Meet Our Clinical Staff:
Tina Bleau, M.A. Licensed Psychologist-Masters (802) 951-0450 X 1043
Tina is the Director of Outpatient Services for the Family Center. Tina is a Licensed Psychologist-Masters, specializing in the assessment and treatment of developmental trauma, adoption, and attachment issues. For over 20 years, Tina has provided consultation, supervision, and training to caregivers and professionals in childcare settings, mental health, post-permanency service agencies, and schools. She also provides psychological assessment services throughout the state. Tina is trained in EMDR, DDP (Dr. Hughes’ attachment model), and a variety of family systems modalities. Tina is a rostered Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) clinician. The ChildTrauma Academy acknowledges that Tina has completed NMT Training Certification through the Phase II level.
Dave Melnick, LICSW (802) 951-0450 X 1042
Dave Melnick, LICSW is the Director of the Transforming Trauma Collaborative at the NFI Family Center. For the past 40 years, Dave has worked in a variety of clinical settings including outpatient, residential treatment, and in public and day treatment schools. Along with his focus on Developmental Trauma, Dave has expertise in family therapy, adolescence, attachment, Reflective Practices, and Trauma-Informed Systems. He has provided trauma-informed services to over 150 schools in Vermont. In 2015, the Child Trauma Academy (CTA) acknowledged that Dave had completed NMT Training Certification through the Phase II level, and between 2017-2021 he was a Fellow at the CTA. Dave teaches graduate classes for the Vermont Higher Education Collaboration, and is a presenter and consultant in Vermont, New York, California and Canada.
Kaitlin Zura, M.A. Licensed Psychologist, Masters (802) 951-0450 X 1104
Kaitlin is the Assistant Director of Outpatient Services for the Family Center. Kaitlin is a Licensed Psychologist Master. She is a graduate of James Madison University and Saint Michael’s College clinical psychology program. At the family center, Kaitlin provides psychological assessment services, training and consultation, and does direct clinical work with children and families. Kaitlin is a rostered Child Parent Psychotherapy clinician. She has experience and expertise within the areas of attachment, adoption, trauma, and developmental disabilities.
Erika Meierdiercks, LCMHC (802) 951-0450 X 1021
Erika is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who serves youth and families, and has had experience across a variety of treatment settings, including community based services, schools, and outpatient mental health. Erika has expertise in working with individuals with gender and sexually diverse identities, and is a currently standing member of WPATH (World Profession Association for Transgender Health). Additionally, Erika specializes in developmental trauma and attachment. She uses a variety of modalities which incorporate best practice from CBT and Attachment-based treatment. Erika’s approach aims to access positive change through curiosity and empowerment. She is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University.
Olivia Start, LICSW (802) 951-0450 X 1102
Olivia has been a part of the Family Center team since 2021. She primarily works with children, adolescents, and families utilizing an attachment focus within her therapeutic work. The depth of her attachment focused works stems from completing Level 1&2 Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Olivia has also completed an Intensive DBT training, and uses elements of this treatment modality when supportive for clients.
Zahara Bulle, MS (802) 951-0450 X 1107
Zahara holds a Master’s Degree in Science (Clinical Mental Health) from the University of Vermont, earned in the spring of 2024. At the Family Center, Zahara provides psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and their families. She specializes in working with children from diverse backgrounds, neurodivergent individuals, and those experiencing cultural conflict and discrimination. Zahara’s approach is characterized by a curious and engaged attitude. She utilizes play therapy, along with narrative therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and family therapy.
Sara Kassel, MSW (802) 951-0450 X 1106
Sara is a Rostered Psychotherapist working towards her license in Clinical Social Work. Sara works primarily with children, adolescents, and families using trauma-informed, attachment-focused interventions. She is also trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and uses DBT-informed practice when supportive for clients. Sara completed her Clinical Internship with both the NFI Family Center and the NFI Crossroads Adolescent DBT Program, and has experience working in NFI’s Hospital Diversion Program supporting youth for short-term crisis stabilization. Sara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Art Therapy and a Master of Social Work with a Certificate of Trauma Practice.
Abigael Dillon, Office Manager (802) 951-0450 X 1101
As the Office Manager for the Family Center, Abigael’s wide ranging tasks include organizational, administrative, and receptionist duties. Abigael coordinates planning and presenting conferences, administrative support for the Trauma-Informed Schools Program, fundraising, and development. Additionally, Abigael is specially trained to score a variety of standardized measures for both psychoeducational and trauma evaluations.
Affiliates:
Michael Piche, LCMHC (802) 951-0450 X 1033
In Rhythm Counseling
Michael is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who provides family based treatment to children and adolescents, in addition to couples and individual therapy with adults. He has worked in intensive residential treatment, community based wraparound, and out-patient mental health. Michael is certified in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and is integrating somatic interventions into family based treatment. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a body based talk therapy used to resolve the impact of trauma and developmental adversity.
Renters:
Linda Lai Nga Li, LICSW (802) 951-0450 X 1032
Centering Affinity to Thrive (CATT)
Linda Lai Nga Li, LICSW, born and raised in Hong Kong, speaks Cantonese, English, and Mandarin. With nearly 20 years of experience with refugees and immigrants, she founded Centering Affinity to Thrive (CATT) LLC, focusing on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Cultural Sensitivity. She also teaches at UVM’s Social Work Department and trains interpreters and providers in mental health. Linda previously worked at NFI Family Center as a Program Clinician and DEI Consultant, specializing in multilingual and multicultural families. She’s certified in Child-Parent Psychotherapy and advocates for racial justice. Linda has held leadership roles at NASW Vermont and currently chairs their JEDI Committee.