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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.

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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. 

Who We Serve
A father from El Salvador who was persecuted by gang members. He immigrated with his seven-year-old son who is unable to walk due to a chronic medical condition. An asylum evaluation was written that helped explain the medical care his son is receiving in the United States as well as the fear of persecution and lack of protection he experienced in his home country.
Who We Serve
A U.S. citizen female petitioning for her husband that she has been married to for 20 years. The client has PTSD due to severe and chronic childhood abuse. A hardship evaluation was written explaining her PTSD diagnosis as well as the effects that forced separation from her husband would likely have on her mental health.
Who We Serve
A mother from Mexico whose five-year-old child was assaulted by a U.S. citizen. An evaluation was written explaining the effects that this experience has had on the mother’s mental health.
Who We Serve
A female from an eastern European country that was imprisoned by the government due to speaking out against human rights violations occurring in her home country. An asylum evaluation was completed to assess the impact that this imprisonment and threats against her life had on her mental health. The evaluation also explained how returning to her home country would like affect her mental health.
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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.

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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

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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)

Lisa Garland is a bilingual sex educator who is currently working on her Master’s in Social Work. She is a certified health education specialist and has a Master’s in Public Health. She has over twelve years of experience working with young people and parents. She has worked in schools, community organizations, and government. Lisa loves gardening and photography!

Eunises Casillas

(she/her)

Eunises Casillas is a bilingual (Spanish/ English) social worker in the State of Nebraska. She has over thirteen years of experience working in non-profit and profit organizations. Eunises currently works in the public education system and assists families with community and state resources. She provides coaching for parenting techniques, screens for developmental milestones, and conducts socialization groups. Eunises is passionate about helping others reach their highest potential.

Whitney Laws

(she/her)

Whitney Laws is an experienced educator with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Philosophy in English literature and a certification to teach middle and high school English. She has taught and tutored English reading and writing to students from primary school to college, including working with children and adults learning English as a second language. She currently teaches writing at the college level. Having lived in four countries and numerous states as a military spouse, Whitney has enjoyed experiencing new cultures and integrating into diverse communities. She has served as board president of a small non-profit organization and has also been a voting member and auditor of several others. In her free time, Whitney loves the change of seasons, used bookstores, and a really hot cup of tea.

Jonathan J Allocca

(he/him)

Jonathan Allocca graduated in 2009 with his Bachelor’s in Finance and International Economics. Upon graduating, he briefly worked in finance before moving to marketing and advertising in New York City. He has spent the last 15 years in advertising, working for agencies, publishers, and clients, all focusing on advertising analytics. He currently works for a multi-national consultancy where he advises clients on marketing strategy changes to better generate profitability. He is also incredibly passionate about mental health and ensuring people seek and receive treatment for mental health issues. He believes equity in access to mental health services should be a foundational principle for any society. In his free time, he is passionate about exploring other cultures and understanding their differences to find commonalities across the human family.

Appointed Positions

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Sponsors

Our work would not be possible without the support of generous funders!​