MEET OUR TEAM
Polly Boyd
MSW, LCSW
Polly Boyd, LCSW has served individuals, families and communities in a variety of human service fields for more than fifty years. She has a passion for social justice and individual
empowerment, and has worked at local, regional, and state levels across the country in education, training, social services, counseling, diversity and inclusion training, resource development and community organizing.
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Polly received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Georgia, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and LCSW Supervisor. She is Co-founder, CEO and Clinical Director of Peacewerks Center for Well-Being, LLC. Polly and her husband Gerald
provide training and supervision to undergraduate and graduate interns, and post-graduate MSW’s working toward their licensure; clinical therapy to individuals, families and groups, and diversity, equity and inclusion training to groups and organizations.
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Polly and Gerald are also Co-founders of ESTACI – Eastern Shore Training And Consulting, Inc., where Polly serves on the Board of Directors, and as Director of the Empowering Women and
Girls programs; she also serves on the ESVA Nurse-Family Partnership’s Community Advisory Board. Peacewerks Center and ESTACI are co-located in Exmore, with the mission to “reduce the impact of poverty as much as possible on the lives of Eastern Shore families”.
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Polly and Gerald live in Treherneville, VA; they have 7 adult children and 14 grandchildren.
Achieve Balance. Reclaim Life.
Gerald Boyd
MDIV, CADCII, ICADC
Gerald Boyd, MDiv has more than sixty years’ distinguished leadership in human and civil rights, and African American history and culture.
He is Co-founder and COO of Peacewerks Center for Well Being, LLC and Co-founder and Executive Director of Eastern Shore Training And Consulting, Inc. (ESTACI).
Gerald has worked in the fields of applied sociology, human development, and addiction recovery for more than fifty-five years.
He holds an honorary PhD as well as an earned MDiv in Transpersonal Psychology, is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a Certified Anger Management Specialist, a Certified Life Coach, a Certified Mediator and consultant specializing in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Conflict Resolution, and Personal and Social Transformation.
Gerald is Curator of the Samuel D. Outlaw Blacksmith Shop Museum in Onancock VA; he chairs the Northampton County VA Parks and Recreation Council, and serves on the Board of the Cape Charles Washington-Rosenwald School Initiative.
Achieve Balance. Reclaim Life.
Bernadene Stammer
My name is Bernadene (Bernie) Stammer, and I am a College of William and Mary School of Education intern in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), with a concentration to serve military and veterans. I will be earning my clinical residency hours for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) at Peacewerks Center for Well-Being.
With a background in early childhood education/business and a passion for the
latest research in neuroscience, neurodiversity and trauma, I seek to provide my clients with the most current treatment approaches. In addition to completing my CMHC, I am
in the process of becoming certified in Poly Vagal Theory with Somatic Interventions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Child Directed Play Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Ecotherapy. With undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Gender
Studies, I’m particularly proud of my Multicultural and Gender Awareness training, which informs my understanding of diverse client populations and concerns.
Outside of work, I will be pursuing my Ph.D. in Psychology from National
University and teaching my grandchildren the joys of nature, multicultural awareness, gardening and cooking. I am a firm believer in life-long learning and its benefits.
Achieve Balance. Reclaim Life.
Erica Arizmendi
My name is Erica Arizmendi, and I am a counselor-in-training with a passion for supporting individuals on their mental health journey. Having lived on the Eastern Shore my whole life, I bring a deep understanding of my community and its unique needs. I hold a Master's Degree in Education and am set to graduate in May with a Master's in Mental Health Counseling.
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With over 7 years of experience in education, I have spent the past 5 years working in an inclusive classroom, gaining invaluable experience in working with diverse populations and fostering a supportive, inclusive environment for all students. This experience has laid the foundation for my current path in counseling. I have interned at Peacewerks Center for Well-Being, gaining over 240 hours of experience working directly with a diversity of clients of all ages, and have gained so much insight while working with Polly and Gerald.
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Living on a farm with my husband, three children, and a variety of animals, I understand the importance of balance, nature, and the power of meaningful connections. I am excited to work toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), with a focus on using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered and Play Therapy to help clients gain clarity, develop healthier thought patterns, and make positive changes in their lives.
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I am passionate about creating a safe, empathetic, and understanding environment where clients feel heard and supported as they navigate their mental health and personal growth.
Achieve Balance. Reclaim Life.
Dentelle Trader,
MSW, QMHP
My name is Dentelle Trader, MSW, QMHP and Supervisee in Social work here at Peacewerks Center for Well-Being, LLC.
I graduated from the University of New
England with a Master’s Degree in Social Work, and spent the last 15 years serving individuals, families, teens, and adolescents to become their best selves on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
In addition to my work in the community, I am a mother and wife who enjoys the simple things in life, reading, listening to music, and long walks. It is my belief that our overall life experiences align with how we view the world around us. When we can redefine our thought process, it allows us to see things through a healthier lens.
I have helped those struggling with PTSD, anger, depression, ADHD, grief, and anxiety. While I enjoy the use of Play Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the creative process in treatment is my true passion, establishing rapport, emotional processing, self-expression, and healthy skills-building. When we can create a healthier version of who we are, it changes the way we feel overall. The goal of treatment is to develop your
existing strengths, so you can reach your full potential. My life experiences and professional encounters fuel the passion I have for helping others. It is my goal to support my clients in identifying their own strengths and needs, and in learning the necessary skills to live a healthier life.
