Meet Dr. Daisy Monterroso | Owner & Clinical Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Daisy Monterroso and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Daisy, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Culture. Not so much in the diversity within our company, but the culture we have created as the heart of the company. When others I know are diving into the new adventure of starting their own company, I always let them know that they should understand the culture that they desire for their brand. When someone hears Monterroso Integrative Services, I hopes that people would see a culture of collaboration, support, genuine caring for our clients and our staff. Creating this culture within a company is no easy task. It’s not something you do, its who you are. It’s a collection of moments that you have with your staff, admins, clients, and even yourself that tell the story of who your company is and the culture you stand on. You may also see culture as the values within the company. What matters to you? My mother always told me, “If you chase money you’ll run in circles. Chase your passion and you will go far.” This has been the cornerstone of my success. Understanding my values and the culture I hope to create for anyone hears “Monterroso Integrative Services” has allowed me the opportunity to create something I am proud of, which in turn, has brought me a sense of success.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Was this easy? Ha. No. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money, but I had a “work hard” mindset, so I always found ways to push through. I had deaths in the family that were too close, too hard, and too much. I had a major break up during my studies, that shook the core of who I was. I maneuvered through my own mental health struggles and generational narratives that I had to work to manage. But through it all, my “go getter” mentality, as my mother calls it, has taught me that feelings are big but they don’t dictate my reality. And I am capable, of anything. Look, and you will find. Work hard, and what is your will be there waiting. When I think of my company and may success, I get filled with joy. Because I have it? Yeah, I guess. But mostly because I know I worked so hard to have it and feelings of pride fills the depths of my soul because I understand what went into it. My company excites me, because I feel we are creating something new. Yes, new. My hope is not just to make a business in which people work and get paid. I wanted to create something that no one else had. Initially, I wanted to create a collaborative environment that integrates the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Mental Health Counseling, and Family Therapy. Three worlds that, within their theories, shouldn’t actually get along. One day, Ill have a collaborative company that incorporates disciplines in ways that help the professionals feel supported and the clients feel taken care of. I am a different type of professional, I actually have specialties in all of those fields. I began at the University of Florida, studying Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis. I had the absolute privilege of working in the labs of Dr. Iwata and Dr. Vollmer, two leading ABA specialist that brought research that influenced the field of ABA greatly. This taught me the world of science and behavior and how we were all so influenced by our environments. I worked with some of the most interesting participants who’s behaviors I yearned to understand in order to help influence in a positive way. I took this passion and worked in the field, searching for complex cases (severe aggression, concerns with eating, Severe OCD & Autism) to work with in order to make a difference. Then, my studies continued. I continued on to complete my Masters in Mental Health Counseling, which lead me to receive my License as a Mental Health Counselor. Why did I get that Masters? I wanted more. I wanted to be able to help my clients in new an innovative ways and understand them to new levels. I knew I wanted to create a collaborative environment at this point where a variety of professionals worked to support a client. Someone once said, “So Daisy, you pretty much want to open up a hospital?” Yes, I wanted to make something where team work, collaborative, and positive client care collided like the tides on the sea shore. I continued on to complete my Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy, where I would learn a new systemic approach to therapy. This experience, would lead me to finally open up MIS, a space where three worlds collide. I learned how to integrate systems, the way I may with a family that comes into therapy. It’s been a pretty great ride, but I must say. Im not even close done.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I live in Miami! So there is some really amazing places down here! First, it is a must to head down to the South Beach area of Miami. Yes its crowded and you might not stay long. But you have to see it! You can start by ocean drive, cruise, maybe get a frozen Margarita while you overlook the ocean. Then Wynwood! You don’t even have to get out of the car, you can cruise through and see the beautiful art that lines the walls like they were always meant to be there. Changing in color, style, and messages. If you are hungry, you have to stop at Coyo Taco, and make sure to get some chips. If you are in the mood for some DELICIOUS soul food however, you must go to World Famous House of Mac, and you have to get a lemonade. They are to die for. Can you tell I’m a foodie? Then, we can head into the coral gables area where nice shops line the streets of Miracle Mile. Perhaps visit Las Olas at night, to dance till our feet get numb. A night in with some ice cream is my go to, but for a night out in Miami? Well, there is so much to do!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Success is not something that a person gets on their own. For me, there would have to be two people who would have the most influence in my success. Cliche, but my mother and father. In different ways however. My parents are not together and it was always a little hectic growing up, but I always said that I received the best of both of my parents. My mother, is a hard worker. When I went to University of Florida, we didn’t have a lot of money and my mother shared that she would not be able to support me while I attended school there (about 5 hours from my home). She wept at this idea, but I let her know that she made a home for me in our city, and if I wanted to venture out then it was my responsibility to care for myself. She then shared wise words, that again, stay with me to today. “Daisy, if you want something, it’s out there. You just need to go out there and get it.” This message was used to bulldoze through the obstacles I faced. When I wondered how I would pay my rent on Monday, I thought “its out there, get it.” And I worked hard in multiple jobs to have what I needed in a way that made my family and myself proud. “No limitations” became the name of the game, and to this day it’s apart of my companies culture. If we need something, we work hard and we get it in order to flourish. Then, there’s my dad. The dreamer. My dad thought of so many inventions before it came out. When you speak with him, you’ll hear, “Honey bunny, imagine, imagine.” and it will continue with a story and a hearty laugh. My dad could imagine, dream, and create in ways that made him into the entrepreneur he is. Now, don’t get me wrong, my father worked hard, made his business, learned computers from the ground up on his own, and made a company that supports him and his family. But what I learned most about him is to dream big. Those ideas that fly into our hearts, well, move towards them. Explore them, with a curiosity that may create something create. I became that dreamer. If you ask those closest people to me, they will say I have told them time and time again of ideas, books, and expansions to my company that make their head spin. Some have flourished into amazing outcomes, and some sit patiently on my wall of goals. So, as you can see. I took the hard work and dedication, and the mindset of a dreamer and combined them. And that, has influenced the success I have today.,

Website: www.MIStherapy.com
Instagram: Dr.Monterroso
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-daisy-monterroso-41056792
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/monterroso-integrative-services-pembroke-pines
Other: Tik Tok: @DrMonterroso

Image Credits
By Madelyn Morell Photography