Our Team

Dr. Axelberd is Board Certified in Police & Public Safety Psychology and the primary founder of Law Enforcement Psychological and Counseling Associates, Inc. (LEPCA) and served as President of the firm for 34 years. Dr. Axelberd received his Ph.D. with a specialty in Clinical Psychology from Georgia State University in 1977. Since 2011, he has served as lead consultant and staff psychologist.  In 2010, Dr. Axelberd was awarded Board Certification in Police and Public Safety Psychology. He is also an active member of the Consortium of Police Psychological Services, the American Psychological Association, and the International Association of the Chiefs of Police.  

Dr. Axelberd’s 38 years of exclusive experience with law enforcement has allowed him to develop a most unique and thorough grasp of the complexities of providing psychological services to public safety clients.  His reputation and expertise is well known within the law enforcement community and he has often been called upon by law enforcement administrators to advise and consult on the most sensitive and difficult matters.  Many of the current psychological services provided to South Florida law enforcement agencies have been a direct result of his efforts.  He has provided expert information and testimony numerous times for matters related to psychological fitness standards for law enforcement officers.  He has also assisted many agencies in matters such as understanding and complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  After 9/11, he was contracted to perform sensitive assessments germane to Homeland Security enhancement and continues to do so. Dr. Axelberd continues to remain directly involved in every facet of the firm’s law enforcement consultations.  In more recent years, he has provided extensive advanced training to LEPCA staff psychologists in the specialty of public safety psychology. This has provided him the opportunity and time to conduct updated research and to creatively modify and “tweak” existing services. He especially has concentrated on improving effectiveness in the critical area of pre-employment psychological screening.

Dr. Peraza received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University (2003). She pursued her graduate studies at Carlos Albizu University, from where she received her Master of Science degree in Psychology (2005) and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (2012), both with distinction.  Her area of concentration during her doctoral studies was forensic psychology and assessment.  Also, while attending Carlos Albizu University she participated in specialty training with Dr. Brian Mangan, who was teaching a specialized course in Police & Public Safety Psychology.  During this two-semester training, emphasis was placed on pre-employment psychological screening with public safety applicants. Dr. Peraza completed her pre-doctoral internship and postdoctoral residency at South Florida State Hospital (SFSH), where she remains as a full-time psychologist.  

Dr. Peraza joined LEPCA in 2013, on a part-time apprenticeship basis. During this time, she continued her training with integration of standardized objective test profiles, as well as observed clinical interviews and the final report process, while being mentored by Dr. Mangan. Dr. Peraza also has over ten years of experience in clinical therapy, with a diverse range of populations and disorders. Before providing clinical services to the severe mentally ill population of the state hospital, she had over 7000 hours of experience in clinical therapy with children and their families. Additionally, for the past eight years, Dr. Peraza she provides individual, couples, and family therapy to law enforcement and civilian personnel through the employee assistance program of the City of Miami, City of Coral Gables, and City of Hialeah. She has sought extensive training, specializing in the areas of affective disorders, trauma, family dynamics, and immigration and acculturation issues.

Dr. Rodriguez received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University (2017). She also received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University (2023) with an emphasis on Police and Public Safety Psychology. During her graduate training, she provided behavioral health and peer support trainings to law enforcement, fire rescue, and correctional officers. She further assisted in several critical incident stress debriefings for local police and fire agencies, as well as participated in scenario-based trainings to help police hostage negotiators acquire active listening skills to assist persons in crisis.  She completed a clinical externship at Miami-Dade Police Department’s Psychological Services Bureau where she provided individual therapy to sworn officers, civilian personnel, and their families. Dr. Rodriguez also completed a one-year internship at the Western Colorado VA Health Care System, where she provided a range of psychological services to Veterans.

Dr. Rodriguez joined Law Enforcement Psychological and Counseling Associates, Inc (LEPCA) in August 2023 for her postdoctoral fellowship. In addition to assisting with critical incident stress debriefings and pre-employment psychological screenings, she provides counseling services to public safety personnel and support staff through the employee assistance programs for the City of Miami, City of Coral Gables, and City of Hialeah Police/Fire Departments. 

Mr. Martin received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Florida International University (1998) and his Master of Social Work degree from Barry University (2000).  Mr. Martin obtained his license to practice Clinical Social Work in 2003 and has experience providing therapy services for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families.  He has many years of providing Continuing Education and In-Service trainings in the areas of BioPsychoSocial Assessments & Treatment Planning, Anger Management, Working with Children of Divorce, Laws & Ethical Practice and Clinical Documentation Compliance.  Additionally, he is a Qualified Clinical Supervisor for the Social Work Profession as certified by the State of Florida Department of Health.

Mr. Martin began working in the field of police and public safety in 2012, regularly providing therapeutic services for individual, couples, and family counseling to law enforcement and public service personnel through the Employee Assistance Program of the City of Miami, City of Coral Gables, and City of Hialeah Police Departments, as well as the City of Hialeah Fire Department.  Moreover, he assists with critical incident stress debriefings, staff training, and office consultation regarding referrals for community programs and long-term treatment. In addition to his extensive clinical experience, Mr. Martin also serves as a Peer Reviewer for the Council on Accreditation, an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization.

Mrs. Triay-Merein received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Hunter College of the City University of New York and her Master’ of Social Work degree from Fordham University. Doris is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Case Manager. 

Bilingual in English and Spanish, Doris has been a practicing clinician for over 30 years with a specialization in children and families. Mrs. Triay-Merein joined the Law Enforcement Psychological Counseling and Associates in 2002 and she is passionate about helping Police Officers and others reach their full potential in life by using a strength-based approach. 

Ms. Molina received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida (2000) and her master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University (2010). She has over 15 years of experience providing counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, and families in various clinical settings, to include the Prince William County Community Service Board in the state of Virginia, the partial hospitalization program at Larkin Community Hospital, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and FIU Center for Children and Families.  

Ms. Molina joined LEPCA in August of 2022, and she provides counseling services to public safety personnel and support staff through the employee assistance programs for the City of Miami, City of Coral Gables, and City of Hialeah Police/Fire Departments. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma. In addition, she is a qualified clinical supervisor in the mental health profession as certified by the State of Florida Department of Health.