Staff

Dianne has over 22 years of clinical, supervision, consultation, and training experience. She currently works with children, as young as two years old, and their families providing trauma-focused mental health services and Parenting Support Services at Merrimack Valley Trauma Services of South Carolina, and is also a consultant, trainer, and clinical supervisor for other providers within the Greater Charleston community. In 2012, she completed her first documentary, “Helping Until It Hurts,” and provides training to administrators, clinicians, nurses, shelter workers, teachers, daycare providers, child protective service workers, and other front-line staff on how to prevent vicarious trauma and trauma-sensitive work environments. Dianne is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and Supervisor and earned her Master’s degree in Social Work and Bachelor’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She is a Certified Early Intervention Specialist, has a Post-Masters Certification in the Treatment of Psychological Trauma from Boston University, and Certification in Child and Family Forensics from William James College. Dianne specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults who have been impacted by trauma, utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Alternatives for Families-A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), play therapy, and parent training approaches. She also serves as a mental health forensic evaluator, providing child sexual abuse and trauma evaluations and clinical recommendations to child protective services and the Court. In her spare time, Dianne enjoys playing her guitar and singing for whoever will listen!

Breanne manages all operations at Merrimack Valley Trauma Services of Massachusetts. She has over 12 years of clinical, supervision, consultation, and training experience. She graduated from Antioch University New England with a Master’s degree in Counseling and Dance/Movement therapy. Breanne is a member of the American Dance Therapy Association and she specializes in providing trauma-focused therapy for children, families, and adults, utilizing dance/movement therapy and body-based approaches, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and play therapy approaches. When she is not working, Breanne loves teaching dance to children and adults!

Miriam brings over 35 years of experience to the MVTS team. Her career includes working in early intervention programs, adoption agencies, hospitals, outpatient mental health clinics, and community-based programs. Miriam earned a Post-Master’s Certification in the Treatment of Psychological Trauma from Simmons College and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Syracuse University. She is a longtime member of the National Association of Social Workers, a former member of the Adoption Community of New England, recipient of the Outstanding Outreach Educator Award from Boston Public Health Commission, and the winner of the National Merit Award from the Child Welfare League of America. Miriam specializes in providing trauma-focused therapy for children, families, and adults utilizing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Family Systems, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and play therapy approaches. In her spare time, Miriam enjoys getting outside to appreciate nature!

Jim brings over 20 years of technical communications experience in the High Tech field to the staff of Merrimack Valley Trauma Services. He utilizes his extensive background in working with startup organizations to manage the operational functions of MVTS. His responsibilities include researching and implementing the technologies adopted by the group, general accounting and billing, payroll administration, marketing and management assistance to the Executive Director, human resources management, presentation development, documentation management, and website development. Jim earned his Bachelor’s Degree in English from Boston College.

Tristyn is a Licensed Independent Social Worker, Clinical Practice, in the state of South Carolina and has over 6 years of experience working with children and families. She received her Master’s Degree from the University of Indianapolis with a concentration in children and families and began her career working in a supervised parenting time setting in Indiana. From there her passion for helping families overcome trauma and form meaningful relationships grew. She moved to South Carolina and fostered this passion working in a community based non-profit setting to help families develop daily living and social skills, replace challenging behaviors with ones that better get their needs met, and develop supportive, trauma-informed, and effective parenting skills. In that setting, she grew her skills and knowledge by applying interventions using Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness techniques. At the end of 2020, she worked as a Program Supervisor and helped guide and train other clinicians regarding how to best meet the needs of families who have experienced trauma and behavioral challenges. Tristyn is a life-long learner and brings her knowledge and passion in working with families to MVTS! She strives to help her clients move through trauma while creating healthy relationships and connections. When she is not working, Tristyn enjoys running! Hear from Tristyn regarding her thoughts about our trauma-sensitive work environment (Safety).

Kali is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the state of South Carolina, and joined the MVTS family in November 2022. She received two bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Child and Youth Development. As her passion for working with children and families grew, she earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Plymouth State University with a concentration in Play Therapy. She has over 3 years of experience working with children and families in home, community, and office settings. Kali specializes in providing trauma-focused therapy to children, families, and adults utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, and parent training approaches. In her spare time, Kali enjoys spending time with her dog, Francis!