Meet Our Team
Ashley McIntosh, MA, LMHC
Ashley McIntosh is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, currently serving as the Clinical Program Coordinator at Chris' Corner Recovery Resource Center. Ashley originally obtained a BS in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida in 2019, where she had a passion for learning about initiatives and the role she might play to reduce recidivism. She then earned an MA in Counseling Psychology from Framingham State University in 2023. During this time, she also completed her practicum and internship at Community Impact.
Since her introduction to the mental health field in 2019, Ashley has gained experience working with clients in all stages of life and in various settings including in-home, schools, inpatient, outpatient, community, and correctional institutions. She previously worked as a co-response clinician in partnership between the Milford Police Department and Community Impact on the Family Services Unit, addressing the community's wide range of behavioral health and substance use concerns. During this time, she gained valuable insight into the systems and challenges faced by members of the Milford and surrounding communities. Ashley is comfortable holding space with those experiencing their worst days, and believes each individual has the capacity for brighter days ahead. She utilizes a variety of techniques including Person-Centered, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing to empower her clients to make impactful change in their lives.
Outside of work, Ashley loves to cook and explore new restaurants with her husband.
Ashley can be reached directly at ashleyh.communityimpact@gmail.com or 508-498-6061.
Lisa Trusas, Recovery Coach
Lisa Trusas grew up in Upton and now lives in Millville. She has a true passion for helping people. As a 911 dispatcher for over 20 years, she knows all about the curve balls life can throw at you and the stigma behind substance misuse and mental health disorders. Due to personal experience in her own family, Lisa is able to display empathy to loved ones who are impacted daily by someone struggling with substance abuse, as well as those who find themselves in the grips of addiction. She completed the Recovery Coach Academy in 2017. Her patience, compassion, and strength keep her motivated to help any way she can.
Lisa Trusas can be reached at ltrusas@chriscornermilford.comChristie Cordon,
Recovery Coach
Heather Vaillette, MA
Heather earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Worcester State University and recently went back to school to complete her master’s degree in Addiction Counseling from Grand Canyon University. Before pursuing her master’s, she worked as a Recovery Coach and Peer Support Specialist, drawing on her own lived experience in recovery and mental health to support others. She is excited for this next chapter as a clinician, as she is deeply passionate about helping people navigate challenges and knows firsthand the strength it takes to heal and grow. When she’s not at work, Heather can most likely be found at a field cheering on one of her three kids in sports or walking her three dogs
Christie graduated from the accelerated program at Becker College in 2020 as a Summa Cum Laude, holding a Bachelor degree in psychology with a concentration in Alcohol and Drug Counseling. She found her passion as a recovery coach and completed training from CCAR in 2021, along with certifications in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and as a Certified Mental Health First Aider. She worked with CIT officers to support individuals facing addiction crises and later specialized in working with pediatric and adolescent patients in an inpatient facility. These experiences deepened her understanding of addiction, mental illness, and trauma.
Christie is an advocate for mental health awareness and accessibility. Drawing from her own lived experiences, including generational addiction and trauma, homelessness, and single motherhood, she brings authenticity to her work. Her dedication to supporting diverse communities, particularly women and children, and her volunteerism at Central New England Equine Rescue reflect her holistic approach to recovery and empowerment.
Renee Audette, MSW
Renee is a graduate of Framingham State University with a BS in Sociology and graduated with her MS in social work at Regis College. She has worked as a police dispatcher full-time and part-time for the last two decades. As a Mom of four young kids, Renee has a passion for helping people see the best in life and is looking forward to continuing that work. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and exploring new places.
Renee can be reached at Renee.communityimpact@gmail.comMeredith Desrochers, MA
Certified Addictions Recovery Coach
Meredith began her career at Chris' Corner as a Recovery Coach offering support to individuals struggling with substance use disorders. Enjoying her work with clients, she obtained her Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Framingham State University, and she now provides outpatient therapy at Chris' Corner. Meredith's work is inspired by her own recovery, and experience with complicated grief and loss. Meredith specializes in treating substance use disorders, depression, suicide, and grief. Meredith lives in Hopkinton with her husband and three children.Meredith can be reached at mdesrochers@chriscornermilford.com or 508-474-5038Walter St. Dennis III, MSW, LCSW
Walter graduated with a Masters in Social work from Simmons University. Walter deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, and Afghanistan as a soldier in the MA Army National Guard, and has been certified as a Master Resilience Trainer (level 1). In 2019, he returned to college and earned his BA in Social-Psychology from UMASS Boston in 2021. He is a certified anger management specialist and group peer support facilitator. Walter is a member of the American Legion, NASW-MA, and National Anger Management Association.
Walter can be reached at: wst.dennis.communityimpactinc@gmail.com