Averte is thrilled to welcome our new Clinical Director, Shanna Meyer, MA, LCMHC, MT-BC to our team!

Shanna comes to us with a depth of experience in residential treatment, a strong clinical background, including the treatment of complex trauma, and a passion for educating and training. In her short tenure with Averte, she has quickly become a resource and trusted support for both clients and staff. Shanna believes in a whole-person, strengths-based approach to treatment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with the client to best understand their needs, hopes and goals. She is passionate about integrating a variety of creative treatment interventions to develop an individualized approach to treatment for each individual.

Shanna received her Master’s degree in Expressive Therapies and Mental Health Counseling, with a specialization in music therapy, from Lesley University. She holds licensure as a clinical mental health counselor in Vermont and Massachusetts and is a board certified music therapist. Shanna’s past clinical work focused on treating adolescents with complex trauma in alternative school and residential settings. This work inspired her to pursue a post-graduate certificate in post-traumatic stress studies at The Trauma Center in Brookline, MA.

In 2014, Shanna became the Director at Pelham Academy in Lexington, MA, a residential program for adolescents healing from complex trauma. During her tenure as Director, she implemented a variety of innovative programs, including an expressive therapies program and the opening of a second campus designed to support residents in the development of independent living skills and access to the community. Shanna studied with Kristine Kinniburgh to become a trainer in the ARC Framework, which informed her work at Pelham Academy and most recently her role as the Area Manager of Children, Youth & Families Outpatient Services at HCRS in Hartford, VT.

She has served as Adjunct Faculty in the Expressive Therapies Division at Lesley University since 2010 and has supervised Master’s level interns from a variety of school and clinical training programs. Shanna has been an active member of her professional community, holding a board position with the New England chapter of the American Music Therapy Association and presenting at regional conferences.

Shanna currently lives in Newbury, VT with her husband and two dogs. She enjoys singing, cooking, yoga, meditation, spending time outdoors, exploring new places, and snuggling her pups!