Beatriz Martinez-Peñalver

Beatriz Martinez-Peñalver is a licensed psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in the mental health field. She is a passionate advocate who wants to make emotional literacy an integral part of education to decrease our current mental health crisis. Science tells us that happiness is a skill that can be learned, and according to Martinez-Peñalver, we completely forgot to teach this fundamental class in schools. She has been featured on NBC, CBS, PBS, Univision Radio and more.

Beatriz is an activist that has traveled the nation to spread the facts about emotional literacy on the doorsteps of policymakers, educators, and parents.

Beatriz Martinez-Peñalver is also the founder of the non-profit The MHEL Foundation with the mission of providing families in disadvantaged communities with mental health services and emotional literacy.

Beatriz is the Co-Founder of Healthy Connections, a community mental health center operating in Miami for almost two decades. Prior to opening the Community Mental Health Center, Beatriz ran a private practice where she led her patients to self-discovery and personal growth with the psychology of abundance, cognitive behavioral approaches, and meditation.

Martinez-Peñalver is the author of Triumph: A Curriculum for All Schools and Universities. She is the founder of Triumph Steps, an eight-step therapeutic framework and emotional literacy program that teaches parents, educators, and children tools to be mentally fit. Triumph Steps has been approved by Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The School Board of Miami-Dade County has recognized Martinez-Peñalver for her commitment to our students, their mental wellness, and emotional literacy nationwide.

Beatriz is a past Chair of the Business and Education Committee Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and an active member of the Business and Government Affairs Committee at the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Beatriz was a nominee for the very prestigious David Lawrence Jr. Champion for Children Award in recognition of a lifetime of notable achievement and dedication to children.  Beatriz was the AXA 2019 Business Woman of the Year in the category of Outstanding Healthcare professional, presented by Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Triumph Steps was recognized as the 2018-2019 MDCPS Exemplary Dade Partner Award- Districtwide. Beatriz loves the outdoors, snow skiing, boating, and scuba diving. She is a mother. Her daughter is the person who ignited her emotional literacy movement. She also enjoys chilly breezy days to ride in the back of her husband’s Harley.