Wellness Program Staff
The Wellness Program operates under the direction of the Wellness Program Manager and a dedicated team of mental health professionals, case managers, interpreters/outreach workers, and clinical social work interns from local universities. Together, this group is able to identify those refugee clients who present a variety of mental health needs. Wellness Program staff is trained to provide mental health screenings and culturally-sensitive interventions. Staff work closely to coordinate a wide array of services, with intervention methods ranging from individual and group therapy to psychoeducation seminars open to the entire community.
Administration
Aimee Hilado, Ph.D., LCSW – Wellness Program Manager
Samer Hussein, B.A. – Wellness Program Case Manager
Clinical Staff
Karlene Goodman, M.D. – Wellness Program Psychiatrist
Samantha Allweiss, LCSW – Lead Therapist and Clinical Social Worker
Ginny Gaulin, MS, LPC – Art Therapist and Home Visitor
Allegra Magrisso, LCSW – Therapist and Home Visitor
Prevention Initiative Home Visitors
Faridah Binti Mohamad Ali, B.A. – Home Visitor
Manar Matti, B.A. – Home Visitor
Celestine Mugisha, B.S.W. – Art Therapist and Home Visitor
Research and Outreach Staff
Wellness Program Manager
Dr. Aimee Hilado, PhD, LCSW is the Founding Manager of the Wellness Program. She has a Ph.D. in Social Work with Distinction and a Master of Science in Applied Child Development. In the Wellness Program, Dr. Hilado oversees general operations for screening and enrollment and provides direct therapeutic services to clients of all ages. In addition, she represents RefugeeOne in the various national and local refugee health and mental health task forces, and serves as the field instructor for academic interns completing their field placement at RefugeeOne.
Dr. Hilado is also an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University where she teaches and conducts research around mental health practice with trauma-exposed populations. Moreover, Dr. Hilado’s teaching, research and practice efforts revolve around the importance of early development, mental health, social support, and culturally-sensitive clinical practice with immigrants and refugees.
Dr. Hilado is also an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University where she teaches and conducts research around mental health practice with trauma-exposed populations. Moreover, Dr. Hilado’s teaching, research and practice efforts revolve around the importance of early development, mental health, social support, and culturally-sensitive clinical practice with immigrants and refugees.
Wellness Program Case Manager
Samer Hussein, BA, is a case manager and interpreter in RefugeeOne’s Wellness Program. Mr. Hussein has extensive interpretation and clinical experience with trauma-exposed refugee populations. In Jordan, Mr. Hussein was a psychosocial counselor for the Center for Victims of Torture for five years before coming to the United States. Since then, he has provided interpreter and outreach services to a number of programs including Heartland Alliance’s Marjory Kovler Center, Red Crescent/Red Cross, International Relief and Development and Iraqi Mutual Aid Society. In the Wellness program, Mr. Hussein coordinates clinical appointments, provides medical case management, and assists in SSI applications.
Wellness Program Psychiatrist
Dr. Karlene Goodman, M.D. is our dedicated psychiatrist in RefugeeOne’s Wellness Program. She provides psychiatric evaluations and on-going clinical support for those clients who warrant this level of service. Dr. Goodman is a graduate of University of Illinois at Chicago Medical School and also holds degrees in English and Law. She has worked with refugee and immigrant populations since 1990 and continues to devote her practice to the same groups.
Wellness Program Social Worker
Samantha Allweiss, A.M., LCSW, is a social worker and therapist in RefugeeOne’s Wellness Program. She obtained her Master of Arts in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago, specializing in mental health with international populations. In the program, Ms. Allweiss provides direct clinical services for adult clients, oversees daily operations of the program, and hosts the monthly health and wellness orientation. She also coordinates psychiatric appointments, psychoeducation sessions, and provides medical case management to clients with complex health and mental health needs. Ms. Allweiss is also an active researcher collaborating with Dr. Hilado on projects to understand best practices with trauma-exposed refugees.
Art Therapist and Home Visitor
Ginny Gaulin, MS, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor and art therapist in RefugeeOne’s Wellness Program. She graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School with a Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling. Originally from South Carolina, Ms. Gaulin has worked as an intensive in-home therapist, middle school-based outpatient clinician, and inpatient acute care art therapist with high-need populations in rural Appalachia. At RefugeeOne, Ms. Gaulin splits her time as a Home Visitor for families with young children in the BabyTALK Program and as a therapist for adult clients. She provides ongoing, person-centered individual treatment and also facilitates art therapy groups focusing on creating community, decreasing trauma symptoms, reducing anxiety, improving mood, and fully support the adjustment process.
