Behavioral Health Team

Lori Vadakin, MA, LADC, LCMHC

Lori Vadakin joined BVHC as the Director of Behavioral Health in July 2025. She holds a Master’s degree from Antioch New England Graduate School (1998) and a Bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1987). Lori is a certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Psychotherapist, with advanced specialization in EMDR-Sandtray, EMDR for children, and EMDR-Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. She is also certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Greg Kersten’s O.K. Corral Series in Equine-Assisted Learning.

Before joining BVHC, Lori held multiple leadership roles in the region, including positions at the Bennington County Child Advocacy Center, United Counseling Service, and the Vermont Permanency Initiative. Most recently, she served as the Director of Mental Health and Health Integration for the State of Vermont, where she played a key role in launching the integration of Certified Community-Based Health Centers. The first two centers under this initiative became operational on July 1, 2025.

Molly Lukason, LICSW

Molly Lukason brings over 40 years of experience working with older adults in a wide range of settings. Before joining the Behavioral Health team at BVHC in July 2025, Molly founded her private practice in 2006, where she provided in-home therapy and support for adults navigating life’s many transitions and decisions. Through this work, she developed deep, lasting relationships with her clients.

Earlier in her career, Molly was part of a pioneering team that developed the nation’s first assisted living program specifically designed for older adults with mental illness. She later helped establish a second, similar program, always guided by a deep commitment to honoring the dignity and individuality of every person, no matter their living situation.

Molly received her clinical training with an emphasis in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at Boston University. She later used this expertise to help launch a home-based cognitive behavioral health program for one of the largest Visiting Nurse Associations in Massachusetts—an innovative model bringing therapy directly to individuals in their homes.

Outside of work, Molly cherishes time with her husband, their two adult sons, and, most recently, their first grandchild. A lifelong sports fan, she especially enjoys following the Boston Bruins, whether at home or in the stands. “We are so excited to begin this new chapter in Vermont,” Molly says, “and I look forward to getting to know the community and working alongside the incredible team at Battenkill Valley Health Center.”

Ryan O’Connell, LICSW

Ryan O’Connell earned his Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University in New York. Prior to joining BVHC in June 2025, Ryan spent five years with St. Peter’s Health Partners, where he provided care across a variety of settings in New York’s Capital Region, including emergency departments, skilled nursing facilities, and home care services. These diverse experiences helped shape his dynamic, person-centered approach to care.

While Ryan has worked with individuals across the lifespan, he has a strong passion for supporting older and aging adults as they navigate both the challenges and opportunities of later life. His work is grounded in compassion, respect, and a deep commitment to helping people maintain dignity and independence.

Originally from Long Island, Ryan is grateful to be part of the BVHC team and is excited to serve the people of southwestern Vermont as a clinical social worker.

Meghan Knight, LCMHC

Meg Knight, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, graduated from Lesley University in Massachusetts with her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health and Counseling. Before pursuing her Master’s, she held a dual Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education/Human Development and Family Studies, also from Lesley University. The majority of Meg’s professional career has been in education, working as a classroom teacher and as a school counselor. This experience has allowed her to help both children and parents cope with childhood traumas, communicate with one another better, and establish appropriate boundaries.

Meg is from southeastern Massachusetts and has lived primarily in Vermont for the last 15 years. She has worked predominantly with children and adolescents, though her current credentials allow her to work with patients of any age.

Carey Snide, MSW

Carey Snide earned her Master’s in Social Work from The University of New Hampshire. Her early experience was in education as an early educator, elementary substitute teacher and science program coordinator, afterschool program coordinator, and tutor (with adults and youth). After earning her Bachelor’s degree from Johnson State College she began working in the social work field with domestic violence survivors and then in child protection, providing real-time parent education and therapeutic case management. Following the completion of the MSW program, she worked with adolescence in residential treatment; providing trauma-informed therapy. She is trained in EMDR, CBT, and DBT. Her heart is to serve the community through providing compassionate, person-centered care to clients of all ages and stages.

Kelly Davis, APRN

Kelly Davis, a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, obtained her undergraduate degree from Samaritan School of Nursing in Troy, NY, and her Master’s degree from Regis College in Weston, MA. Kelly spent 26 years as a registered nurse at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, caring for patients at SVMC’s Women’s and Children’s Services at the beginning of her career. She later transitioned to Nurse Case Manager through the Vermont Blueprint for Health. In this role, Kelly provided care to patients engaged in treatment for substance use disorders for seven years. During that time, she saw firsthand the need for mental health providers. Kelly joined the BVHC team in October 2019 and is trained to provide medication management to patients across the lifespan. She resides in Shaftsbury with her husband and two children.

Kelly is currently providing services to patients 18 years and older by referral from their primary care provider.