Iesha Pagan, Client Intake Specialist
Iesha brings a wealth of knowledge and empathy to her role as a Client Intake Specialist at Aspire Counseling Group. With 20 years of experience in customer service and a background in peer support, she is dedicated to ensuring that clients receive the care and attention they need from the moment they reach out. Iesha is passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive experience, guiding clients through the intake process with professionalism and compassion.
Her diverse experience and personal commitment to helping others make her an integral part of the Aspire Counseling Group team, where she is honored to assist individuals on their path to healing and growth.
Christine Gerhard Dicks + Tammy Blackard Cook, Co-owners
Chris and Tammy met way back in 1998 when they worked at the Child Welfare League of America, where they both held the title of Regional Deputy Directors in different regions. In work trips to Washington, DC, the nonprofit had them bunk together to save money, solidifying a long-lasting friendship.
In 2004, Chris moved to North Carolina and, for the first time, they were in the same city where they worked different jobs. Having recently started families, Chris and Tammy would get together when they could and dream about a place to work where they could work when they wanted, feel seen, supported, encouraged, and learn. In addition, they wanted it to be a place to work other people would want to work too, so that they could build community together.
In 2010, that dream finally came to fruition when they opened Aspire Counseling Group in a little house on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. Back then, there were very few group mental health practices in the Triangle, and even fewer who had a website! Times have certainly changed, but Aspire lives on and has (hopefully!) become the place Chris and Tammy envisioned so many years ago.
Suffice it to say, they have learned many lessons along the way, some the hard way, and have adapted and changed Aspire to meet the needs of a changing community and market. In every decision, they try to make sure they are staying true to the vision of why they started Aspire in the first place: to build a place people want to work and to help Triangle citizens live their best lives.
Dimica Lawrence, Community Outreach & Marketing Consultant
Dimica has always had a passion for building relationships and connecting with other providers and members of our local community. In her role as Community Outreach and Marketing Consultant, she is taking the initiative to engage in diverse spaces and create partnerships with other healthcare providers to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and promote the value of professional alliances in the healthcare field.
Dimica always “meets people where they are” to increase awareness and accessibility to mental health services. Aspire believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to prioritize their mental well-being, and with Dimica, we are dedicated to making therapy more visible and approachable for all.
