**We are currently hiring a clinical psychologist, please apply using the link below:**
Clinical Psychologist Job Listing
Julie Herrick, MSW, LCSW
Executive Director
📧 julie.herrick@ocsmaine.org | Ext. 301
Julie Herrick is the Executive Director of Oceanside Community Services, LLP and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Montreal and her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of New England.
Julie began her career at Sweetser Children’s Services, where she worked in residential, in-home, and educational settings. Her clinical experience includes extensive work with children, adolescents, adults, and families, with a focus on adolescents with problematic sexualized behaviors, trauma histories, and complex emotional and behavioral challenges. Her therapeutic approach uses cognitive, behavioral, solution-focused, and family-based models, including Multisystemic Therapy (MST).
Julie later transitioned into outpatient work, where she has continued supporting individuals and families and specialized in working with individuals with co-occurring mental health and intellectual disabilities, as well as individuals impacted by trauma.
In addition to her leadership role, Julie is a Behavioral Health and Children and Youth Services surveyor for CARF (Commission of Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities) and travels nationally to survey and consult with organizations seeking accreditation. Julie values social justice, equity, and collaboration and is committed to providing thoughtful, evidence-based care to individuals and families throughout Maine.
Jonathan Negoescu, MSW, LCSW
Clinical Director
📧 jonathan.negoescu@ocsmaine.org | Ext. 302
Jonathan Negoescu is the Clinical Director at Oceanside Community Services, LLP. He moved to Maine in 2000 from North Carolina with a background in medical practice administration and continued working in this role within the MaineHealth system.
Jonathan’s interest in social work led him to pursue his Master’s degree at the University of New England. After graduating, he worked in supervisory and clinical roles within Sweetser’s Residential Staff Intensive programs, where he primarily supported adolescent males with sexually problematic behaviors, as well as youth with other behavioral challenges.
Jonathan later helped develop an outpatient mental health clinic for the nonprofit agency Support Solutions, Inc. While there, he continued working with a wide range of mental health concerns and developed his specialty in addressing sexual behavior issues, trauma recovery, and harm-reduction strategies. He further developed his craft working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, Asperger’s, and Autism.
Jonathan later co-founded Oceanside Community Services, LLP with Julie and continues to provide clinical leadership across the agency. He is also a surveyor for CARF (Commission of Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities), and travels nationally to survey organizations and provide consultation throughout the accreditation process.
As a Clinical Social Worker, Jonathan values communication, collaboration, and community involvement and is committed to serving individuals and families throughout Maine.
Outpatient Counseling
Rebecca “Becca” Baker, MSW, LCSW
Becca Baker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing outpatient counseling to children, adolescents, and adults. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of New England.
Before graduate school, Becca worked in school-based settings and completed two years of service with AmeriCorps, supporting at-risk and gang-impacted youth in San Diego County. During her graduate training, she gained experience in a variety of settings, including a music-based day program for adults with intellectual disabilities, community day programs, and as a school-based social worker in an alternative high school program. It was during this time that she first became connected with Oceanside Community Services.
Becca also holds a certificate in Creative Arts and Social Justice and has developed and facilitated Arts & Wellness groups in schools, community programs, and correctional settings. She joined Oceanside as a full-time clinician in 2018.
Becca values creative, person-centered therapy and draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and Interpersonal approaches, with an emphasis on collaboration and meeting clients where they are.
Samuel Roy, LMSW-cc
Samuel Roy is a conditional Licensed Master Social Worker providing outpatient counseling services. He earned his Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maine, as well as undergraduate degrees in Social Work and Psychology.
Samuel has training in child and adolescent development, crisis management and de-escalation, conflict resolution, and a variety of individual and group therapy approaches. He enjoys using creative and expressive methods when working with children and adolescents and has a particular interest in incorporati ng music and art into the therapeutic process.
In his free time, Samuel enjoys playing guitar, ice hockey, snowboarding, and practicing martial arts.
Kathryn Brandstein, LCSW, CCS (she/her)
Kathryn Brandstein is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Clinical Supervisor providing outpatient mental health, substance use, and co-occurring treatment. She works primarily with adults, though she has some experience working with children and teens. Kathryn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Framingham State University and completed her Master of Social Work at the University of Central Florida.
Kathryn began her career as a children’s case manager, where she discovered a passion for working with parents, helping them navigate their evolving role and adjust to the changes that come with raising children at every age. As part of her graduate internship, she began providing substance use evaluations and treatment, including DEEP services, and has continued this work since. Kathryn played a role in building Oceanside Community Services’ Substance Use and DEEP program and is excited to offer these services here. She also works with young adults navigating identity development, independence, and major life decisions.
Kathryn is an LGBTQIA+ affirming provider and is Level One trained in Internal Family Systems, a modality she especially loves incorporating into her work. She takes an individualized, strengths-based approach to therapy, collaborating with clients to identify and use their strengths in meaningful ways. Kathryn recognizes that avoiding difficult emotions can offer short-term relief, but this avoidance often limits growth over time. She supports clients in gently leaning into that discomfort at their own pace, with the goal of building a more emotionally rich and fulfilling life. Kathryn believes therapy works best as a collaborative partnership and welcomes clients ready to explore that process together.
Outside of work, Kathryn enjoys spending time with family and friends, crocheting, playing board games, and cheering on the Portland Hearts of Pine.
Neuropsychological Evaluations
Ashley Besemer, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Neuropsychologist
Neuropsychology Department Head
Ashley Besemer is a Licensed Clinical Neuropsychologist and the Head of the Neuropsychology Department at Oceanside Community Services. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Master’s degree in Child Development from Tufts University. She completed her doctoral training in neuropsychology at William James College.
During her doctoral training, Dr. Besemer completed clinical placements in a range of settings, including Boston Public Schools, Butler Hospital, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, and Lemuel Shattuck Hospital. She completed her APA-accredited internship at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Tyler, Texas, and went on to complete her postdoctoral training in neuropsychology at Oceanside Community Services.
Dr. Besemer specializes in neuropsychological evaluation across the lifespan and has extensive experience assessing individuals with complex clinical presentations. Her areas of expertise include trauma, DHHS involvement, intellectual disabilities, dementia, traumatic brain injury, learning disabilities, personality and attachment disorders, autism, and other mental health concerns.
Leah Baer, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Leah Baer is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a longstanding focus on psychological and neuropsychological assessment. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Middlebury College and completed her doctoral training in Clinical Psychology at Baylor University.
As part of her doctoral education, Dr. Baer gained clinical experience in psychotherapy and assessment through placements in community mental health, college counseling, and elementary school settings, as well as the program’s evaluation and assessment clinic. She completed her predoctoral internship at the White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 2006.
Following her internship, Dr. Baer completed postdoctoral training at Psychodiagnostic Services of Southern Maine, where she conducted comprehensive psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults for 15 years. She joined Oceanside Community Services in 2021 and values working in a small, multidisciplinary setting focused on thoughtful, in-depth assessment.
Psychometry
The psychometrists support the neuropsychological evaluation process by administering and scoring standardized assessment measures under the supervision of a licensed neuropsychologist.
Natalia Estrella – Psychometrist
Autumn Bechard – Psychometrist