimbiscus, LICSW