Kasamahan
Community of Filipino/a/x Mental Health Professionals
About Us
Kasamahan Participants
Kasamahan does not have an official membership and we welcome participants to join events and collaborate when it feels right for them. We consider you a member if you have attended an event and stay in touch online through our mailing list.
Board of Directors
As a nonprofit, Kasamahan has directors that are guided by our Mission and Purpose. They are Filipino/a/x mental health professionals like the participants we mainly serve. As leadership, we aim to collaborate with those who share a vision of improving mental health care to not only include, but value diverse Filipino culture and perspectives.
Maria Cristina Castro, LCPC
President and Founder
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
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
Patricia H. A. Perez, PhD
Treasurer
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.
treasurer@kasamahan.org
dr.phaperez@gmail.com
Eliza Jade Brown, LCSW-S
Secretary
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 and depth-oriented therapy and a 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 abstract landscapes.
secretary@kasamahan.org
elizajade@mindfulscape.com
Mindfulscape
Michael Morales, LMFT
Consultant
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.
Christine Marie Q. Turner, M.Ed., NCC
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 B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Asian Pacific American Studies and M.Ed. in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia 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 "jez" cornel
he/him/siya/ᜐᜒᜌ
San Diego, CA on Kumeyaay Ancestral Lands Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee 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
In addition to collaborating with Kasamahan participants and kapwa organizations: Cristina leads our board meetings for the board of directors to make executive decisions for Kasamahan, and directs our workshops, salo-salos, and Illinois community events. Edward leads in our president's absence, directs our consultation group, Illinois psychology collaboration, and mentorship program. Trish directs fundraising, sponsorship, grant writing, and global consulting. Eliza directs our online marketing, website, mental health blog, and Texas collaboration. Michael advises our board during our monthly meetings, Christine advises with our mentorship program, and jezreel advises with our resources library. Our board directors and members share administrative duties and has access to the email, admin@kasamahan.org. Joining our board: If you are aware of a specific and valuable way you can provide Kasamahan guidance and are interested in joining as a director or consultant, you may contact Cristina directly.