Our Team
DR. SANTANA SPARBER
Dr. Jacqueline Santana Sparber is a bilingual, licensed psychologist with advanced specializations in both forensic and pediatric psychology, and over 30 years of distinguished experience in the mental health field. She currently serves as the Clinical Director of Keys Gate Wellness Associates, where she provides comprehensive clinical services to individuals across the lifespan, from early childhood through late adulthood (ages 2–99).
Dr. Santana Sparber’s therapeutic approach is eclectic, evidence-based, client-centered, and solution-focused, allowing her to tailor interventions to the unique needs of each individual. She possesses extensive training and expertise in the psychological assessment and evaluation of toddlers, children, adolescents, and adults presenting with a wide range of psychological and neurodevelopmental conditions. Her assessment experience includes, but is not limited to, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, giftedness, and other neurocognitive disorders. Dr. Santana Sparber is highly skilled in administering and interpreting comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological batteries, including gold-standard instruments for the diagnosis of ASD and ADHD, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), Conners Rating Scales, Brown Executive Function/Attention Scales, and the full suite of Wechsler Intelligence and Memory Scales. Her expertise also extends to the evaluation of emotional and behavioral concerns, bariatric surgery candidates, and forensic immigration cases, including Hardship, U-Visa, T-Visa, Asylum, N648, and VAWA evaluations. These assessments are integral in guiding legal and medical decisions, informing treatment planning, and determining appropriate interventions and accommodations.
In addition to her assessment work, Dr. Santana Sparber has substantial experience in the treatment of trauma, behavioral disorders, domestic violence, depression, anxiety, phobias, and adjustment to significant life changes such as sibling birth, divorce, relocation, college transition, failure to launch, and perinatal mental health concerns (including postpartum depression, psychosis, infertility, and pregnancy loss). She is certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an evidence-based, cutting-edge intervention proven to improve child behavior and strengthen parent-child relationships. Dr. Santana Sparber is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C), and Gottman Level 2 Couples Therapy.
Her commitment to advancing clinical practice is further demonstrated by her development of the bereavement program for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (NICO’s Promise) and her doctoral dissertation on familial bereavement. Dr. Santana Sparber completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (APA-accredited) and her post-doctoral residency at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Mailman Center for Child Development, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (APA-accredited).
Dr. Santana Sparber’s breadth of experience in psychological testing, particularly in the assessment of autism, ADHD, and neurocognitive disorders, combined with her dedication to evidence-based practice, positions her as a leader in the field and a trusted resource for clients, families, and professionals alike.
DR. COLON RODRIGUEZ
Dr. Lyllymar Colon Rodriguez is a bilingual, licensed psychologist, with a specialization in pediatric psychology. She has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. She is certified in leadership education in neurodevelopmental and related disabilities (LEND). As well as in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2). In addition, she has knowledge in applied behavior analysis and is a certified technician. She is warm, friendly and passionate about supporting her clients as they navigate the complex emotions and experiences of caring for a child with autism and other disabilities. Dr. Colon Rodriguez takes pride in empowering her families with the tools needed to work through difficult emotions and discover ways to maximize the wonderful potential of their children and themselves. She strives to proactively address parents’ concerns and needs of their child’s progress and development. Additionally, her skill sets are homed in helping kids, teens, adults, and groups learn healthy patterns of behaviors, including strengthening social skills, setting healthy boundaries, and learning healthy ways to deal with anger, frustration, and everyday worries. She has extensive training in the assessment and treatment of toddlers, children, adolescents, and adults with various psychological conditions. Dr. Colon has experience in the completion of assessments for autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disability, intellectual disabilities, emotional concerns and behavioral issues. In addition to the above, Dr. Colon Rodriguez has experience in the areas of HIV/AIDS, those living with chronic conditions, trauma, behavioral disorders, domestic violence, depression, anxiety, phobias, and adjustment to life changes such as birth of a sibling, divorce, relocating and starting college. Dr. Colon Rodriguez completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Center for Autism in the Medical Sciences Campus at the University of Puerto Rico and her post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric health psychology at Nicklaus Children Hospital.
DANIELA SOTO
Daniela Soto is Keys Gate Wellness Associates, receptionist and behavioral health assistant. She is the representing voice and face of the practice. She is intelligent, motivated, kind, patient, caring and the teams go-to girl. Always ready with a smile to help our patients with anything they need from checking them in and out, helping them navigate the patient portal, providing information, verifying insurance, requesting authorizations, scheduling appointments, and coordinating with the clinicians. She is dedicated to working hard to help serve the needs of the patients and families that we serve.
MICHAEL SAMUEL SPARBER, MS, CIC, CRM, CAIP, CEO
Michael S. Sparber, CIC, CRM, CAIP is the chief executive officer, risk manager and co-founder of Keys Gate Wellness Associates. As a member of the executive management team of the organization, his responsibilities include the oversight of operations & business development aspects of the firm. Duties also involve acting as team leader for agency VIP concierge clients service development in coordination with the clinical director, and marketing representative. In addition, his responsibilities involve the development, review and improvement of business processes to improve quality control and customer service. Mr. Sparber has extensive experience in the area of risk management. In the past he served as the risk management administrator for the city of Coral Gables. Michael holds a Master of Science degree from Florida State University with a major in risk management and a bachelor of science degree from Barry University with a major in accounting. His credentials also include certified insurance counselor (CIC), certified risk manager (CRM), certified aviation insurance professional (CAIP), and he has been a licensed 2-20 property & casualty insurance agent in the state of Florida since 1995. Michael is involved with RIMS, the risk management society. He served on the board of directors for the Greater Miami Chapter from 2010 through 2014 and was chapter president from 2011 through 2014. Additionally, he served on the On Florida Educational Conference Committee in 2011 & 2012 and served on the RIMS Student Advisory Council from 2012 through 2014. He was also a member of the technology committee for NAPSLO (now “WSIA”, the wholesale & specialty insurance association) from 2015-2016 (one-year term).
ALINA GARCIA MARRERO
Alina Garcia Marrero is Keys Gate Wellness Associates, office manager and executive/personal assistant to Dr. Santana Sparber, the clinical director. She is an integral part of the Keys Gate Wellness family. Alina is energetic, responsible, efficient, reliable, organized and always greets everyone with a smile. She is skilled at seamlessly managing the behind the scenes operations of the practice; always working hard to help the clients and clinicians of Keys Gate Wellness with anything they need. Her goal is to maintain a warm and receptive office environment.
