Crisis Support Therapy Partners
Our Story
The concept of galvanizing alternative health professionals to respond to national crises had been circulating in the heart and mind of founder, Monica Hamer, for some time. Then when the devastating event at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas occurred, Monica knew that the time was now to put the vision into action. Months of planning went into the first deployment of therapists to Uvalde, where CST Partners provided its first healing therapies to a community in need.
CST Partners continues to fortify its network of alternative therapists, community partnerships, and corporate and private underwriting so that we are best positioned to serve communities in need quickly, effectively, and compassionately.
Our Team
We are all driven by the mission to help a hurting world.
MONICA HAMER ~ FOUNDER & CEO
Monica Salazar Hamer is the Founder and CEO of CST Partners and a Certified CranioSacral Therapist with over 22 years of experience in private practice at Mirashift Therapy. She is also a Certified Teaching Assistant with Upledger Institute International (UII), supporting the education and mentorship of practitioners in CranioSacral Therapy.
Monica’s clinical work has included a longstanding focus on pediatric care, concussion recovery, and trauma-informed nervous system support. With extensive training in somatic and trauma-informed approaches, she has witnessed the profound impact that compassionate, skilled care can have on individuals navigating stress, injury, and crisis.
In 2022, inspired by a desire to extend this work beyond the walls of private practice, Monica founded CST Partners to bring experienced practitioners together in service clinics that provide supportive care to communities facing hardship, trauma, and natural disaster. Through CST Partners, her vision is to expand access to nervous system–informed care and contribute to healing on a broader humanitarian scale.
Makayla Gentry Makayla Gentry serves as the Administrative Coordinator for CST Partners, where she helps support the organization and communication that allow service clinics and practitioners to come together to provide care for communities experiencing trauma, stress, and crisis.
She is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and a Techniques Certified CranioSacral Therapist through the Upledger Institute International (UII). Her work focuses on supporting individuals physically and emotionally through nervous system–informed bodywork.
Her primary modalities include CranioSacral Therapy and Neuromuscular Massage Therapy, with additional experience supporting concussion recovery and pediatric participants.
Known for her compassionate presence, Makayla meets individuals where they are and helps create a safe, supportive environment that honors each person’s unique healing journey.
Shon MonDragon works as a counselor, teacher and sound healer, and utilizes a history of eclectic knowledge of psychology and meditation to enhance skills supporting attention, relaxation and resilience. His work studying cognition at the University of Houston helps inform his approach to calming the nervous system and reintegrating a full life experience liberated from stress amd anxiety. By focusing on enhancing internal resources for calm and relaxation Shon hopes to deepen the process of healing and growth for his clients and liberate their ability to hold greater agency over their life experience.
Stephen Chee is a nonprofit leader and strategic advisor dedicated to advancing trauma-informed care and community well-being through collaborative partnerships and mission-driven initiatives. His work centers on developing partnerships, programs, and initiatives that strengthen organizational capacity and expand access to healing-centered services.
Stephen serves as a strategic advisor to CST Partners, where he helps guide partnership development, funding models, strategic initiatives, and organizational planning. His work helps support the organization’s growth while advancing its mission to provide compassionate care to individuals and communities experiencing stress, trauma, and crisis.
Known for his collaborative leadership style, Stephen brings integrity, emotional intelligence, and a thoughtful approach to nonprofit strategy and community engagement. He is committed to helping organizations develop sustainable strategies that expand access to compassionate, healing-centered care for individuals and communities in need.
The Board of Directors
Our board consists of professionals and social advocates who represent a variety of backgrounds to provide well-rounded guidance and direction for our organization.
Members include Monica Salazar Hamer, Stephen Chee, Gigi Ragan, Grace Peters, Blair Golman Freedman, Myriam Graham, and Jennifer Conner.
