AVIV Merrimack Valley
Andover, Massachusetts
The Andover team, located at 178 Jenkins Rd, on a beautiful and spacious farm, offers individual therapy, and couples counseling. Additionally, AVIV Merrimack Valley is developing a new counseling protocol where dogs are part of the counseling process.
Simóne Dorsey, M.S., LMFT
Director
Simóne Dorsey (she/her/hers) earned a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Human Services with double minors in American Ethnic Studies and Spanish from Kansas State University. She later earned a Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science with a concentration in Couple and Family Therapy from North Dakota State University.
Simóne is a bi-lingual, sex positive queer therapist of color who takes a harm reduction and trauma-informed approach to therapy. She has worked with a large array of individuals, families, children, couples and groups across all areas of development. She has specialized experience working with underprivileged youth, college students, disadvantaged families, foster care & adoption, the LGBTQ+ population, substance abuse, sex therapy and premarital therapy.
In her downtime, you can find Simóne geeking out to anything true crime related or hanging out with her main man (cat), Bartholomew.
Simone@AVIV.Life
Queer Identified Clinician
Licensed in Massachusetts
Elizabeth Climis, M.A., LMFT
Elizabeth Climis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She earned her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University.
Elizabeth has over a decade of experience working with a diverse population of at-risk adolescents and their families to help them strengthen communication, emotion management, and internal resilience. Her clinical approach is client-centered and emphasizes safety, self-expression, and self-exploration. She also brings unique interventions to her work through the use of board games and video games. Elizabeth specializes in working with those who have experienced anxiety, mood disorders, behavioral challenges, stress, and trauma.
When she’s not working, Elizabeth is listening to podcasts and audiobooks, cooking, playing video games, and having snuggle sessions with her dog, Lizzy, a certified Very Good Girl.
Elizabeth@AVIV.Life
Licensed in Massachusetts
Tova Searleman, M.S., LMHC
Tova is a licensed mental health counselor with over fifteen years of experience working with children of all ages and their families. She has experience in different settings including Early Intervention, Residential, and In-Home Therapy. Passionate about child-centered play therapy, Tova strives to provide a safe, non-judgmental, and positive environment and even make sessions fun! Expect sessions with Tova to include a variety of trauma-informed activities inspired by a number of therapeutic approaches, including Person-Centered, Narrative, Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Her specialties include children with learning disabilities, AD/HD, anxiety, and trauma. Tova is also a trained chef who believes creative self-expression through food can be a healing force in our lives. In her free time, Tova loves to sing, rock climb, crochet, and train her rescue dogs to run obstacle courses. She is looking forward to working as part of your family’s team to help you move from where you are toward where you’d like to be.
Tova@AVIV.Life
ARCH Professional 2023
(Arenas For Change)
Licensed in Massachusetts
Kathryn Scharn, MSW, LCSW
Kathryn Scharn is a Licensed Social Worker in Massachusetts. She obtained her BS in Psychology at Endicott College and received her Masters in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire.
She has years of experience working with children in diverse populations. Kathryn has previously been employed in early childhood development programs as well as an elementary school in North Andover. Kathryn works with children, teens, and adolescents on social emotional learning, communication, boundary setting, and other mental health issues. Kathryn’s clinical approach is client-centered with a growth mindset. She encourages the use of emotions, exploration of self and often, play! Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the approaches Kathryn finds extremely valuable and often utilizes to help others understand the connections between their thoughts, feelings and actions.
In her freetime, Kathryn likes to spend time with her niece and nephews, explore beaches for sea glass, bake delicious treats, and watch movies!
Kathryn@AVIV.Life
Licensed in Massachusetts
Lora Williams, M.A, LMHC
Lora brings a calm, compassionate presence to her sessions. She believes therapy is a path home to ourselves and our expressions of ourselves in the world. Lora uses a trauma-informed approach to mindfulness, somatic psychotherapy, polyvagal exercises, inner child work, expressive arts therapies, farm-based therapies, yoga, and CBT. Lora takes a harm reduction approach to substance use, incorporating Motivational Interviewing, ACT, and DBT.
Lora obtained a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Expressive Arts Therapies from Lesley University. She is certified to teach the Livestrong program for cancer survivors, hatha yoga, and mindfulness. Lora warmly welcomes clients of all ages, gender identities, expressions, and sexual orientations.
Lora@AVIV.Life
Licensed in Massachusetts
My name is MaryLuz Arling. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. I obtained my BA in Psychology and certificate in Latin American Studies at UMass Amherst. I later obtained my Masters in Social Work at Salem State University.
I began my child welfare career in 2000 as an Adoption Social Worker. I then became a Permanency Social Worker in 2007 while maintaining my career as a Clinician working primarily with families and youth who were in foster care or part of the Adoption Triad. I then became the Director of Foster Care at a non-profit Agency.
I have immense experience working with children and families focusing on grief, loss and significant trauma. I believe that all people deserve the right to services that benefit them. I am looking forward to working at AVIV to continue to foster, empower and uplift children and families.
Maryluz@AVIV.Life
Licensed in Massachusetts
Sophia Reyes, MSW
Sophia is a graduate of Simmons University’s MSW program and is working toward her LCSW.
She has worked in several agencies supporting the needs of children, adolescents and their families. Her experience includes working closely with the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Children and Families, as well as LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and chronic illness communities.
Sophia understands that everyone’s mental health journey is personal, and not linear. She is passionate about empowering and supporting her clients throughout their individual journey with empathy, understanding, and compassion.
Outside of work, her hobbies include reading and cheering on her favorite sports teams. Sophia has a cat that may pop in at times during sessions to say hello.
Sophia@AVIV.life
Serving clients in Massachusetts
