Staff Bios
Sarah Watkins, MSW has decided to settle in Vermont after some very rich experiences in various parts of the country. Sarah’s work includes: serving as Program Coordinator and Lead Instructor for Outward Bound in Florida, Unit Director for the Boys and Girls Club of America, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counselor on an Indian reservation in Taos, New Mexico and Program Leader for Community Connections in Montpelier, VT. Her work includes case management and advocacy for victims of domestic violence as well as coordinating a program for children with cancer and their families. Sarah is glad to be back in Vermont where she enjoys hiking with her chocolate lab.
Teri Lawrence, M.Ed. has been working with Spruce Mountain Inn since 1986.. She is our Vocational/Educational Coordinator and does some Case Management. Teri has a BS in Human Services/Psychology and a M.Ed. from UVM with a focus on school-to-work transition. Prior to joining SMI staff, Teri was employed in a variety of settings in the mental health/education field including community mental health, adolescents at risk programs and the Vermont State Hospital. Teri has a great love of the outdoors. She enjoys gardening, running, hiking and swimming.
Lynn Rockwell, M.Ed., has decades of experience in the field of mental health. Her work with client’s and families has included a variety of domains including educational facilities and community based and residential treatment programs. Lynn was part of the staff at Spruce Mountain Inn for over 17 years prior to her recent “retirement” from her Case Management position where she facilitated thousands of hours of positive family communication. She still works full time at her home farm! Lynn holds a Master’s Degree is in Counseling from the University of Vermont. In 1991, she received the Vermont Department of Mental Health’s Individual Award for her outstanding contributions to the field of mental health. Lynn’s experience and extremely respectful style make her a great fit for this position. We are very pleased to have her continue to provide independent parent coaching for families who have clients enrolled at Spruce.
Dr. Richard A. Bernstein, is a board certified physician who's commitment to patient care, teaching and mental health issues has been demonstrated by his career as a faculty member at the University of Vermont School of Medicine, attending psychiatrist at its affiliated hospital and leadership roles with local, state and national organizations. While at University of Vermont and its affiliate hospital Fletcher Allen Healthcare, Dr. Bernstein directed the psychiatry residency training program, the inpatient, and the outpatient services. He has served as an examiner for the American Board of Psychiatry, a reviewer for the American Journal of Psychiatry, and as President of the Vermont Psychiatric Association. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors and is listed in Best Doctors in America. His wife and he are the parents of four children and seven grand-children. He writes stories, cuts wood, plays golf and is struggling with the cello.
Amy Emler-Shaffer, M.A. , joined the staff at Spruce Mountain Inn in 2010. She received her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Antioch University New England. Amy has lived and worked in a variety of locations on both the east and west coasts. Her counseling experience includes working with clients on issues of depression, anxiety, loss, grief, and substance abuse in various settings including hospice, a medical practice, and a residential treatment center. In addition to her work at Spruce Mountain Inn, Amy has a private practice in Montpelier where she serves both individuals and groups. She describes her approach to counseling as eclectic and integrative, based on client needs. Amy enjoys free time best when it’s spent outdoors with her family and dog, camping, swimming, canoeing, snowshoeing, and nordic skiing.
Erin McKenney, M.A., joined Spruce Mountain Inn as a Case manager after five years as a clinician for a small integrated day treatment/alternative school for adolescents. Her experience includes working as a transition coordinator for Green Chimneys in New York and as a program counselor for Centerpoint Stepping Stones. Erin has also provided services as a school-based clinician in Burlington, Vermont and served as a youth counselor for various inpatient programs for Northeastern Family Institute. Having been born and raised in New England, Erin moved to Florida where she earned a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Criminology from the University of Tampa. Soon after, Erin returned to Vermont where she graduated with an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Saint Michael’s College. In her spare time, Erin enjoys cooking, traveling, exercise, music, spending time with her friends and her dog.
Karen O’Hara, M.S. began her work as a Psychotherapist at John’s Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland where she also earned her Master’s Degree from Loyola University. Karen spent several years working in John’s Hopkins Partial Hospital and then Outpatient Department offering individual and family therapy. Since moving to Vermont in 2005, Karen has worked as a Clinician at C.H.O.I.C.E. Academy. She has continued to offer individual, family and group therapy. Karen’s predominate approaches to treatment are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Karen enjoys spending time with her family, including her two year old daughter. She likes to water ski and play softball. Karen’s email says ‘Very little is needed to make a happy life, it’s all in your way of thinking”. We appreciate Karen’s positivity, energy and strong work ethic.
Bitsy Biron, M.A., LADC has been working in the addictions and mental health field for the past eight years. She spent the first part of her career in Portland Oregon as a Certified Addictions Counselor in outpatient programs facilitating DUII and substance abuse treatment groups. She moved to Vermont in 2005 with her husband and daughter and obtained her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Johnson State College. Bitsy is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor in the State of Vermont and describes motivational interviewing as her primary framework for working with people with addiction issues. She also has several years experience in both residential and day treatment programs in a variety of settings, treating adults with co-occurring disorders and children with severe emotional and behavioral disorders. Her interests include playing the drums and milking cows.
Gary Frankel, MSW, has been working in the mental health field as a case manager with a focus on adolescents and young adults for well over a decade. Gary received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work from the University of Vermont where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He spent the majority of his career at Spectrum Youth and Family Services in Burlington, Vermont. Before joining Spruce Mountain Inn, Gary was the lead clinical case worker at Ch.O.I.C.E. Academy, a small day treatment program and school. In his personal life, Gary is an avid music lover and enjoys both listening to music as well as playing guitar in a local band. He and his wife have lived in Vermont for over 16 years where they stay busy raising their children, coaching, volunteering, hiking, paddling, and skiing.
