Adolescent Wellness Academy Expands Services to Miami-Dade

A program to fill the gap between traditional therapy and hospitalization with intensive, family-focused treatment

Miami, FL – Adolescent Wellness Academy (AWA), a leading provider of mental health services for teenagers in South Florida, has opened a new location in Miami-Dade County after finding success in Broward County for the last five years. This expansion comes at a pivotal moment, as Florida faces a growing adolescent mental health crisis. Nearly one in five teens in the state wrestle with mental health challenges, yet many lack access to adequate resources. Many parents want help for their teen, but do not know how and where to find it. AWA aims to offer intensive treatment to teenagers before a crisis happens. The program provides a solution for families that need more intensive treatment for their teens, but want to avoid drastic solutions, such as hospitalization or residential facilities.

“We believe that building stronger family relationships and healthy routines are key to teens’ recovery. Our programs allow teens and families to create sustainable, lasting changes that seamlessly integrate into their daily lives,” said Dr. Jacqueline Pablos, AWA’s Clinical Director. 

The new facility at 9350 Sunset Drive, Suite 118, Miami, FL 33173, is dedicated to teenagers and was designed to provide a welcoming and healing environment. AWA offers Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) programs. 

The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at AWA is an after-school program for adolescents dealing with various mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and behavioral challenges. The program aims to provide a higher level of care than traditional therapy while allowing teens to maintain their daily routines and responsibilities, such as attending school and living at home. The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides on-site school support with a certified teacher and therapeutic treatment for teens who need comprehensive, all-day clinical support while living at home. 

Utilizing evidence-based therapies tailored to clients’ unique needs, AWA engages teens through experiential activities such as art and music therapy. Teens have also praised the judgment-free environment where they can express themselves. “We believe that healing happens through connection. Many teens are suffering alone; here, they can be part of a safe community and connect with other teens,” said Dr. Pablos.

"AWA has given me a place to be seen, understood, and supported. I don't know where I would be without their help," shared one local teen. 

 

AWA recognizes the importance of parental involvement in adolescents’ well-being and treatment success, which is why their primary goal is to keep families together. Supporting a teenager can be challenging, and parents often need guidance and support. AWA’s parent support groups provide a platform for parents to gain insights, develop parenting skills, and learn through shared experiences.

"My daughter has transformed since joining AWA, and so have I. The support and care we received have been life-changing for our family," remarked one parent of the program. 

“Parents often arrive overwhelmed with emotions like exhaustion, loneliness, and guilt. From the first call to our program, they become part of a caring community. At AWA, we treat people, not symptoms. We are dedicated to supporting families every step of the way,” said Anny Smulevich, AWA Admissions Director and Board Member at Care Resource. To ensure treatment is accessible to all families, AWA accepts most major insurance plans and has bilingual therapists and staff to ensure that cost and language are not barriers to treatment.

By expanding to Miami-Dade County, AWA can offer mental health services to even more Florida families. To celebrate the opening of the new facility, AWA is hosting an open house on September 19, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The event will feature guided tours of the facility, a meet-and-greet with staff, conversations on mental health awareness, and information about AWA’s programs and services. Interested families and professionals in the mental health space are encouraged to attend the open house.

RSVP here or by calling 866-473-1440.

About Adolescent Wellness Academy

At Adolescent Wellness Academy, we understand the challenges of navigating mental health during the adolescent years. Our team is devoted to providing personalized treatment plans in a supportive environment; to help teens and their families promote mental, emotional, and social well-being. Adolescent Wellness Academy was founded in 2019 out of Principles Recovery Center. Principles Recovery Center is an adult treatment program, offering top-rated mental health and substance abuse treatment for adults in South Florida. With licensed therapists and Joint Commission National Quality Approval, we’re committed to being your ally on this journey. Visit us to discover how we can support your family.

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Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia – Clinical Director (Davie)

Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia’s therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, resilience-building, and collaboration. As the Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she is dedicated to supporting high-risk teens in navigating trauma, emotional distress, and life’s challenges with a holistic and trauma-informed lens. Dr. Mejia specializes in working with adolescents facing issues such as suicide risk, self-harm, anxiety, depression, and family conflict, utilizing techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and strength-based therapy. With extensive experience in community mental health, private practice, and clinical supervision, Dr. Mejia has a proven track record of empowering teens to overcome obstacles and thrive. She holds a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy bringing a depth of knowledge and compassion to her leadership role.

Kimberly Geller

Kimberly Geller - Primary Therapist (Davie)

Kimberly is a compassionate and dedicated therapist with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida International University. Kimberly creates a nurturing and secure environment where clients can freely explore their emotions and embark on their journey toward healing and growth. Kimberly specializes in client-centered approaches that helps tailor her therapeutic methods to meet unique needs and goals. By fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship, she empowers clients to develop effective coping skills and achieve meaningful progress in their mental health journey. Kimberly ensures that each person she works with feels understood and valued throughout their therapeutic process.

Zainub Fatta - Therapist (Davie)

Zainub holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University and has extensive experience treating a wide range of mental health issues in adults, teens, and children. She specializes in treating diverse mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, social anxiety, anger management, etc. She also has a lot of experience treating addiction and substance abuse problems within various treatment centers. Zainub views mental health from a systemic perspective, emphasizing the significance of how one’s environment and childhood impacts them, which is why she also specializes in family therapy and couples therapy, when it comes to achieving holistic well-being. Passionate about empowering individuals to find their voice, she considers it a privilege to listen to their vulnerable stories and provide the support they need. Her therapeutic approach focuses on uplifting clients by building their confidence and challenging them to break old, negative patterns of thinking and behavior.

Krystine Garay

Krystine Garay – Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Krystine Garay is a licensed mental health counselor, marriage family therapist, and certified telehealth practitioner. Raised in Miami, Florida, and a member of the Hispanic community, she provides services in both English and Spanish. With five years of experience, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults, focusing on domestic violence, substance abuse, family conflicts, co-occurring disorders, and mental health issues.
Krystine holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University and a master’s degree with dual specializations in mental health and marriage and family counseling from Barry University. She is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology with a concentration in health psychology from Carlos Albizu University.
Her clinical experience includes rotations at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, where she assisted children with co-occurring disorders using mindfulness exercises, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and dialectical-behavioral techniques.
Krystine believes in the power of personal growth and progress, and she is dedicated to fostering positive change in her clients’ lives.

Dr. Jacqueline Pablos – Clinical Director

Vulnerability and connection are at the heart of Dr. Pablos’ therapeutic approach. As the
Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she aims to create a safe space for
clients to embrace their emotions and express their needs in healthier ways. Dr. Pablos
specializes in treating depression, anxiety, body image issues, bullying, eating
disorders, and self-harm behaviors using techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and
ACT.
With extensive training in hospitals and counseling centers, Dr. Pablos has a strong
background in helping teens and adults with co-occurring mental and physical health
disorders. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology, with specialized training
at institutions like Florida International University, Jackson Memorial Hospital,
Clementine Monte Nido, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Kimberly

Kimberly Carlesi – Therapist (Miami)

Kimberly, a dedicated therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling from Florida International University, specializes in supporting individuals
with eating disorders, trauma, and substance abuse. She creates a safe, nurturing
environment for her clients’ healing journeys, drawing from diverse therapeutic
modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. With a
focus on trust and collaboration, Kimberly empowers clients through personalized
interventions, fostering self-awareness and resilience.

Alyssa Mencucci – Therapist (Miami)

Alyssa is a dedicated master’s level clinician specializing in providing compassionate
therapy for adolescents and children facing severe mental health challenges. With a
deep understanding of the developmental stages and psychological needs of
adolescents and children, Alyssa offers expertise in addressing trauma-related issues,
guiding individuals through the complexities of grief, managing anxiety and depression,
navigating personality disorders, and supporting those dealing with PTSD. Alyssa uses
evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, DBT, play therapy,
and trauma-focused interventions to create a safe and nurturing environment for
healing. Alyssa believes in a client-centered approach, tailoring therapy to meet the
unique needs and circumstances of each individual. She creates a safe and nurturing
environment where adolescents and children can explore their emotions, develop
coping skills, and embark on a journey of healing and growth.