The Staff - HCMHD
Vanessa Caceres , Office Manager
Paul Damin, Ph.D.
Dr. Damin is a clinical psychologist who has been practicing psychology since 1986. He obtained his Ph.D. in Psychology from Utah State University in 1993 and was licensed in the state of Texas in 1995. He has had his own successful private practice since 1997, where he specializes in psychological assessments, ADHD, depression, anxiety, childhood trauma issues, and relationship issues. He provides both indivdual and couples psychotherapy.
Helen Swiff-Goodman, M.A., Psy.S., LSSP
Helen Swiff-Goodman, a native Houstonian, received a B.S. in Communication Science and Disorders, Deafness Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994. She then attended Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. where she earned her M.A. in Developmental Psychology and a Psy.S. in School Psychology. Ms. Swiff-Goodman is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology. In the past, she has worked full-time as a school psychologist for a local school district and a regional day school program for the deaf. For the last several years, Ms. Swiff-Goodman was a contract employee for school districts. She provided a variety of services including: psychological assessment, ADHD screenings, educational diagnostic evaluations, counseling, behavioral assessment and consultation services. Ms. Swiff-Goodman is also a Texas BEI Level II sign language interpreter and has been working part-time as an interpreter since 1995.
Gabriel I. Lomas, Ph.D.
Dr. Lomas is the owner of the Houston Center for Mental Health and Deafness. He has a several licenses and certifications including Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor; Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor; and Nationally Certified Counselor. He has a graduate degree from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and is a certified sign language interpreter in Texas (BEI-Level1). He is a faculty member at the University of Houston – Clear Lake teaching courses in counseling and special education. Dr. Lomas has substantial experience working with families in the foster care system including forensic assessment and treatment of children who experienced abuse. He is an active member of the American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association’s Division 22. He serves a variety of boards including the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association, Council of American Instructors of the Deaf, Texas Play Therapy Association, and the Houston Center for Hearing and Speech. Dr. Lomas is currently the co-editor of the Journal of the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (JADARA).
Jennifer Freundel, M.A., LPC
Ms. Freundel is a graduate of Gallaudet University. She grew up in the New York area and worked as a teacher of the deaf for the Board of Education for several years. She has specialty training in play therapy and sand tray therapy. Freundel is fluent in American Sign Language and works as a school counselor for Fort Bend ISD. She sees clients at HCMHD on part-time basis.
Amanda N. Ramirez, M.A., NCC, LPC-Intern
A native Texan, Ms. Ramirez is a graduate of Gallaudet University’s counseling program. She interned at the National Deaf Academy, a psychiatric facility for the deaf in Florida. After she completed her internship and obtaining her national certification in counseling, she moved to Houston and has been working with individuals and families providing psychotherapy services. She has several areas of advanced training including play therapy, group therapy, and addiction disorders. Ms. Ramirez is trilingual, able to serve families who need services in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language.
Leisha Campbell, M.Ed., LPC-Intern
Ms. Campbell is a graduate of the University of Houston – Victoria. She is fluent in American Sign Language and holds a certificate in sign language interpretation (BEI-Level 2). She works full-time as a counselor for the Galveston-Brazoria educational program for the deaf and sees clients for psychotherapy on a part-time basis.