Meet the Team

Our licensed therapists in Palm Beach County are here to support you, encouraging you to create the life you choose and have the life you deserve.

Helya Ortiz, MS, LMHC

CEO and FOUNDER

Helya Ortiz is the founder and CEO of the Center for Trauma Counseling, a 501(c)(3) non-profit established in 2012 to provide accessible mental healthcare to all residents of Palm Beach County, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Under her leadership, the agency has expanded from serving 100 individuals annually to over 1,000, continually addressing the growing demand for mental health services.

Helya holds a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University. She is trained in various evidence-based modalities, including Play Therapy, EMDR, DBT, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). As a Play Therapy Supervisor, EMDR Certified Therapist and Consultant, and State Qualified Supervisor, Helya also offers clinical supervision to post-master’s Mental Health Counseling Interns.

In addition to her leadership role, Helya maintains an active client list, drawing on over 15 years of clinical experience to offer tailored, solution-focused interventions for individuals and families of all ages. Her primary focus is to alleviate emotional distress caused by trauma, guiding clients toward healing and resilience.

Tricia Conlon, MS, LMFT

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Tricia Conlon is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who became licensed in 2003 after earning her Bachelor of Arts in General Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 1997 and her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in 1999.

Her work focuses on helping individuals, couples, and families navigate mental health challenges, chronic illness, trauma, and loss. Tricia specializes in couples’ and family issues, women’s issues, and supporting first responders and high-achieving professionals facing depression and anxiety.

As a Certified Alzheimer’s Level I and II Trainer through the University of South Florida, she provides dementia-specific training for caregivers and healthcare professionals. Tricia is also CISM-trained for crisis intervention and has expertise in CBT, mindfulness, EMDR, and hypnotherapy.

With experience in both non-profit and healthcare settings, including integrative medicine and oncology, she has taught virtual classes at the University of Phoenix for ten years. Tricia aims to become a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, author a book, and expand her hypnotherapy practice to support individuals seeking transformative health and wellness.

Karen Perrone

Program Manager

Karen graduated magna cum laude from Indian River State College, earning her Associate of Science in 2013 and her Bachelor of Science in 2017. A member of the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Alpha Phi Sigma, she initially pursued a career in criminal justice before finding her true passion in the non-profit sector. She has been a key part of the Center for Trauma Counseling, working to support Palm Beach County’s most vulnerable residents.

As Program Manager, Karen leverages her extensive experience in non-profits to ensure the agency meets its mission. She is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting on the organization’s impact, helping demonstrate the positive change it brings to the community.

Elena Vega

Intake Coordinator

Elena Vega, Intake Coordinator at the Center for Trauma Counseling, holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida and a master’s in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University.

Married with two daughters, she enjoys reading and traveling in her spare time. Elena takes pride in being the first point of contact for the agency, helping individuals and families navigate the process of becoming clients with care and compassion.

Liz Ruiz, MS, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Elizabeth Ruiz is a bilingual (Spanish/English) Licensed Mental Health Counselor who earned her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University, following a decade of service as an educator in the Orange County School District.

With a strong commitment to helping clients navigate their healing journeys, Liz customizes each treatment plan to address individual needs. She specializes in evidence-based, solution-focused modalities, effectively resolving trauma and mental health challenges through:

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Solution-Focused Behavioral Therapy (SFBT)

Muriel Delsoin, MS, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Muriel Delsoin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and mental health counselor with nearly a decade of experience specializing in adolescent and adult mental health. She earned her Master’s in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University in 2017.

Passionate about empowering her clients, Muriel focuses on their unique strengths and promotes self-awareness. She collaborates closely with individuals to explore their experiences, identify resources, and navigate challenges. By prioritizing strong therapeutic relationships, Muriel fosters positive outcomes and personal growth in her clients’ lives.

Wisline Josaphat, MS, LMHC

Licesed Mental Health Counselor

Wisline Josaphat is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist with over 10 years of experience supporting families and children facing behavioral challenges at home and in school. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University and holds a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy from Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Bilingual in English and Haitian Creole, Wisline is dedicated to empowering individuals to help themselves and is passionate about raising awareness in the community about the importance of mental health and wellness.

Alicia Cuesta, MS, RMHCI

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

Alicia Cuesta fills the vital role of Intake Coordinator aboard our Mobile Hope Clinic (MHC), helping residents of all ages and demographics receive essential mental healthcare services long denied due to transportation and other barriers to care. As the MHC Intake Coordinator, Alicia is the pivotal link between our MHC community partners, our communities most in need residents, and the essential mental healthcare services these populations have long struggled to receive.

A key CTC team member, Alicia is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern who received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University in 2017 and her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Hodges University in 2023. Bilingual in both English and Spanish, Alicia plans to continue her education further to support her passion for helping the most in need recover from trauma, mental health issues and disorders.

Lizbeth Martinez, MS, RMHCI

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

Lizbeth Martinez is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University (2018) and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health from Palm Beach Atlantic University (2022).

A Florida native, Lizbeth is an integral part of our in-office and community initiatives. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she connects with clients of all ages and backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy and challenging personal thought processes.

She specializes in helping individuals navigate grief, trauma, and relationship challenges, drawing inspiration from Esther Perel’s work. Lizbeth is skilled in evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, and Family Therapy, all aimed at promoting healing and recovery.

Kayleigh Paccio, MS, RMHCI

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

Kayleigh Paccio is a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University, specializing in Trauma and Crisis. Originally from Pennsylvania, she moved to South Florida in 2021. Her passion for mental health began during an internship at a non-profit for survivors of sexual violence, where she also volunteered on their crisis hotline. She later worked as a youth advocate for foster children and homeless teens.

Kayleigh offers in-office and virtual therapy, focusing on adolescents, PTSD, relationship challenges, anxiety, and school stress. She uses Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Play/Sandtray Therapy, EMDR, and integrative approaches to support healing.

Rich Best, MS, RMHCI

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

Rich Best earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, along with dual minors in Psychology and Sociology from Johnson & Wales University, and he holds a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. Currently pursuing his licensure in Mental Health Counseling, Rich is a retired law enforcement officer with over 15 years of service and an active member of the U.S. Coast Guard.

While he is passionate about supporting first responders, Rich has also discovered profound fulfillment in working with adults, young adults, and children navigating various challenges and seeking support.

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Get the Help You Need. Our Licensed Therapists in Palm Beach County Can Help.

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Our team of licensed therapists in Palm Beach County are extensively trained in all facets of trauma informed care that brings healing to our clients of ALL ages, specializing in: Individual, Family and Couples Therapy, Crisis Intervention, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Child Centered Play Therapy, and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Additionally, our team includes co-located therapists who provide vital mental health services daily across Palm Beach County through our partnership with the School District.

About Our Practice

Center for Trauma Counseling (CTC), Inc. is a uniquely designed mental health counseling agency directed to meeting the community need for intervention and management of trauma-related symptoms, issues and disorders.

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Meet the Team