MEET OUR TEAM
We believe in YOU and your capacity to create a better life.
Are you just plain tired of worrying and worrying about worrying?
You’re overwhelmed by thoughts and emotions and are ready for help.
You’re tired of feeling disconnected from the ones you love.
You want to create a better life but aren’t sure you can do it on your own.
Even though things may feel a bit hopeless right now, it’s important to recognize you’re not in this alone.
We’re here to help you.
Creating a meaningful life—one where you’re able to feel calm, connected, and confident—is not natural or easy for everyone. Like many others, you’ve probably already tried different strategies to get a handle on things but find yourself repeating the same patterns despite desperately wanting to change.
Rest assured that with willingness, a good therapeutic relationship, and the right strategies, it Is possible!
Everyone can change and create a life they’re excited about living!
Licensed Psychologist
Founder & Clinical Supervisor
DBT-LBCC, Board Certified
BCIA, Board Certified Neurofeedback Certified Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Maribel Gonzalez
“Some people find their calling. Mine found me at 17, in my first Psychology class and I never looked back”
The opportunity to help others- especially those who are in deep emotional pain- was something Maribel could not pass on. Since then, she’s dedicated her life to helping teens, young adults, and families modify their mindset, change their behavior, and manage their emotions so they can create a life that's meaningful and purposeful one where they can achieve their goals and build healthy, lasting relationships.
Working with teens and their families is her passion, mainly because teens so often feel misunderstood, disconnected, and unseen during a time in their lives that’s so critical for healthy social and emotional development.
Her personal experience as a mother of three boys, combined with her twenty years of clinical work, has shown her the profound impact that effective, skillful support can have. That journey led her to neurofeedback: a powerful, non-invasive approach that works directly with the brain to help regulate mood, attention, and emotional responses. For many teens and families, it has been a game-changer when traditional therapy alone wasn't enough.
Maribel consistently sees remarkable change happen in both teens and their families when the right tools are in place.
If you're a parent feeling overwhelmed by what your teen is going through or if you're a teen or young adult who is struggling and not sure where to turn, we're glad you're here.
Things can start to get better, and you don't have to figure it out alone.
Clinical Psychologist Doctoral Intern
Board Certified Behavior Analyst, BCBA
Dr. Claudia Cedeno Nadal
Dr. Claudia Cedeno Nadal is a Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) dedicated to helping children, adolescents, adults, and families better understand themselves, navigate challenges, and create meaningful change.
Her educational background reflects a deep interest in understanding human behavior from multiple perspectives. She holds four master’s degrees in General Psychology, Child and Adolescent Psychological Development, Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism, and Language & Hearing Disorders. This multidisciplinary training allows her to approach each individual with an understanding of the many factors that shape behavior, development, communication, and emotional well-being.
For the past decade, Dr. Cedeno has worked closely with children, adolescents, and families across clinical, behavioral, and developmental settings. Her areas of expertise include autism assessment and intervention, psychological and behavioral evaluations, ADHD, emotional regulation, parent training, and evidence-based behavioral interventions. Her work also extends to young adults seeking support with emotional regulation, relationships, life transitions, and building practical skills for everyday life.
At the heart of her work is the belief that meaningful change begins with understanding. Rather than simply focusing on symptoms or behaviors, Dr. Cedeno works collaboratively with clients and families to understand what may be happening beneath the surface and to develop practical tools that can translate into everyday life.
Whether you are seeking support for yourself or your child, Dr. Cedeno’s goal is to help you better understand patterns of behavior and emotion, strengthen emotional regulation, improve relationships, and develop the skills needed to build a life that feels more balanced, intentional, and fulfilling.'
Clinical Psychologist
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Paola Lopez Saavedra
Dr. Paola Lopez Saavedra, Psy.D., is a Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow with extensive experience providing psychotherapy and psychological assessment services to children, adolescents, adults, and families. She earned her Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Albizu University, completed her predoctoral internship at Centerstone’s Trauma Services Department, and completed her post-doctoral training at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Paola specializes in trauma and trauma-related concerns, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and emotional and behavioral difficulties. She has extensive experience working with children and adolescents impacted by complex trauma, abuse, and other adverse experiences, as well as adolescents experiencing eating disorders and co-occurring anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Dr. Paola is formally trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and the Tri-Phasic Model for complex trauma. Her approach integrates trauma-focused, cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, and family-based interventions. She has facilitated DBT-informed skills groups focused on emotional regulation and coping, as well as PCIT-informed skills groups focused on parent management and behavioral functioning. She also provides psychological assessment to support diagnostic clarification and treatment planning.
As a bilingual clinician, Dr. Paola provides culturally responsive care to Spanish-speaking clients and families. She brings warmth, collaboration, and clinical depth to her work, helping clients develop practical coping skills, strengthen relationships, build resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Administrative Assistant
Neurofeedback Technician
Michelle Prestigiacomo
Michelle earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human and Social Development
from the University of Miami in 2022 and is currently pursuing her
Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Florida
International University. As the administrative assistant and
neurofeedback technician at our practice, she is passionate about
supporting clients through their wellness journey by creating a
welcoming, comfortable, and safe environment.
Michelle’s lifelong fascination with the brain and human behavior was
sparked at a young age due to her father's career as a neurosurgeon.
This interest naturally led her to the field of mental health and
neurofeedback, where she enjoys combining science, technology, and
compassionate care to help individuals better understand and optimize
their brain functioning.
Michelle believes that people are capable of meaningful growth and
change at every stage of life. She strives to help clients feel
supported, understood, and hopeful, with the belief that healing is
possible and things can get better with time, support, and the right
tools
Chief Officer of Hugs & Kisses
Mika
Mika is our in-house emotional support dog and one of our most beloved team members. She has a natural gift for sensing when someone needs a little extra comfort and she's always happy to provide it.
One of her favorite things is greeting patients the moment they walk through the door, tail wagging and ready to make them feel welcome. If you need a cuddle on the couch, Mika will be the first to curl up right beside you.
Whether it's a gentle nudge or simply sitting close by, she has a way of making everyone feel a little more at ease from the very first moment.
Fair warning, you may leave your session feeling better than expected, and it might be because of Mika.
Why work with us:
We care deeply about the families we support and believe collaboration is the key to a successful therapeutic relationship.
During our journey together, we'll set goals for treatment which consider changing thinking and behavior patterns that are now getting in the way of having healthy relationships and accomplishing goals.
We'll stand by your side and guide you and your family as you overcome life's hurdles, providing the tools that will help manage intense emotions and nagging thoughts. At times, when things don't work out exactly as planned, we will be there for support and will help you get back on track so you can begin moving forward again.
Imagine creating a life you're you and your family:
Have peace of mind.
Feel connected to each other and others.
Are able to manage your emotions in healthy ways.
Experience personal confidence.
When this happens, we've both done our job and even though you may no longer need therapy with us and we’ll miss you, we’ll also feel satisfied and excited for you, knowing that you’re now empowered to tackle life’s challenges and chapters yet to come.