About Us

Jewish Family Service of San Antonio (JFS) strives to enhance the quality of life of individuals and families of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds in San Antonio and the surrounding area, through social, mental health, and educational programs guided by the Jewish values of “repairing the world” and “taking responsibility for each other”.

Additionally, JFS seeks to remove the financial barriers to mental health and social services in our community.

Our Mission

Jewish Family Service of San Antonio Provides transformational, top-tier mental health counseling in English and Spanish to clients of all ages, races, faiths, and socio-economic backgrounds. We serve clients in San Antonio and surrounding counties and offer social services for older adults in the same geographic region.

Our Staff

David Garcia Jr.

David Garcia Jr.

Chief Executive Officer

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David is a San Antonio native with over 25 years of serving the SA community in a leadership role. His kids take up most of his free time, as they are heavily involved with HS activities.
Amanda Fite

Amanda Fite

Chief Operating Officer

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Amanda has over 15 years’ experience in family and community programming with prior experience in the sports & entertainment industry and San Antonio’s immense military community. Each of her experiences has given her a unique perspective on the mental health challenges facing our youth, our military and diverse populations. In her free time, Amanda and her husband, Cory spend countless hours throwing a tennis ball around the back yard for their three dogs, Jake, Lucky and Mudge.
Alejandra Cue

Alejandra Cue

Clinician

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Alejandra Cue is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) trained in EMDR, DBT, and Level 2 Gottman Method Couples Therapy, with a strong background in EFT, IFS, and Narrative Therapy. Alejandra specializes in working with adults dealing with relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and trauma, and is deeply committed to supporting the LGBTQ community. Using a compassionate, evidence-based approach, Alejandra helps clients navigate and heal through life’s challenges, particularly in their relationships. Outside of work, Alejandra enjoys spending time with family and friends, caring for her dogs, going to concerts, reading, running, and lifting weights.
Bethany Calderon

Bethany Calderon

Intake Coordinator

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Bethany (they/them/theirs) is a down-to-earth individual with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, who is passionate about accessible and diverse mental health care. They are currently on a journey of returning to school to become a future LPC, that supports the young queer community. Outside of work they love being active, whether by playing soccer or lifting weights. They cherish a balanced life of visiting local coffee shops, diving into books, writing poetry, and spending time with their partner and two dogs – Matcha and Sweet Pea.
Cynthia Ann Aguilar

Cynthia Ann Aguilar

M.S., LPC-Associate, NCC

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Cynthia Ann Aguilar is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate supervised by Jennifer J. Alamia, LPC, LPC-S, CCTP. She is committed to fostering healing and well-being through compassionate therapy. Using an integrative approach, Cynthia tailors treatment to each client’s unique needs. She aims to empower individuals on their path to emotional health and resilience. In her free time, she prioritizes self-care, enjoys listening to music, and loves spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Carmen Calatayud

Carmen Calatayud

Clinician

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Carmen’s desire to become a counselor came to fruition after her father’s death and a life-changing hospice experience. She specializes in somatic and creative approaches to working with grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction and recovery, relationship issues, women’s issues and LGBTQ+ issues. Carmen believes in the importance of a holistic approach that brings mental and physical health together. When she’s not at JFS, Carmen is a poet and writer who enjoys being active in San Antonio’s rich arts community.
Patricia “Trish” Reichert

Patricia “Trish” Reichert

Clinician

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Trish has practiced as a LPC since 1996, primarily in the lane of trauma care. A painter with a history of adventure sports, Trish believes in the power of creativity and courageous vulnerability for altering moods and healing wounds. Adversity can serve as seeds for strength, adaptive skills, resilience, and personal growth.
Kat Phillips

Kat Phillips

Case Manager

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Kat is a licensed social worker who has a passion for helping people and believes that kindness is contagious. With an empathetic approach, she hopes to help her clients develop the skills they need to overcome challenges and reach their goals. Outside of work, you can find Kat hiking in nature, practicing yoga, writing poetry, and spending time with her two little dogs.
Ruth Ann Lewis

Ruth Ann Lewis

Administrative Team Lead

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Ruth brings a deep understanding of the essential behind-the-scenes operations that support the agency’s mission. She ensures that providers are properly contracted with health insurance plans, helping to expand community access to vital mental health services. Her dedication to mental health wellness aligns with her commitment to making care accessible for those who need it. In her free time, Ruth enjoys art, reading, gardening, and spending quality time with her family.
Erica Divine

Erica Divine

Clinician

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Erica Divine is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) specializing in supporting youth and adults with anxiety, depression, and trauma, particularly youth who have experienced the foster care system or out-of-home placements. As the lead therapist for a specialized program, Erica provides trauma-informed care using evidence-based interventions such as EMDR, CBT, CPT, DBT, and mindfulness to empower clients in their healing journey. Outside of work, Erica enjoys concerts, reading, beach trips, and spending time with family and friends.
Lauren-Mirakian

Lauren-Mirakian

Clinician

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Lauren Mirakian is an LPC Associate supervised by Henrietta Dominguez, MA, LPC-S, RPT-S #67659. Lauren has 9 years of experience working with children ages 6-17 in residential treatment and loves counseling young children and teens as well as adults at JFS. Lauren provides a safe, nurturing environment for her clients and incorporates play, arts and crafts, and music to facilitate child therapy. She enjoys encouraging her clients, helping them identify and utilize their strengths, and believe in their ability to overcome their challenges. Outside of work, Lauren is the proud parent of a sweet and sassy corgi, and a silly and clumsy kitty! You may even find evidence of her fur babies around her office! 🐶🐈‍⬛
Jessica Orta

Jessica Orta

Receptionist

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Jessica is dedicated to promoting client connections through understanding and compassion-whether it’s through phone calls or face to face client interactions. Outside of work Jessica enjoys spending quality time with her grandparents and baking for family and friends.
Monica Berlanga

Monica Berlanga

Administrative Director

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Monica has been supporting nonprofit mental health organizations for over ten years, advocating for awareness and working to break the stigma surrounding mental health. Throughout her years in the nonprofit sector, she has witnessed the evolving need for services, allowing her to bring insight and experience into implementing meaningful change within agencies and the community. She also integrates her passion for art into her advocacy, using it as a tool for healing, connection, and conversation, creating safe spaces that foster understanding and dialogue.
Rene Santos

Rene Santos

Clinician

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Rene Santos is a dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with a passion for helping clients navigate trauma, anxiety disorders, and depression with expertise in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness techniques. Rene provides a compassionate and personalized approach to healing. Outside of work, Rene enjoys exercising, reading, his pets and spending quality time with his family. Rene Santos is supervised by Roberta Varela-Hein MA LPC-S, License 18118.
Andrea DeLeon

Andrea DeLeon

Clinician

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Andrea DeLeon is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a passion for working alongside individuals, communities and agencies to provide equitable and quality mental health care. With over 8 years of experience practicing in the mental health field, Andrea has specialties in the treatment of acute trauma and stress related disorders, substance dependency, and women’s issues. She utilizes CBT, CPT, EMDR with her clients and works to provide support and training as the Clinical Director of the JFS team. In her personal time Andrea enjoys hiking, reading, attending art shows and spending time with her pets at home.

Ashley Palacios

Ashley Palacios

Receptionist

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Ashley brings a diverse range of experience from different roles, but her true passion lies in working with the community. An advocate for mental health, she thrives in creating an inclusive welcoming environment and helping others. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys spending time at the lake or river, where she finds peace in nature. Her other favorite escape? Binge-watching the latest Netflix series.

Our Vision

Jewish Family Service of San Antonio strives to be a multi-generational, non-profit, widely recognized as a premier provider of mental health and social services for anyone who needs services, regardless of ability to pay.

Meet Our Board

Sara Efune

President

AVP at USAA

Jessica LeMaistre

Vice President

Community Volunteer

Scott Polunsky

Secretary

Polunsky, Beitel & Green

Krystal Englehart

Treasurer

Badger CPA

Jeff Goldblatt

Past President

Past TV Personality; owner of Jeff’s Journeys, LLC

DeAnne Cuellar

Member

Deborah Levi-Lane

Member

Stephanie Jonkers

Member

Emily Lee

Member

Carrie Price

Member

Kim Sweeney

Member

Koby Sokoloff

Member

Jeff Rollman

Member

Our Values

“Repairing the world with a focus on hope, dignity, and accessibility”

Resilience – JFS proactively looks for opportunities to leave the world a better place in a way that aligns with a foundational Hebrew phrase, tikkun olam, which means “repair the world”.

Focus – JFS helps people to feel seen, protected, and valued.

Hope – Our comprehensive, customized, and holistic approach to delivering services ensures those whom we serve see their potential for healing and health.

Dignity – Our non-profit is built on mutual respect, a message of self-worth, without any judgement of anyone’s circumstances.

Accessibility – Anyone with a need deserves our services, no matter their challenges in life or economic status.