Nicole Velez Alfonso was born in Puerto Rico and moved to the United States at the age of thirteen. She has lived in Palmetto Bay for eleven years with her husband and two children. As a young girl, Ms. Velez Alfonso experienced unavoidable struggles which is what led her to pursue a career in mental health. Ms. Velez Alfonso is a licensed Mental Health Counselor, specializing in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. She studied at the University of Miami, earning a double bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Communications, and then going on to earn a master’s degree in Psychology from Carlos Albizu University.
Ms. Velez Alfonso is extremely enthusiastic about the work she does for the Palmetto Bay Community. Five years ago, she began volunteering for Wellspring Counseling’s Bounce Trauma Resolution. The Bounce program is a trauma-resolution camp Program headquartered in Palmetto Bay for youth who suffer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. This program equips the youth with six steps of resilience to work through the tough times and look forward to the future. Today, Ms. Velez Alfonso is the director of the Bounce Program and has been for the past two years. She believes that we can all recover from difficult life experiences. In addition to the inspiring work, she does with Bounce, she is also involved in a non-profit organization that brings hope to families who have been displaced from their homes in Colombia and Mexico.
Ms. Velez Alfonso, we thank you for your dedication and for working so hard to help the youth in our community!
#palmettobayproud #hispanicheritage2021
