MDI Behavioral Health Center

Care Philosophy: Psychiatry creates a space to examine the human experience – which, for me, feels as fundamental and meaningful as it gets. It is such a privilege to have the opportunity to join patients in making sense of their experiences and finding inner resilience, accompanying them as they face their challenges and celebrating with them as they reach their goals.

Dr. Manning grew up visiting Maine in the summer from Glenmont, New York and always had a passion for the outdoors. After completing her undergraduate degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from Connecticut College, she enrolled in Tufts University School of Medicine where she chose to participate in the Maine Track Program. During her medical training, she completed a psychiatry residency and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Maine Medical Center, and she says her experiences in this program only deepened her love for Maine.

After spending about eight years in Portland with her family, they decided they wanted to look into moving to a smaller community and decided on MDI. Dr. Manning accepted the role of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at MDI Hospital and was impressed by the patient-centered values that everyone held at the hospital.

While she began in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, in her current role with MDIH, she is also able to assist patients of all ages and has found that work very interesting and rewarding.

Care Philosophy: “I like to think my health care philosophy adapts and grows the more I learn from experience, education, and patients. At the core though, is the value of listening. Patients have a lot of wisdom, unique to each individual. I strive to listen for that wisdom and help a patient recognize and appreciate their own wisdom about their health and mind. I hope to help them find and hone the tools and skills they need to build a meaningful and fulfilling life for themselves.”

Dr. Villarreal specializes in psychiatry. Her medical interests and expertise include the practice of psychotherapy in both individual and group settings as well as the treatment of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. “I am a big proponent of psychotherapy and am always curious about new ways of engaging with people, both individually and in group settings,” says Dr. Villarreal. “I spent two years as a resident learning more about group psychodynamic psychotherapy and find it a powerful modality for change.” Dr. Villarreal earned her medical degree and completed her post-graduate residency at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She is board-certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. During her residency, she received the 2019 Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Award and the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching by House Staff. She also received the University of Pennsylvania’s PGY2 Medical Student Teaching Award in 2017.

She first came to Mount Desert Island for a two-week elective rotation in rural psychiatry at the MDI Behavioral Health Center, available to Penn Medicine residents through a partnership with MDI Hospital. In those two weeks, she found something here that she wasn’t expecting. “There was a real sense of community here that I hadn’t realized I was missing,” says Dr. Villarreal. “Like in Philadelphia, providers were working hard for patients, doing their best, facing challenges daily, but here on MDI, I noticed that the providers felt more connected to the people they cared for because they shared the same island, the same restaurants, the same national park, even the same lobster pounds.”

Outside of work, Dr. Villarreal and her husband are avid travelers and look forward to globe-hopping as much as they can. They are excited that Maine offers so much to see and explore and are already busy planning trips around the state. Art is also something that they actively seek out, and you can often find them visiting galleries and museums throughout the year. Hiking and swimming are favorites for Dr. Villarreal as well, and she enjoys reading and crafting when time allows. Now that her residency is completed, she’s hoping to take up knitting and crocheting again, perhaps have the time to finish a few novels or even get a loom and explore weaving. She’s also hoping to find an opportunity to try horseback riding again, which is one of her favorite activities.

Ariele Le Grand, LMSW-CC, MFA, MSc, joined the MDI Behavioral Health Center in June of 2021. She is interested in working with people from late adolescence through adulthood and with multicultural, BIPOC and L.G.B.T.Q.I.A + communities. Her treatment areas include: mood and personality disturbances, trauma, sexual health and perinatal mental health. Ariele uses behavioral, psychodynamic, systems oriented and creative modalities in her practice. “I am here to support you in finding your strengths, and in navigating your social/emotional world,” says Ariele.

In her spare time, Ariele enjoys reading, writing, coffee, music, collecting old stuff, spending time with her dog, and hiking in Acadia. In addition to her robust education, Ariele also holds a certificate in Clinical Practice with Adolescents, from NYU School of Social Work.

Care Philosophy: “We all need to be looked at, listened to and heard. Telling our stories then exploring how they’ve changed us and what we’ve learned from them can be a path to healing of the body, mind, and spirit.”

Linda Napier holds a Master of Science in Nursing and studied to become a Family Nurse Practitioner at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Spirituality from Hartford Seminary in Hartford, CT. Specializing in Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Mental Health, Linda splits her time at both the Downeast Treatment Center in Ellsworth and the MDI Hospital Behavioral Health Center in Bar Harbor; where she joined in February of 2018.

Linda came to MDI Hospital with a wide range of health-related experience including:
– Serving as the Director of Health Services at Landmark College in Putney, VT; a college for students with learning differences.
– Writing the weekly health column, “Nurse’s Notes”, from October 2006-December 2010, for the Danbury News Times, Danbury, CT.
– Writing and publishing a book on the necessity of nurturing touch for health, called Tender Medicine: Touching the Heart, Healing the Hurt, and producing a video on the subject.
– Having lectured and coordinated workshops on the subject of “Focused Touch” as an additional tool in the field of healthcare and other health-related issues.
– Creating and implementing programs of exercise, diet, and stress management for high risk cardiac patients and ‘Chairobics’, as well as ‘Chair-yoga’; a therapeutic exercise program for chair-bound seniors
– Serving as Daisy the “Caring Clown” at hospitals, various healthcare centers, and charitable fundraisers.

Linda enjoys outdoor activities such as all-season hiking, kayaking, cross country skiing, and biking. She also enjoys writing poetry and short stories, as well as playing the drums. When she is not enjoying the outdoors, you can find Linda cooking in the kitchen, at the movie theatre, trying out local restaurants, travelling, or spending quality time with family and friends.

Linda Napier shares this message with her current and future patients at MDI Hospital and the Downeast Treatment Center: “Allow me the honor of walking with you for awhile on your journey back to health.”

Care philosophy: “As a social worker and therapist, I believe in the importance of meeting people where they are in their journey. I want the people I work with to feel like they are not alone and that someone is here to support and encourage them through life’s struggles and victories. I strive to make a connection with each individual, so that they can leave feeling validated and empowered.”

Nicole enjoys working at MDI Hospital because it gives her the opportunity to provide integrated, personalized-care to her patients throughout the continuum of their care experience. She also enjoys working with the talented providers at MDI Hospital and Health Centers. “I appreciate my social work colleagues and enjoy learning more as the field of social work constantly evolves,” she says.

A Maine native, Nicole recently moved to the Downeast area with her husband and their son.

Care Philosophy: “My healthcare philosophy is built on the foundational tenets of empathy, equality, and integrity. I aim to provide a safe and supportive environment that allows individuals to achieve their mental health goals.”

Abbie Burton, LCPC-C provides care MDI Hospital’s Behavioral Health Clinic in Bar Harbor. Her medical interests include working with young adults and middle-aged adults, though she enjoys working with all age groups. Abbie is an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and most often utilizes cognitive therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, and dialectical behavioral therapy. Abbie shares that she often finds special interest in cognitive theory and how automatic thoughts intersect with feelings, behaviors, and interactions.

Abbie spent her graduate internship shadowing in the intensive outpatient unit at Northern Light Acadia Hospital. While in graduate school, she worked as a psychiatric technician at Nothern Light Acadia Hospital on the pediatric and adolescent units. Upon graduating, Abbie began working at the Husson University Wellness Center as a clinical mental health counselor. Working with college students, she provided individual counseling services, mental health outreach activities on campus, and collaborated with athletic teams to discuss the stigma of mental health. Abbie also helped to organize Husson University’s first pride week. Abbie holds a bachelor’s degree in cognitive and developmental psychology at the University of Maine in Orono as well as a dual master’s at Husson University in clinical mental health counseling and human relations.

Abbie was born and raised in Bar Harbor, Maine. After recently having a baby, she decided to return to the MDI community to share her strengths as a licensed clinical professional counselor. Outside of work, Abbie enjoys walking her dog, listening to music, and spending time with her family.

Care Philosophy: My priority is to present myself authentically, provide empathetic guidance and support my clients on their healing journeys. I believe that therapy should be an empowering tool that helps people navigate mental health struggles, relationship issues and life changes while taking into consideration unique identities and cultural backgrounds. I primarily use a combination of integrative, person-centered approaches and multicultural approach while incorporating elements of strength-based therapy, CBT and DBT techniques, LGBTQ and feminist therapy, and mindfulness techniques.

Born and raised in France, Auria Mauras came to MDI for work after travelling to Maine as an exchange student at the University of Maine, Farmington, where she completed her undergraduate degree. As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Auria is interested in working with clients from all ages and different backgrounds. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bradley University and a Master of Arts in Social Sciences, Specialty Equality and Gender Studies from Université Lyon 2.

Auria shares that, “As a therapist, my role is to build a therapeutic relationship – based on mutual trust, genuineness and empathy – to help you reach your goals and make desired change.”

Outside of work, Auria enjoys hiking in Acadia year-round, spending time with friends by the ocean, and reading novels in French.

Care Philosophy: “It is a priority for me to make genuine connections with my patients, and to express empathy and give validation in order for them to feel seen, heard, and truly cared for.”

Care philosophy: “My practice is a collaborative approach to helping others move towards a chosen future utilizing skills, resources and coping abilities. I strive to provide compassionate client care that is individualized, respectful and genuine.”

Laurie Wellman, LCSW, CADC specializes in trauma informed, EMDR, solution focused, substance use, SPACE-(Supportive parenting for anxious childhood emotions) and grief counseling.  Laurie intends to foster a safe space where clients can identify strengths in order to achieve goals.