Clinical Care Team
Meet the compassionate women making healing accessible to women and girls in Chicago.
Jasmine Lucas, LCPC
Clinical Care Program Manager
Jasmine Lucas, LCPC, serves as the Clinical Care Program Manager at Sista Afya Community Care. Jasmine leads our Clinical Care Team to provide accessible and transformative mental health care to women and girls. As a Counselor, she provides a safe, welcoming space where clients feel comfortable expressing themselves openly. Jasmine has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults across hospital, school, and residential settings, treating anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, autism, grief/loss, PTSD, substance use, and severe mental illness (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder). She has a strong interest in helping people navigate life transitions and peer relationships. Jasmine takes a client-centered approach, meeting each person where they are and collaborating on treatment goals that support their autonomy. Her work draws on evidence-based methods, including psychoeducation, CBT, mindfulness, and solution-focused therapy. Jasmine graduated from Chicago State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and received her Master’s in Community Counseling from Argosy University.
Gabrielle Carlwell, LSW
Therapist
Gabrielle Carlwell, MSW, LSW, is a trauma-informed therapist and Licensed Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work from Dominican University and a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has extensive experience supporting individuals and groups across diverse ages and backgrounds, including survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, older adults, and court-mandated clients. Gabrielle has completed specialized trainings in domestic violence, intimate partner abuse, sexual assault, and EMDR, and integrates modalities such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR into her client-centered practice. Her mission is to provide a safe, empowering space where clients can process experiences, overcome obstacles, and develop effective coping tools to support healing and growth.
Abajah Johnkin, LSW
Therapist
​Abajah is passionate about helping the Black community with mental health awareness and wellness. She's been in the social work field for 5 years and has helped clients that struggle with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, postpartum issues, and trauma by using a client-centered approach which supports the people she serves through empathy and building upon their strengths. She received her Bachelors degree in Social Work from Western Illinois University and my Masters in Social Work from Aurora University.
April Threatt, LPC
Therapist
April is a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience assisting women who are facing depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, conflict resolution, major life transitions, and self-esteem challenges. She is dedicated to being compassionate and present with her clients as they uncover their inner strengths to effect positive change. Her approach is person-centered, and she believes that building strong relationships with clients is essential for helping them navigate their issues, overcome obstacles, and become the best versions of themselves. She received her Master's degree in Community Agency Counseling from Saint Xavier University, Chicago. She serves as a Community Alignment Board Member with Family Connects Chicago with a focus on improving family connection to healthcare services during a vulnerable time for birthing people. April is passionate about advocating for maternal mental health, reproductive justice, and birth equity.
Nayesha Pruitt, LPC
Therapist
Nayesha is a Licensed Professional Counselor dedicated to supporting Black and Brown women, and LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults in reclaiming their narratives and building paths towards healing. When the pandemic hit, she shifted her focus from her role as a School Counselor to therapist because she saw firsthand how anxiety and depression were impacting not only her students but her colleagues as well, and she wanted to go deeper. She believes that her clients are the experts of their own lives and sees her role as a guide toward sustainable restoration and self-empowerment. Her trauma-informed, healing-centered approach acknowledges the impact of political, cultural, and social systems on mental health and emphasizes collective healing. Nayesha holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from National Louis University in Chicago. Her work centers on culturally affirming care, community connection, and holistic well-being.
Keila Pope, LPC
Keila is a therapist dedicated to supporting individuals as they navigate identity, healing, and life transitions. Her work is grounded in a client-centered and anti-oppressive approach that honors each person’s lived experiences and strengths. Keila works with both children and adults and has experience supporting individuals who have experienced gender-based violence, working with neurodivergent individuals, creating affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ clients, and empowering Black women and girls as they explore identity and build self-esteem. She integrates approaches such as CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and strengths-based practices to help clients develop insight and practical coping tools. Keila strives to create a warm and supportive environment where clients can show up as their full, authentic selves, explore their experiences with curiosity, and move toward meaningful growth, sometimes with humor along the way. Keila received her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Master’s degree in Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Moniqua W.
Moniqua is a Mental Health Assessment & Care Coordinator with over a decade of experience in social services. Since 2013, she has worked with diverse populations, providing client-centered support, advocacy, and resource navigation. Since 2021, Moniqua has specialized in conducting mental health assessments and providing case management services, helping individuals navigate complex systems and access resources. In 2023, she expanded her expertise into care coordination, supporting continuity of care and collaboration across providers and services. Moniqua holds a Master's Degree in Psychology and is IM+CANS certified. She is known for her strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering compassionate, culturally responsive care.
Janelle Williams
Janelle is a compassionate and dedicated Group Therapist with a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, deeply committed to serving communities that reflect her own and creating safe, supportive spaces where individuals feel heard, valued, and understood. She has a strong passion for working with youth and women, helping them navigate life’s challenges while fostering growth, resilience, and self‑awareness. With extensive experience in crisis intervention, she is skilled at supporting individuals during moments of emotional distress and helping them regain a sense of stability and control. Janelle provides both individual and group therapy, tailoring her approach to each client’s unique needs through a client‑centered, trauma‑informed, and strengths‑based framework that empowers clients to recognize and build upon their existing strengths. She is committed to helping others heal from past experiences, develop healthy coping strategies, and create meaningful, fulfilling lives, believing deeply in the power of connection, self‑discovery, and intentional growth as she works collaboratively with clients to help them feel confident, empowered, and equipped to navigate their personal journeys.
Shana Atkinson, MSW
Shana Atkinson, MSW is passionate about empowering Black women in fulfilling their potential, fostering hope through challenging times, and encouraging mental health as a priority. Shana has over seven years of experience working in community-based nonprofit organizations. During her time at these organizations, Shana has helped parents and families improve their quality of life by utilizing a strengths-based approach to support them through goal setting and skill building. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in empathy, respect, and providing a non-judgmental space where clients can explore their experiences, foster personal growth, and move toward becoming the best version of themselves. Shana received her Master's in Social Work from the University of Denver, where she specialized in mental health and trauma.
Tashiara Nichols
Tashiara has extensive experience working in community-based programs, domestic violence organizations, nonprofit settings, and supporting individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Through this work, Tashiara has developed a strong passion for empowering Black women, women of color (WOC), and individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community. They are committed to compassionate, client-centered care for all people and believe in meeting individuals where they are while walking alongside them on their healing journey. Tashiara uses a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and strengths-based approach, creating supportive and affirming spaces that help individuals navigate challenges, build confidence, and access the tools they need to thrive emotionally, socially, and personally. Tashiara Nichols is a Master of Social Work student at Loyola University Chicago. They also earned their Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology at Loyola University Chicago.