The Ridge Team

I am Lorimer Hemingway, a nurse at The Ridge Maine. I moved to Maine in 1999 from Newton, Massachusetts. I attended New England Baptist School of Nursing and Emmanual College and graduated with a BSN. I have been a nurse for 31 years. My experience in nursing consists of Pediatrics and Geriatrics and Plastic Surgery. I also have experience in phone triage nursing.

I am excited to add The Ridge Maine to my list of experiences. I really enjoy working with the kids and watching them grow and transition and learn here at The Ridge Maine. It’s wonderful to see their success, and to watch it unfold here from the beginning to end. It’s nice to be a part of the team that provides support to the kids here at The Ridge Maine.

“Whether You Think You Can or Think You Can’t, You’re Right.” – Henry Ford

Erica Goss has been a licensed clinical professional counselor for 9 years, all of which have been spent serving youth in Maine. Erica has 5 years of experience leading clinical care in residential treatment settings. Her philosophy in treatment is a relational approach, and she embraces the importance of physical wellness and its positive effects on mental health. Outside of work, Erica enjoys time with her family, taking dance classes, and focusing on physical health and wellness.

My name is Christa Nadeau, and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. I was born in Connecticut but have lived the majority of my life in Maine, and enjoy all that the state has to offer. I attended school at the University of Maine Farmington and received my M.Ed. from the University of Southern Maine. I have worked in residential treatment for most of my professional career and truly enjoy and appreciate the work that can occur in a residential therapeutic setting.

I have been a therapist at The Ridge Maine since 2010. In addition, I also have a private practice that focuses on the treatment of adolescent girls and boys. Furthermore, I have worked closely with several school districts to provide high-quality outpatient counseling services for adolescents experiencing difficulties during these formative years.

I take full advantage of the outdoors during the distinct and beautiful seasons that New England provides and enjoy activities such as; hiking, camping, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. My love for the outdoors and my specialty in working with adolescents make The Ridge a good match for me. I believe that connecting with nature supports people in healing and learning about themselves. The atmosphere at The Ridge Maine facilitates adolescents to learn and see aspects of themselves that they would not get in touch with within an alternate environment. My favorite motto when working with adolescents is to take one day at a time. If that is learned early on in one’s life, I believe that this skill can lead to many years of health and happiness. My favorite motto is a part of the poem Invictus, “I am the Master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul.”

I moved from PA to Maine for my undergraduate degree in Wilderness Therapy in 2007. For me, Maine was an instant feeling of appreciation and connection to what I love to do and the environment I wanted to surround myself with. Agriculture, camping, outdoor adventures, trees for miles, and generous options for solitude or social connections all equated to home for me. It was a natural progression to seek further education in obtaining a degree as a clinical Social Worker through the University of Maine.

My professional work experiences include serving in the mental health field for over 10 years working with adolescents and adults from foster care, survivors of domestic violence, serving Maine’s indigenous tribes seeking paths to recovery from substance use, and serving adolescents in need in wilderness and behavioral support settings. With a high regard to cultural competency and social justice, I incorporate a strength-based and biopsychosocial perspective through a multicultural lens and am grounded in narrative, cognitive and structural family theories. I incorporate a wide range of interventions and place great emphasis on the importance of the therapeutic relationship and seeing the individual and family system as the leading expert. I find immense fulfillment in seeking innovative ways to help communities and individuals thrive within themselves and their environments. In what other field can you combine the ability to offer compassion, inspire hope and teach the skills to overcome challenges with all ages with any level of distress in their lives? Well, the answer is any field, but the mental health field is where people who lost knowledge of their inherent worth get connected with what matters most in their lives, the tools that help them to determine a life worth living and most importantly, that greatness exists within you. That’s a career worth living for me.

My name is Kathy Harriman. I was born and grew up in western New York State, and graduated from Houghton College with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and German. I taught German in high school and elementary school before my children were born. Then I enjoyed the experience of homeschooling with my five children on our dairy farm in Maine. That opportunity gave me a chance to view the educational benefits of working one-on-one with students, something I enjoy at The Ridge Maine. I have been teaching at The Ridge Maine since 2007, and find it very rewarding to be able to help students get turned around academically. The structure of the program along with the individualization of the curriculum for each student has provided a winning combination for positive academic progress. In my spare time I enjoy reading, gardening, knitting, and singing and playing music with a small band. My favorite quote is, “Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” – E.E. Cummings

I began my journey at The Ridge Maine in the summer of 2007. In college, I studied psychology, mental health, and business. After earning a Bachelors degree, I was searching for fulfilling work with youth. An opportunity to work for The Ridge Maine came to me at the perfect time in my life. I quickly fell in love with the program, the people and most of all the mission!

I have enjoyed being a witness to the many incredible transformations, and family reunification over the years. I have supported The Ridge Maine in many aspects and in various roles, but have primarily managed administrative and health services. As the Compliance Director, I oversee licensing, consult with management, maintain policies and provide record management and system administration services. Although my work is behind the scenes, I know that my contributions are important and are serving a higher purpose. The Ridge is a special place and I have intentionally chosen to maintain a long term relationship with this unique and successful organization.

I am a Maine native and enjoy the beautiful changing seasons, peace and lifestyle that Maine has to offer. I feel grateful to be raising my two sons here. I enjoy entertaining, photography, interior design, boating and most of all spending time with my family. One of my favorite quotes is, “I alone cannot change the world but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa

My name is Alex Blackstone. I was born and have lived in Maine for most of my life, finding a love for all things outdoors and adventurous. Growing up, I participated in Boy Scouts and was an outdoor camp counselor. The experience offered me opportunities to grow personally, while enjoying my love for nature through hiking, camping, weeklong canoe trips, and deep sea fishing. I consider myself an avid fan of all things sports and enjoy organizing team activities at The Ridge Maine.

I have been fortunate to benefit from excellent teachers and mentors throughout my educational journey and hope to share these lessons and insight with the young adults here at The Ridge. I received a BS in Biology with a concentration in Psychobiology, the study of mental functioning and behavior in relation to other biological processes, from Albright College. I was the campus Greenhouse manager for several years and I have enjoyed drawing from that experience, while working with the residents in the The Ridge Maine gardens.

While in college, I discovered my passion for Rugby and played for many years. It taught me a lot about the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork and trust. I was also involved in work with several charities including, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) and Muscular Dystrophy. I currently spend time during the winter months, as Director of the Augusta Warming Center, a day shelter set up and funded by United Way, providing assistance and resources to those who are in need in the state’s capitol. Since I grew up in Northern Maine, I am no stranger to cold winters and I really enjoy the work I do at the center. As a behavior specialist at The Ridge Maine, I am able incorporate my passions, strengths and experiences into my work with these teens. My favorite quote: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

My name is Jen Poliquin. I was born and raised in Maine. I have a love of athletics, nature and holism. My love of athletics led me to a self designed major in Athletic Training from the University of Southern Maine. While creating that self design I incorporated many psychology classes and fell in love with it. This passion led me to a career in helping others be their best. I have worked with children with Autism for many years, discovering the world of Applied Behavioral Analysis, a love that I continually pursue,working toward my masters degree.

Joining the The Ridge Maine team feels like a natural fit for who I am and how I work, love and heal in the world. I would say I am a relationship-centered human being, believing that clear relationships are central to all we do. As a learning community, we focus on understanding each other, supporting each other’s individual and collective well being, creativity and development. I personally strive to be open and create a supportive, safe environment where all of us – residents, staff and therapists continue expanding healthy boundaries and connecting across differences without judgment. My learning approach is rooted in peace, nature and community.

When I am not working I spend my time living life with my family. We laugh, love and adventure together. Our family mantra is: We think beyond “the way it is” to “the way it can be”.

My name is Jaclyn Gordon. I was born in Frankfort, Maine, and was raised in the surrounding area. I have lived all across the country and abroad and found that there is no place quite like Maine. I am very happy to be home and growing roots! When not at The Ridge Maine, I enjoy reading, playing my guitar, watching my dog run and daydreaming by the ocean. Now that I’m home, many of my days are spent with family and the comfort that they provide.

I have experience working in a Residential Treatment Center with adults who suffer from addiction, trauma, and PTSD. I developed a passion for working with youth when I saw the needs that had not been met in childhood that directly impacted my client’s development and choices in adulthood. I desired to meet the problem at its source and be a part of the solution, which I found at The Ridge Maine. I love the program’s structure, the abundant compassion of the staff and watching young lives transformed! My favorite quote is from Dr. Seuss: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

My name is Corinne Coopshaw and I am the art teacher and also the staffing and training coordinator. I was born and raised here in this beautiful and adventurous state of Maine and most of my childhood was spent in the great outdoors with my siblings. There was always something to do, whether it be splitting wood, fishing, farm work, hunting, or playing in the lakes.

After graduating from high school, I chose a path in the United States Navy as a heavy equipment operator with the Seabees. The time I spent in the service is a chapter of my life that I am incredibly grateful for. Serving provided me with opportunities and experiences that I would not have had anywhere else. It was not until I left the military that I decided to enroll at Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan. There I earned a Bachelor’s degree, with a major in Art Therapy and a minor in Criminal Justice. My journey through college started with the intention of becoming a juvenile probation officer. That shifted after realizing that it would not be the best place for me to help youth in the capacity I was seeking. I feel that the difference that I wanted to make with youth is something I can accomplish through my role here at The Ridge Maine. It is more fulfilling than I could have imagined! I enjoy being a part of and a witness to the phenomenal growth that transpires among the kids and their families.

I believe that kids excel at The Ridge Maine because of the consistency throughout the program and the support they receive from the compassionate staff. As a team, we do our best to provide them with the tools they need to regulate their emotions and assist them in overcoming obstacles, no matter what they may be. Our approach is not typically a part of a public school curriculum and is one of the many unique aspects of The Ridge. Everything that the kids learn at The Ridge Maine helps build a fundamental foundation designed to set them up for successful futures and restore their self-confidence. One of my favorite quotes that I use with the kids is “Can Do!” and not just because it is the Seabees motto. Another is, “Not one living soul in this universe ever accomplished anything by approaching a problem saying, ‘I Can’t.’ “

My name is Kirsten Woods. I was born and raised in Belfast, Maine. As a youth, I looked forward to the day that I would leave the area and see the world. I moved away for a few years and found that the strong roots my parents provided for me and my brother modeled the lifestyle that I wished for my own children. My family returned to Belfast 14 years ago. I am so grateful to live in this small and caring community. I am the mother of two teenagers. We are a busy family, involved in multiple sports and activities year round. When I have free time, I enjoy hiking, reading, and spending time with my family. I previously spent 17 years in the banking and healthcare industries. Since joining The Ridge Maine, I have found this work to be so rewarding. I am proud to be part of the The Ridge Maine family and am ready to assist you and your family in any way I can. One of my favorite quotes is, “It’s impossible said pride. It’s risky said experience. It’s pointless said reason. Give it a try whispered the HEART.”

My name is Jamie Sanders, and I was born in Wyoming but spent most of my time growing up in a small town called Sheridan in Aroostook County, Maine. I am married with two wonderful daughters, and we have lived on the coast of Maine since 2013. We love the ocean and spending time on the water. I like to spend my free time with my family and friends. We enjoy trying new foods, exploring our beautiful state, discovering new things, watching movies, or playing various card and board games.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Mental Health and Human Services, a Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Technician certification, and a certificate in Human Resource Management. I have always had a passion for helping people and feel like I can make a difference. When I learned about The Ridge Maine, I felt like it was the perfect fit. The Ridge Maine helps empower teenagers by providing them with the tools to help them create their own success. I enjoy being surrounded by people that want to help others achieve their best. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”