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Our Programs

Riverstone Counseling

Here at Riverstone Counseling, our goal is to create an environment that fosters healing and growth. We believe we can empower our clients to make positive and lasting change in their lives.

We specialize in working with teenagers, young adults, and their families to help them identify and work with their strengths to achieve their goals.

Our counselors are trained in EMDR, a proven method for resolving traumatic experiences.

 

We are skilled at working with clients who experience both mental health and substance use issues, such as:

Depression Life Transitions
Anxiety Family Conflict
Trauma and PTSD Parenting Concerns
Substance Use Disorders Relationship Issues

 

LOCATION

Riverstone Counseling has moved! You can find our new building downtown at 84 Pine Street, 2nd Floor, Burlington, VT 05401. 

WHO WE ARE

Our counselors are trained clinical mental health/clinical social workers and substance abuse counselors who use a developmentally appropriate, client-centered approach to meet youth and their families where they are at with respect to their readiness to change.

WHO WE WORK WITH

Teenagers and adults ages 12-30 and their families, if desired. Our counseling program is open to the public and takes most insurance, including Medicaid. Interpreters available on request.

If you are in crisis and are not a Spectrum client, please call First Call at the Howard Center at (802) 488-7777. If you are already a client, call us at (802) 864-7423 x310 during business hours, or (802) 350-6748 after 4:30 PM.

MAKE A PAYMENT

Now you can make a payment online with our secure portal. Please click below to make a payment.

 

Meet Our Counselors

 

Nerzada Turan, MA, LCMHC, LADC | Director of Riverstone Counseling

Nerzada_web

Pronouns: She/her. My practice is founded on the belief that with compassion, openness, empathy, support, and connection, healing is possible. I will work with you to create an environment that is safe and non-judgmental, to help you work through difficult situations. In our work together, we will focus on honesty and trust in order to break through shame and guilt. In my practice, I meet individuals where they are at. Your needs and goals will be at the center of our therapy process. I specialize in working with adolescents, young adults, and families on a variety of issues including trauma and PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use. Our work together will be grounded in practices that are proven by research to help, including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, EMDR, and mindfulness. But I also bring creativity and flexibility to my practice: life is complicated, and the more tools you have, the easier it will be to overcome life challenges. I earned my B.A. in Psychology from Green Mountain College and my M.A. in Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Substance Abuse Counseling from Antioch University of New England.

 

Hannah Katz, MSW, LICSW | Clinical Supervisor

Pronouns: She/her. In my practice, I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship as a context for people to feel heard, empowered, and recognized for who they are. All are welcome. I meet my client where they are at and support them as they begin to explore and develop their own internal motivation for change. It is my role to work collaboratively with clients to build trust and create a safe space to recognize patterns through increased self-awareness and understanding. My hope is to support clients as they reduce suffering, improve insight, increase their sense of hope, and develop tangible skills to create one’s own happiness. My practice is always strengths-based, client-centered, and trauma-informed. I view my work through the lens of the six core social work values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the individual, importance, and centrality of human relationships, integrity, and competence. My practice uses tools and knowledge from a variety of theories and approaches including, but not limited to, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I specialize in working with youth, adolescents, young adults, and families in a variety of areas such as trauma, identity exploration, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and communication. I have been working professionally with children, adolescents, young adults, and families since 2012. I have been with Riverstone Counseling since January 2019. I earned my B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Vermont and my Masters in Clinical Social Work from Simmons College.

 

Neera B.K., MA, LCMHC | Counselor

Pronouns: She/her. I believe that therapeutic relationships foster and succeed when there is strong rapport, empathy, compassion, transparency, and acceptance present. You are the expert of yourself; no one knows you or can know you better than yourself, thus my goal is to help you identify and recognize your strengths – while helping you heal holistically. Based on my professional and personal experiences, there is no single way to navigate through our interconnected mind, body, and spiritual challenges; thus I practice Integrative Therapeutic Approaches. Some of the core therapeutic frameworks I use are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Person-Centered Approach. Furthermore, I have in-depth knowledge, understanding, and skills in multicultural, humanistic, and holistic approaches, mindfulness practices, and trauma-informed practices. I have over three years of work experience with emerging young adults; more than five years of experience working with the New American Population as well as work experience with children and families. I specialize in working with youth, emerging young adults, and adults including their family members or care providers in areas such as anxiety, depression, body image, trauma, cross-cultural adjustment, and other daily challenges.  I earned my Master’s in Clinical Psychology Degree from Saint Michael’s College.

 

Bo Twiggs, MSW, LICSW | Counselor

Pronouns: He/him. My practice is based on collaborating with clients to explore what is working to help them feel happy, healthy, and fulfilled in life – and what might be getting in the way. My work is driven by the belief that change is not about flipping a switch; rather, making and maintaining changes is often a journey of many challenges, but even more possibilities. I utilize Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness-based work to partner with clients to clarify priorities, cultivate adaptive thinking and move in the direction of positive, purposeful living. Together, we will create a safe, trauma-informed space where you can stabilize and heal as you envision and realize the truest expression of yourself. I hold a B.A. in Communication from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and my MSW from Fordham University and come to Riverstone with over a decade of experience in supporting individuals and families working to overcome trauma, criminal justice involvement, mental health challenges, and many other barriers and find safe, productive, and happy lives.

 

Katy Santa Maria, MS | Counselor

Pronouns: She/her. There is power to centering compassion toward yourself and your journey, amid the ever-changing ups and downs of the world. I aim to create a nonjudgmental space where you can check in with yourself, normalize and accept your internal experiences, and work alongside your brain and body in ways that are helpful for you and your relationships. My practice also recognizes that injustices and limitations in our health, education, and legal systems can have impacts on our mental health and connections with one another. Therapy can allow insight into these effects as well as building skills for your self-advocacy and sense of community. I draw from anti-racist, human-centered, mindfulness, DBT, feminist/liberatory, and acceptance and commitment therapeutic approaches and am trained in EMDR. All are welcome, and I specialize in working with young people, emerging adults, college students, relationship issues and communication, neurodivergence, identity exploration, queer and trans folks, and families of queer and trans youth. I hold an M.S. in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Vermont and a B.A. in psychology from Kenyon College. Simply considering counseling is a cause worth celebrating, and I can’t wait to work with you.

 

Lydia Bohn, MS | Counselor

Pronouns: She/her. In my counseling practice, I view you as the expert on your experience and work collaboratively to help you gain deeper self-knowledge and strengthen self-compassion. I aim to create an accepting, nonjudgmental, and trauma-informed space that honors your various identities and emphasizes your strengths. Using a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and narrative therapy techniques, I work with you to identify areas of healing and growth to help you create positive change. My work is grounded in a feminist therapy approach, and I believe that it is important to consider the impact that systems of oppression, bias, and discrimination have on individuals and their lived experiences. My interests include working with youth and young adults around sexual orientation and gender identity development, relationships, family conflict, communication, anxiety, and stress. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mount Holyoke College, and a Master’s in Counseling from the University of Vermont. I look forward to meeting you!

 

Amanda Talbert, MA, AAP | Counselor

Pronouns: She/her. In my practice I strive to meet individuals where they are at, utilizing a person-centered approach to the therapeutic relationship. I aim to provide a compassionate, welcoming, and nonjudgmental space for clients to find their potential to make positive changes in their lives. I believe you are the expert in your life and experiences, and we will work together to find the tools that work best for you to live your best life. Together, we will look at the changes you would like to make and using your strengths, work to accomplish those changes. I work with youth and young adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use concerns, and overall navigating life. In my practice, the approach I use is informed by Person-Centered Therapy. In addition, I use tools from Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. I hold a B.A. in Psychology and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northern Vermont University-Johnson. I am currently a counselor for Riverstone Counseling working at Hunt Middle School.  I look forward to meeting you.

 

Joshua Trombly, MS | Counselor

Pronouns He/Him. My practice is grounded in a strength-based, client-centered, and pragmatic approach. Everyone holds the inherent agency for personal growth, and through counseling I support the process of exploring the internalized and external barriers to this. An important part of this process is identifying the sources of these, while healing and reclaiming agency from them. This is done together with mapping and developing internal resources. I approach this process through a trauma informed lens, utilizing methods from Psychodynamic Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Polyvagal Informed Therapy. I hold a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of Vermont, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northern Vermont University. I joined Riverstone Counseling in 2023, after a one-year post-graduate residency at Middlebury College’s Center for Health and Wellness, and several years in residential counseling within Chittenden County’s designated agency for Community Mental Health.

 

Sara Vaclavik, MA, Master’s Rostered | Counselor

Pronouns: She/her. I began at Riverstone as a counseling intern in August 2022 and was excited to assume a full-time counselor role in May 2023. I come to this role with eight years’ experience in different Vermont human services roles, having had the opportunity to help individuals with issues such as housing and financial instability, general emotional distress, domestic/sexual violence, and barriers to accessing needed services. I earned my Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Saint Michael’s College, where I also received a Bachelor’s in Philosophy, and I have also worked as a limited part-time crisis clinician at First Call since November 2021.  I believe that therapy can help individuals unearth important truths and potentials about themselves and that my primary role as a therapist is to create a safe and supportive enough space to allow this growth to occur. I rely primarily on cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, relational, and developmental theories and practices in my work. In shorter terms, this means that as a clinician, I try to take in account a person’s typical ways of thinking and behaving, their history with their family, their way of relating to others, and their stage of life.  I am particularly interested in helping individuals dealing with life adjustment, family stress, depression, anxiety, and past trauma. Between my professional experience and current position at Riverstone, I have received specific training in suicide intervention, including in the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) model. In my free time, I like hanging out with my kitty and pup, taking photos, connecting with family and friends, and watching the YouTube series Good Mythical Morning with Rhett and Link.

 

Laishacarol Prondzinski, MS | Counselor

Pronouns She/Her. I stumbled into my passion for working with young adults 15 years ago and have been committed to showing up for them with compassion, humor and authenticity ever since. I have held many roles throughout my career, including Counselor, Social Worker, Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist, Program Co-coordinator and Crisis Clinician and use these experiences in my current practice as foundational learning for holding complexity, celebrating healing and empowering self-identified change. I strive to move toward equity-based practices, while being humble and aware of my own intersecting identities. I view the therapeutic relationship as collaborative, strength-based and dynamic; meaning I curate therapy (with ongoing feedback from you) to incorporate interventions and approaches that best serve your needs. I view healing as a holistic process, am drawn to mindfulness and feminist therapy approaches and have experience working with individuals negotiating trauma, anxiety, depression, voice hearing and systemic marginalization. I received a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Saint Mary’s College of California and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Vermont. For heralding in joy, I love impromptu dance parties, 80’s fantasy movies, hot yoga and exploring.

 

Megan D’Agostino, MSW | Intake Clinician

Pronouns: She/her. In my practice I prioritize creating a nonjudgmental and safe place grounded in openness, trust and compassion. I believe that the power of a collaborative therapeutic relationship can provide a place for people to be heard, seen and empowered. Every situation should be viewed through a trauma-informed, person-centered lens that also considers the ways in which power, racism, oppression and privilege impact each person, ensuring that every client is met where they are. I have a history of working with families and adolescents who have experienced behavioral and emotional challenges as a result of their own complicated experiences with trauma. I have certificates in Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University and my Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Connecticut College, where I also minored in Sociology. I am an Intake Clinician with Riverstone Counseling. I look forward to meeting with you to help you start your journey here!

 

Lindsay Foreman | Counseling Intern

Pronouns They/Them. As a counseling intern, I am first and foremost a human who understands that life is challenging. I believe that doing therapeutic work to heal, make changes, and forgive ourselves takes a lot of courage, patience, and support. I am here to walk with clients on their journey and to offer deep listening, presence, and compassion. I also believe that therapy can be fun, and that humor can be healing. I try to create a warm, welcoming, and relaxed atmosphere where clients can show up as their full selves. From my personal experience as a queer, non-binary person with an invisible disability, I have come to believe that individual healing and social liberation are bound up together. Therefore, my approach considers individual, relational, and systemic factors. In my personal and professional life, I am committed to doing my part to disrupt and eliminate racism, anti-fat bias, ableism, transphobia and all forms of oppression. I draw from a variety of modalities including mindfulness, Internal Family Systems, and trauma-informed somatic work. In addition to being an intern at Riverstone, I am also a parent, a partner, the coordinator of the University of Vermont Mindfulness program, and a lover of all things wild!

 

Kanika Gandhi | Counseling Intern

Pronouns She/Her As a counseling intern, I work to develop safe and supportive relationships with my clients. I believe relationships to people and places are complex and I am passionate about helping my clients build meaningful connections to themselves and others. I am interested in the diversity of human experience and work to understand each client’s strengths and innate resources. I am particularly interested in working with adolescents and teens based on my past work as a High School Volleyball Coach and in my current capacity as a Clinician with the Spectrum JOBS program. I have experience working on issues such as: mental performance in sports, body dysmorphia, anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, and ADHD. I like to create a fun environment where both my clients and I can feel comfortable and build a relationship as we go. I work specifically on helping individuals increase self-esteem and self-advocacy skills to further enhance their personal growth. I like to help my clients empower themselves to navigate life’s challenges as they arise and work to create healthy coping strategies for the future. Apart from my role at Riverstone, I enjoy playing competitive golf and volleyball, taking walks with and cuddling my dog, Silvia, and I am in my final year of the Saint Michael’s College Clinical Psychology MA program.

 

To Make an Appointment:
Call (802) 864-7423 x310


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