River Valley Counseling Center Welcomes Valerie Bourdon to Board of Directors

HOLYOKE — River Valley Counseling Center has welcomed Valerie Bourdon to its board of directors. She has more than 25 years of experience in the mental-health field.

“We are pleased to welcome Valerie back to RVCC to serve in a different capacity. Her knowledge and expertise will serve us tremendously as we focus on strategic planning for the agency and the board,” said Rosemarie Ansel, RVCC’s executive director.

After completing a master’s degree in counseling psychology at Boston College, Bourdon began her career in behavioral health at Holyoke Medical Center. She served as a member of the original multi-disciplinary teams that developed programming for HMC’s new in-patient psychiatric unit and RVCC’s Partial Hospitalization Program. Her developing interest in outpatient behavioral-health and employee-assistance programs led her to complete a certificate of advanced graduate study in industrial/organizational psychology at Springfield College.

While working at an area employee-assistance program (EAP), Bourdon was recruited back to RVCC to serve as CONCERN EAP’s program director. During her 13 years working in this capacity, she focused upon strengthening employee-assistance program services, enhancing professional relationships, and expanding the program’s client base. She retired from CONCERN EAP in 2019.

“River Valley Counseling Center is an exceptional organization,” she said. “The growth and expansion of services that I have witnessed is the direct result of a dedicated and compassionate team of professionals and strong leadership. I am truly honored to return to RVCC as a board member, and support a mission that is so vital to our community.”