Our Team at Agape Therapy Institute

Agape Therapy Institute started with just one person's vision in 2016, and has since grown to a team of 18 intelligent, compassionate, and hard working individuals looking to make a difference in mental healthcare.

Therapists

Level I:
Janine Gordon, GSCI
Katie DeAscanis, GSCI
Lourdes Llopiz, GSCI

Level II:

Heidy Castaneda, RMHCI, RMFTI
Jennifer Baker, RMHCI, RMFTI
Austin Hill, RMHCI
Louise Strano Cashin, RMHCI
Rebecca Gallardo, RMHCI, RMFTI
Kat Deery, RMHCI
Kelly Lafferman, RMHCI, NCC

Level III:
Tina Fitts, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, RYT
Iliana Torres, MS, LMHC

Patient Care Coordinators

Kelsey Munekata, BS, Head of Patient Care Coordination
Laura Seitz
Becky Judge

Leadership

Megan Muir, President of The Board of Directors
Jaimee Spector, Treasurer of The Board of Directors
Sara Dreier, Secretary of The Board of Directors
Susan Bearden, Founder & CEO
Kelsey Munekata, BS, Head of Patient Care Coordination

What do the different levels mean?

Level 1 therapists are our Graduate Student Counselor Interns. These are master or doctoral level graduate students who have completed all their coursework in an accredited mental health program and are in the final stage of completing their clinical rotation to earn their graduate degree. Typically, our Level 1 therapists have already completed some clinical experience through their university as well before joining an organization for a more robust clinical experience.

Level 2 therapists are our Registered MHC, MFT or MSW Interns. These are post-graduate master or doctoral level therapists who have completed all their degree requirements from an accredited university and have earned their degree. They are now newly licensed with the Florida Department of Health, Board of Mental Health Professions with a provisional license (referred to as a Registered Intern). What this means is they are in practice, but each week they meet with an FDOH Board of Mental Health Professions Qualified Supervisor for consultation. They must do this for two to five years until they complete 1500 hours of clinical practice. This level of therapist is comparable in level of experience to a Resident Doctor.

Level 3 therapists are our fully, independently Licensed MHC MFT or CSW therapists. They have earned their degree, completed the Florida Department of Health, Board of Mental Health Professions provisional licensure requirements, and have passed their Board exam. They must maintain their license through Continuing Education Units (CEU's) and renew their license every two years with FDOH Board of Mental Health Professions.

Interested in joining the team?

Email inquiries to susan@agapementalhealth.org.