Past Counselors & Interns
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Maria Villagomez, LSW: Counselor
Maria is one of our bilingual therapists. She received her Master of Social Work degree and has been in the field for 3 years. She helps clients address life issues and assists in minimizing symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and mood disorders. She works with individuals as young as 6 years old, as well as families, and ensures she establishes achievable goals to help each client succeed. She integrates CBT, DBT, solution-focused, mindfulness, and other techniques in treatment but ensures to always work together with the client to increase mood and contentment in life.
Maria habla Español, le ayuda a individuos y familias a establecer metas de salud mental para vivir una vida saludable. Ella ha trabajado con clientes por 3 años. Está disponible para trabajar con todo tipo de individuos sin importar su género o raza. Maria se asegura que en cada sesión sus clientes se sientan cómodos y seguros en un ambiente donde no serán juzgados.
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Meera Raja
Social Work Intern
Meera was a student from UIC school of Social Work and was here earning her master's degree. Meera had over 30 years experience providing social services in a variety of settings. Her own experiences as a child of Indian immigrants led to an ongoing interest in how people integrate their intersecting identities, including language, cultural expectations, gender roles, and community values. Meera will truly be an amazing social worker due to her beautiful core values!
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Brigete Tejeda
Clinical Intern
Brigete was an intern at Mindful Behavior from St. Augustine and she was in charge of creating clinical forms, gathering resources for our clients, conducting intakes, attending to client's when they needed assistance, and created mental health presentations. We are super proud of Brigete for completing her internship hours and wish her the best in her future endeavors!
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Jovany Alvares
Clinical Intern
Jovany completed his internship with us for his Bachlor's Degree from the National Lewis Univeristy. He conducted intakes and case management and ensured client's needs were met and the client fell safe when entering the clinical process. We congratulate Jovany for successfully graduating and moving on to bigger and better things!
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Jhomarie Ramos
Social Worker Intern
I am currently a mental health intern pursuing my Master’s degree at the University of Illinois Chicago. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Southern Illinois University and bring over 15 years of social work experience, working with various at-risk populations. For the past eight years, I have served as a Child Welfare Specialist with the Department of Children and Family Services, where I have honed my skills in case management, community outreach, and advocacy.
I am passionate about advocating for mental health and providing education to the Latinx community in both English and Spanish. I believe that when individuals experience trauma or significant life stressors, their lives can feel as though they are unraveling. My commitment is to help clients—including adults, children, and families—heal and rediscover a healthy perception of themselves, allowing them to build stronger relationships and live with a sense of peace, wholeness, and safety.
I focus on offering compassionate and effective therapy services, tailoring my approach to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual I work with.
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Nadine Bunni
Social Worker Intern
I am currently pursuing my Master’s in Social Work with a specialization in Mental Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Before returning to school, I worked in patient financial counseling within a healthcare system, where I gained valuable insights into the importance of ethical and equitable healthcare. As an Arab American, my personal and professional experiences have deepened my understanding of the critical need for accessible mental healthcare for all individuals.
I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to seek help and be met with compassion. My approach is to serve as a supportive partner in each person's unique journey, empowering them to take control of their circumstances. I focus on helping individuals develop the skills and tools necessary to navigate life’s challenges, while respecting their autonomy.
I am particularly passionate about helping individuals address symptoms of depression and anxiety. At my core, I am deeply committed to helping others thrive and live fulfilling lives.
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Melissa Martinez
Social Worker Intern
I am a Clinical Mental Health intern, currently pursuing my Master’s in Social Work at the University of Illinois Chicago, with the goal of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to continue practicing individual therapy. I am deeply committed to social justice and human rights, and I believe in empowering clients by recognizing them as the experts in their own lives.
My approach is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to safe, supportive spaces where they can develop tools and coping strategies to navigate life’s challenges. With experience in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with marginalized populations, I prioritize practicing cultural humility in my work. I’m also passionate about continuous learning, meeting new people, and valuing feedback, which helps me tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of each client.