Nelson M Perez

Senior Marriage and Family Therapist, counselor, and core faculty member with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, higher education, and community engagement. Dedicated to fostering preventive, relational, and risk-informed interventions through assertive communication and systemic practice. Experienced in training and mentoring psychology and family therapy students, supporting the development of professional, clinical, and relational competencies from a narrative and constructivist perspective.

Qualitative researcher committed to collaborative scholarship and publication initiatives within academic and community settings. Recognized for strong communication, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively in dynamic environments. Proactive and detail-oriented, with a consistent focus on optimizing processes, advancing team objectives, and promoting excellence in clinical and educational practice.

• Nova Southeastern University Alumni, 09/2021
• AAMFT Clinical Fellow, 01/2021
• IFTA Member, 01/2020
• Delta Kappa Marriage & Family Therapy Honor Society Member, 10/2017
• AAMFT Minority Fellowship Program Mentor/Alumni, 09/2016
• Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Academic Member, 04/2015
• ACA Professional Member, 01/2013-01/2014
• Member of the Board of Directors of the Cuban Society of Psychology, 2006-2007.

• Research Paper Mastery (06/2023-06/2024)
• Analysis of Qualitative Information and Mixed with the Support of NVivo (Software Shop, 09/2023)
• AAMFT Approved Supervisor Designation, AAMFT, 03/2023
• Qualitative Research Certification, NSU, 02/2023
• Yearlong Narrative Therapy Course, EFTC, 02/2022
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, FL, 2020
• Certified Systemic Therapy Supervisor, IFTA, 2020
• Non-Certified Registered Behavioral Therapist Supervisor, BACB, 2019
• Qualified Clinical Supervisor for MHI and MFI, FL, 2015
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor, FL, 2011.

• Creating and implementing qualitative research courses for doctoral students (2024).
• Initiated as a clinical director the AJM Medical Center, LLC (08/2024) and other community centers (10/2021) in Miami and oversees daily clinical operations, including supervision & staff training.
• Member of the TQR Editorial Board (NSU, 2023).
• Completed the first doctoral thesis on Cuban doctors and their immigrant families in the United States (2021).
• Educated clients on sensitive topics, such as parenting, family relationships, severe mental disorders, HIV prevention, and other mental health/relational conditions.
• Built a strong network while working with other professionals in the United States, Cuba, and Mexico.
• Led several community prevention and educational workshops and therapy cases, reaching 100s of individuals and families.
• Academic ex-change in Mexico, participating as a family co-therapist and co-researcher while completing pre-doctoral projects.
• Directed Psychology courses at University of Havana, an international school in Cuba. Led the educational evaluation process of 2000+ students.

• Nova Southeastern University (2023-24): Collaboration in the Phase of Qualitative Analysis of Parents with Children with ASD’s experiences.
• Nova Southeastern University (2021): Ph.D. Dissertation Research: Acculturation in Cuban Refugee Doctors and their Families in Miami: A Phenomenological Study.
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: Minority Fellowship Program (Scholarship, 2016): Adaptation Outcomes in Cuban Adolescents of Immigrant Families from South Florida.
• National Autonomous University of Mexico (Macro-University Scholarship, 2007): Collaboration in the Phase of Analysis of: Perceptions of Motherhood among Adolescent and Adult Mothers.
• University of Havana (2007): Master’s Degree Dissertation: Coping Process with Stress in People with HIV.
• University of Havana (2005): Academic Research: The Sense of Belonging at the University Sites.
• University of Havana (2003): Bachelor’s Degree Dissertation: Psychological Characterization of Adolescents with Progressive Muscular Dystrophy.

• AAMFT Approved Supervisor Designation AAMFT, 03/2023
• Certified Systemic Supervisor IFTA, 2020
• FL State Qualified Clinical Supervisor for MHI and MFI FL, 2015

• Perez, N.M. “Is it possible to Integrate a Positive Psychology Approach in Family Therapy with Narrative Therapeutic practices?” [Workshop Presentation] (2025, Dec 9). Delta Kappa Zoom Webinar, Capella University, Minneapolis, MN, US.
• Perez, N.M. Integrating Therapeutic Micro-skills for Effective Alliance & Systemic Understanding in MFT: A Practicum Experience at TUW.” [Conference Presentation] (2025, Nov 11). MFT Symposium, Zoom Webinar, TUW, Los Alamitos, CA, U.S.
• Perez, N.M. A Meaningful and Constructive Approach to the Practicum Experience at TUW [Conference Presentation] (2024, Nov 11). MFT Symposium, Zoom Webinar, TUW, Los Alamitos, CA, U.S.
• Perez, N. Li, P. (2023, September 21). Bicultural Pathways of Cuban Doctors and Families in Miami Through a Phenomenological Study [Poster presentation]. 2023 Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy Annual Conference, Provo, UT, U.S.
• Perez, N., & Li, P. Acculturation Experiences of Cuban Refugee Doctors and their Families in Miami: A Phenomenological Study [Conference Presentation] (2022, January 21). The Qualitative Report 13th Annual Conference, Zoom Webinar. NSU, Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S.
• Quan, X., Perez, N., & Li, P. (2021, August 6). Acculturation Adaption of Cuban Immigrant Adolescents and Families [Poster presentation]. AAMFT Networks Annual Conference: Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy.
• Perez, N. (2017, March). Quantitative Research Design on Cuban Immigrant Families in South Florida [Conference Presentation]. The 25 IFTA World Family Congress, Malaga, Spain.
• Perez, N. (2016, July). Case Study of a Cuban Immigrant Family through their Integration in Miami from a Multicultural Perspective [Conference Presentation]. The 3rd International Forum on Marriage and Family Therapy. Tianjin, China.
• Perez, N. (2008, October). Appraising Psychological Intervention Schemes in People with Chronic Diseases [Conference Presentation]. Regional Congress of the Inter-American Society of Psychology. Havana, Cuba.
• Perez, N. (2006, November). Proposed Use of the Technologies in the Educational Program of General Psychotherapy [Conference Presentation]. First Workshop on the Application of Technologies to the University Teaching. Havana, Cuba.
• Perez, N. (2004, May). Participatory Techniques in Higher Education. An Interactive Approach to Group Work [Conference Presentation]. Scientific Meeting and XV Forum of Science and Technology. Havana, Cuba.
• Perez, N.M. (2024). Prologue. Connecting Generations Through Psychology, Friendship, and Love for Cuba., Chronicles of Psychological Issues: Pursuing Well-Being (pp.11-16). Jurado Grupo Editorial.
• Perez, N. M. (2021). Acculturation Experiences of Cuban Refugee Doctors and their Families in Miami: A Phenomenological Study. Nova Southeastern University.
• Hernandez M., Perez N. (2011). The Sense of Belonging: A New Challenge in the Educational Context of University Centers on CD-ROM. [Proceedings of the Third Workshop University]. Havana: University of Havana, Cuba.
• Hernandez M., Perez N. (2011). Participatory Techniques in Higher Education: An Interactive Approach to Group Work on CD-ROM. [Proceedings of the Third Workshop University]. Havana: University of Havana, Cuba.