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

Assistant Therapists:

None at this time. Please check back later.

Associate Therapists:

Janine Gordon, RMHCI
Lourdes Llopiz, RMHCI
Katie DeAscanis, RMHCI
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

Primary Therapists:

Tina Fitts, PD, LMHC, LMFT, RYT
Iliana Torres, MS, LMHC
Susan Bearden, LMHC-QS, LMFT-QS

Patient Care Coordinators

Becky Judge, Lead Patient Care Coordinator

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

What do the different levels mean?

Assistant Therapists are our Master Student Counselor Interns. These are master 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.

Associate Therapists are our Registered Mental Health Counselor and Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Interns with the Florida Department of Health. 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 and 100 hours of supervision. This level of therapist is comparable in level of experience to a Resident Doctor.

Primary Therapists  are our fully, independently Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Social Workers. 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.