Our Team
Call us today at 802-222-8028
We are pleased to announce that Averte is joining Trivium Life Services, a non-profit organization committed to behavioral health and long-term support services. By joining together, Trivium and Averte are improving our sustainability, expanding the potential reach of the services we offer, and empowering more members of our communities.
Jessica Kantatan is Trivium’s Vice President, Operations, with a focus on the significant contributions of Trivium in New England.
With 15 years of behavioral healthcare and nonprofit management experience, Jessica Kantatan joined Averte, A Trivium Life Services Company in May 2022.
Jessica received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Western Michigan University and holds a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Rollins College. She did post-graduate work in Behavior Analysis and Therapy at Southern Illinois University before starting her career as a Behavior Analyst at Cornerstone Services in Joliet, IL, working with individuals in residential and day treatment settings to establish more effective responses to challenging situations. Although she enjoyed this work, she saw an opportunity to affect even greater change at the administrative level. Since that time, she’s made it her mission to create systems of care that support integrated clinical and residential treatment, first at Meridian Services in Minneapolis, MN, then at Lakewood Center in Fern Park, FL.
Jessica is a passionate mental health advocate and was honored to serve as President of the Board of Directors for NAMI Greater Orlando. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the American Residential Treatment Association.
When she is not working, you can find Jessica enjoying time with her family and dogs, exploring the great outdoors, and/or listening to Taylor Swift. Jessica is an avid runner, a foodie, and a lifelong learner, currently (attempting) to learn to ski and crochet.
Jessica can be reached at (802)-222-8028 or at jessica.kantatan@averte.com
Stephen was with Merry Meadow Farm, now Averte for a few years in the late eighties, spent 5 years working for NH community mental health, and has been back since 1993 when he returned as a case manager, later assuming the assistant director position.
In 1999, Stephen took over the duties of CEO and became the Co-Owner in 2015.
In 2022, when Averte began their partnership with Trivium Life Services, Steve took on the role of Sr. Advisor of Strategic Partnerships. Within this role, Steve focuses on business development and philanthropy.
Stephen, lives locally with his wife Rebecca, Averte’s skills specialist, and has two grown children. Stephen can be reached at 802-222-9394 or at Stephen@averte.com
A native of Staten Island, New York, Kristin now resides in Barnegat, New Jersey, where she balances her career and family life as a wife and proud mother of two children. With a strong background in business development and outreach within the behavioral healthcare industry, Kristin’s true calling lies in supporting individuals facing mental health challenges substance use disorders. She is deeply committed to removing the stigma surrounding these issues and breaking down barriers to access quality care. Outside of work, she enjoys the company of her French Bulldogs and Boston Terrier and exploring new destinations through travel. Kristin holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and an MBA in Healthcare Management, demonstrating her dedication to continuous learning and personal growth.
Kristin can be reached at 802-480-1351 or Kristin.Calderon@averte.com
Shannon joined Averte in 2015 as our administrative assistant. Although formally educated as a paralegal, Shannon is passionate about mental health and enjoys being a part of the greatness that can be achieved when people come together for a cause.
She enjoys spending time with her son and grandson, reading, fishing, hiking, and enjoying what the upper valley has to offer.
Shannon can be reached at 802-449-7281 or at Shannon.Bergholm@Averte.com
Abigail has worked on and off for Averte for the past eight years in a number of roles and in each of the houses as support staff, cook, cleaner and more.
After taking a year off to work in a preschool she knew her true passion was mental health. Abigail rejoined Averte in her new position as Admission Coordinator in July of 2022.
She is excited for this new opportunity to help people find community, support and excellent treatment here at Averte. In her free time Abigail enjoys spending time with family, painting/drawing, and reading.
Douglas L. Noordsy, MD, is Clinical Professor, Director of Sports Psychiatry, and psychiatrist on the INSPIRE Early Psychosis Clinic in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine
In addition to being the previous Medical Director at Meadow Farm since 2010, Douglas L. Noordsy, MD, was Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Psychosis Services at Dartmouth Medical School, and an Investigator with the Dartmouth Psychopharmacology Research Group. Dr. Noordsy earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at St. Lawrence University, and a Medical Doctorate at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He completed residency in Psychiatry at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and has served on faculty at Dartmouth since.
Dr. Noordsy provided psychiatric care and medical leadership at Dartmouth-affiliated CMHCs from 1989-2003. He currently serves as Attending Psychiatrist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. He is a reviewer for multiple journals, including The American Journal of Psychiatry, Schizophrenia Research, and The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Dr. Noordsy received the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in 2001.
Dr. Noordsy’s research interests are in treatments for people with comorbid substance abuse and severe mental illness, and in synergistic effects between medications and psychosocial rehabilitation that may facilitate recovery from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He is co-investigator on several randomized, blinded trials of second-generation antipsychotic medications funded by NIMH, NIDA or NIAAA comparing vocational, symptom, and substance use outcomes of various agents among individuals with both first-episode and chronic schizophrenia.
Dr. Benjamin Shapiro received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in applied mathematics and statistics from Johns Hopkins University. He obtained his medical doctorate from The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Dr. Shapiro is currently a fourth-year psychiatry resident at Dartmouth, where he serves as a chief resident. He is actively involved with research and collaborates with the University of Michigan Departments of Mathematics and Medicine, studying sleep, circadian rhythm, and the impact these have on psychiatric illness. He is developing algorithms for smartwatches to be used in the clinical setting to help clinicians treat mood disorders. In addition to his work as a resident physician through Dartmouth, Dr. Shapiro holds staff psychiatrist appointments and works regularly at the New Hampshire State Psychiatric Hospital and Central Vermont Medical Center.
Dr. Shapiro is passionate about treating individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. He understands these diseases’ devastating effects on the family unit and recognizes the importance of ensuring the patient’s support system is involved in the treatment plan. Dr. Shapiro works with patients and families to ensure they receive the most evidence-based treatments for their illnesses.
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!
Kelly Jo Woodside (she/her) is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) who comes to the counseling field after two decades working in library science and higher education. She earned her MS in clinical rehabilitation counseling at UMass Boston and is currently pursuing licensure as a clinical mental health counselor. Her work takes a recovery-oriented approach, with a focus on helping people identify and achieve their personal goals, including employment, education, independent living, and community engagement.
Kelly completed her internship at Health Care & Rehabilitation Services in Hartford, VT, where she provided community mental health services for youth. Previously, she was a consultant and trainer with the Massachusetts Library System, where her work involved learning design and career development for library staff. Kelly has also worked as an academic reference and information literacy librarian and a career resource librarian. She has an MS in library and information science from Simmons University.
Kelly lives with her partner and their two cats in the Upper Valley. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, live music, good food, and travel.
Alan has a varied background as a mental health clinician. He began his career counseling adolescents with substance use disorders at a rehabilitation center. He went on to earn a Masters Degree in clinical mental health counseling from Antioch University, while widening his scope of practice doing supportive counseling in the prison system. He worked for many years as a co-occurring therapist in community mental health, counseling a wide range of clients with a vast array of diagnosis.
Alan is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) in Vermont and New Hampshire, and is preparing to sit for LCMHC licensure. He has advanced training in DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). He is a certified MRT (Moral Reconation Therapy) group facilitator, and has extensive training in the EMERGE program, working with convicted domestic violence offenders.
Alan also earned a masters degree in cultural studies and creative writing from Dartmouth College. He brings a strong creative background to his clinical orientation having had a long career in the performing arts.
He enjoys spending time with his wife and son, 5 cats, one dog, and playing music.
Alan Gelfant MA-LADC
alan.gelfant@averte.com
Rebecca has been with Averte since 2003. Rebecca began her career with the Head Start organization in the 90′s then took the Directors position with the Orange County Parent and Child Center.
Upon starting a family Rebecca chose to scale back to part time and carries a small caseload at Averte, which has now grown into more direct contact hours as well as leading and co-leading groups at several houses.
Rebecca lives in Bradford with her husband and two children.
After many years of successfully managing the Hanover House and Bradford House, Rhonda transitioned to Market Director in beginning of 2024.
Rhonda is an integral part of the team at Averte, and shows a consistent desire to provide both staff and residents with opportunities to grow and develop. Over the years Rhonda has engaged in professional development, and has successfully completed the management certificate course from the State of Vermont.
In her free time, Rhonda enjoys numerous outdoor activities such as camping, boating and spending time with her family.
Rhonda can be reached at 802-222-4601 or at rhonda.orr@averte.com
Ladonna Bassett is currently Averte’s Main Campus Program Manager. Ladonna has worked in this field for over 20 years in a variety of roles, including many years as a Residential Program Manager at Averte as well as a therapeutic activity manager.
Ladonna is passionate about guiding/teaching individuals to gain the skills and confidence needed to obtain their goals to live independently. She specializes in helping individuals develop skills to live independently in their own environment.
Ladonna resides in Newbury, Vermont with her husband. Ladonna enjoys spending time with family, sharing with her grandchildren her many talents and knowledge, may it be gardening, cooking, crafts, and woodworking, and also enjoys the outdoors.
Cheyenne has been affiliated with Averte for about 4 years, working as a support staff at the Bradford House full time and then eventually part time. Cheyenne has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University in 2020 while continuing to work in the mental health field.
Before transitioning into the Skills Specialist role Cheyenne worked at Clara Martin Center as a Behavioral Interventionist, assisting children and adolescents to make positive changes in their lives. In 2024, Cheyenne transitioned to Program Manager at the Bradford House.
Having a passion for helping people lead healthy and confident lives Cheyenne became a Certified Personal Trainer and plans to bring that passion into Averte where she will lead a Healthy Living group as well as co-lead other groups.
Jeff is Averte’s Program Manager for the Hanover House. He started working for the company in 2010 when it was Merry Meadow Farm. After working as support staff for 10 years at the Hanover House, the opportunity to manage presented itself. With the experience & knowledge of the day to day operations of house & medications, it was a seamless transition.
Jeff lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He enjoys riding his Harley Davidson, attending concerts, camping, and working on his house in his free time.
Corey Goodridge joined Averte in 2017 as the Facility Manager.
He grew up in the construction and mechanics field. He lives in Bradford with his wife and son. He enjoys spending time outdoors, camping, and working on projects around the house.
Averte cannot guarantee the availability of specific clinicians for specific cases. While we work to keep our website as updated as possible, the providers on this site and/or the status of credentials or specialties of those providers may not be updated in the moment as changes occur.