Kasamahan
Nonprofit community enriching Filipino/a/x mental healthcare
Kasamahan Participants
We welcome participants to join events and collaborate when it feels right for them.
We consider you a member of our community if you have participated and stay connected through joining our mailing list. In place of an official membership, participants have the option to become more visible in our community as a Kasamahan Sponsor.
Board of Directors
Kasamahan has a Leadership Team of Nonprofit Directors and Members. We are all Filipino/a/x mental health professionals like the participants and members of our community we mainly serve. We consistently work together guided by Kasamahan's Mission and Purpose.
Maria Cristina Castro, LCPC
President and Founder
Voting Member
she/her/siya
Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Clinical Supervisor at Gray Matter Therapy, Doctoral Student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Adler University M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and BA in Psychology from DePaul University I was born and raised in the Philippines and immigrated to the USA with my family when I was 12. I currently have two dogs, two cats, and two turtles. I am a foodie and adventurer. One of my ultimate goals is to own an animal sanctuary. In the meantime, I support individuals who may struggle and face challenges in their relationship with themselves and others. I primarily work with BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or male-identified individuals. Through all these experiences, I recognized our essential need to connect and belong, and that has become my passion for making space for people, especially the Filipino community, to create safe and happy communities.
Edward Fajardo, PsyD
Vice President
Voting Member
he/him
Chicago, IL Psychologist in Private Practice, Member of Illinois Psychological Association, Former Clinical Director at Howard Brown Health Center PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Illinois School of Professional Psychology, MA in Social Sciences from University of Chicago, BS in Psychology graduating Cum Laude from Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines As much as Edward loves his career, he also values his down time. He enjoys spending time with his family (which consists of his husband and two spoiled rotten chihuahuas), reads psychological horror books (the more questionable and unreliable the narrator, the better), and is often thinking about his next international travel plans. Most importantly, he appreciates life and is grateful for what each new day has to offer.
vicepresident@kasamahan.org
dr.edwardfajardo@gmail.com
Eliza Jade Brown, LCSW-S
Secretary
Voting Member
she/they/siya
Austin, TX on Tonkawa, Comanche, Lipan Apache Ancestral Lands Licensed Clinical Social Worker, NARM Master Therapist, Psychotherapist and Founder at Mindfulscape Clinical Training from the Complex Trauma Training Center and the NARM Training Institute, MS and BS in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington, Loyola University Chicago Fine Arts dropout, International Baccalaureate High School graduate I was born in Manila, Philippines and immigrated to the U.S. while I was in grade school in 1998. I specialize in addressing Complex PTSD and ADHD through trauma-informed, mindfulness-based and depth-oriented therapy with a nature-centered worldview informed by Indigenous wisdom. In my time away from my private practice and nonprofit work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends out in nature and painting landscapes.
secretary@kasamahan.org
elizajade@mindfulscape.com
Mindfulscape, PLLC
Michael Morales, LMFT
Consultant
Voting Member
he/him
Beaverton, OR Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Clinical Mentor, Clinical Supervisor, Founder of Michael Morales Counseling MA in Individual and Couples and Family Counseling from George Fox University, BA in Psychology with a minor in Bible from Biola University I am passionate about cultivating spaces, developing methods, and coordinating resources with a heart tuned towards nurturing, training, and shepherding the next generation of helpers and healers. These days you can find me counseling couples, reading, meeting up with clinicians and helpers over cups of coffee, appreciating the Pacific Northwest outdoor life, or watching trains with my wife of almost 15 years and our primary school aged son.
Patricia H. A. Perez, PhD
Consultant
she/her
Global International Psychologist, Global Consultant and Speaker, Psychotherapist PhD in Counseling Psychology with Multicultural Counseling concentration from Loyola University Chicago, MEd in Child Development with Infant Studies concentration from the Erikson Institute, BA in Psychology from Northwestern University Patricia (Trish) H. A. Perez, PhD is adjunct faculty, Department of Psychology, at Adler University Chicago. Some of her areas of research and practice expertise include mental health and wellness, Sikolohiyang Pilipino, children and families, disabilities and neurodiversity, international psychology, international programming and education, organizational leadership, career development/life coaching, child abuse and neglect, and third culture kids/adults (TCK/As). Dr. Perez was a Visiting Faculty in Summer 2021 at the Department of Psychology in Ateneo de Manila University.
Christine Marie Q. Turner, M.Ed., NCC
Mentorship
she/her/isuna/siya
Virginia National Certified Counselor, National Board for Certified Counselors Pupil Personnel Services License in Pre-K-12 School Counseling, Virginia Department of Education M.Ed. in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia, B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Asian Pacific American Studies I was born in Seattle, Washington, to immigrant parents from Ilocos Sur, Philippines. My family has been in Virginia since 1994 after my dad, who served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy, was stationed in the Hampton Roads region. For 8 years I was a school counselor in Central Virginia, working with middle and high school youth, their families, and school staff on various social-emotional, academic, and career needs. For 5 years, I was a site supervisor for Master's level counseling practicum and internship students. Currently, I am a PhD student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Old Dominion University, hoping to train and mentor future counselors, advocate for Filipino/a/x American mental health, and become a licensed professional counselor (LPC). Outside of work and school, I enjoy spending time with my husband, two dogs, and two cats, as well as reading, writing poetry, and playing piano, guitar, ukulele, and video games.
jezreel cornel
Resources and Social Media
he/him/siya/ᜐᜒᜌ
San Diego, CA on Kumeyaay Ancestral Lands Marriage and Family Therapist Graduate MS Marriage and Family Therapy San Diego State University, BA Psychology Sacramento State I was born and raised in San Diego, CA. My “area of interest” is narrative therapy, decoloniality and Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology). One of my end goals is to become a professor specializing in Sikolohiyang Pilipino. Outside, I play Pokemon, beatbox and love sinigang, sushi and ramen. To the ones who have come before us. To our ancestry, lineage and culture. To our community of kapwa ᜃᜉ᜔ᜏ
jezreel@kasamahan.org
jezcornel@gmail.com
Kwentuhan and Research
Judi Flor Adlawan Yapias, LPC, M.Ed.
Community Engagement
she/her/ella/siya
Texas Licensed Professional Counselor and EC - 12 School Counselor, Founder of Adlawan Counseling M. Ed in School & Mental Health Counseling from University of Texas in San Antonio, BA in English Education from University of Iowa I was born in Massachusetts, while both my parents were born in their native countries. My dad immigrated to the States from Huancayo, Peru in his 20s, while my mom immigrated from Naga, Cebu (Philippines) also in her 20s. I worked as a full-time school counselor in Austin, TX for two years, and then I gradually transitioned going into private practice in 2023 while still doing consulting and part-time counseling work with Austin Independent School District. In my work, I have a passion for cultivating warm, safe, and inclusive communities and better understanding and learning about indigenous wisdom and psychology. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my dog, being with friends, and engaging in a variety of hobbies, such as yoga, cooking, dance, tennis, pottery, and more recently pickleball.
judi@kasamahan.org
judi.yapias@protonmail.com
Adlawan Counseling
In addition to being ambassadors of our nonprofit with our communities: Cristina leads our board meetings for voting members (herself, Edward, Eliza, Michael) with input from honorary members to make executive decisions together for Kasamahan, and directs our Workshops and Salo-Salos. She is also Interim Treasurer. Edward leads in our president's absence, and directs our clinical Monthly Consultation Group and co-directs our Mentorship Program. Eliza documents and designs for our board, and directs kasamahan.org, and Kasamahan's Newsletter and Mental Health Blog, Michael is directing the development of Kasamahan's infrastructure with input from our team, Trish advises our board during our monthly meetings and leads our global consulting specifically in the Philippines, Christine co-directs the development of our Mentorship Program, jezreel co-directs our Resource Library and social media, and Judi directs our in-person community engagement starting where she is based. Joining our board: we are currently searching for our next Treasurer to lead fundraising, sponsorship, grant writing, and maintaining the financial health of our nonprofit community which seeks to enrich Filipino/a/x mental healthcare. If you are interested, please contact anyone on our board with knowledge of your Kasamahan participation or Cristina, our Interim Treasurer directly at president@kasamahan.org