Our Staff

Community Program Director

Cierra (she/her), is a parent and resident of Superior Township, and has been a clinical social worker for the past nine years, most recently for Chestnut Services, based in Sutton’s Bay, Michigan. She has supported and co-created programs promoting community, connection, and wellness. Cierra completed her MSW at the University of Michigan. She has since worked in research, training, and clinical roles, specializing in youth and perinatal mental health. In her role at Garrett's Space, she will be supporting the experiences of participants, furthering efforts in program review and development, ensuring that the Garrett’s Space model reflects best practices. She will also be supporting existing clinical programs and the strategic planning for Garrett’s Space’s day and residential programming.

Director of People & Organizational Well-Being

Brandon (he/him) brings a multi-disciplinary approach to organizational challenges, with a background in public health and social work. He focuses on multicultural wellness, systems transformation design, and public mental health advocacy. His work is grounded in lived experience and a deep understanding of how social determinants shape mental health. Brandon’s work in promoting youth and young adult mental health includes implementing culturally responsive interventions, advising Active Minds x MTV Entertainment on their national A.S.K. campaign, and engaging in youth mental health peer support policy advocacy. In his role, Brandon advances the organization’s mission and strategy by building out core infrastructures and supporting staff coordination.

Lead Community Clinician & Group Clinician

Peggy (she/her) earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan and her Master’s in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University. Peggy brings extensive experience providing and supervising individual, family, and group therapy focused on mental health, homelessness, poverty, women’s health, and grief and loss in a variety of settings. She is deeply committed to helping create a world where everyone has access to the support they need to live safe, healthy, and meaningful lives.  

In addition to serving as a Group Clinician, Peggy manages inquiries from young adults and the community, provides support, resources and referrals, completes intakes/ group placements and supports Participants outside of Group. Peggy is grateful to be part of our talented and authentic Facilitator Team. She feels honored to walk alongside our young adult Participants as they navigate the joys and challenges of life and to support them on their healing journeys. Their strength, courage, and kindness continue to inspire and guide the work we do every day.

Group Facilitator & Movement Specialist

Marly Spieser-Schneider (she/her) has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Michigan and is a certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor.  She believes wholeheartedly in the wisdom of the body and the importance of working with the physical form in the healing process. As a facilitator, Marly’s only expectation is that participants show up and stay curious. She is readily aware of how the world around us, not to mention personal turmoil and trauma, can lead us into self-judgment, fear, and uncertainty.  Her recommendation is always to attempt to stay open and receptive to what we can learn from our experiences. Her hope is to facilitate this process of discovery for all GS participants and help them build their personalized toolbox for navigating the challenges of being human. 

In addition to co-facilitating groups, Marly offers monthly in-person movement experiences including yoga-inspired sessions and outdoor nature walks. These sessions are open to all group participants and are very much guided by the needs and interests of those who attend. Choice, accessibility and responsiveness are guiding principles in the planning and facilitation of these experiences.  

Group Clinician (Substitute) & Auction Coordinator

Rachel Chapman (she/her) received her Bachelor's degree in social work from Central Michigan University and her Master's degree in social work from the University of Michigan. She has worked in Washtenaw County since 2019. Rachel has experience working in the mentoring space, school social work, and now young adult work. She is passionate about inclusive work, the importance of group and one on one work, unconditional positive regard, and strengths based approaches. Rachel has held several roles with Garrett's Space throughout the years in an administrative role, ran our auction, and now is a wellness group facilitator. She is excited and thankful to get to work with our group participants who are amazing humans!

Group Clinician (Substitute)

Kayla (she/ her) received her Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Psychology and Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan. Currently she works for Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Michigan as an embedded social worker in the College of Engineering. Kayla is the Co-Founder of Dare To Be, a company that creates and facilitates evidence-based and customized workshops, programming and one-on-one coaching for athletes. She is also the head coach of the girls swimming and diving team at Franklin High School. Kayla’s clinical work is integrative and grounded in a strengths-based approach by focusing on developing resilience in groups and individuals through sport.

Group Clinician (Substitute)

Danielle (she/her) received a Bachelor's of Social Work from Eastern Michigan University in 2015 and a Master's of Social Work from Grand Valley State University in 2021. Currently she works for Network 180, Kent County's Community Mental Health Authority, providing mental health and substance use services to the unhoused population in Grand Rapids. Danielle has experiences working with groups and individuals in child welfare, domestic violence, substance use, grief and loss, and crisis intervention. Danielle is passionate about supporting young adults through life's difficult transitions, which drew her to Garrett's Space. She is grateful to be serving as a Substitute Clinician and being part of the Garrett's Space Team.

Group Facilitator

Nai Sagherian (she/her) is currently a student at UM-Dearborn pursuing a graduate degree in Clinical Health Psychology, as well as a registered behavior technician working with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury clients. Nai completed her B.A. in Psychology and Middle East Studies with a minor in Creative Writing, as well as worked with various mental health and cultural organizations across the metro-Detroit area. She hopes to become a psychologist looking at the physical manifestations of mental health and treatments within that realm. Nai’s hope for all Garrett’s Space participants is that they feel comfortable, authentic, and heard in this space.