Our Advocates

 Charles Galarraga, MS, CRC, LCPC, EDPNA received his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Medical Biology from the University of Southern Maine in 1992 and completed a Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the same institution. He is a Certified Eligible for Direct Pay Non Attorney (EDPNA).

He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) who has over twenty-five years of experience working with all categories of disability within the field of rehabilitation. Mr. Galarraga is a Maine native. He is a member of the National Rehabilitation Association and was President of the Maine Chapter from 1998-2000. 

He has been an Adjunct Professor of Rehabilitation at Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) for over 15 years where he teaches Psychosocial Rehabilitation and also supervises practicum students within the Behavioral Health program. Additionally, he supervises graduate practicum students from the University of Southern Maine’s Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling programs. 

Mr. Galarraga is a founding partner in Galarraga & Duchette Disability Advocates, L.L.C.,  Seacoast Rehabilitation, L.L.C. and is Executive Director/ Clinician/ Rehabilitation Counselor of Maine Vocational & Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. 

Areas of expertise: 

• Initial SSDI/ SSI Application Phase
• Reconsideration Appeals
• ODAR Level Hearing
• Preparation and Filing of Hearing Briefs

Charles is also certified by the DOL OWCP/FECAL Compensation Programs which provides vocational services to Long shore workers, United States postal employees and Defense Base Act. In addition, Mr. Galarraga is currently providing non-attorney representation services for clients seeking to obtain SSI & SSDI benefits.  He is also a practicing Psychotherapist who has extensive knowledge with mental health issues. 

Mr. Galarraga has extensive vocational and forensic hearing testimony experience in Social Security ODAR cases as a VE witness and also as a client advocate. He also has wide-ranging forensic vocational hearing experience on vocational matters within Maine's District and Superior Courts and the Worker's Compensation system. 

Nicole R. Duchette, MS, CRC. received her Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitation in 1998 from the University of Maine at Farmington and received a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychosocial Counseling in 2009 from University of Southern Maine. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor who has 19 years of experience working within the rehabilitation field in both the public and private sector.

Nicole is a co-founder of Galarraga & Duchette, Disability Advocates and is currently providing non-attorney representation services for clients seeking to obtain SSI & SSDI benefits. Nicole is an Adjunct Professor for the Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) teaching Vocational Aspects of Rehabilitation and Psychosocial Rehabilitation, and provides internship supervision for the colleges Behavioral Health Program. 

Additionally, Nicole has worked for Seacoast Rehabilitation, L.L.C. since 2003, and has worked for Maine Vocational & Rehabilitation Associates for 18 years in business administration and human resources. She has supervised various programs including vocational services, mental health services and community support programs. 

Areas of expertise:

• Initial SSDI/ SSI Application Phase
• Reconsideration Appeals
• ODAR Level Hearing
• Affidavits/ Briefs

Nicole is a Maine native, whom resides in Brunswick, Maine with her husband and two children. She enjoys hiking, mountain biking and downhill skiing. 

Kayla Meijer received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a focus on International Business and a minor in Environmental Science from the University of San Diego in 2016. 

She has a Life, Health, and Accident Insurance License in the state of Maine and is MOS certified. Kayla has worked and trained in a variety of disciplines including Medical Device and Biomedical Recruiting, Technology Marketing, Mechanical Engineering and Design, Retail Marketing, Beverage Marketing and Sales, Bookeeping and Insurance. 

Areas of Expertise:

• SSDI/SSI Intake
• Preparation & Filing of Briefs

Even as a Massachusetts native and world traveler, she never loved a place quite as much as she loves Maine!