Program Leadership
Candace Beardsley, MSSW, LICSW
Founder
Candace is a native Vermonter who earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychotherapy from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and a Master of Science and Social Work Degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. While in Madison, Candace received training at the Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) which set her on a course for clinical mental health practice in community-based settings.
Prior to founding Spruce Mountain Inn in 1982, Candace held appointments at three community mental health centers, where she worked in day treatment, crisis intervention, outpatient, and residential programs. In 1990, she won the Vermont State Young Careerist Award given by Business and Professional Women for her accomplishments in her field.
More recently, she served on the Mental Health/ Substance Abuse Advisory Panel of the Vermont Health Care Authority and is a longstanding member of the Executive Board of the American Residential Treatment Association (ARTA). A licensed clinical social worker in the State of Vermont, Candace has overall responsibility for clinical and business operations at the Inn.
Candace loves spending time at the ocean, going camping, and has a passion for antique restoration.
Jessica Kantatan
Executive Director
Jessica Kantatan brings nearly two decades of behavioral healthcare and leadership experience to her role as Executive Director of Spruce Mountain Inn. She began her career as a behavior analyst in residential and day treatment settings, where she saw how much a person’s daily environment matters to their care. That insight has shaped her work ever since: building programs where clinical treatment and residential life support one another.
Before joining Spruce, Jessica held leadership roles with Meridian Services, Lakewood Center, Averte, and Trivium Life Services. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Western Michigan University, completed postgraduate study in behavior analysis and therapy at Southern Illinois University, and holds a certificate in nonprofit management from Rollins College.
Jessica is President of the American Residential Treatment Association and previously served as President of the Board of Directors for NAMI Greater Orlando. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her family and dogs, the outdoors, a good book, and occasional attempts to learn to paint.
Rhonda Orr
Program Director
Rhonda Orr brings more than 20 years of residential care experience to her role as Program Director at Spruce Mountain Inn. She began her career as a residential counselor, working directly with residents to build daily living and social skills. That experience continues to shape how she leads: with close attention to both residents’ needs and the staff who support them.
Before joining Spruce, Rhonda spent more than two decades at Averte, advancing from residential counselor to program manager and then market director. She has led residential teams, mentored staff, coordinated care across disciplines, and overseen program operations. Rhonda is especially passionate about creating a supportive environment where young adults can grow in confidence and independence.
Outside of work, Rhonda enjoys visiting Dog Mountain with her dogs, seeing live music, and spending summer days by the water.
Brad Beaudet, MA
Residential Manager
Brad would like people to know that he had black hair when he started working at Spruce in 2001, and that it wasn’t the residents that made him prematurely grey. Brad holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Goddard College in Cultural Studies. He is our senior Residential Counselor who provides leadership and training to the entire residential staff, and is generally revered for being a font of institutional knowledge here. His humor and dedication are invaluable to our team. When not at work, Brad can be found strumming a guitar, crooning, and making music videos.
Clinical and Program Staff
Jim Hessler, MSW, LICSW
Clinical Director
Jim is the Clinical Director at Spruce Mountain Inn, where he has spent the past twelve years helping individuals navigate their emotional and mental health challenges. Specializing in evidence-based therapies including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Brainspotting, Jim brings a relational approach to his work, focusing on dual attunement to build strong therapeutic connections and foster healing.
With a deep belief that every person has the capacity to heal their pain and overcome emotional scars, Jim’s work centers on helping clients rediscover their personal growth and emotional resilience. His clinical approach emphasizes the importance of safety and trust in the therapeutic process, ensuring that clients feel understood, supported, and empowered on their path to healing.
Jim holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and is licensed as an Independent Clinical Social Worker (LISCW). In addition to his clinical work, Jim’s unique background includes his previous career as a commercial fisherman in Alaska—a role that provided him with a strong foundation in perseverance, adaptability, and team dynamics. Jim is also a proud father of two children, one in college and the other preparing for the next chapter, and he enjoys woodworking and playing soccer in his spare time.
Zoot Sax, MSW, LICSW
Clinician
Zoot Sax, MSW, LICSW, is a compassionate and experienced clinician with seven years of experience working in residential treatment, with a particular focus on eating disorders and trauma. Zoot brings a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental approach to therapy, creating a supportive environment where clients can feel safe exploring difficult experiences and working toward meaningful change.
Zoot specializes in evidence-based therapies, including Internal Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). By integrating these approaches based on each client’s individual needs, Zoot helps clients better understand patterns of thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships while developing practical tools for coping, connection, and resilience.
With a strong background in residential care, Zoot understands the complexities of recovery and the impact that trauma can have on an individual’s relationship with themselves and others. Their clinical work emphasizes building trust, strengthening relationships, and helping clients develop greater self-compassion and confidence as they move toward recovery and a more fulfilling life.
Rachel Kowarsky
Clinical Intern
Rachel is completing her Master of Social Work degree while serving as a clinical intern and staff member at Spruce Mountain Inn. She brings a compassionate, client-centered approach to her work with residents and values the opportunity to learn alongside the Spruce community. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her dog.
Pauline Morgan BA, AS, RN
Registered Nurse
Pauline is a highly accomplished nursing professional who earned her degree from the esteemed University of Vermont. With over four decades of diverse experience in the nursing field, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Spruce Mountain Inn. Her career journey has spanned critical areas such as intensive care, family development, and overall health management, showcasing her adaptability and commitment to patient care. At Spruce, she thrives in the warm, family-oriented environment, where she can engage deeply with each individual client, providing personalized care that meets their unique needs.
Outside of her professional commitments, Pauline cherishes her time spent with her two children and their families. This balance between her rewarding nursing career and her personal life enriches her approach to caregiving, as she understands the importance of strong familial connections. Her dedication to both her profession and family illustrates her compassionate nature and her belief in the holistic approach to health and well-being. At Spruce Mountain Inn, Pauline continues to impact lives positively, creating meaningful relationships with clients and fostering a nurturing atmosphere.
Tom Novak, MBA
Career & Academic Development Coordinator
Tom's extensive academic background and professional experience make him a knowledgeable leader in the field of career services. Holding both a Bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Temple University, Tom specialized in Human Resource Administration for his Master’s studies. His pursuit of knowledge continued with doctoral coursework in Vocational Education, equipping him with a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape and the nuances of guiding individuals toward their career aspirations. With over 20 years of post-graduate experience, he has honed his skills in academic advising and career development, significantly impacting students' lives.
As the Director of Career Services at Saint Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine, Tom has been instrumental in creating programs that empower students to explore their career options and engage with potential employers. His leadership fosters a supportive environment where students can develop the skills necessary to succeed in a competitive job market. Tom’s commitment to professional development is not only evident in his work with students but also in his continuous pursuit of knowledge and best practices in career services and academic advising.
Outside of his professional commitments, Tom values quality time with his family and indulges in his passion for reading, particularly memoirs and current news. He finds joy in the simple pleasures of life, often reflecting on the lessons learned from the stories of others. Through his diverse interests and experiences, he remains a dedicated educator and mentor, inspiring those around him to pursue their own paths to success.
0+ years
in operation
2:1
Staff to resident ratio
1+ years
Average tenure of staff
0
States with residents served
0+
Local job placement partners
Call us at 802-454-8353 today.
Testimonials
Thank you for supporting me in my journey and all the difficulties I have had. You all have taught me a lot, especially self-care maintenance and self-expression. You helped me learn to respect myself and feel that I am worthy.
It’s hard to believe that in less than 9 months our son went from a depressed, anxious and helpless person to a confident, social and relaxed one. The transformation from when he came to Spruce until now is truly remarkable. I don’t know how you did it.
There is no way we can possibly thank you enough for everything you did for my son while he was at Spruce Mountain. During what was the most traumatic period of our family’s life, we felt so fortunate that there was a place that could offer help for our son. Thank you all so much for helping our family get through a very dark time. We couldn’t have done it without all of you being there for us.
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Why Residential Treatment
Residential treatment programs have the potential to be much more effective than treatment received in someone's typical living environment. Our program is designed to be immersive and community-based.
The benefits of residential treatment include:
24-hour access to a seasoned team of caring, professional staff.
Full immersion in a supportive community with other young people working to overcome similar challenges.
The opportunity to experience a fresh environment, break habits, and escape triggers experienced in a typical living situation.
The opportunity to work, build life-skills, and contribute creatively in a controlled, supportive setting.
Moderating the use of technology and social media, the overuse of which may fuel anxiety and depression.
Family therapy (for parents and other affected family members) to help improve communication, foster cooperation, and facilitate healthy respect among family members.
Learn more about our approach to residential treatment.
Spruce Mountain Inn cannot guarantee the availability of specific providers for specific cases. While we work to keep our website as updated as possible, the providers on this site and/or the status of credentials or specialties of those providers may not be updated in the moment as changes occur.
