Dr. Susan Swim, PhD LMFT, researcher, author, educator, supervisor and clinician, was instrumental in participating in the early work of Collaborative Language Systems Approach to Therapy or CLS, and now known as Collaborative-Dialogical Practices. She joined the Houston-Galveston Institute in the early eighties as faculty. Dr. Swim was one of the first licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.  Her passion has included the continuation of the “Dis-diseasing of Mental Health.” Read More

In coming to Now I See A Person Institute first to learn and eventually teach, provide therapy and research, what I found at NISAPI was clients and their families were the experts and they had the strength and answers within themselves, it was merely my role to listen intently and honor their stories. Read More

I was so blessed and fortunate to have been in graduate school when Now I See a Person
Institute was a fledgeling organization. After taking classes instructed by Dr. Susan Swim, I had
the opportunity to train with her right as she was establishing NISAPI and I fell in love with the
foundational philosophy of treating each client as a person rather than a diagnosis. I firmly
believe that when we connect with people and share our presence and support during very
difficult times in their lives without judgement or preconceptions of “mental illness,” they can get
well and thrive. Ever since my training at NISAPI, I have carried this philosophy with me and
have employed it in various other ways with beautiful results. Recently, I reconnected with Dr.
Swim and am so excited and grateful to be working with NISAPI again!

My passions are driven by my clients, students and my curiosity, because those 3 keep me reading, inquiring, and attending workshops and seminars. Since my first years as a psychologist I have been interested in professional identity formation, which I dedicated my two dissertations to, psychologist’s identity at Marist University and psychotherapist’s identity at Kanankil Institute. Read More

Bio Pending 🙂

Bio Pending 🙂

My journey to Now I See a Person Institute (NISAPI) began with an inquiry into the existence of alternative perspectives to prevailing medicalized and diagnostic approaches for being with people in therapy. I found myself questioning discourse that was occurring where diverse responses to adversity and to experiences of oppression were explained through the use of pathological language and treated through the processes of categorizing and labeling clients. Read More

Bio Pending 🙂

I have worked within statutory and not for profit Social Work roles in the United Kingdom, Australia and now the United States of America. I believe that people are their own experts in their own problems. I also believe in the power of people connecting and sharing their stories as people are able to see how their stories overlap in meaningful ways to inform, confirm, contradict and challenge them.  Read More

Dr. Lena Magardechian is a bilingual (fluent in Armenian) and highly trained Registered Psychological Assistant currently working towards licensure under the supervision of Dr. Marissa Long. She is very enthusiastic, nurturing, and non-judgmental when it comes to advocating and helping her clients heal from any sort of trauma. Read More

Pavel Nepustil, Ph.D. works as a freelance psychologist, consultant, and supervisor, with a specific interest in drug use, addiction, and mental health. Between 2003 and 2013, he worked as a social worker and therapist with drug users and their families in NGO Podané ruce, Brno, Czech Republic, where he also launched two innovative services based on case management and multidisciplinary work. Read More

Bio

Hello, I’m Jennifer Erika Pariona, a dedicated Recovery Consultant at Now I See A Person. In this role, I leverage my expertise to support individuals on their college journey by connecting them with valuable resources.

Having accumulated a wealth of knowledge during my tenure at a college campus, I have not only familiarized myself with essential resources but also gained insights into common challenges and effective solutions. I am passionate about guiding individuals, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, towards higher education. I firmly believe that education is a powerful tool for empowering marginalized communities and fostering equity.

My academic pursuits include a Social Justice A.A., a current focus on Chicana & Chicano Studies B.A., Political Science- Public Policy & Management B.A., and aspirations for a future PhD (field TBD).

Outside of my professional endeavors, I find joy in immersing myself in nature walks, salsa dancing, engaging in pop-up events, exploring Mexican Indigenous history through lectures, relaxing beach days, museum visits, and indulging in my favorite shows while enjoying quiet moments at home.

Pending 🙂

I have been living in Calgary, Alberta, since five years ago. I originally came to do a postdoctoral scholarship for two years which was extended to three years, for finally deciding to stay longer in Canada due to the political and violent situation in my beloved country, Mexico. I was originally a contemporary and folkloric professional ballerina, then became a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist in CDMX. Read More

Education: Current doctoral student in MFT focus, The University of Akron; M.A. in MFT, Alliant International University; M.S. in Clinical Psychology, Ochanomizu University; B.A. in Psychology, Meiji Gakuin University 

Licensure and Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (California); Independent Marriage and Family Therapist (Ohio), Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Japan).takeda@csun.edu Read More