Meet our Social Worker, Erica Gaston!
December 2, 2024

The personal philosophy of helping children heal


Hi!

My name is Erica Gaston. I am a Social Worker here at Kalasho Education & Youth Services. 

Walking into MINDgarden for my interview, I was immediately overcome with emotion; I wanted to cry. The beauty of the facility moved me deeply. Marginalized populations usually do not get an opportunity to experience healing in such a lovely environment. Before my interview, I saw the philosophy of MINDgarden stated: “By weaving together the wisdom of traditional healing and the precision of evidence-based methods, we ensure that each child embarks on a well-rounded journey toward healing and growth.” I knew the organization aligned with my personal philosophy of helping children heal.

The facility was top-tier for a serene healing environment geared towards our youth. The philosophy was close to my heart, and as if that wasn’t enough, I then met the team! Learning about the Kalasho family, my supervisor, and the team was the icing on an already beautiful cake. I am allotted the opportunity to work with people who have a purpose in life, similar to mine, to help others overcome the barriers they face. I feel blessed to be able to work with great people in a great environment. I am excited every day about the amazing work we will accomplish together.


Erica's Bio


Erica Gaston is a licensed mental health therapist committed to helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion and care. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Oakland University, a Bachelor of Social Work from Eastern Michigan University, and a Master of Social Work from Madonna University.

Since 2008, Erica has dedicated her career to supporting adolescents and adults in coping, healing, and building resilience through life’s circumstances. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered.

Erica’s therapeutic approach is warm, attentive, and non-judgmental. Using a strengths-based, client-focused framework, she works collaboratively to identify strategies tailored to each individual’s needs helping clients move toward personal growth, healing, and empowerment.

Mental Health Focus Areas
Anxiety & Depression
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Grief and Bereavement
Stress Management
Self-Esteem Issues
Social Anxiety
General Behavioral Issues
Mood Disorders
Life Transitions
Financial Stress
Relationship & Family Stress
School or College Stress
Family Conflict
Women's Issues

Therapeutic Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Person-Centered Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Trauma-Focused Therapy
Strengths-Based Approach

Populations Served: Inclusive therapy for people of all identities, backgrounds, and relationships.

By MINDgarden October 8, 2025
Hi, My name is Amber Donahue, I am a Mental Health Therapist at Mindgarden. I’ve had the opportunity to witness the development of MINDgarden from an abstract idea to help children and families to its fruition of a welcoming, unique, safe, and serene place of help and healing . From the calmness of reading under the Magnolia tree in the library to playful excitement of exploring the life skills room; each space has been perfectly curated to invoke a different emotion and address a specific need or challenge. As a therapist, my first visit to the building was very inspiring and rejuvenating, as I saw each room as a new way to connect with my clients and reach them in ways that are impossible in a regular office setting. As a mother, I see MINDgarden as a place that nurtures children and families. There is a warmth to the building and the staff that puts me at ease knowing that my child would feel comfortable and safe spending time here. I was thrilled when I was asked to join the team at Mindgarden. It is a privilege to work in such a beautiful space for people who value family, community and mental health. It is rare to be in a like-minded workplace where everyone truly loves their job, is committed to their work, and is excited to make a difference. I look forward to being here to see and help the vision for Mindgarden become a reality. Amber's Bio Amber Donahue is a licensed mental health therapist with a Master’s in Social Work from Wayne State University, where she also earned a dual title in Infant Mental Health. Her clinical experience includes supporting mothers with postpartum depression, young children (ages 0–6), adolescents, families, and individuals coping with depression, anxiety, and trauma. Her style is laid-back and supportive, but she’s also not afraid to gently challenge when it helps with growth. She believes the relationship between therapist and client is central to healing, so she strives to create a safe, trusting space where you feel comfortable showing up as yourself. Because she sees mental health as something that extends beyond the individual, she works to support the whole family system. Whether she is helping a new mom postpartum, children build emotional regulation skills, or adolescents navigate complex challenges, her goal is to empower families to strengthen connections, build resilience, and find balance together. Mental Health Focus Areas Postpartum and Perinatal Disorders Infant Mental Health Parenting support Separation Anxiety Anxiety & Depression Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ADHD Stress Management Self-Esteem Issues Social Anxiety General Behavioral Issues Mood Disorders Life Transitions Relationship & Family Stress School or College Stress Family Conflict Women's Issues Therapeutic Approaches Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Attachment Approach Family Systems Approach Person-Centered Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Strengths-Based Approach Populations Served: Inclusive therapy for people of all identities, backgrounds, and relationships.
By MINDgarden September 2, 2025
Hello, Marhaba! My name is Christine Glasper. I have been a school counselor for 15 years, a private therapist for 9 years and an administrator for 8 years. I am a wife and a mother of 3 beautiful kids. A counselor deeply impacted my life in middle school and my love for working with school age kiddos and young adults was born. Over time that has developed into a drive to open doors of opportunity for my students, to provide a safe space to explore oneself and make life improvements to my clients, and to support teachers, parents and the community at large in our collective efforts to make the world a better place. I am a huge believer in “teamwork makes the dream work”, “be[ing] the change you wish to see”, the Serenity prayer and the golden rule. I’m blessed and thankful to be working with MINDgarden and the Kalasho Education and Youth Services because there are so many mission aligned people here; and only great things can happen when you put a lot of good people together in one place. I look forward to meeting you, dear reader. Have a good day!