The agave plant is resilient, often found in hot and arid climates. Its leaves are strong and sharp, protecting against predators. And yet it is curved and fluid, welcoming to those who know how to take care of it. And when broken, it can have medicinal and healing components. In some cultures, the agave represents both pain and joy. And there is no better metaphor for the work of therapy.
Our Board of Directors is accepting applications for volunteers! Click here to read a full job description.
Rachel is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Training Director of Agave Studio for Psychotherapy, and an Adjunct Professor at several graduate programs in psychology. Much of her career has focused on providing therapy to people who might not otherwise be able to access it, including working in community settings and always holding pro bono spots on her own caseload. Still, she saw people falling through the cracks every day, unable to access the mental health care they so desperately want and need. In 2020, with unprecedented numbers of people seeking (and unable to access) therapy, Rachel had the idea for Agave Center for Justice in Mental Health. The goal from its inception has been to help increase appropriate, affordable, and accessible care for people who have been historically unable to access mental health treatment. She believes that every human should be able to participate in therapy regardless of their financial situation, and vows to continue working to make high quality, culturally responsive, relationally based therapy accessible to anyone who wants it.
Danae Kovac is the Deputy Director at HANA Center, a community-based non-profit providing critical social services to meet the needs of immigrant communities and organizing for systemic social change. She is a Korean adoptee and active in the Korean adoptee community as an Advisory Board member of Korean Adoptees of Chicago (KAtCH). She is experienced in non-profit operations, finance, fundraising, and program management and is passionate about using her skills to advocate for justice and equity.
Carli Taylor is a passionate advocate for community development, justice reform, and mental health support and services. With 15 years of experience in case management and social impact strategy, she is dedicated to creating opportunities and providing resources for individuals in underserved communities. As the Managing Director of the Dr. Dennis Deer Community Justice Center, she leads the development and oversight of the model, an alternative to incarceration, ensuring emerging adult males ages 18-25 receive the support needed to transform their lives.
Carli holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has led case management teams, developed housing initiatives, and worked to bridge gaps in mental health and restorative justice. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and trying new restaurants, believing that food and culture are powerful ways to connect with others. Through Agave Center’s For Justice in Mental Health, she hopes to continue fostering healing, empowerment, and equity.
Cristina Law Merriman is an attorney at the Office of the State Appellate Defender, where she represents indigent clients in criminal appeals in the Illinois Appellate Court. Cristina previously worked as a staff attorney at a community-based legal center in Chicago, representing indigent youth in juvenile and criminal courts. In working with clients with mental health needs, she recognizes the importance of appropriate mental health services and the barriers people face in trying to access those services.
Jayeti has over 15 years of experience both in Chicago and internationally working on strengthening cross cultural partnerships, conducting research, designing evaluative protocols and implementing intervention strategies across diverse group of stakeholders. She has experience working in program development, strategic organizational development, fiscal and financial management of large community organizations, and creating and aligning program expectations with deliverables. Jayeti is a trained circle keeper, has facilitated trauma informed and ACEs trainings and is a certified domestic violence advocate. She has a Master’s in Public Policy and Human Rights Advocacy, a Master’s in Counseling and Organizational Psychology, and a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Jayeti is currently serving as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at READI Chicago where she helps design and launch a broad range of strategic initiatives, evaluate impact and manage alliances across the partnership.
Dr. Aneesha Perkins is a resident psychologist at Campbell Integrative Psychological Services, seeking licensure in Virginia. Aneesha obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) in Washington, D.C. She also obtained her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Trinity Christian College and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology degree from TCSPP. Aneesha also serves as the content creator for InnoPsych Incorporated, writing articles that focus on the needs and challenges that impact the BIPOC community. She is a freelance writer, speaker, and presenter who enjoys helping clients find wholeness and healing while catering to the individual’s specific needs and cultural identity. Aneesha’s research focuses on parent-child dynamics, specifically, the transmission of generational patterns in Black women. Her clinical interests include women’s matters, generational patterns, stress-reduction management, trauma, self-care, and children’s emotional wellness.
Our selection committee is accepting applications for volunteers! Click here to read a full job description.
Amy is a professional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Analyst who has been doing DEI work in the healthcare setting as well as the not-for-profit sector since 2013. With an undergraduate degree in Sociology and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology, she spends her working hours teaching, reviewing policies/practices, and analyzing data to help foster an inclusive work environment. She personally understands the importance of professional therapy since being diagnosed in adulthood as neuro-divergent. She also understands the importance of giving back and does so through two different youth mentoring programs.
Joanna is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Clinical Social Worker with a speciality in childhood and perinatal mental health. She also works as a Mental Health Consultant serving Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. She has more than a decade of experience working with children and families of color on Chicago's South and West sides. Joanna became more aware of the ways that cost and insurance dictate people's access to quality therapy after starting her own private practice and working on the insurance and billing side of mental health services. She is honored to serve on the selection committee to increase mental healthcare accessibility and ensure that all people have access to qualified clinicians, regardless of their socioeconomic, immigration, language, or employment status.
Kimberly Langrehr is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Roosevelt University where she currently serves as the Training Director of the Master’s Program in Clinical Psychology. Kim’s scholarship focuses on Whiteness, consciousness transformation, as well as the implications of adoption throughout the lifespan. As a licensed psychologist, she maintains a small private practice in Chicago providing psychotherapy, training, and consultation services. Along with a small group of adult Korean Adoptees, Kim helped co-found Korean Adoptees of Chicago (KAtCH) in 2008.
Tina (she/her) is a doctoral student in clinical psychology, concentrating in neuropsychology, in the Chicagoland area. With practicum experiences at a private practice, neuropsychology clinic and hospital, she has worked with a diverse population, particularly children, families, and people of color. Tina's current research focuses on the lived experiences of first-generation Korean immigrant women, aiming to enhance culturally informed clinical care. Through her academic and clinical experiences, Tina has become more aware of the disparities in access to mental health services due to systemic barriers such as resource limitations, insurance, and financial constraints. She is dedicated to serving on the selection committee to ensure individuals from all backgrounds have access to quality mental health services.
Aparna is a clinical psychology doctoral student at The Chicago School. She is passionate about community mental health and working to reduce barriers to mental health care for all communities. Aparna holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Law, Societies and Justice along with a master's degree in Clinical Psychology. Her previous experience includes time in nonprofit, research, private practice, hospital, and community mental health settings. Aparna's interests include working with multicultural populations, immigrant mental health, and those impacted by the justice system. Aparna's long-term hopes and interests include working to creating programs and clinics that are able to truly serve the community and create spaces of inclusion and accessibility to all individuals wanting mental health care.
Sam is a first-year graduate student at the University of Chicago, where she is pursuing her MA in Social Work, Policy and Administration. She has spent the past decade in Chicago working in communications and marketing, and comes to the Agave Center with experience in event planning, public relations, and new business development. Sam deeply believes that access to mental health care is a critical component of one's overall health. She is excited to be a part of the mission here at Agave Center and believes in a world where "you should go to therapy" is a nice thing to say to someone.
