Our Model
For All Counseling aims to increase access to mental health evaluations for people going through immigration and asylum proceedings despite language, location, or ability to pay. We also aim to pay clinicians a fair market rate in order to create a sustainable model in which both the clients and clinicians feel valued. We seek funding from individual donors and grants to offset the cost of our subsidized evaluations.
Our Model
For All Counseling aims to increase access to mental health evaluations for people going through immigration and asylum proceedings despite language, location, or ability to pay. We also aim to pay clinicians a fair market rate in order to create a sustainable model in which both the clients and clinicians feel valued. We seek funding from individual donors and grants to offset the cost of our subsidized evaluations.
The examples below are from past clients. The specific details have been changed in order to protect client privacy.
How You Can Help
A psychosocial evaluation has the potential to impact the outcome of an immigration case. It may be the reason that a family stays together or someone is allowed to remain lawfully in the United States. Your donation to For All Counseling will help ensure that more people have access to this valuable service.
How You Can Help
A psychosocial evaluation has the potential to impact the outcome of an immigration case. It may be the reason that a family stays together or someone is allowed to remain lawfully in the United States. Your donation to For All Counseling will help ensure that more people have access to this valuable service.
Clinicians
Makenzie Schmitt
Executive Director
LIMHP, LCSW (she/her)
Makenzie Schmitt is a bilingual (Spanish/English) licensed independent mental health practitioner in the state of Nebraska. She has over eleven years of experience working within immigrant and refugee communities. She currently works exclusively as an immigration evaluation therapist. She has completed specialized evaluation training through the Immigration Evaluation Institute and Physicians for Human Rights. She’s trained in the trauma specific therapies of TF-CBT and EMDR. She’s passionate about increasing access to mental health care for all people. She founded For All Counseling because she believes everyone deserves the opportunity to tell their story.
Claudia Herrera
PLMHP, PCMSW (she/her)
Life experiences have an impact on our perspective about the world. Immigration issues are stressful experiences that can affect your well-being in every aspect, including mental health. As an immigrant, Claudia knows from first-hand experience how immigration issues can change lives. Her goal when conducting an evaluation is to tell your story in a well-written report that tells a structured story but also includes your essence. Resulting in a strong and individualized assessment.
Claudia is a first-generation Mexican; her first language is Spanish, and she has experience working with trauma and domestic violence. Claudia received specialized training to provide immigration evaluations through “Immigration Evaluation Training” with Georgia King.
Claudia provides individual therapy through AM Counseling and Consulting. Her clinical focus is the facilitation of psychological and emotional healing from traumatic life events with the help of brain spotting. Her goal as a therapist is to build a relationship with you and make you feel accepted and heard. She helps you build a series of behavioral and emotional coping skills that allow you to live your best life. Claudia understands that making the first appointment can be intimidating. Please, do not let that stop you from reaching out.
Odalys Pérez
MS, LIMHP, RPT (she/her)
Odalys is a bilingual (English-Spanish) and bicultural therapist, fully licensed in the state of Nebraska and Iowa. Odalys received specialized training to provide immigration mental health evaluations through the Immigration Evaluation Institute. She has been conducting immigration mental health evaluations for the past ten years.
In addition to providing immigration evaluations, Odalys is a registered play therapist and is trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Odalys founded Pérez Counseling Services. Through her private practice, she provides therapy to families and children. She has helped hundreds of families conquer hardship over the past 12 years.
As an immigrant herself, Odalys is well aware of the many barriers that exist for individuals and families going through immigration proceedings. She aims to support families through this process by conducting mental health evaluations for their immigration cases. She is passionate about making the report comprehensive and strictly following immigration standards.
Ready to get started?
Our Board
Jessica Linskens-Kowalske
(she/her)
Jessica Linskens-Kowalske started her passion to impact the lives of those affected by domestic violence 12 years ago. She oversaw both the criminal and civil advocacy program for the largest domestic violence agency in the state of Wisconsin, Sojourner Family Peace Center. As a bilingual staff member, she assisted with Spanish speaking clients who faced additional obstacles related to language barriers and concerns with possible repercussions related to reaching out to law enforcement (for both the victim and abuser). In this role Jessica had the opportunity to provide instruction to law enforcement, district attorneys, and other community members for better understanding and awareness surrounding domestic violence.
Lisa Garland
(she/her)
Eunises Casillas
(she/her)
Whitney Laws
(she/her)
Jonathan J Allocca
(he/him)
Appointed Positions
- President – Eunises Casillas
- Vice President – Jessica Linskens-Kowalske
- Secretary – Whitney Laws
- Treasurer – Jonathan Allocca
Interested in being a board member?
Sponsors
Our work would not be possible without the support of generous funders!