Help Out & Founder
Looking for an Adventure in Changing the World?
Curious about being a friend of the Ampersand Empowerment cause? Whether you are interested in its work to transform mental health into full-life health, or its mission to empower Plurals through a specialist practice and pride movement, shoot me an email to discuss how we can improve each other’s lives!
These are lofty goals that I know I can’t accomplish- alone. But with the right TEAM Ampersand Empowerment can cut through obstacles and charge ahead into making the world a better place.
At this time, donors, fashion designers, mentors and allies from the business and mental health communities, influencers, writers, YouTubers, bloggers, and so many other types of people would be of a great help!
I am especially looking for people with expertise in marketing, advertising, and/or social media to help get the word out!
Whether you’re looking for a project to build your resume, a mutually beneficial partnership, a chance to make a difference through mentoring me, or some other supportive connection, please email me today!
Ampersand Empowerment respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of employment and volunteering discrimination because of race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
About the Founder and Owner, River-Aaerin A. Niahll, LMFT, NYCPS (he/they)
I truly respect all people, as I believe that each person has the ability to improve the world. People are powerful, magical beings, and in using a strengths-based, validating and opportunity-offering approach I try to offer a paradigm shift to people as to what they are really capable of.
In founding Ampersand Empowerment, I bring to the table roughly a decade and a half of experience in the mental health field, and I ground myself in person-centered, trauma-based, and unconditional-positive-regard celebrating principles. I have worked as a NY State Certified Peer Specialist on Chautauqua County NY’s mobile crisis team for 3 years and for another 10 in inpatient mental health at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (through a partnership with the Mental Health Association in Niagara County). I was employed for 5 years on Niagara County’s crisis hotline and served on multiple boards and committees. Additionally, I worked as the Director of Peer Services for the Mental Health Association in Niagara County, overseeing the policies, procedures, and daily management of 6 different programs. I now have about a decade of management experience which I use in my current work as Peer Specialist Supervisor on a 988 crisis hotline hub. I also am honored to work in a small private practice as a trauma and relationship therapist at this time.
The leadership, crisis intervention, and trauma therapy skills I have built, along with my love of neurodiversity and Peer support, will allow me to nurture Ampersand Empowerment into a place that deeply benefits both its clients and its Team. My supervisory style is based on the idea that management serves its employees and its agency, not the other way around. It is person-to-person and eye-to-eye, a meeting of equals instead of top down, and I love to build my employees up both personally and professionally in a mutually beneficial relationship of learning and empowerment. The freedom to use creativity in one’s work is a big deal to me, as is authenticity, honesty, diversity, and the ability to laugh through mistakes and chaos.
