Meet our members

Diana Keenan, LICSW

Diana received her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology at the University of Vermont. After gaining experience in the field for a few years, she went on to receive her Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Vermont and is now a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.

Diana believes that therapy is a helpful tool to reduce emotional suffering, work towards deeper connections with yourself and others, and begin a process of self-discovery. She believes that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to therapy and that it is important to consider a person’s individual worldview, experiences, values and beliefs. Diana also believes that it is critical for a person to feel seen without judgment in order for them to grow and heal.

Her prior work experience has been with children, teens, adults, and families in office-based, community-based, school and inpatient settings. Diana’s clinical interests include, but are not limited to: identity development, anxiety, depression, early childhood experiences, trauma, interpersonal relationships, family systems/ conflict, the mind-body relationship, life changes/ transitions, sexuality, loss, addiction and emotional regulation. She utilizes an array of therapeutic modalities to influence her work. These include: Acceptance and Commitment therapy, Psychodynamic, Trauma Focused, Narrative, Internal Family Systems, and Dialectical Behavioral therapy techniques. Rather than predetermining the treatment approach, Diana feels that it is best to assess an individual’s needs and goals to determine the best techniques to use.

Peter Burmeister, MS

Depression, anxiety, and despair invite us to seek out deeper connections and growth. The intimacy that develops in the therapeutic relationship is different from what passes for communication in most peoples’ daily lives. In the I and Thou, of genuine therapy, there is no barrier. The goal is to be able to totally see and to be seen. Pretense, persona, the need to impress, many aspects of false perception all fall away. There are no barriers. It is a way of healing soul sickness that is challenging to both therapist and patient while at the same time being effective and fulfilling. Join me for an initial exploratory meeting.

I have personally explored the human Psyche for decades, in my personal journey and by working with others. This kind of therapy is not for the timid, but for those of us who are willing to brave our journeys into darkness, confronting the unexpected and embracing the inexplicable, the rewards are many and rewarding.

Write down a recent dream, or spontaneously make up a short story. Send what you write to me, and together, we will explore the unconscious elements contained therein. We may then discuss next steps, leading to the exciting process of self-discovery made possible through this exploration of the unconscious. No charge for initial consultation by e-mail/phone.

I have studied Psychology at Columbia University, Fairleigh Dickinson University and The Assisi Institute.  In addition, I have been supervised in psychoanalysis with two prominent analytic therapy practitioners: Michael Conforti, PhD., and the late Robert Langs, M.D. My personal analysis spans more than 30 years and over 1500 hours of one-on-one and group therapy experience.

I was previously a full-time faculty member in Psychology at Norwich University and have also taught at Johnson State College, Champlain College and various institutions of higher education in other states and abroad.

Amber Banta, LCMHC

Amber was born and raised in southern California and currently lives in Vermont’s Mad River Valley. A winter enthusiast and nordic skier at heart, she can be found hiking, biking, or reading a good book by the river in warmer months.

Amber received her B.A. in World Literature and Cultural Studies from the University of California – Santa Cruz and went on to earn her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Adventure-based Psychotherapy from Prescott College in Arizona. As a clinical intern, she gained experience working with incarcerated young women influenced by systems of oppression that kept them in a challenging cycle of trauma, homelessness, and substance abuse. Amber relocated to Vermont after grad school and worked as a therapist for adolescents and young adults at a wilderness therapy program, combining her passions for trauma-focused, social justice-informed work, and her love of the outdoors.

At the Vermont Wellness Collaborative, Amber works with late-adolescent and young adult clients seeking to engage in a change process and identify patterns that are keeping them stuck, whether in relationship to self, their support system or their environment. Amber works with clients to determine their therapeutic goals and draws upon techniques from Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, IFS, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Narrative and experiential modalities. She engages her clients through trauma-informed, strengths-based, person-centered approaches while integrating mindfulness and somatic practices. She believes in the benefits of connecting with the natural world and will make use of outdoor spaces for sessions if clients prefer. She also provides services for wilderness therapy guides in search of their own therapeutic support or those looking to intentionally process their field work.

Lizzi Buel, MS

Lizzi received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bay Path University and is certified in Early Intervention as well as Advanced Trauma Treatment. Though she has practiced many different forms of therapy, she mainly utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy during her sessions and is a huge believer in “thought re-framing.” She also implements a variety of interactive and art techniques within her practice when it is appropriate. Professionally, Lizzi views each client as a whole and believes that they are molded by all their experiences throughout life. She extends this concept of “wholeness” beyond the mind, and guides her clients toward a healthy lifestyle in all areas, in order to promote overall well being.

During her undergraduate studies, Lizzi worked in early intervention services with children ages 0-3 and their families. She found this work very rewarding as she walked alongside families and guided them toward healthier interactions with their child. As a result of improvement in the family functioning, Lizzi enjoyed watching her young clients grow and develop. During her graduate studies, Lizzi worked with high risk clients between the ages of 9-18. Lizzi has experience working with clients who have a variety of mental health diagnoses, who are dealing with substance abuse, domestic violence, bullying, familial problems, and more.

The running theme that Lizzi carries throughout all her work is the importance of autonomy and the value of self-respect. No matter their background or age, Lizzi believes it is important for her clients to know that they are in control of their therapeutic process. She is willing to work with each of her clients to find an approach that works best for them and fits into their life, because the ultimate goal is helping them achieve healing.

Jake Furey-Rosan, MSW

Jake is a rostered psychotherapist, having earned his Master’s of Social Work from Boston College. Jake knows that life is a long story, and we can decide how we retell it to ourselves. In therapy, he mixes elements of CBT, Narrative Therapy, and WHO approaches such as Problem Management Plus and Self Help Plus.

Jake has moved and resettled and readjusted to new places countless times in his life, living in twelve towns and cities in five countries on four continents. He focused on global practice and social work with refugees in his MSW studies, and interned in Kampala, Uganda with the Jesuit Refugee Service. While there, he worked with clients carrying trauma from war, flight, poverty, discrimination, and gender-based violence.

Jake has years of experience with intercultural communication and adaptation through his studies, his therapy work, his time as an English as a Second Language Teacher, and his own personal experiences as a stranger in strange lands. Jake seeks to continue serving refugees and immigrants as they build a new life in green Vermont, and he wants to put his skills and experience to use for anyone who is grappling with transition, grief, trauma, depression, anxiety, no matter how near or far they are from home.

Casey Vickers, MS

Casey uses a strength based approach with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She enjoys helping her clients identify patterns, make connections, and find coping skills to achieve therapeutic goals. She likes to integrate mindfulness practices into sessions, demonstrating and practicing the skills with the client. Casey also uses psycho-education to help clients understand what they are going through and how interventions can help. 

Casey enjoys working with adults with a focus on anxiety disorders, interpersonal issues, and adjustment problems. She has experience working with clients who are trying therapy for the first time and appreciates taking that journey with newcomers. Casey believes that counseling is something everyone should experience at some point, no matter what the reason, to explore who are they are and what they want, to become the most healed version of themself.

Carmen Mears, MSW

Carmen grew up in Barre, Vermont, and received her B.S. in Psychology and Human Services from Lyndon State College. While completing her academic programming and fieldwork in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Carmen quickly developed a strong passion and interest in working to support the needs of children and families. She has served her home community, as well as various communities throughout Vermont, by providing trauma-informed mental health support and advocacy in settings ranging from public schools, foster homes, and emergency shelters. Her self-care involves lots of time outdoors, spending quality time with friends and family, cooking, and practicing yoga.

Carmen is a rostered psychotherapist and received her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Denver. She recently relocated back to her home state from Montana, where she spent three years completing her Master’s degree and serving as an adult and youth advocate clinical intern with the YWCA of Missoula. Carmen’s role as an advocate offered her an in-depth perspective into the lives of youth and adult survivors of intimate partner violence, human trafficking, family violence, and chronic poverty and homelessness. As a clinical intern, she approached advocacy and mental health support with a trauma-informed lens rooted in safety, compassion, unconditional positive regard, and the belief that people are the experts in their own lives. She believes that being alongside clients as they navigate their lives and helping to amplify their voices is an utmost privilege. 

Carmen brings a person-centered, strengths-based approach to her work with individuals. By incorporating techniques from Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, the Empowerment Model, and experiential modalities, she works to facilitate a relationship with her clients that honors autonomy, empowered decision-making, and compassionate curiosity about their experiences and their hopes for the future. She is committed to providing a space in which clients feel safe, empowered, and open to change that unfolds at their desired pace.

Alexandra Lincoln, LMSW

Laura Dillon, MSW

Kate Neufeld, LICSW

Laura Smith