Our Staff

Michelle Reitman, PsyD, LMHC, MMT, MT-BC

Dr. Reitman is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in the treatment of autism and developmental disabilities, and behavioral disorders. She has also been a practicing, board-certified music therapist for 17 years and holds Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees in music therapy as well as a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. She has extensive training in behavior modification, Communication Systems, psychodynamic and systems theories, couples and family therapy, and developmental psychology.

Over the past 10 years, she has worked at numerous centers and schools that treat children with autism and related disabilities throughout south Florida. Dr. Reitman completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Carlos Albizu University. Her dissertation topic researched the effects of individual music therapy treatment on the development of joint attention skills in children diagnosed with severe autism. Her doctoral internship was completed at Miami Children’s Hospital in the Department of Psychiatry where her work focused on the treatment of children, adolescents, and families with a variety of psychiatric, behavioral, and emotional disorders as well trauma.
 
Dr. Reitman has worked with a wide variety of clinical populations including children with various physical disabilities, learning disabilities, conduct and behavioral disorders, as well as adolescents and adults with mood disorders, chemical dependence, relationship issues, personality disorders, and chronic medical conditions. Dr. Reitman has presented numerous workshops & trainings at the regional and national levels on topics including music therapy and autism, music psychotherapy, infant mental health, and creative therapy processes. She founded Cadenza Music Therapy in 2000 to serve children with autism and developmental disabilities in the South Broward and Dade Counties.

Dr. Reitman has been a clinical training director for several music therapy interns and practicum students and often guest lectures in the University of Miami’s Music Therapy Program and Miami Children’s Hospital. She sits on the editorial board for Music Therapy Perspectives, a quarterly journal published by the American Music Therapy Association and serves as the Continuing Education Coordinator for the Southeastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association and the Florida Association for Music Therapy. Please see Curriculum Vitae for additional background information.

Alan D. Reitman, Ph.D., LMHC, MT-BC

Dr. Reitman is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in the treatment of adolescents with chemical dependence and emotional disturbance. He completed his undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Music Therapy with a piano concentration, a Masters in Music Therapy, and a doctorate in Psychoeducational Processes and Music Therapy from Temple University in 1997. His doctoral studies focused on group development. Dr. Reitman has worked with a wide variety of clinical populations including children with various physical disabilities, adolescents and adults with emotional disturbance and chemical dependence, adults with chronic mental illness, adults with chronic pain and anxiety, and adults with performance anxiety. Dr. Reitman has developed several models of treatment, including “Rock Shop” and “Music Video Therapy” for adolescents, as well as Music Facilitated Coping Systematic Desensitization for musicians (and other types of performers) with performance anxiety. In addition to practicing as a clinician since 1982, Dr. Reitman was Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at the University of Miami from 1997-2004. Dr. Reitman served two terms as the President of the Florida Association for Music Therapy (1998-2002) and is on the editorial board of Music Therapy Perspectives, a clinical publication of the American Music Therapy Association. He has is also a recipient of the 2001 Excellence in Professional Practice Award from the Southeastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association. He now serves as Clinical Director for Cadenza Music Therapy, Inc. Please see Curriculum Vitae for additional background information.

Maria Karilshtadt, PsyD

Dr. Karilshtadt is a pediatric psychologist specializing in work with children and families. She completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. Dr. Karilshtadt completed her internship at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood Florida where she worked with inpatient and outpatient psychiatric populations. Her post-doctorate training was completed at the Nova Southeastern University's Fischler School of Education and Human Services as well as the Criminal Justice Institute where she conducted psychoeducational and psychological evaluations, conducted research in the area of battered women in collaboration with the Broward Sheriff's Office and the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Dr. Karilshtadt has extensive training in behavior modification, substance abuse and prevention, dual diagnosis, crisis stabilization, anger management, and social skills training. While she has worked with a wide variety of clinical populations including children with various physical disabilities, learning disabilities, conduct and behavioral disorders, as well as adolescents and adults with mood disorders, chemical dependence, relationship issues, personality disorders, and chronic medical conditions. Her major interests include working with adults and adolescents with mood disorders, grief issues, eating disorders, substance-related issues, and interpersonal difficulties.

Roland Bessis, PhD, FPPR

Roland Bessis is a Licensed Psychologist and a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology. He is also holds Board-Certification in Psychopharmacology. A graduate from the University of Paris-Sorbonne, Dr. Bessis has clinical experience spanning over 35 years. His primary training is in psychoanalysis and has secondary training in behavioral and cognitive therapy. He is eclectic in his approach to treatment and successfully uses both cognitive and psychodynamic approaches.Dr. Bessis specializes in treating adults with depression, anxiety, job issues, couples therapy, phobias, panic attacks, among other disorders. Dr. Bessis conducts therapy sessions in English and French. He accepts patients with the following insurances: Beech Street, Magellan/Pacificare, Magellan/Aetna, Value Option, and United Behavioral Health. He is also able to see patients with out of network benefits on the following insurances: Blue Cross/Blue Shield (PPO), Humana, Aetna, Tricare, and Humana.

Jennifer Beardman, LMHC

Jennifer Beardman is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders, behavioral disorders, relationship issues, and infertility/adoption issues. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Guidance & Counseling from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Her graduate internship was completed at the Kansas City Free Health Clinic and Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri where her work focused on the treatment of chronic mental illness including Psychotic Disorders, Mood and Anxiety Disorders, and Personality Disorders. She has extensive training in psychodynamic, family systems, behavior modification, and couples and family therapy.

Over the past 6 years, she has worked in various clinical settings in South Florida treating diverse populations including children and adolescents with conduct and behavioral disorders, adults with mood disorders, relationship issues, personality disorders, and chemical dependency. Jennifer Beardman served as a clinical director for a Community Mental Health Center in Boca Raton where she focused on geriatric concerns and the aging process. She also conducts bereavement groups for private organizations in the community and is a member of the American Counseling Association.

Jason Wasser, LMFT

Jason Wasser has an extensive background in working with youth and adults from all walks of life. His positions included serving as a Student Life Coordinator at Princeton University, providing counseling services for the special needs population & their families and leading community educational and recreational programming. Over the years, Jason has conducted numerous seminars at college campuses, retreats and educational programs on topics including spirituality, relationships, meditation /self-hypnosis and group leadership. He also has an interest in working with athletes, musicians and entertainers through performance consulting but also provides a variety of other therapeutic clinical services for the general population. He holds a B.A. from SUNY Empire State College, a Masters Degree in Marital & Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University, fulfilled Florida qualifications to practice hypnosis and hold a certificate in Sports & Fitness Psychology from California State University. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Florida, Clinical Member of the AAMFT and works with children, couples, individuals and families.

Dr. Moran Shamir

Dr. Moran Shamir is a licensed psychologist specializing in treating children and their families. Dr. Shamir has a wealth of experience providing child/adolescent and family psychotherapy as well as school-based psychotherapeutic services. She has specialized training in the assessment and treatment of depression, anxiety, adjustment difficulties to life stressors, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Furthermore, she is experienced in working with children and adolescents with conduct problems, developmental delays, bereavement, and histories of physical and sexual trauma, as well as with children/adolescents in foster care. She completed her predoctoral internship at The Chrysalis Center. Her treatment encompasses both play therapy and cognitive-behavioral techniques. Dr. Shamir is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University’s doctoral program in Clinical Psychology. Her major interests include working with children and their parents with behavioral, developmental, and mood disorders.

Lisa J. Taylor, LCSW

Lisa J. Taylor is a board-certified, licensed clinical social worker with extensive training treating children, adolescents, and adults. She received her Masters degree in Social Work from Barry University and is certified as a Conflict Resolution and Mediation Trainer.   Lisa has expertise in crisis intervention and prevention and incorporates cognitive and behavioral therapy, solution-focused, client centered and Gestalt Therapy into her practice. She has held a position as a Social Worker with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools for the past 13 years and holds a teaching certificate with the Florida Dept. of Education. Lisa also specializes in conducting psychoeducational classes and groups for adolescents and families on a variety of topics that affect parents and communities at large. She has been a public speaker for the Parent Academy for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She will be providing clinical supervision for Mental Health professionals as of July, 2009. She is most passionate about empowerment issues, emotional intelligence, and creating transformation.

BriAnne Weaver, MM, MT-BC

BriAnne Weaver is a board certified music therapist who currently specializes in treating adults and adolescents with severe to profound developmental disabilities and multiple medical conditions. She also treats children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. BriAnne has comprehensive training and experience working in special needs classrooms of elementary, middle, and high schools. She has worked extensively with students diagnosed with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and emotional or behavioral disorders.
BriAnne holds a Master’s of Music (M.M.) in Music Therapy from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. Her master’s thesis research examined instrumental improvisations of adolescents diagnosed with emotional or behavioral disorders. BriAnne recently presented her research at the 2008 12th World Congress of Music Therapy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and at the Southeastern Regional American Music Therapy Association 2009 Conference in Atlanta, GA. BriAnne also holds a Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) in Psychology from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA.

Sarah Galvan

Sarah Galvan received both her Bachelor’s Degree in Science and her Master’s Degree in Music Therapy from New York University.  Sarah completed her fieldwork experience at the NYU Rusk Rehabilitation Center and the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music therapy working with children of a variety of cognitive and physical disabilities.

While interning at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) in the Bronx, NY, Sarah began to write her thesis about music therapy and H.I.V. infected adolescents living in underserved communities. Sarah encouraged adolescents to engage in Dr. Austin’s techniques such as “vocal holding” and “free associate singing”. During her internship, Sarah also trained in a neonatal intensive care unit conducting research on the effects of music therapy on premature infants and their vital signs as well as promoting mother/infant bonding through lullabies. Since her graduation, Sarah has conducted group and individual music therapy sessions with children of a variety of diagnoses and ages.  Sarah’s fluency in Spanish also enables her to work with Hispanic patients and their families.

Hazel Phillips

Hazel Phillips was raised and educated in England and is a group facilitator using drama and music when working with children and adults.  She graduated from Royal Academy of Music, London, UK, in Voice, Opera and Piano, and after an extensive career as a professional performer and teacher in Europe. She is the founder/creator of “OPERATUNITY” shows and classes wherein she sings and dramatizes selections from opera and operetta, and offers background information regarding the selections. These programs are much in demand by independent Senior communities, clubs, and also centers which offer services for the care of residents with Alzheimers, as well as for private events.  “OPERATUNITY” shows are regarded by Program Directors as therapeutic and beneficial in offering memory recall and stimulation for adults who were once regular opera-goers, and miss this musical medium.
 
Hazel’s field of expertise and special focus is in vocal/sound techniques, and release of expression through the use of song, words, sounds, movement and comedy.  Hazel enjoys working with groups of adults, teens and children at United Cerebral Palsy, covering a wide variety of disorders and challenges, including autism, cerebral palsy, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, conduct and behavioral disorders. She also conducted, in conjunction with Memorial Healthcare Systems, a weekly Cultural Arts program for At-Risk adolescent students at a Middle School. Activities included Musical Theater, Circus Skills (she learned to juggle!), Acting, Singing, Dancing, African Drumming & Dancing.  She has also taught music/psychodrama at Memorial Healthcare summer camp, working with teens and young adults with emotional disturbances, anger management, interpersonal difficulties and mood disorders, and in inclusion transitioning programs.

Valentina Gomez, MS

Valentina Gomez is an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) instructor specializing in reading disorders, dyslexia, writing/composition, math disorders, ADD – ADHD, Autism / Asperger’s, and Auditory and Visual Processing disorders. She holds a Master’s degree in ESE from Barry University. She has extensive experience in Fast-Forward, CAI (Computer Assisted Instruction), Multi-Sensory Instruction, Academic Therapy, Orton-Gillingham Methods, and Lindamood-Bell™ Techniques.
 
Over the past 10 years, she has worked at numerous centers, schools and homes teaching children with autism and related disabilities in the Miami –Dade and South Broward county areas in both Spanish and English languages. Valentina believes that patience, empathy and improvisation are all essential traits to successful tutoring.