Jared is a co-founder of Pioneer and serves as Executive Director. He is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and brings 8 years of addictions and mental health counseling experience to the Pioneer team, having worked across all levels of care — outpatient, intensive outpatient and residential inpatient. Jared’s passion is connecting with clients who have become isolated because of their disease and helping them rediscover their purpose, meaning, and the connections in their lives. As a person in long term recovery he leverages his lived experience to benefit others. Jared works tirelessly to empower clients to move beyond their struggles to reconnect with themselves and family and to discover that they are worthy of recovery—their struggle does not define them. Jared is honored to work with the clinical team at Pioneer, all of whom are committed to supporting clients on their recovery journey.

“You can’t go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending.” -C.S Lewis

Mary Tessier is a dedicated and compassionate therapist who brings both clinical knowledge and authentic human connection to her work. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is currently pursuing her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Bay Path University. With years of experience in the mental health field—including inpatient care, emergency crisis response, and psychiatric team support—Mary draws from a deep well of both professional expertise and personal insight.

Having navigated her own experiences with depression and anxiety, Mary approaches therapy with empathy, humility, and a genuine appreciation for the complexity of the human experience. She primarily utilizes CBT-based models while also integrating psychodynamic perspectives, holistic practices, and kindness at the core of her work. Her goal is to help clients feel seen, supported, and empowered as they move through their healing journey.

Mary finds true fulfillment in creating meaningful therapeutic relationships and guiding individuals as they rediscover their strength. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, crafting, reading, and spending time with loved ones.

“I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you are not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

Danielle is currently in her final year of the Master of Social Work program at Springfield College. She brings over five years of experience in the mental health field, including work in crisis intervention and outpatient therapy. Her clinical approach is grounded in evidence-based practices like DBT and CBT, with a strong focus on helping individuals tap into their strengths and work toward their personal goals.

In addition to her professional training, Danielle draws from her own lived experience with mental health, which allows her to connect with clients in a genuine and compassionate way. She’s committed to creating a space where people feel safe, supported, and truly heard. Danielle meets clients where they are, offering care that is nonjudgmental, affirming, and paced to honor each person’s journey and resilience.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

Keith Stanley, LICSW, is the Clinical Director at Pioneer Behavioral Health, where he leads with a deep commitment to supporting individuals facing mental health challenges and substance use disorders. He holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Salem State University and brings over a decade of experience in the behavioral health field.

Keith’s professional background includes extensive work in both individual and family counseling, where he developed a strong clinical foundation and a person-centered approach. He is passionate about helping clients recover, grow, and regain a sense of purpose. His leadership is grounded in the use of evidence-based treatment models, which he integrates into programming to enhance outcomes and promote long-term wellness.
Dedicated, compassionate, and results-driven, Keith continues to advocate for comprehensive, effective care that meets clients where they are and empowers them to move forward.

“Recovery is not one giant leap, but a series of small, hopeful steps.” 

Courtney holds a Master’s degree from Smith College School for Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Prior to Courtney’s current role with Pioneer Behavioral Health, Courtney was the Clinical Director at CHD’s Aster House, a dual-diagnosis recovery home in South Hadley serving people with moderate to severe mental health and substance use challenges. Courtney also served as a Clinical Team Lead with BHN’s Adult Community Clinical Services in Westfield, a group therapist at MiraVista Behavioral Health Hospital in Holyoke, and a therapist at the VA in Greenfield.

Courtney works with people who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to move forward. Courtney specializes in working with clients who use substances, food, spending, sex, relationships, or work to cope with the symptoms of complex trauma and other mental health conditions. Courtney is trained in EMDR, IFS, 12-Step Recovery, mindfulness, and somatic approaches to healing.

Courtney helps clients let go of what is no longer helping them and build tools that support who they are becoming. Courtney brings warmth, humor, honesty, and deep compassion to the work. Courtney is not afraid to go to the hard places with clients. Working with Courtney provides a space where clients can be their full selves—messy, brilliant, hurting, and healing.

Alicia Dunning is very passionate about helping people with substance use disorders and mental health issues. Alicia has been in the field for years, and is currently in her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, as well as in route to obtaining her license in alcohol & drug counseling (LADC). As someone who has extensive experience in the addiction field and has personally lost her father to addiction, Alicia is dedicated to helping others who are struggling and in need of support on their recovery journey. Alicia makes it a goal to assist others in finding the root of their addiction and mental health issues, and help them strive towards obtaining a more freeing lifestyle.

“Addiction is giving up everything for one thing, Recovery is giving up one thing for everything”

Kaiti Los is deeply committed to assisting those affected by substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health issues. With personal experiences of substance abuse disorder and chronic depression, and having witnessed its impact on close family members, Kaiti dedicated herself to the path of recovery. This journey included various treatment settings, especially following the tragic loss of her father to the disease. Despite being labeled a chronic relapser, Kaiti maintained hope and has achieved long-term recovery since July 2021. Kaiti incorporates yoga, meditation, and other evidence-based practices into her daily routine to support her ongoing recovery. With two years of professional experience in the field and 15 years of personal recovery experience, Kaiti leverages her sensitivity and openness about her journey to help others overcome the isolation that often accompanies substance abuse disorder and depression.

She lives by the words of Johann Hari: “The opposite of addiction is connection.”

Candace is a dedicated and compassionate therapist who blends clinical skill with authentic connection. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Bay Path University and is currently completing her M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling with a focus in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UMass Boston. A Certified Peer Specialist with a background in crisis counseling and peer support, Candace brings a unique perspective to her work—meeting clients where they are with empathy, insight, and a strengths-based approach. She is also trained in Reiki, valuing the mind-body connection in healing.

Candace is passionate about helping individuals find stability, purpose, and resilience through evidence-based practices, humor, and human connection. Whether leading group therapy or working individually with clients, she strives to make treatment both meaningful and approachable.

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”- Carl Jung