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
Renee Vassell, BCBA
Renee Vassell, M.S., BCBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 12 years of experience supporting children and families across home, school, clinic, and community settings. She specializes in behavior assessment, parent coaching, school collaboration, social skills development, potty training, and behavior support for children with developmental and behavioral needs. Renee is passionate about empowering families and caregivers through practical, evidence-based strategies that promote meaningful progress and long-term success.
Her collaborative and compassionate approach focuses on building independence, improving quality of life, and creating supportive environments where children can thrive. Renee is dedicated to delivering personalized, family-centered care that meets each child’s unique needs while fostering confidence, growth, and meaningful outcomes for both children and their families.
Ashley Castro BCaBA
ABA Case Coordinator
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
ABA Clinical Quality Coordinator
Irene Taffe, BCBA (formerly Van Elderen), is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with more than a decade of experience supporting children and adolescents with autism and related developmental differences. Originally trained in speech therapy, she brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her work and is committed to helping individuals develop meaningful communication, social, and adaptive skills.
In addition to her expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Irene holds certifications in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), allowing her to integrate evidence-based behavioral practices with a broader understanding of psychological flexibility, team dynamics, and systems-level thinking.
As ABA Clinical Quality Coordinator at Cadenza Center for Psychotherapy and the Arts, Irene plays a key leadership role in supporting the quality and consistency of ABA services across programs. Working closely with the Clinical Director, she contributes to clinician onboarding, mentorship, and the ongoing development of clinical systems that support high standards of ethical, individualized care.
Irene is known for her thoughtful clinical perspective, strong commitment to professional growth, and dedication to strengthening both client outcomes and the clinicians who support them.
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.
Beatriz Lobo, BCBA
Beatriz is a BCBA with 10 years of experience using applied behavioral science to teach language, play skills, and daily living skills to children with ASD. She is well-versed in B.F. Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior and is committed to evidence-based practice through function-based treatment.
Drawing from a variety of teaching methods like pivotal response training, DTT, NET, and PFA & SBT, Beatriz looks beyond the table and toward the environment at large for structured learning opportunities to improve the quality of life of the clients she serves.
Joanna Schiller, BCBA
Joanna Schiller, originally from the suburbs of New York, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who takes a collaborative, developmentally informed approach to supporting children and their families. She earned her Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences at SUNY Buffalo. Joanna has experience implementing a range of evidence-based interventions, including Natural Environment Teaching (NET), Discrete Trial Training (DTT), and the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), with a strong emphasis on naturalistic, play-based learning.
Joanna is committed to providing individualized, compassionate care that respects each child’s unique strengths and needs. She focuses on fostering social engagement, independence, and adaptive skills, while also addressing behaviors that may interfere with learning or daily life. Her work emphasizes strong relationship-building and close collaboration with caregivers to support meaningful progress across home, school, and community settings.
Isabella Rodriguez, BCBA
Isabella Gonzalez, BCaBA
Isabella Gonzalez is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst, BCaBA, with over 4 years of experience. She is passionate about helping children build the skills they need to become more independent, confident, and successful in their everyday lives. She provides individualized, evidence-based behavior analytic services while partnering closely with families to create meaningful and lasting progress.
Her clinical interests include communication development, social skills, emotional regulation, adaptive living skills, and parent collaboration. Isabella believes that every child deserves an approach tailored to their unique strengths and learning style, and she strives to make therapy engaging, compassionate, and motivating.
Known for her warm, collaborative approach, Isabella is dedicated to empowering children and their families with practical strategies that extend beyond the clinic. Her goal is to create meaningful change that improves quality of life and helps every child reach their fullest potential.
Tracy Harris, BCBA
Tracy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with more than seven years as a BCBA and ten overall in the field of ABA. She holds a master’s degree in Counseling with a dual concentration in Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis and Mental Health Counseling.
Tracy works with children with developmental disabilities, providing assessments and therapeutic interventions. She also leads and mentors teams of BCBAs, BCaBAs, and RBTs. She is passionate about parent and caregiver training, finding what motivates each client, and building plans that help skills carry over into everyday life.
Tracy is committed to improving quality of life for people with special needs. Outside of her clinical work, she has volunteered with social skills groups for children with ASD and served in student leadership, organizing events that prepare future counselors for the field.
Shaybre Davis BCaBA
Shaybre Davis is a dedicated Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) and Student Analyst with approximately 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families across a variety of behavioral and developmental needs. Throughout her career, Shaybre has gained extensive hands-on experience learning and responding to behaviors during moments of crisis. Her experience includes working with individuals who have demonstrated aggression, elopement, severe emotional dysregulation, refusal, and other behaviors that can present significant challenges for clients, caregivers, and treatment teams. She has also worked with clients with diagnoses and behavioral profiles involving Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and other developmental and behavioral needs.
Her interest in behavioral health also has a meaningful personal foundation. Having multiple family members who have experienced mental health challenges, Shaybre has developed a strong appreciation for the importance of mental health awareness, early support, compassion, and reducing the stigma surrounding behavioral and psychological needs.
Shaybre strives to create meaningful connections with the individuals and families she serves and believes that progress is not always measured by how quickly a behavior changes, but by the skills, confidence, and independence a person gains along the way.
“My goal is not simply to change behavior, but to understand the person behind it, help them find their voice, and support them in becoming the most independent version of themselves.”
PSYCHOLOGY MENTAL HEALTH STAFF
Kyara Ramirez-Guzman LMHC
EHR Compliance Coordinator
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.
Carolina Cossio
Director of Evaluations
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.
Elizabeth Monestime, Ed.S. Licensed School Psychologist
I am a certified and licensed school psychologist with more than 20 years of experience supporting the academic, cognitive, and social-emotional needs of children and adolescents. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Florida A&M University (FAMU), a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida (UWF), and a Specialist degree in School Psychology from Florida International University (FIU).
I began my career as an elementary school teacher in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where I spent five years using a multi-sensory, student-centered approach to support all learners, including gifted learners, English Language Learners (ELL) students, struggling students, and students with disabilities. This strong foundation in classroom instruction shaped my transition into the field of school psychology.
As a certified and licensed school psychologist, I conducted comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations for students in Pre-K through 12th grade. My work includes identifying and supporting students with giftedness, ADHD, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and autism. I have extensive experience collaborating with teachers, families, and community partners to develop effective Educational Plans (EPs) and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), ensuring students receive services and accommodations. I also served in a leadership role, guiding teams and strengthening schoolwide approaches to student support.
Now, I serve as an Evaluation Specialist at the Cadenza Center, where I continue to apply my expertise in assessment, intervention, and collaborative problem-solving to promote positive outcomes for children and adolescents. Fueled by a deep passion for educational equity and student advocacy, I am committed to empowering children and adolescents through high-quality evaluations and meaningful support that empower children and families.
Tyeshaa Hudson LMHC
Tyeshaa Hudson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor 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, LCSW
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, LCSW
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. Jasmine Appolon, PsyD
Jasmine Appolon is a Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Resident who provides psychotherapy and psychological assessment services to children, adolescents, adults, and families. She is completing her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Child Psychology. Her clinical experience spans the lifespan and includes working with individuals presenting with anxiety, depression, trauma-related concerns, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), emotional and behavioral difficulties, adjustment-related concerns, and other mental health and developmental needs.
Jasmine utilizes an integrative, evidence-based approach tailored to each client’s age, presenting concerns, strengths, and individual needs. She draws primarily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), DBT-informed interventions, and, when working with children, developmentally appropriate and play-based techniques. She also values caregiver involvement and works collaboratively with families through parent support, psychoeducation, and strategies designed to strengthen communication and help caregivers better understand the needs underlying their child’s behavior.
In addition to psychotherapy, Jasmine has experience conducting psychological and psychoeducational evaluations assessing cognitive, academic, emotional, behavioral, developmental, and adaptive functioning, including autism-focused assessment. She is passionate about providing compassionate, culturally responsive, and individualized care that recognizes each client’s unique strengths and supports children, adolescents, adults, and families in building greater understanding, resilience, and practical skills.
Camila Betancourt, RMHCI
CREATIVE ARTS THERAPY STAFF
Lorelis Ploche, LMHC, ATR, 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, RBT
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.
Jacqueline Terry, MT-BC, RBT
Jacqueline Terry is a board-certified music therapist from Boca Raton, FL. She began her career at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she gained experience working in various clinical settings and discovered her passion for using music as a tool for evidence-based therapy. Jacqueline graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Jacqueline became board certified in 2024, and has been working with children with special needs ever since.
As a music therapist at Cadenza Center, she is committed to continually expanding her knowledge through current research and emerging developments in music therapy, and to creating a space where all children feel safe, cared for, and motivated to connect with their inner musicality.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Kathryn Headley, CPPM, RCMS, QPIN
Director of Operations
Kathryn Headley, CPPM, RCMS, QPIN is a South Florida native with over a decade of experience supporting families and providers across the behavioral health and therapy continuum. After graduating high school in 2007, she pursued studies in medical billing and coding in 2010, building a strong foundation in healthcare administration and revenue cycle operations.
Kathryn first joined Cadenza Center for Psychotherapy and the Arts from 2014 to 2016, serving as an Insurance Verification Specialist and Front Desk professional. In 2016, she relocated to Dallas and later to Memphis in 2019, where she continued to expand her expertise in Behavioral Health, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy services. Throughout her career, she has specialized in advocacy, insurance coordination, and operational leadership, consistently working to improve access to quality care for families and providers.
She returned to South Florida in 2022 and is proud to rejoin the Cadenza team as Director of Operations. Kathryn is an AAPC-certified Practice Manager and Revenue Cycle Specialist, as well as a Qualified Patient Navigator with a focus on supporting the neurodivergent community. Drawing from both professional and lived experience, she is deeply committed to advancing compassionate, accessible, and high-quality services.
Kathryn is also on the AuDHD spectrum. Outside of work, Kathryn enjoys traveling, reading, and exploring new restaurants. She is excited to continue supporting Cadenza’s mission of providing exceptional care to the South Florida community.
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
Operations Project Manager
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.
Giselle
Giselle was born in Puerto Rico and is the proud mother of a baby girl. She studied Art History at the University of Puerto Rico and has over ten years of experience working in administrative roles, bringing strong organizational skills and dedication to her professional work. She is currently working as a front desk team member. Known for her empathy and professionalism, she genuinely enjoys assisting others and fostering a positive work environment.
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