CARIBOU, Maine — Healing Hearts, which provides substance abuse, mental health and case management services, recently announced staffing changes and an expanded team.
The organization maintains its home office in Caribou, with a secondary office in Madawaska. Company officials detailed team members as follows.
Beth Edkins has joined the team as administrative assistant and handles the front office duties.
Recently, Paula Cyr, LCSW and CCS, has taken on the role of chief operations officer. She specializes in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma and anxiety, as well as having a driver education and evaluation program (DEEP) certification. She has years of experience in the mental health field, assisting those in crisis situations, assessments and therapy treatment.
Kristin Theriault, clinical lead supervisor, has recently completed her LCSW licensure and is a generalist practitioner. She possesses a vast working knowledge of children and families, and provides individual treatment to those in the Madawaska and Caribou offices.
Nicole Mills, BA, children’s services supervisor, continues to provide targeted case management services for ages 0-21. Her thinking-out-of-the-box mentality and high ethical standards make her a go-to person for advocacy and referrals, staff said. Additionally, she facilitates family team, school and provider meetings.
Elaine Haines, MHRT-C, LSW, is the community integration worker at Healing Hearts. Her advocacy, insight and knowledge of services in the community allow her to help those with chronic and persistent mental health concerns, who are looking for help in accessing local services and providers.
Andrea Chasse, LMSW-CC generalist, is new to Healing Hearts. She has many years of experience working with children, families and individuals, and loves working with the geriatric population. She contributes innovative ideas for the growth of the agency.
Founder and CEO Marla Raymond, LMSW-CC, CADC, rounds out the team. Raymond has spent many years working in the community, counseling and advocating for those going through their end-of-life stages, dementia and helping family and individuals during their times of grief and loss. She also has experience working as an advocate for those with chronic and persistent mental health concerns, substance abuse counseling and is DEEP certified.
She also provides faith-based counseling to those who request it. She provides services in the Caribou and Madawaska offices, as well as in the home.
Raymond spoke of her positive team of employees at Healing Hearts and their hard work and dedication to providing services to the community.
“Our administrative team has also expanded to include Christine Foster, who is our billing specialist. She has extensive experience in the administrative field, having worked many years in the frontlines administratively,” she said in a recent newsletter.
Beth Edkins has also joined the administrative team, and works in the front office, the first to welcome those walking through the door. Her little Yorkie, Toby, also mills around the office, bringing joy and snuggles to those who would like to visit with him.”
Additional staff are Kent Demerchant, property manager, and Zach Lawrence, property assistant manager.
The Healing Hearts team also boasts a feline staff member. The group rescued a cat from a local shelter, and Milton does his own part for the office and its clients.
“He enjoys snuggles and treats, and for those who ask, can also join in on a session,” Raymond said. “Animals have been proven to help reduce anxiety, stress and depression and have been a welcome addition to the Healing Hearts team.”
