Juan Miguel Mercedes Pérez
Juan Miguel Mercedes Pérez studied advertising at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) in the Dominican Republic. He studied marketing, introduction to graphic design, and accounting at the Centro de Tecnología Universal (Centu). He completed a broadcasting course at the Escuela Nacional de Locución Profesor Otto Rivera and a hospitality and tourism course at INFOTEP.
He had a successful career in modeling, which allowed him to travel to various countries for work. He founded Family Balance Therapy, LLC in both Puerto Rico and the United States. In 2019, he created the event 'Pasarela por el Autismo' in Puerto Rico, an inclusive modeling event.
Juan Miguel Mercedes Pérez is the content creator at Family Balance Therapy, LLC.
Dra. Flor De Liz Santiago Fernández
Dr. Flor De Liz Santiago Fernández, E.Ed., M.Ed ASD & SE, PsyT, LCSW, LICSW, MSW, BSW, RBT, Auth & Wtr, Adm & Fdr Family Balance Therapy, LLC PR/USA, Cert Rater Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Prof. Ana G. Méndez University, Prof. Nova Southeastern University, Clinical Certificate in ADOS 2 & Clinical Certificate in ADI R.
Dr. Flor De Liz Santiago Fernández holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work, a second Master's in Education with a double specialization in Autism and Special Education, and a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Special Education. She has a diploma in Psychopathology, another in Mindfulness, and is certified as a Play Therapy Practitioner and as an NLP Practitioner and Life Coach. Additionally, she is a certified evaluator in MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment or The MoCA Test). She holds certification in ADOS 2 and ADI R, tests for the detection and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
She works as a Psychotherapist at Family Balance Therapy, LLC, a company registered in Puerto Rico and the United States, which she founded together with her husband. She also practices the same functions in a private clinic in the state of Florida. Additionally, she serves as a professor at the undergraduate and graduate levels at Ana G. Méndez University in South Florida (Orlando, Miami, Tampa) and at the graduate level at Nova Southeastern University (Puerto Rico and Miami, FL).
Dr. Santiago Fernández has extensive experience in the field of Social Work, with a 20-year professional trajectory from 2004 to 2023. She is a licensed Clinical Social Worker in Puerto Rico, Florida, Alabama, Virginia, and Texas. She serves as an Evaluator for Prospectiva, the Social Work and Social Intervention Magazine of Colombia. Since 2013, she has been an author and writer with nine publications, four of which focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders. From 2019 to the present, she has provided training to Social Work professionals in Puerto Rico as a resource at the Continuing Education Institute of the College of Social Work Professionals of Puerto Rico on Autism Spectrum Disorders. She also certifies other professionals in ASD, being a pioneer in highlighting the importance of interventions by this professional group with the autism spectrum population in Puerto Rico.
2019 Celestina Zalduondo. College of Social Work Professionals of Puerto Rico (CPTSPR)
2018 TOYP Award. The Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Puerto Rico, Academic Achievements, and Leadership. Junior Chamber International (JCI)