Agape is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Therapists and Leadership

Leadership

Jennifer Sanford

Executive Director

Locations: Main Office

Jennifer Sanford has been a part of Agape since 2016 as a former Board Member and volunteer.  She has a creative background in leadership, fund development, and community engagement.  Jennifer has experience working with various nonprofit organizations whose mission is to help those struggling in all walks of life.  She is a former jail Chaplain, life skills instructor, and a United States Army Veteran.

Jennifer has a Master of Arts in Intelligence Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Biology.  She is very active in her church and has a passion for helping others see themselves through God’s eyes.  Jennifer believes that collectively as an organization, church, and community, we can help children, individuals, couples, and families find freedom from the complexities of life.  It is during our trials that we can stand firm in our beliefs that God is always with us.

Tammy Weitzman, LCSW

Clinical Director

Locations: Main Office and Telehealth

Tammy Weitzman, LCSW is a clinical social worker with 23 years of clinical experience working in large academic medical institutions and cancer centers in the United States and Canada. She has presented her work both nationally and internationally. Tammy provides clinical supervision to both pre-licensed and licensed clinicians at Agape. In addition, she sees clients at the main office and via telehealth. Her areas of specialization include working with individuals, couples, and families challenged by health issues, loss and grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders (depression), as well as anxiety disorders. Tammy has extensive training with behavioral activation, CBT, psychodynamic orientations, mindfulness, as well as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Tammy offers a safe, non-judgmental caring environment for her clients. She views the client-counselor relationship very much as a collaborative one.

Therapists

Blake Clemmons, MA, LCMHC, NCC

Therapist

Locations: Telehealth Only

Blake completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology at Elon University and his master’s degree in Professional Counseling at Liberty University. He is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (formerly LPC) in the state of North Carolina. Blake has received training in EMDR, an evidence-based therapy for the treatment of trauma and painful memories. He is also a certified Prepare-Enrich facilitator and enjoys working with both premarital and marital couples. Blake has also been certified as a National Certified Counselor by the NBCC.

Along with offering a caring, safe, and nonjudgmental approach, Blake helps his clients learn how to challenge their negative core misbeliefs about themselves, set and achieve attainable and realistic goals, and process the negative and painful memories that hold them back. Blake also counsels from a Christian worldview and integrates Biblical truths and prayer, as desired. 

Blake is married and is active in his church. He enjoys long trail walks with his wife and friends, grilling outdoors, playing tennis and leading Sunday school on the weekends. 

Blake’s specialties include pre-marital and marriage counseling, grief, trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, substance abuse, sexual addiction, PTSD, mood disorders, self-injury, men’s issues. He works primarily with young adults (18+), adults, and couples.

Charlie Marquardt, MEd, MA, LCMHCA

Therapist

Locations: Telehealth Only

Charlie is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate, currently serving clients via Telehealth only.  Charlie obtained both a Master of Arts in Clinical Health Counseling and a Master of Education from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.  She has worked as a teacher and within the field of adoption. 

She believes that counseling is a practice of wellness. Whether life has been kind to you or has thrown you more curve balls than Nolan Ryan, counseling is a place where you can discover your inner strength to meet the challenges of life. Counseling is one of many ways the Lord works to bring emotional healing to our lives. She has seen firsthand how beneficial counseling is for every person who has the courage to ask for help through the therapeutic process. 

When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, her children, and her cats. If she’s not on a long run, she’s probably backstage helping her daughter with costume changes at her ballet recitals, calling out encouraging words to her twins at a swim meet, or cheering on her son at a cross country or track meet. 

She has experience with ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  She is trained in the Gottman Method of marriage therapy and is a trained Prepare/Enrich facilitator.  

Charlie’s specialties include marriage counseling, healing from abusive relationships, adoption, grief and loss, life transitions, anxiety, depression, PTSD, mood disorders, self-esteem/body issues, and sports-related anxiety and struggles.  She enjoys working with individual adults.  

Zoi Saliga, MEd, LMFT

Therapist

Locations: Main Office and Telehealth

Zoi is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Education from McGill University. She received her post-master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Argyle Institute of Human Relations in Montreal. Zoi has worked in private practice in Montreal and then in Boston at Mount Auburn Hospital, a Harvard University teaching hospital and counseling center in the Boston area where she facilitated groups and…

practiced individual, marriage, and family therapy. She works with all ages ranging from small children to elderly clients. Zoi has been with Agape since 2007 and has over 20 years of experience as a therapist. She speaks three languages, English, French, and Greek.  She and her husband live in Charlotte and have 3 children.

Zoi’s specialties include pre-marital and marriage counseling, grief, trauma, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, sexual addiction, PTSD, mood disorders, self-injury, self-esteem/body issues, men’s and women’s issues, and adoption. She works with children, teens, adults, couples, and families.

Casey Eich, MA, LCMHCA

Therapist

Locations: Main Office, Myers Park Office, and Telehealth

Casey is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University and a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.  Casey is a former middle/elementary school teacher. There she developed a passion to see children and families experience freedom regarding mental health.

Casey sees counseling as a calling and feels Isaiah 60:1 helps describe her mission to see clients freed from bondage.  She describes the counseling process like tending to a garden. There are multiple factors that promote a healthy garden. In addition to basic daily needs, there are times to lightly tend to the garden and other times when it is necessary to uproot large parts and do more heavy-duty work. No matter where you might find yourself, Casey would love to come along side of you and help establish and maintain a healthy and successful harvest!  Casey is a native to the Charlotte area and currently resides in Union County with her husband and four children. 

Casey’s specialties include grief, depression, anxiety, self-injury, self-esteem/body issues, women’s issues, and play therapy. She works with individual children, teens, and adults.

Gina Wall, LCMHCA

Therapist

Locations: Main Office, Union County Office,  and Telehealth

Mijin “Gina” Wall is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate. Gina has a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte. Prior to becoming a mental health professional, she had years of experiences working with parents, youth, and seniors in immigrant Korean churches and communities. Gina is an English Korean bilingual with rich lived experiences in both Western and Eastern cultures.

Gina has worked with adults and children from diverse backgrounds. She enjoys working with individuals on challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, grief, and loss among, various other mental health and life concerns.

Gina strives to create a space where clients can be seen and heard, and where clients begin to heal and grow toward wholeness and wellness. She knows her counseling work is a part of a bigger Story. As every client comes with a uniquely different and rich story, Gina engages in counseling with an evidenced-based, client-centered, trauma-informed integrative approach.

Gina is happy to incorporate biblical principles into her sessions, at the discretion of each client.  She believes her work as a counselor allows her to engage in the work of preparing the soil (Matthew 13:18-23).  Gina trusts the ultimate restoration is the work of the Holy Spirit and she is honored to participate in the process of Him making all things new. “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5). 

Gina has been happily married to her husband, Sam, for 28 years and has one grown son, Josh. She enjoys taking walks, reading, and dreams of one day becoming a gardener with a green thumb!  

Gina’s specialties include depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, grief, and loss. She works with individuals of all ages, but her focus is on teens and adults.

Shanise Goodwin, LMFTA

Therapist

Locations: Main Office, Huntersville Office,  and Telehealth

Shanise is a native of Columbia, SC who received her Masters degree and license in Marriage and Family Therapy.  She is passionate about helping couples, students, Christians, and the black community. Shanise has found her God given purpose in the kingdom through providing therapy for others.

One of her primary goals is to bring mental health awareness into the Christian community.  She especially loves to work with couples and family, as she believes that is the most important system that God has created. Shanise enjoys helping others with self-esteem, anxiety, depression, new life phases, identity, and relationship issues. Her biggest strengths are her faith, neutrality, understanding, and empathy for others.

Jessica Henning

Intern

Locations: Main Office, Union County Office,  and Telehealth

Jessica Henning is an intern, currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University.  She has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.  Jessica is a former elementary school teacher with experience in both the Mecklenburg and Union County public school systems. She is also a United States Army Veteran.

Jessica has gained experience through a variety of opportunities to include her time in the military, deployments to Afghanistan, teaching, serving as a small group leader at her church, and now as a counselor in training. For Jessica, serving her community and working with others has always been her passion.

Her goals are to create a safe, warm, nonjudgmental environment that provides clients with the opportunity to work towards living a happier and healthier life. Jessica helps clients to overcome any challenges they may be facing by assisting with goal creation, solution finding, and developing healthy habits. Her aim is to glorify God in all she does. She is trained in a variety of techniques, models, and theories to provide each client with the most beneficial experience.  

Jessica grew up in northern Illinois, but now resides in Union County with her husband and three children.  She enjoys spending time with her family, CrossFit, and watching her children at their sporting events.  

Christian Calo

Intern

Locations: Main Office  and Telehealth

Christian Calo is an intern, currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology: Counseling and Human Development. Christian is a former Assistant Director of Admissions Consulting with Liberty University where she had the opportunity to not only help students achieve their educational and professional goals, but also guided a team of employees to ensure the best possible care for each student.

Christian enjoys working with both adults and children and has experience in coaching many individuals to grow in their strengths, identify unhealthy ways of thinking, create steps toward healthy growth, and celebrate their accomplishments. She understands that each client is unique and is prepared to use a variety of techniques and theories to help each individual person achieve their goals. Along with her goals of creating a safe and inviting environment, Christian strives to create a space for clients to feel heard in order to build a trusting therapeutic relationship and allow the client to move toward freedom. She is also a military spouse who values her community, her family, fitness, and most importantly her relationship with the Lord.

Support Staff

Irina Styrku

Accounting Manager

Locations: Main Office

Irina graduated from UNCC with her Bachelor of Social Work and is proud to be a part of the Agape team. Irina has lived in the Charlotte area for most of her life and speaks 2 languages, English and Russian. In her free time she enjoys going to concerts, running, and spending time with her friends and family.

Jess Cromwell

Office Manager

Locations: Main Office

Jess is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She moved to Charlotte in the fall of 2020 to help plant Citizens Church Charlotte. She is thankful to be a part of the work the Lord is doing at Agape and eager for people to experience the hope found in Romans 8:28-30. When out of the office, Jess enjoys running, baking, game nights with friends, and serving her church family.