*Rise Up does not accept insurance. We are a self-pay only counseling service provider. In order to provide the best care to our clients, we made the decision to end our contracts with insurance providers.
Our providers will facilitate the strengthening of your own voice as guidance to pursue your unique path.
Your Experience at Rise Up
When you choose to become a client at Rise Up®, you will be heard. You will create your path forward with our team teaching skills, promoting strengths use and encouraging you along the way. The journey of counseling is yours, and providers will facilitate the strengthening of your own voice as guidance to pursue your unique path.
Our clients come to us feeling anxious and overwhelmed with thoughts focused on worst case scenario “what ifs” keeping them up at night. Stress has taken a toll on the body, including intense digestive and cardiac experiences. Self-doubt and judgments dominate. Avoiding in order to accommodate anxiety has impacted lifestyle, often limiting trying new things, decision making, meeting new people and living the best life possible.
Does this sound familiar? If so, contact Rise Up® to begin rising up above the grip anxiety has. You can expect to gain from counseling a sense of self and confidence in your ability to manage symptoms and stressors. Our clients learn skills that allow them to increase self-advocacy, participation in social situations and improved decision making strategies.
Meet Our Team
Jessica Packard, LCPC, Owner Rise Up
I work with clients to calm self-criticism and crush the anxiety that holds them back. I find my work energizing and I’m grateful for clients, team members and supervisees who allow me to participate in their journey of growth. Through all of these connections, I have seen amazing strength, healing, perseverance, creativity and drive.
My career has brought me to counseling and practice management because of a skill and interest that began when I was a child. When I struggled to find my way, my Mom taught me to block noise and judgments from others and myself and listen to my inner voice. She named this inner character ‘Yippee Girl’ (because I was a spunky chatterbox). I would later learn this character my mom had created is at its root a compilation of many things: self-esteem, self-efficacy, self-confidence, individuality, motivation, drive, instinct, conscience and moral compass. I have learned finding your inner voice and amplifying it moves you from misery and defeat to grounded and flourishing. You will Rise Up when your inner voice is the one that guides you. My skill is in seeing and celebrating other people’s ‘Yippee!’ voice, that is why I am a counselor and practice owner. Thanks Mom! YIPPEE!
Prior to starting Rise Up®, I managed Outpatient Therapy, Case Management (TCM, CIS and BHH) and Section 28 Children’s In-home Support programs. I currently provide individual treatment, manage and supervise Rise Up Interns, Employees and Contractors and provide clinical supervision to individuals and groups.
Credentials:
- Triple P Certification (Standard and Teen Triple P)
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
- Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider (CMHIMP) - Nationally recognized certification indicating additional training in the areas of alternative medicine and nutrition as they relate to mental health. Although I do not prescribe medication nor nutrition plans, I provide psychoeducation and frequently collaborate and refer to other integrative providers. Whole body wellness is recognized at Rise Up®.
- Certified Clinical Child and Adolescent Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP-CA) - Nationally recognized certification indicating additional training in diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders in children.
- Mental Health Rehab Technician- Community (MHRT-C) - Maine certification required to provide case management.
Licensure and Education:
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), licensed to practice in the state of Maine. I earned my Master’s in Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, concentrating in Play Therapy, at the University of Southern Maine (2011) and I have an undergraduate degree from Southern New Hampshire University in Psychology, concentrating in Child and Adolescent Development (2009). I have an Associate of Arts degree in Graphic Design (1999) from White Pines College.
Additional training in modalities/populations:
I have completed additional coursework and am experienced with the following modalities (treatment methods): Telehealth, Expressive Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Positive Psychology/Strengths Based approaches, Psychoeducation in Integrative Medicine, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT). I have additional training and experience with the following populations: children and adults with ADHD, as well as parent skill building.
Amanda Torsvik, Outreach Coordinator
As the Outreach Coordinator, I bring a thoughtful, relationship-centered approach to building connections across our community. I believe that creating and nurturing strong professional networks is the cornerstone of good care, helping ensure that individuals who would thrive at Rise Up® find us as early as possible. With equal care, I work to connect people to the right level or specialty of support when another resource is a better fit, reflecting our commitment to doing mental health differently and serving both the community we support and the team we have built.
The focus of my career, both in volunteering roles and through paid employment, has been to improve, and increase access to, community for all people. A culture rooted in support and connectedness can play an important role in addressing many of today’s societal challenges.
Experience:
My professional career began providing children’s in-home support through Section 28 services, which sparked a broader understanding of community-based care and the systems that support vulnerable populations across ages and cultures. I later spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Namibia, an experience that deepened my perspective on community, access, and cross-cultural support. Following this work, I pursued a Master’s in Education with a focus on community connectedness within schools, educational access and policy, and the factors influencing students’ executive functioning skills. I went on to assist in coordinating a day program for adults with disabilities, ensuring meaningful access to services and community connections. Most recently, I worked in school-based settings and served as an Assistant Principal at a school for children with disabilities.
The past four years I’ve been a stay at home mom and community builder, having taken on the role of Library Trustee, farm volunteer, assisted with farmers markets, as well as participated in various other community building activities. Now, I’m excited to bring my varied experience to help Rise Up® support their community as their Outreach Coordinator.
Education:
I hold a Masters in Education from Harvard School of Education, where I graduated in May of 2019. In 2014 I graduated from Colby-Sawyer College with my Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, as well as a Minor in Child Development.
Becca Ellis, LCPC, Clinical Assistant
I am grateful to have been witness to the incredible healing power of therapy and its impacts on anxiety. I am passionate about meeting with others to help them find their personal solutions. I truly believe in every person’s ability to find health, healing, and happiness. There is so much value in your unique path to meeting your goals.
Treatment for anxiety can have many forms. While this phase of your journey is often challenging, I will meet you with a lighthearted and humorous demeanor. With me, treatment looks like a space in which you’ll be listened to and understood. You’ll be perceived as a whole person with struggles and strengths. You’ll be given opportunity to observe your skills, and try new ways of dealing with the problem(s). At times, we’ll get creative and use other methods of communication, such as expressive arts or play, in order to meet you where you are.
Experience:
I have been working in the social work/mental health field with children, adolescents, adults, and the geriatric community since 2015. I have experience in residential settings, as well as home and community based mental health interventions. I have served and volunteered in educational settings (elementary and high school) and non-profit agencies. I work individually with those with anxiety during all ages and any phase of life. I have experience working with people, even in their darkest of moments of panic, self-hatred, self-harm, suicidality, substance use, and devastating grief and loss.
Modalities and Approaches:
I use an eclectic approach including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), positive psychology, strength-based approaches, client-centered therapy, mindfulness, expressive arts, play, role-play, and consultation. I’m also trained in the Lynn Lyon’s model of anxiety management, as well as, exposure response prevention methods.
I have spent much of my professional career working with families and have academically specialized in family systems. I use this training in supporting parents with the incredibly difficult task of child-rearing. I’m greatly passionate about the impact working with parents directly can have on a child’s overall wellness. I utilize a mixture of assessments, psychoeducation, values assessments, conflict management skills and Triple P (Positive Parenting Program). Triple P is an internationally-recognized program that gives parents the skills to build family relationships and manage misbehavior.
License, education, and certifications:
- I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Maine under the license number CC7415.
- I have a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Southern Maine (USM), and a specialty in Family Systems (graduated in August of 2021). My Bachelor of Arts Degree is in Psychology, with a minor in Anthropology, from the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) (graduated in 2015).
- I earned a certificate as a Certified Anxiety Informed Professional in 2022, and a certificate as a Certified Clinical Child & Adolescent Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP-CA) in 2024. I am also certified as a parent support professional in the Standard, Teen, Pathways, Group, and Fear-Less Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) approaches since 2023.
Catherine Henning, LCSW
Through time spent supporting children, adolescents and adults seeking crisis stabilization, I have a specific passion for working with people struggling with anxiety. Anxiety manifests in countless ways and is managed in just as many.
My time in this community has afforded me the opportunity to offer support to people when they are most vulnerable, in whatever capacity they may need in that moment. I have learned that compassion, empathy and unconditional positive regard are invaluable and often not afforded to those who need it the most.
I have devoted much of my professional life to working with people pursuing recovery. Recovery from chronic stress and the damage it wreaks. Recovery from crippling anxiety. By focusing on process towards outcome rather than illness and symptoms, recovery is possible.
Experience:
Having worked in a variety of roles with differing ages and populations (e.g., Clinical Care Coordinator, Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health Police Liaison (INTERN), Homeless Outreach Case Manager (INTERN), BHH Program Manager, Daily Living Support Specialist, Transitional Living Specialist, Recreation Therapy Intern, Intern at Riverview Psychiatric Center). I have a diverse range of experience to draw from. Using a combination of modalities ranging from CBT to mindfulness, I take care getting to know my clients, providing treatment and support that best suit them and their unique needs.
Modalities and Approaches:
Using a combination of modalities ranging from CBT to mindfulness, I take care getting to know my clients, providing treatment and support that best suit them and their unique needs.
Licensure and credentials:
- I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Maine under the license number LC23302.
- I have a Master's in Social Work from the University of Southern Maine, where I graduated in May 2021. My Bachelor's of Science degree is in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Southern Maine where I graduated in May 2012
- I am a certified Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Crisis Services Provider (MHRTCSP), issued on October 7, 2020.
- Completed training as a Registered Yoga Teacher in 2012 through the Yoga Alliance.
A teaching site for interns.
Rise Up® offers a unique opportunity for counselors in training to be immersed in a small, treatment focused, wellness and strengths based private practice. Interns choosing Rise Up® to complete the final phase of their clinical training to earn their master’s degree and licensure experience a quality teaching site with engaged, supportive supervision. Interns provide individual and/or group treatment and are encouraged to explore their own passion to develop community connections and create a clinical niche.
Rise Up® has options for continuity of supervision from internship through conditional hours. We work with USM’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program as well as other CACREP accredited schools.
If you are approaching internship in your counseling program, contact Rise Up® now for an amazing placement!
Theresa Gervais, Clinical Graduate Student in Training
I enjoy working collaboratively with clients to help them live their most fulfilling lives. I’ve seen how being tough on ourselves can fuel anxiety. I help clients better understand themselves so they can move through it with more confidence.
Throughout my career, I have found that the quality of my relationships with others is the most important and fulfilling part of my work. This core value has informed my approach to treatment, leading me to use a collaborative, holistic, and individualized approach with my clients. Depending on your particular needs, strengths, and interests, we may use expressive arts or play therapy during sessions. However, no matter what activities we are doing, you can always expect an authentic and genuine version of me, as well as consistent understanding and compassion for you.
Experience:
In my present capacity as a clinical graduate student in training, I have enjoyed working with people from a variety of age groups and backgrounds. I have experience providing services in both residential and clinical settings, helping people through severe anxiety, grief, career-related transitions, and a variety of other challenges.
Modalities and Approaches:
I utilize an eclectic approach tailored to each client’s needs. This approach often incorporates techniques derived from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), strengths-based modalities, mindfulness, and person-centered therapy, as well as expressive-arts based interventions and play therapy.
Education:
I graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in May 2020 with an undergraduate degree in Spanish Language and a minor in Philosophy. I am currently a full-time graduate student in the Counselor Education Program at the University of Southern Maine, and have begun seeing clients as part of the clinical hours required for future graduation and licensure.
Our Offices
Suite 103
Suite 102
Suite 202
Suite 204
We work with all ages (from kids to adults) on identity formation, autonomy, independence and confidence building. Working with them to find their own voice, direction and self-advocacy is often our mutual goal. This happens simultaneously with the reduction of anxiety.
Contact Us
153 Park Row, Suite 103
Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 504-3587
