Training Presenters

Christine Linnehan, LCPC, BC-DMT, FT

Christine has been in private practice for over 20 years and has been a clinical consultant at the Center for Grieving Children since 2004. Christine is certified as a Fellow of Thanatology and is trained in Restorative Retelling, Suicide Bereavement, EMDR, and Creative Arts Therapies. She has a special interest in the impact of suicide loss on children and families.

Christine Rogerson, Ph.D.

Dr. Rogerson graduated from Simmons University in 2021 with a Ph.D. in Social Work and in 2007 with her MSW in Social Work from the University of New England. She has over 13 years of clinical experience working with children, young adults, and families with medical and mental health diagnoses as well as those connected to the child welfare system. Her research interest include child welfare, social work education, and social work practice. She is passionate about social inclusion, kindness, and social justice.

Deborah Como-Kepler, PsyD, LCPC, LADC, CCS is a psychotherapist with a private practice in Brunswick Maine with over 30 years of experience.  She is a part time faculty member of the University of Southern Maine and on the faculty of The China America Psychoanalytic Alliance. She developed and implemented a service learning program taking college students, faculty and community members to China to work in orphanages through The University of Southern Maine. Over the 30 years of her experience she has worked with a diversity of clients in a variety of settings including supervising, conducting therapy sessions and teaching in China.

Debra Ouimette, Th.D., LADC, CASAC, SAP is a licensed Substance Abuse Therapist in both Maine, and New York that works with federally mandated clientele. She is also a Christian Counselor and Ordained Minister. Debra is employed as an educator at the Addictions Care Center of Albany for continuing education and with the Soldier On program of Massachusetts for providing continuing education to professional staff for issues relating to veterans. She has worked at clinical setting in both Maine and NY since 1990. She was the administrator of a youth substance abuse program at St. Peter’s hospital in New York prior to moving to Maine in 2004, when she became a Sweetser affiliate.

Don Burke, LCPC, LADC, CCS. Don worked at Day One from 1991 through August 2019, and was Director of Outpatient services during much of his time at the agency. Since September of 2019 Don has been working as a clinician and clinical supervisor in private practice in Portland.  Prior to coming to Maine in 1987 Don worked for 10 years as a Youth Division Counselor and program manager for the New York State Division for Youth in Rochester, New York

Don has a master’s degree in counseling from the State University of New York at Brockport and completed certificate program in family therapy at the Family Institute of Maine, and an additional certificate program in Contextual Therapy from the Institute for Contextual Therapy in Philadelphia.

Dustin Spencer-L’Heureux, LMSW-cc, is a clinical social worker currently providing short term treatment to clients at Pediatric Associates of Lewiston, Maine. Dustin is a queer identified cis-male who has worked extensively with the LGBTQ+ community throughout his educational path and within his personal life.

Erin Pontbriand, LCPC-cc, CADC

Erin obtained her graduate degree from the University of Southern Maine in 2016 and immediately opened her own practice in Biddeford. Her main focus is trauma informed care and impulse control to include violent behaviors and substance misuse. Erin completed her internship with Violence No More and continues to work with the men's program.

When not working she spends her time with her partner, son, and their three rescue dogs.

Grace Brace, LCSW

Grace is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 25 years of experience in the social work field. She has significant experience with youth and families who have experienced complex trauma. Grace enjoys supporting families and youth to explore and find options and solutions for the challenges that they are experiencing.
Grace has worked with children, individuals, couples and families. She has experience with adoption and foster care; and has worked with families within agencies, clinical settings and within their homes. Grace obtained her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Connecticut and is a Registered Play Therapist, a Certified Trauma Consultant and a Certified Trainer for TLC.

Jamie Leavitt, LCSW

Jamie has been a proud and passionate clinical social worker for over 20 years. She has experience in a variety of settings such as residential, school based, child welfare, and health care. Jamie has also been in private practice for 8 years and has used animal assisted therapy with her Goldendoodle-Ollie.