EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST

Dr. Garcia is a bilingual, licensed psychologist and psychoanalyst. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from University of the Incarnate Word, Harvard University, and The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Garcia received his doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Austin, completed his pre-doctoral psychology internship at Harvard Medical School/ The Cambridge Health Alliance, and completed his postdoctoral fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine’s Menninger Clinic. His research and clinical focus is the psychoanalytic treatment of chronic and severe mental illness. Dr. Garcia is also an analyst of The Lacanian School of Psychoanalysis in Berkley, California.

M.D. / MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Frank Chen, M.D., is a practicing psychiatrist in Houston, Texas, who specializes in Adult Psychiatry. Dr. Chen’s expertise is focused on treating serious mental illnesses such as Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia. He has spent his career managing some of the most severe psychiatric manifestations in hospitalized settings and has the vision to navigate the critical period after a hospitalization. He is extremely active in psychopharmacologic management when symptoms are severe and intolerable.

Dr. Chen is passionate about assisting young adults who are trying to navigate changes in their mental health. He provides guidance, not just to patients but also their critical support network, in understanding diagnostic considerations and treatment options. Because of his ability to explain disease states and psychopharmacologic management. Dr. Chen has served on Advisory Boards and Speakers Bureau for multiple pharmaceutical companies because of his expertise in serious mental illness and psychopharmacology.

On the personal side, Dr. Chen had a brother who was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the time he started his Psychiatric Residency in 1998. He had the unfortunate opportunity to observe the progression of schizophrenia from the perspective of a clinician and an involved family member for more than 20 years. He has a deep understanding of the complexity of issues involving patients and caring family in the pursuit of wellness.

M.D. / CONSULTING PSYCHIATRIST

Dr. Garza is a fully licensed, board-certified psychiatrist. He specializes in mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder and depression, as well as anxiety and attention-deficit disorders.

CLINICAL DIRECTOR, M.S., L.P.C.

Maurien Caron is a Licensed Professional Counselor and analyst of Lacanian orientation. She is also a licensed psychologist in Brazil and has experience working with adults and young children. Her clinical focus is on Lacanian psychoanalysis, psychosis, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Maurien is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

PhD, LMSW / CLINICIAN, RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Dr. Hune is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She completed her masters degree at the University of Pennyslvania, and received her doctorate degree in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies from Texas Tech University. Both her clinical and research experience focus on co-occurring serious mental health conditions and substance use disorders. She specializes in phenomenological theories of intersubjectivity as it relates to human suffering and overall wellness. Dr. Hune also founded What it's Like Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing mental health stigma through the arts, education and community engagement.

M.S., L.P.C. / STAFF CLINICIAN

Rie Kojima Angeli is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Her clinical interest and focus includes the relationship between trauma, attachment, and addiction. Moreover, Rie pays particular attention to clients’ mind/body connection and is an experienced Internal Family Systems therapist. She is also fluent in English and Japanese.

ADMISSIONS COORDINATOR

A nurturer at heart, Gerilyn is passionate about helping people discover their full potential while encouraging them and their families to recover and heal.

She graduated from Houston Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She has significant experience working in residential treatment settings. Gerilyn strives to make a difference in the mental health field and is inspired by the work of the individuals who have the courage to create their own personal life design.

RESIDENTIAL DIRECTOR

Montrellis Simmons is driven care professional steeped in 7 years of combined experience contributing top quality patient care with a focus mental health.

Montrellis attended Jackson State University , where he received his Bachelor’s of Science in Special Education. He has held positions as Teen Director, Direct Care Supervisor, and Lead Mental Health Technician. He is also an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Montrellis is skilled in MANDT, CPI, HWC, and CPR.

RESIDENTIAL STAFF

James Torres is new to Houston and comes to The MendCenter from the Pacific Northwest. He enjoys adaptive sports and was a part of a wheelchair basketball team called the Wheel Blazers in Portland, OR. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Washington State University. He is experienced in working in residential settings and case management. James was inspired by those that were supportive to him when overcoming obstacles in his life as a wheelchair user, and he is passionate to be that supportive person to others.

LEAD MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN

Moriah has dedicated the past year plus to The MendCenter, starting off as a residential mental health associate and working her way up to one of our team leads. Her integrity, compassion, and drive for mental health is what initially sparked her interest in the field. Moriah currently holds an Associates degree in Human Services and is actively furthering her education in Social Work at the University of Houston Downtown. As the team lead, Moriah takes pride in advocating for our residents, planning outings, keeping our community engaged, and providing crisis management as needed.

MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN

Patrick was raised by Jamaican parents with old fashion values. He graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts, and is a licensed class "A" barber from Houston Barber School. Patrick has experience working in treatment facilities dealing with addictions, mental illness, trauma, and minor criminal violations.

Giving back to the community, Patrick strives to bring individuals, with addictions and mental illness, to the light of recovery and healthy living. His heart goes out to those individuals lost among the community, that have not been properly diagnosed.

MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN

Corey Cockrell is a Houston native. He is passionate about working with people with mental illnesses. He has extensive mental health experience, exclusively working as a mental health technician at various hospitals across Central Houston.

MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN

MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN