Our Staff
Michelle Hintz, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist
I am a licensed psychologist and a board-certified music therapist with over 25 years of clinical experience. I received my doctorate from Carlos Albizu University in 2007 and completed my doctoral internship at Miami Children’s Hospital in the Department of Psychiatry. I established The Cadenza Center for Psychotherapy & the Arts, Inc. in 2000 to serve the greater Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area.
While I do work with adults, my primary focus is with children & their families. I have training in behavior modification, family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy & developmental psychology. In addition to conducting therapy, I also do evaluations for learning disabilities, conduct and behavioral disorders, autism, mood and personality disorders. For forensic cases related to autism, I have provided testimony and expert opinions as well as serving as an expert witness.
In addition to my work with clients, I serve as the center’s President and Clinical Director as well as supervise trainees in mental health and psychology. Finally, in addition to being a featured speaker at professional seminars, my professional service includes being on the editorial board for “Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts” (a peer-reviewed APA journal) and serving on several national committees and advisory boards both in psychology and music therapy.
BEHAVIOR THERAPY STAFF
Ashley Castro BCaBA
Ashley Castro is an Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) with over 8 years working in the field. As an undergrad student, Ashley started working with children at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital as a volunteer bedside buddy where her love for children grew and lead her earn a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University in 2018.
Ashley joined the Cadenza Center in 2019 and is particularly adept at working with difficult family dynamics, aggressive behavior, and adolescents with autism. Ashley’s professional interests include verbal behavior, behavior reduction, feeding, independent living skills and helping to improve family communication and relationships. In addition to maintaining a small caseload, Ashley serves as the Cadenza Center’s Operational Director. She is responsible for overseeing effective operating procedures across the company. Her duties include reviewing company guidelines, policies and procedures as well as assessing productivity, hiring and training procedures. Ashley intends on pursuing a degree in mental health in order to better serve as a primary clinician who can integrate her behavioral background with psychological theory.
Irene Taffe BCBA
Irene Taffe (formerly Van Elderen) is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with over 10 years of experience in the field of Autism working with children and adolescents. Initially trained in speech therapy, Irene is a highly-motivated and a dedicated professional committed to continued learning and clinical advancement. She is not only skilled in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), but also hold certification in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Organizational Behavior Management (OBM).
Having worked at the Cadenza Center for over three years, she has not only provided direct ABA services, but she has served as a consultant to the clinical director through her expertise in program development, performance management, staff training, quality monitoring, and clinical outcome measurement. Irene believes in a holistic viewpoint and supports open communication with parents, caregivers and educators. She currently coordinates Cadenza’s training and mentorship program for RBT’s working towards certification as a Behavior Analyst.
Melanie Gonzalez BCaBA
Melanie Gonzalez is a seasoned Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) with over 5 years of extensive experience collaborating with children and their families. In her university formation in Venezuela, she acquired her degree as a Licensed Psychologist, setting the foundation for her journey in the realm of mental health.
After moving to the United States her career in Applied Behavior Analysis began as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). This commitment led her to successfully achieve her certification as a BCaBA through the Florida Institute of Technology in 2020. Melanie specializes in catering to the needs of individuals on the autism spectrum, a testament to her unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of those with developmental disabilities. Her expertise spans various settings, including homes, schools, community, and clinic-based environments.
Melanie’s professional aspirations include furthering her expertise in mental health. Her goal is to obtain a specialized degree that will empower her to provide effective support across a wider range of mental health conditions. She envisions becoming a proficient clinician by seamlessly integrating her profound understanding of human behavior with the complex realms of psychology, thereby offering comprehensive care to those in need.
Gayta Prospere BCBA
Gayta Prospere is a compassionate Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 6 years of experience working in various settings and states. Gayta obtained her BCBA training at the Florida Institute of Technology and is also a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in the state of Michigan. She is a native of Haiti, migrated to America at the age of 12 years old, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Florida International University. She earned her Master of Science degree in Applied Psychology from Lynn University and subsequently worked as a mental health counselor for over 3 years.
Gayta enjoys working with neurodiverse individuals, as she believes it offers endless opportunities for learning and growth. Her training in both psychology and behavior analysis contribute to her commitment to understanding each individual’s unique needs and tailoring interventions that support the entire family. She is passionate about parent training and encouraging stakeholders to participate in implementing interventions to achieve and maintain positive outcomes. Outside of her professional life, Gayta finds fulfillment in spending quality time with her family and exploring new destinations through domestic road trips and international travels.
Bethsy Ann Berberena, BCaBA
Bethsy Ann Berberena is a dedicated and compassionate Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) with a strong foundation in behavioral therapy and child development. She began her career at the Cadenza Center as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and, through her hard work and dedication, has advanced to her current role as a BCaBA.
A summa cum laude graduate of Florida International University (FIU), Bethsy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a focus on understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by children with developmental and behavioral needs. Her academic excellence underscores her commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth in applied behavior analysis (ABA).
With over two years of hands-on experience at the Cadenza Center, Bethsy has worked extensively with children diagnosed with a variety of conditions, including ADHD and autism spectrum disorders. She is adept at designing individualized behavior intervention plans and employing evidence-based strategies to manage even the most complex behavioral challenges.
What truly sets Bethsy apart is her unwavering passion for making a difference. She thrives on creatively addressing each child’s unique needs, ensuring they receive compassionate, personalized care. Bethsy remains committed to advancing her expertise through ongoing education and practical experience in applied behavior analysis, continually striving to empower children and families to achieve lasting success. Her approach reflects her belief that every child has the potential to grow, thrive, and succeed.
Beyond her professional achievements, Bethsy brings over 20 years of leadership experience from her work with community youth groups and young mothers. As a parent herself, she understands the importance of fostering positive relationships and supporting families through their journeys.
Bethsy fully embraces the Cadenza Center’s vision of delivering high-quality therapy and care to help children unlock their full potential. In her free time, she enjoys creating meaningful memories with her large, close-knit family.
Martha Perez, BCaBA
Martha Perez, BCaBA, is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst with over 13 years of experience in the Applied Behavior Analysis field, spanning research, residential, school, clinic, and in-home service settings. Throughout her career, she’s led dozens of multidisciplinary teams, serving hundreds of children and young adults with developmental disabilities, all with the shared goal of helping each client reach their full potential. Martha’s clinical expertise includes addressing selective eating behaviors, increasing independence with daily living skills (ADLs), and delivering high-impact training and coaching to both parents and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs).
In addition to her clinical work, Martha has also spent 4 years supporting ABA and mental health organizations as an executive coach and strategic growth consultant—guiding sustainable growth, strengthening organizational culture, and expanding access to credible resources through content creation and digital strategy. While she continues her clinical work at Cadenza, Martha also independently channels her commitment to accessibility into digital marketing initiatives. She leverages her behavioral science background to develop innovative strategies that connect those in need with essential support and guidance, ensuring that help reaches those who need it most.
PSYCHOLOGY MENTAL HEALTH STAFF
Kyara Ramirez-Guzman LMHC
Kyara Ramirez-Guzman is a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Registered Marriage Family & Couples Therapy Intern. Kyara is also a National Certified Counselor who offers you 3 years of experience in working with individuals, family, marriages, couples and children in variety of settings in the mental health field. Kyara is also trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She obtained her Masters in Counseling with a Dual Specialization in Mental Health and Marriage, Family & Couples Therapy at Barry University.
Kyara, was trained under the nurturing parenting program curriculum to help parents gain an understanding of parenting using nurturing techniques. She uses play therapy to help children understand their feelings, identify feelings and regulate emotions when dealing with behavioral difficulties. Through CBT, Kyara helps individuals living with depression, anxiety, fear, grief, life stressors, dysfunctional relationship or simple situational stressors. Through her experience, Kyara has learned that therapy is a collaborative effort that only works as long as you put in the work when you are ready and willing to change.
Jasmine Bernstein LMFT
Jasmine Bernstein is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who joined the Cadenza Center in 2022. She received her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family therapy from Nova Southeastern University and brings her training in systemic thinking to her work with clients and their families. She has a passion for helping people navigate through the many challenges life can bring by using techniques that are solution oriented and client focused.
While Jasmine works with adults/ adolescents, couples and families, her primary focus is working from a strength-based perspective to help people manage life cycle changes and stressors, depression/ anxiety, parenting, co-parenting/ divorce/ blended family challenges and couples’ therapy. Because of her unique skill set and experience, other clinicians often consult with her on difficult cases.
While Jasmine works with adults/ adolescents, couples and families, her primary focus is working from a strength-based perspective to help people manage life cycle changes and stressors, depression/ anxiety, parenting, co-parenting/ divorce/ blended family challenges and couples’ therapy. Because of her unique skill set and experience, other clinicians often consult with her on difficult cases.
Jasmine’s philosophy is that people consider reframing the clinical work as “moving towards the solution rather than running away from the problem.” From this perspective, she has seen people create positive and lasting changes in our relationships.
Chanrika Morley LMHC
Chanrika Morley has over 10 years of experience in the field of mental health. She received her Master’s degree in mental health counseling from Barry University. Chanrika has been working in the field of mental health since 2013 and started out working with individuals with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities in an Intensive Behavior group home. Chanrika has worked in community mental health centers, substance use treatment centers, foster care and residential centers and out patient centers ever since.
Chanrika is trained in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), behavior therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), as well as Applied Behavior Analysis. She specializes in working with individuals from young children through adults dealing with Trauma, PTSD, Depression and Anxiety.
Chanrika believes each individual is unique in their own way. Her goal is to help each individual reach their full potential by providing a safe, non-judgmental and culturally-relevant environment. When Chanrika isn’t working she is often reading, enjoying what South Florida has to offer, or traveling to the Bahamas to visit her family and friends.
Chanrika believes each individual is unique in their own way. Her goal is to help each individual reach their full potential by providing a safe, non-judgmental and culturally-relevant environment. When Chanrika isn’t working she is often reading, enjoying what South Florida has to offer, or traveling to the Bahamas to visit her family and friends.
Maria Guasone
Maria Guasone is a bilingual Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern (RMHCI) who joined the Cadenza Center in 2020. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Christian Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theology Seminary and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Barry University.
Maria specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Motivational Interviewing and Christian Counseling. She has experience working with depression, anxiety symptoms, attachment/abandonment issues, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, anger issues, traumas, peer relationship issues, or couple-marital issues. Maria offers services in Spanish and English.
Maria specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Motivational Interviewing and Christian Counseling. She has experience working with depression, anxiety symptoms, attachment/abandonment issues, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, anger issues, traumas, peer relationship issues, or couple-marital issues. Maria offers services in Spanish and English.
Maria’s strives to help her clients through life’s challenges by actively listening and reflecting while offering authentic empathy to help clients reach their goals and dreams. She supports individuals through the process of building a better version of themselves by encouraging personal growth and introspection.
Maria is passionate about helping others in her field and outside through her church. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Organizational Psychology from Albizu University. Originally from Mar del Plata, Argentina, Maria is a huge fan of Italian and Argentinian cuisine. Outside of work you can find her walking along the beach listening to music, meditating, or doing Pilates. She is also an avid animal lover and considers her cats and dogs family members.
Maria is passionate about helping others in her field and outside through her church. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Organizational Psychology from Albizu University. Originally from Mar del Plata, Argentina, Maria is a huge fan of Italian and Argentinian cuisine. Outside of work you can find her walking along the beach listening to music, meditating, or doing Pilates. She is also an avid animal lover and considers her cats and dogs family members.
Carolina Cossio
Carolina Cossio is a school psychologist with nearly 10 years of experience in the field. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she knew from a young age that she wanted help children with behavioral and learning difficulties. With intent to become an educator, Carolina moved to Florida soon after high school and attended Miami Dade College and then FIU. After graduation, she worked in a Montessori school in Miami and fell in love with the philosophy of teaching.
She then obtained a Montessori certification as well. After getting married, she returned to Argentina and became a teacher at one of the best bilingual schools in Argentina. Even in that role, she felt compelled to learn more.
She then obtained a Montessori certification as well. After getting married, she returned to Argentina and became a teacher at one of the best bilingual schools in Argentina. Even in that role, she felt compelled to learn more.
In 2013, she obtained her degree as a school psychologist so that she could evaluate children, adolescents and young adults with special needs and/or with specific learning disorders. It is her passion for finding the source of those difficulties that Carolina finds her purpose, knowing that she is supporting not only the child, but their families. At the Cadenza Center, Carolina conducts evaluations in English and Spanish for ages 3 years and up.
Samira Sainsurin, MS
Samira (“Sami”) Sainsurin, MS, is an Assistant Evaluator at the Cadenza Center, bringing a rich background in clinical psychology, public health, and community mental health. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and is currently completing her Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology at Albizu University. Sami has extensive experience in pediatric and adult neuropsychological assessment, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention, and she is skilled in administering and interpreting a wide range of psychological tools. Multilingual in English, Creole, and Spanish, Sami has served diverse communities through roles in behavioral health, case management, and maternal health research. Her dedication to empowering children and families is matched by her commitment to clinical excellence, cultural sensitivity, and improving outcomes for underserved populations.
Rebecca David-Cusani
Rebecca David-Cusani is a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern (RMHCI) who recently joined the Cadenza Center.. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Mississippi and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Barry University.
Rebecca specializes in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). She has experience working with those struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, and life stressors.
Rebecca has always been an advocate for mental health and is especially passionate about working with those struggling with social anxiety and depression. Rebecca strives to guide clients through life’s challenges by offering empathy, creating a safe space for clients to share without judgement, and incorporate mindfulness into the therapeutic environment.
Tyeshaa Hudson
Tyeshaa Hudson is a licensed Mental Health Counseling Intern who strives to provide support, encourage, and motivate her clients to pursue a fulfilling and beneficial life experience. Tyeshaa began her career in 2014 when she enrolled in the University of Miami’s Mental Health Counseling program. In addition to a Master’s degree, Tyeshaa utilizes spirituality, mindfulness, and meditation practices to contribute to a holistic pursuit of individual health. She is a multiculturally competent counselor who is passionate about understanding each clients’ unique perspectives, past experiences, and viewpoints on life.
It was through her extensive work with outpatient transition aged youth (13-18) in lower socioeconomic situations that Tyeshaa came to find her passion for working with teenagers and their families dealing with family conflict, cyber bullying, addictions, identity formation,
Tyeshaa believes that every person has the tools within themselves to achieve a harmonious life, and through open communication and understanding, there are infinite possibilities for success.
Mona Nuccitelli
Mona Nuccitelli is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 30 years of experience. Mona worked with children and adults impacted by mental health and behavioral issues. Often that made it hard for them to handle life challenges and it’s stressful times. Ms. Nuccitelli worked with clients involving grief/loss, trauma, depression, anxiety and family changes such as divorce.
Mona received a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Houston. Prior to graduate school, she taught Exceptional Education Students for 14 years with a Bachelor in Education from Florida Atlantic University. While teaching she noticed that students and their parents were in need of counseling/therapy prompting a new career path.
Ms. Nuccitelli uses varied models of therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client Centered Therapy, and Exposure Therapy (for help with OCD and phobias), and Expressive Arts Therapy.
Mona embraces working with clients of varied cultural backgrounds, races and LGBT clients. She believes the world is a challenging place, our experiences impact on how we maneuver, and thrive to aid clients towards greater acceptance, increased awareness, and self-esteem, in a supportive and empathetic setting.
In her free time Ms. Nuccitelli enjoys nature, gardening, music, travel, reading and learning new recipes from different countries. Animal Rights support is dear to her heart, as well as planet conservation, which are some of her personal missions.
Debra Cohen-Melamed
Debra is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. She earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked in a variety of settings, including community mental health centers, intensive outpatient programs, public and private schools, hospitals, and residential facilities.
Debra integrates multiple therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Exposure Therapy. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, a Certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (TF-CBT), and a Certified Personality Disorder Treatment Provider. She has extensive experience working with children, teenagers, and adults, treating behavioral challenges, personality and mood disorders, ADHD, OCD, and trauma.
Known for her warmth and empathy, Debra takes a strength-based, client-centered approach that emphasizes authenticity and cultural competence. She incorporates her clients’ interests into their therapeutic journey, fostering a safe and supportive environment where they feel heard and empowered to navigate life’s challenges. Debra tailors her approach to meet each individual’s unique needs, helping them build resilience, develop healthy coping strategies, and achieve meaningful personal growth.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, getting lost in a good book, listening to music, and relaxing at the beach.
Dr. Lauren Padron, DMFT, PMT
Dr. Lauren Padron is a Marriage and Family therapist, who works with adolescents, adults, families, substance abuse, and trauma therapy. She also facilitates various support groups for parents such as those who have young children diagnosed with autism. Dr. Padron acquired both her Master’s degree and Doctorate at Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. Padron asks: “Are you feeling stuck, anxious, hopeless or just not yourself? Feeling unconfident in your current relationship? Are you struggling to manage day-to-day stress? We all know that pain is unavoidable, but I as a Marriage and Family Therapist I would love to help you manage that burden whatever it may be while we work collaboratively towards healthy, practical solutions. I aim to create a safe space to talk about hard things, without judgement. I firmly believe you are the expert on your life, and will bring my clinical expertise in therapy to collaboratively find the relief and balance you desire.
My treatment approach to client care is relational and collaborative. I work with my clients to help them understand their current barriers, to be better able to self-reflect, and to feel empowered enough to keep taking small steps towards meaningful change. Growth is an ongoing process, and we often need encouragement to take that first step.”
CREATIVE ARTS THERAPY STAFF
Lorelis Ploche, ATR, RMHCI, RBT
Lorelis Ploche is a Registered Art Therapist and Mental Health Counseling Intern at the Cadenza Center. Originally from Sacramento, California, she has been dedicated to serving children and families affected by autism and related developmental disorders since 2015. Her experience also includes working with children diagnosed with cancer in inpatient facilities, providing therapeutic support through art.
With a deep passion for art and mental health, Lorelis is committed to using creative expression as a tool for healing, self-exploration, and personal growth. Drawing from positive psychology and person-centered therapy, she tailors her approach to foster emotional well-being and resilience in her clients.
In her free time, Lorelis enjoys painting, dancing, spending time with loved ones, and serving her church community. She is excited to integrate her love for the arts into her therapeutic work and help clients achieve their personal and emotional goals.
BriAnne Weaver, MM, MT-BC
BriAnne Weaver is a board-certified music therapist with over 15 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s Degree in Music, with an emphasis in Music Therapy, from the University of Miami, and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology from the College of William and Mary. BriAnne has a wealth of experience working with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, with multiple and varying diagnoses and diverse levels of ability, across the entire lifespan.
BriAnne is dedicated to serving the profession of music therapy. She is an Assembly Delegate for the Southeastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association (SER-AMTA) and has been re-elected for the 2024-2026 term. She is also a co-chair of AMTA’s Workforce Development and Retention Committee. This committee is designed to increase the awareness of music therapy as a career choice and to assist and provide support for professional music therapists to remain in the field.
BriAnne also more than 10 years of experience in training and supervising music therapy interns. The music therapy internship is the final step in training future music therapists to sit for board examination. Interns can bring a fresh perspective to the workplace and BriAnne looks forward to implementing a music therapy internship at Cadenza.
Outside of work, BriAnne enjoys exploring the vast array of art, entertainment, and food that South Florida has to offer. She loves to cook, bake, walk her dog, and wishes that she could play the piano just for fun more often. Be sure to ask BriAnne about her pet tortoise the next time you see her.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Arielle
Arielle joined the Cadenza Center team in early 2022. She now works as the office manager & billing coordinator. Recently graduating with a degree in clinical psychology, she hopes to pursue a field in psychiatry. Arielle is dedicated to making sure the office runs smoothly, helping clients get scheduled for services, and making sure the billing department is up-to-date with insurance claims. When she is not verifying insurances and crunching numbers, she can be found at a local Florida Panthers game or on the pickleball courts.
Andrea
Andrea is a new addition to Cadenza’s front desk team. She is a graduate from Miami-Dade Community College with a degree in Marketing Management – International Business. Andrea speaks Spanish and English, being originally from Ecuador. She is a proud parent of two and brings her customer service experience from the world of hospitality. Andrea aims to bring a bright smile and genuine care to all those that first reach the Cadenza Center
Xochi
Xochi joined the Cadenza Center team in 2022, bringing her background in logistics and is part of our front desk team, serving as the scheduling coordinator. She is a graduate of St. Mary’s University of San Antonio with a BBA in Information Systems Management. Xochi brings experience from nonprofit, corporate and governmental organizations. She is adept in project management and working with a wide range of stakeholders to develop win-win solutions.
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