About us
At Little Sailors Healthcare, our mission is to provide compassionate, high-quality, and individualized care that supports the emotional, behavioral, and developmental well-being of each client we serve. We are committed to helping children, adolescents, adults, and families navigate life’s challenges through evidence-based services delivered with professionalism, empathy, and clinical excellence.
Our practice offers a comprehensive range of services, including Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluations (CDEs), ADOS-2 autism assessments, Parent Training, Individual Therapy, Psychiatric Evaluations, and Medication Management. By combining diagnostic clarity with personalized treatment and family support, we strive to create meaningful outcomes that promote long-term growth and stability.
Our diagnostic services provide families with a deeper understanding of developmental and behavioral concerns through thorough, standardized, and clinically sound evaluations. In addition, our psychiatric services support clients with diagnostic clarification, treatment planning, and ongoing medication management tailored to their individual needs and goals.
At Little Sailors Healthcare, we value collaboration, trust, and family-centered care. We are honored to walk alongside our clients through every step of their journey, offering guidance, support, and expert care as they move toward healthier, brighter futures.
Meet the Team
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Barbara Tiel
Clinical Director
Barbara Tiel serves as the Clinical Director and Practitioner at Little Sailors Healthcare. She is passionate about helping children, individuals, and families navigate developmental, behavioral, and mental health concerns through compassionate, evidence-based care. Known for her detailed and client-centered approach, Barbara is committed to providing high-quality services that support diagnostic clarity, treatment planning, and meaningful progress. Her mission is to ensure that every client feels supported, understood, and guided throughout their care journey. -
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Merelyn Bonilla
PMHNP
Merelyn is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with nearly 10 years of nursing experience in critical care, dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized, and effective mental health care through convenient telehealth services. At Little Sailors Healthcare, she specializes in the assessment and treatment of ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, chronic illness-related emotional concerns, and stress-related challenges, using a collaborative and evidence-based approach that combines comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), behavioral interventions, and ongoing follow-up care. She is also committed to providing culturally responsive services, including care for Spanish-speaking clients, to ensure each individual feels understood, supported, and empowered throughout their treatment journey.
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Karlo Rivera Gonzalez
PMHNP
Karlo A. Rivera Gonzalez is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with more than 17 years of healthcare experience and a strong commitment to caring for individuals with mental health needs across the lifespan. He began his nursing career in Puerto Rico after earning his Associate Degree in Nursing in 2009 and spent nine years working in a psychiatric unit, where he gained extensive experience treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, acute psychosis, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, while also working with alternative treatment approaches including Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). He later earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and expanded his clinical background through work in radiology and nuclear medicine. After relocating to Florida, he served in a leadership role within a state prison infirmary, further strengthening his ability to provide care in complex and high-pressure environments. In December 2024, he completed his Master’s Degree at Walden University, along with his practicum at Mindful Behavioral. At Mindful Behavioral, Karlo is known for his patient-centered approach, emphasizing collaboration, empathy, and respect for each individual’s unique experiences while incorporating holistic and evidence-based treatment approaches that support overall mental wellness.
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Maura Patricia Espinosa Rodriguez
LMHC
Maura Patricia Espinosa is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida with over 15 years of clinical experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families. She provides therapy and diagnostic evaluations, integrating evidence-based techniques with a compassionate, culturally sensitive approach. Fluent in Spanish, Maura is dedicated to helping clients heal, grow, and feel supported throughout their mental health journey.
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Meet Sara Ouassari
LMHC
Sara is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who supports individuals and families in navigating life’s challenges and creating meaningful, lasting change. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and tailored to each client, providing a safe and supportive space where clients can feel understood and empowered. Sara specializes in areas such as anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, trauma, life transitions, parenting stress, communication difficulties, chronic stress, burnout, and cultural or generational conflicts. She uses evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), to help clients build resilience, strengthen emotional connections, and develop tools for a more balanced and fulfilling life.
FAQs
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Little Sailors Healthcare provides a range of therapeutic and diagnostic services designed to support children and families through every step of their developmental journey.
We offer:
Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluations (CDEs) – In-depth assessments designed to identify developmental, behavioral, emotional, and social strengths and areas of need.
ADOS-2 Autism Testing – A gold-standard assessment used as part of a comprehensive evaluation for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Parent Training Programs – Practical, hands-on guidance that empowers parents and caregivers with effective strategies to manage behavior, strengthen communication, and promote consistency across home and community environments.
Psychiatric Evaluations – Thorough mental health assessments that help identify emotional, behavioral, and psychiatric concerns while supporting diagnostic clarity and personalized treatment planning.
Medication Management – Ongoing psychiatric support focused on monitoring symptoms, assessing medication response, managing side effects, and promoting overall emotional and mental wellness.
Each service at Little Sailors Healthcare is delivered with compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to helping families achieve meaningful and lasting progress.
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Families can easily begin services by contacting our office to schedule an initial consultation or evaluation. Once we receive your intake information, our clinical team reviews it to determine the most appropriate service—whether it’s a Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation (CDE), ADOS-2 testing, Psychiatric Evaluation, Medication Management or Parent Training.
We then assign a clinician based on your child’s needs, location, and availability. Sessions are scheduled at times that work best for your family—either in-home, school-based, community-based, or telehealth depending on the service type.
Our scheduling is flexible and family-centered. We strive to maintain consistent appointment times each week to support progress and routine, while also accommodating schedule changes when needed.
To confirm or modify an appointment, families can contact our scheduling coordinator directly by phone, text, or email. Appointment reminders are sent in advance, and we kindly ask for notice if cancellations or rescheduling are required.
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Getting started with Little Sailors Healthcare is simple and family-friendly. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the process.
Contact Us
Reach out by phone, email, or through our website’s contact form to let us know which services you’re interested in— Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation (CDE), ADOS-2 testing, or Parent Training.Complete the Intake Form
Our scheduling coordinator will send you an intake packet to gather background information, insurance details (if applicable), and your preferred schedule.Initial Consultation or Evaluation
Once your intake is reviewed, we’ll schedule your child’s initial consultation or diagnostic evaluation. This step helps us understand your child’s strengths, needs, and goals.Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on assessment results, our licensed professionals will create a customized care plan and discuss the best next steps for therapy or parent support.Begin Services
Services can begin in the home, school, clinic, or community setting—depending on what works best for your family. We’ll maintain consistent communication and track your child’s progress along the way.
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We currently are in network with Aetna Commercial and Aetna EAP
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At Little Sailors Healthcare, we take pride in maintaining the highest standards of care through a trusted, well-trained, and compassionate team. Our team receives comprehensive training in CPR/First Aid, HIPAA, client rights, and safety protocols, followed by ongoing supervision and performance reviews to ensure quality and consistency. We are dedicated to providing services that are not only effective but also safe, ethical, and family-centered.
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At Little Sailors Healthcare, we go beyond traditional care by combining clinical expertise with genuine compassion. Our approach focuses on the whole family, not just the diagnosis—offering seamless coordination between diagnostic evaluations (CDEs), ADOS-2 testing, psychiatric services and parent training under one supportive umbrella.
Every treatment plan is individualized, evidence-based, and family-centered. We prioritize quality, safety, and consistency through licensed professionals, ongoing supervision, and transparent communication with caregivers.
What truly sets us apart is our mission: to guide children and families through their developmental journey with warmth, trust, and excellence—helping every child navigate toward a brighter, more independent future.