Psychological Evaluation

  • Dr. Jessenia Colon, PsyD., Lic. Psychologist - Psychological Evaluations Dept. Supervisor

  • Dr. Lisa Del Valle, Ph.D.

  • Dr. Cristina Paz, Ph.D.

  • DianaLynn Elias Santiago, MA

  • Joan Del Toro, Psych.

  • Sandra Niño, Psych.

Jessenia Colon, PsyD., Lic. Psychologist - Psych. Eval Dept. Supervisor

English, Spanish

Jessenia was born in Puerto Rico. She has a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. She has a masters degree in Counseling Psychology from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. Dr. Colon started her career with the Department of Education in Puerto Rico conducting individual and group therapy to students enrolled in the Special Education Program. She worked in her private office for about 7 years conducting psychological evaluations and individual therapy to children, adolescents and adults. She worked with a variety of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism and behavior problems. She moved to Florida in 2018. She worked in Primary Psychology of Central Florida conducting psychological evaluations, including psychoeducational evaluations, neurological evaluations, vocational rehabilitation, bariatric and pain evaluations. She currently works at Hispanic Family Counseling Inc. conducting psychological evaluations for children, adolescents and adults. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. 

Lisa Del Valle, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

English, Spanish

Lisa was born in Detroit, Michigan, but lived in Puerto Rico for most of her life. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, a Master's Degree in School Psychology, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree with a concentration in Psychology from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico. Lisa is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Florida and Puerto Rico. She is currently an evaluatior of the Psychological Evaluations Department at Hispanic Family Counseling Inc. She also offers mental health counseling. For the past 13 years she has worked as a therapist with different populations addressing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, challenging behaviors, grief, loss, and trauma. She has extensive experience working with the Puerto Rico Department of Education in various psychoeducational and intervention programs, as well as in psychological evaluations. She has been a researcher in her native country and has written for various professional magazines and newspapers in Puerto Rico. She is a wife and mother of three beautiful children. Her Christian faith has been critical in her personal and professional development, and she has collaborated with different faith communities. She recognizes that God is the pillar of her life, and her call is to serve and help.

Cristina Paz, Ph.D. - Psychological Evaluator

Spanish

Cristina was born in Maracaibo-Venezuela, and has lived in Orlando for a few years. She has a degree in Psychology and Master's degree in Clinical Psychology obtained from the Rafael Urdaneta-Venezuela University, as well as a Doctorate in Human Sciences and Postdoctoral Activities in Human Sciences from the University of Zulia-Venezuela, focused on Family Violence researching. Her professional career of more than 30 years has provided her with therapeutic mastery in psychological conditions related to medical illnesses, family problems and psychological evaluation. She is an Associate-Retired Professor of Social Work undergrad at the University of Zulia-Venezuela, teaching subjects such as General Psychology, Family Psychology, Human Development and Cognitive Processes. She is the creator of the Family Violence course, taught at the Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Postdoctoral levels at the same University, with training and facilitation in Systemic Family Therapy, Research Methodology and Positive Psychology. Cristina is a researcher on Family Violence since 1999, and a speaker at scientific events, with articles published in indexed journals. She is also a collaborator with the "La Nota Latina" Magazine, with articles written on family psychology that seek to educate families as a preventive means to many of their problems. Cristina is a person with training and passion for Psychology, whose mission is searching for the greater well-being of people and families.

DianaLynn Elias, MA - Psychological Evaluator

English, Spanish

DianaLynn was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she earned her master’s degree in counseling psychology. She is currently a doctoral candidate (PsyD) at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico and is a Licensed Psychologist in Puerto Rico. DianaLynn serves as an evaluator in the Psychological Evaluations Department at Hispanic Family Counseling Inc. Her clinical experience includes working with diverse populations addressing mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression. She has also facilitated group therapy at the Oncologic Hospital in Puerto Rico through the Susan G. Komen Association. Her doctoral dissertation on diversity dysfunction has led her to speak on expert panels and participate in various psychological symposiums. Deeply rooted in her Christian faith, DianaLynn has volunteered in initiatives such as suicide prevention programs, hunger relief efforts, and support for elderly centers. She strongly believes in giving back, living by the principle of "paying it forward." Beyond her professional life, DianaLynn is a proud daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. A passionate traveler, she has visited over 30 countries, enriched her perspective and deepened her empathy in both personal and professional spheres.

Joan Del Toro, Psych. specialized in Neuropsychology - Psychological Evaluator

English, Spanish

Joan is a bilingual school psychologist with a solid background in neuropsychology and extensive clinical and educational experience working with children and adolescents. Throughout her career, she has integrated neuropsychological principles into psychoeducational evaluations to identify learning difficulties, executive functioning deficits, and emotional and behavioral conditions—always maintaining a client-centered approach focused on overall well-being. With over a decade of experience in the fields of mental health and education, she has worked in both school and clinical settings, providing comprehensive evaluations, therapeutic interventions, and guidance to families and educational teams. She currently serves as a school psychologist at UCP Charter School, where she collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure individualized, culturally responsive, and evidence-based services.

Joan holds a Master’s degree in School Psychology from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and has completed graduate coursework in Educational Administration at the Ana G. Méndez University in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, strengthening her institutional vision and leadership skills. She also holds a postgraduate certification in Neuropsychology, which enhances her ability to assess and address cognitive and behavioral functioning in greater depth. Joan is a dedicated professional committed to educational equity, inclusion, and respect for cultural and linguistic diversity. Her empathetic and collaborative approach has positively impacted numerous families and communities. As a psychological evaluator and clinician, she seeks not only to identify needs but also to strengthen abilities and create opportunities for emotional, academic, and social growth.

Sandra Niño, Psych. specialized in Neuropsychology and Sleep Physiology - Psychological Evaluator

Spanish

Sandra is a Colombian psychologist with over 20 years of experience providing clinical support to children, adolescents, and adults. She graduated with a degree in Psychology from the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia in 2002. In 2005, she earned a Master’s degree in Neuropsychology from the Universidad de San Buenaventura. In 2006, she became certified as a Neurofeedback therapist, and later, in 2016, completed a Master’s degree in Sleep Physiology, strengthening her clinical approach with a comprehensive understanding of brain functioning. Throughout her career, she has worked in neuropsychological evaluations, cognitive intervention, and emotional regulation. She has led teams in EEG and polysomnography laboratories, applying her technical expertise to the diagnosis and treatment of various neurological and emotional conditions. Sandra has supported families, adults, adolescents, and children diagnosed with dementia, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder, providing practical tools to improve their quality of life. Her therapeutic approach focuses on promoting emotional balance, independence, and the development of skills for decision-making and problem-solving. She is a dedicated professional, committed to the well-being of her patients, working with empathy and care to guide them through their recovery and personal growth journey