About Us

Work Force Staff

Our core clinical staff members are selected because of their expertise and experience in providing quality employee assistance programming services, consultations, training, and SAP services. Our training and support staff members understand that quality customer service is our first priority and we all work closely to ensure that all services are provided competently, thoroughly and in a timely manner. We additionally have our own network of hundreds of fully licensed and experienced EAP counselors conveniently located to the employers, employees, and household members we serve.

Sheila Thibodeau, LCSW, CCS, CEAP, Substance Abuse Professional (DOT)

Director of Operations and EAP Counselor

Sheila received a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a clinical concentration from the University of Maine and a Bachelor’s Degree in the Social Sciences from the University of Maine at Fort Kent. She has been a Certified Clinical Supervisor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Maine since 1998.

Kara-Beth Levesque, LCPC, NCC, CEAP, Substance Abuse Professional (DOT)

Clinical Services Coordinator and EAP Counselor

Kara-Beth received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a concentration in Forensic Counseling, from William James College and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from University of Maine Orono. She is licensed in Maine and Massachusetts.

Jen Ruhlin, LCSW

EAP Counselor

Jen received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan in 1997 and has been a Licensed Clinical Social worker in Maine since 2000. Jen has worked in a variety of employment settings including multidisciplinary teams in hospitals, primary care practices, schools, outpatient practices and case management agencies.

Ariele Worrall, LCSW, SAP qualified

StrengthenME Lead and EAP Counselor

Ariele received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of South Florida. She is licensed as a clinical social worker in Maine and South Carolina. Her clinical experience includes 3 years with Hospice, as well as over 2 years working with outpatient mental health and children/family issues.

Michele Baranowski

Administrative Assistant

Michele’s background is primarily in the health care customer service field where she has worked as a customer service manager and a specialist in regulatory compliance. Michele has a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Wheaton College, Norton, MA.

Heather Washburn, LCSW, CADC, CCS

EAP Counselor

Heather earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Maine at Orono and is licensed as a clinical social worker in Maine. Heather has over 20 years of behavioral health experience, providing counseling, case management and crisis services, as well as mental health and substance use disorder services in various capacities

Sandra Horne, LCSW

EAP Counselor

Sandra earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work with a healthcare concentration from the University of Hawaii in 1997 and Bachelor Degrees in Spanish and Anthropology from the University of Maine, Orono.

Jill Gardner, LMSW-cc, LADC, CCS

EAP Counselor

Jill earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work with a clinical concentration from the University of Maine at Orono and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in science.

Martha Ellis, LCSW

EAP Counselor

Martha “Muffie” Ellis graduated from the University of New England in 1995 with her Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW).