PEMBROKE PINES, FL, October 22, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dr. Denise Rodriguez Brown has been recognized for achievement in healthcare and mental health.

Dr. Rodriguez Brown's professional journey is distinguished by her commitment to patient-centered care and a philosophy that places genuine human connection at the forefront of psychotherapy. Since 2020, she has served as the chief executive officer and psychotherapist at Achieve Change Grow, a Holistic Psychotherapy and Research, LLC practice she founded after transitioning from her earlier business, R & D Counseling Group, Inc.

Notably, Dr. Rodriguez Brown's leadership at Achieve Change Grow is marked by a flexible approach to scheduling, allowing her to respond promptly to patient crises while maintaining clear boundaries around emergency services. Practicing within her scope of knowledge is her ultimate ethical mandate. She ensures that every individual who seeks care at her practice receives personal attention from an experienced clinician, not an automated system, reflecting her belief that mental health support should never be transactional.

Prior to establishing Achieve Change Grow, Dr. Rodriguez Brown founded R & D Counseling Group, Inc. in 2009 and led the organization until 2020. During this period, she laid the groundwork for her current practice, developing a model that would later expand into holistic psychotherapy and research. Additionally, since 2010, she has served as president and psychotherapist at Holistic Psychotherapy & Research, further solidifying her expertise in crisis-responsive psychotherapy and patient-centered therapeutic philosophy.

The motivation behind her career carries the imprint and influence of her mother and father, health care professionals who encouraged her to "achieve your dreams." His example of caring for others and his belief in her potential continue to inspire her commitment to education, service and personal growth.

Dr. Rodriguez Brown's career is deeply rooted in higher education. Before expanding her private practice, she spent over two decades at Broward College in South Florida, serving as a college professor from 1994 to 2020, a tenured faculty counselor between 2004 and 2020, and a grant writer and program development specialist from 2003 to 2020. She regards her tenure at Broward College as her most significant professional achievement stated as, 'my second home', particularly her work guiding students—many of whom were nontraditional learners—toward graduation.

Among Dr. Rodriguez Brown's proudest contributions was the creation of the Multicultural Cafe program, which she developed and funded through successful grant writing efforts. She credits this body of work as the foundation for all subsequent achievements in her career.

Beyond her professional roles, Dr. Rodriguez Brown's dedication to advancing the field is reflected in active memberships with several professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association, American Psychological Association, Southeast Florida Association for Psychoanalytic Psychology, Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society for Counselors and National Anger Management Association. These affiliations have supported her ongoing development as an expert in crisis-responsive psychotherapy and patient-centered therapeutic philosophy.

Dr. Rodriguez Brown's academic background includes a Doctor of Philosophy in psychology from Universidad de Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2012 after completing coursework toward a Doctor of Education in leadership at Florida International University. She has also pursued postgraduate work at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), reflecting her continued commitment to advanced learning and professional development. Her earlier studies include a Master of Arts in mental health counseling from Argosy University in 2004, a Master of Science in teaching English as a second or foreign language from Florida International University in 1998 and a Bachelor of Science in teaching English as a second or foreign language from Facultad de Filosofia y Letras at Universidad Nacional de Tucuman in Argentina in 1991.

Dr. Rodriguez Brown's credentials include licensure as a mental health counselor and certification as a personal trainer through the National Council on Strength and Fitness. She began her career during a graduate internship at a juvenile detention center — a formative experience that shaped her calling to help families navigate crisis situations. Encouraged by a supervisor who recognized her potential for transformative work with youth and families, she persisted through initial challenges and ultimately found fulfillment supporting children without consistent parental presence.

This early exposure to family dynamics led Dr. Rodriguez Brown to pursue training at the Gottman Institute, where she adopted research-based methods for couples counseling that continue to inform both her clinical practice and annual couples retreats. Her own experiences navigating divorce have provided additional perspective that she integrates into her therapeutic approach.

Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Rodriguez Brown actively contributes to civic life through mentorship with the American Express UStrive Online Mentoring, guiding high school and college freshman students as they adjust to academic life, a role reminiscent of her earlier work at the community college level. She also provides pro bono psychotherapy services to uninsured elderly patients awaiting insurance resolution, maintaining regular contact with those under her care.

Notably, Dr. Rodriguez Brown's dedication has been recognized through numerous honors — between eight and 12 awards over the course of her career — including multiple higher education achievement awards and repeated grant funding awards for student group and project initiatives.

Reflecting on her career, Dr. Rodriguez Brown emphasizes two closely linked ideas. First, people should take the time to understand themselves, recognizing that this pursuit is never time wasted. Second, she views self-understanding as the foundation for genuinely supporting others, explaining that only by understanding who they are can people begin to understand those around them.

Dr. Rodriguez Brown's personal interests reflect an ongoing commitment to wellness and mindfulness. Formerly an avid runner training toward an Iron Woman marathon before an injury shifted her focus, she now practices yoga regularly and participates in yoga activities where discussions often center on mindfulness, an element she incorporates into both personal life and therapeutic work.

Born in Salta, Argentina, Dr. Rodriguez Brown maintains close ties with her family and extended family, including her brother, also a health professional, and one daughter with whom she shares a strong bond. Looking ahead, she is guided by clearly defined goals shaped by years as an educator. Professionally, she aims to address emerging challenges within mental health care while preserving authentic human connection. Personally, she prioritizes her family relationships, guided by her father's encouragement; she remains dedicated to preserving authentic human connection and helping people achieve change and growth in their lives.

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