Agape Healing Team

Sumith Fernando, Founder and Director

Sumith Fernando is a native of Sri Lanka and was born into the family of a Pastor. Himself a former pastor he is currently a Psychotherapist and the director of Agape. The Goliaths of pain, abuse, abandonment and health problems he has faced in his life enable him to genuinely identify with people's pain and has made him a deeply compassionate person. Sumith Fernando is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Family Therapist, Certified Active Parenting Workshop Leader, Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor, Clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists and a Certified Hypnotherapist. He has received specialized training at the Pastoral Counseling and Education Center. The Gestalt Institute, The Institute of Transactional Analysis, The Victor Frankle Institute of Logo Therapy and in Chaplaincy work through Clinical Pastoral Education. His name is published in the fourth edition of Who's Who in Religion.

Sonia M. Duque-Miyashita, NCC, LPC, LCDC

Sonia is a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. She is passionate about helping those who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. With several years of experience in the counseling field, making a positive difference in people's lives has been her calling in life. This includes helping traumatized and abused children, adolescents, adults as well as families who are experiencing addictions, mental disorders, domestic violence issues as well as issues related to human trafficking. She has worked with Child Protective Services, inmates in the Dallas County Jails with alcohol and substance abuse, Catholic Charities of Dallas and Youth and Family Counseling working with adolescents, first-time offenders and their families, Women's Shelter with battered women and men as well as victims of human trafficking, and Mental Health/Mental Retardation of Tarrant County with children and adolescents with mental health issues. On a personal note, Sonia also has personal experience with cancer hospice care, Alzheimer’s care, and caregiver related issues. Sonia is a mother of adolescent twins and wife of 25 years. Sonia is also one of the few Bilingual Therapist in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Phyllis Nicholas, LPC-Intern

(David Stilson, PhD, LPC, LMFT - Supervisor)

Phyllis Nicholas is a LPC-Intern with a master's degree in professional counseling and a bachelor's degree in English and Sociology. She has been a public and private school teacher, working with a diverse student population with various learning needs. She volunteers in community outreaches, was a guest speaker at 2011 Texas Assocation Mediators Annual Conference in San Antonio, participated in International short term mission work, is involved in higher education initiatives for youth and adults through a student advisement program and was a camp counselor at a local university for an annual leadership program for youth. Phyllis has an interest in promoting anti-bullying initiatives both in schools and work places and has an interest in critical incident stress management counseling.

Tammy Desko, LPC-Intern

(David Stilson, PhD, LPC, LMFT - Supervisor)

Tammy Desko is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern. She received the Bachelor's of Arts degree from the University of Kentucky and has her Master's of Arts in Professional Counseling from Amberton University. She is extremely dedicated in her service and a member of her church located in Grapevine, Texas. She believes in service to her clients in building faith and relationship with Christ. Her experience during her internship has been general practice in relationship to individuals, couples, and families. She is also a member of Tarrant County Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and North Texas Mental Health Professionals.

Manel Fernando, Our Receptionist

Agape receptionist, Manel Fernando, is the wife of the director, Sumith Fernando, and also the mother of Sumali Fernando. A native of Sri-Lanka herself, Manel was a former music teacher. Currently she is a piano-accordianist and assists her husband's ministry with her musical talents and other gifts.