Practicum Student

Mariella Batista is committed to providing compassionate, empathetic, and personalized care that best addresses the needs of anyone in the community seeking services. Her dedication to supporting and advocating for children and young people defines her and guides her career path. As a Latina and bilingual clinical student, she believes that multicultural awareness is essential for better serving the community and increasing visibility for minority populations.

Ms. Batista has a bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology from the University of Puerto Rico, which provided her with experience in the forensic field. Working with a multidisciplinary team, she improved community work, teamwork, and leadership skills. This experience encouraged her to explore the connection between law and psychology and apply it in practice.

Ms. Batista holds a master’s degree in School Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology from Ponce Health Sciences University, graduating in 2020. This shift in specialty comes as no surprise, given her long-standing interest in working with children, which she first discovered during her community service hours as a teenager. Her master’s program allowed her to pursue her passion for working with “the future generations”—the young people who will grow up and, with our support, build a safer, better world. She has experience working with children and adolescents in various settings, such as schools, clinics, and private centers, which has enriched her understanding of the population and communities. She is also trained in providing and administering various assessments.

Originally from Puerto Rico, she moved to Florida in December 2019. Her favorite place is the beach. She enjoys reading, watching romcoms, and spending time with family and friends. She is a dog mom to a beautiful rescue Yorkie.