Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeerika Diaz.
Hi Jeerika, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Sound Mind Behavioral Health was born out of faith, obedience, and a calling to serve. After years of working in the medical field and witnessing firsthand the deep need for compassionate, culturally sensitive mental health care, especially within the Latin community; we felt the Lord placing it on our hearts to step out in faith and build something of our own. With prayer as our foundation and service as our mission, we opened our doors with zero patients, trusting God to guide each step. Through genuine care, ethical practice, and the relationships we built over years as providers, word of mouth began to spread. Families shared their experiences, barriers began to fall, and what once felt like a taboo topic in many Hispanic households became a courageous conversation. In just eight months, by God’s grace, we have grown from an empty schedule to serving over 80 patients and counting. Our faith continues to anchor us, and our love for our community drives us to create a safe space where healing is embraced.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road. Like any business built from the ground up, we have faced real challenges along the way. We relocated offices more than once to find the right space, and in the beginning, simply getting our name out into the community was difficult. As new providers starting our own practice, we had to earn the trust of patients who did not yet know us. The credentialing process brought many “no’s” before we finally received our “yeses,” and there were even companies that took advantage of our kindness, promising services to help grow the business, accepting payment, and then failing to deliver, which caused financial setbacks. But through every obstacle, we remained grounded in our faith and confident in our calling. We refused to quit. Each challenge strengthened us, refined us, and reminded us why we started. We continue moving forward, not because it has been easy, but because we know this is what we were called to do.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Sound Mind Behavioral Health?
At Sound Mind Behavioral Health, we’re more than a psychiatric practice, we’re a faith-rooted space where people feel truly seen and heard. We provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and medication management for adults, with a special heart for the Latin community. Breaking the stigma around mental health in Hispanic families is deeply personal to us, and being able to serve bilingually allows our patients to express themselves fully and comfortably. One thing people are often surprised by is the time we spend with each patient, we offer 90-minute initial appointments and 30–40 minute follow-ups, which is rare in today’s fast-paced medical world. We believe healing takes time, and our patients deserve that time. In less than a year, we’ve grown from zero patients to over 80, purely through word of mouth, which means everything to us. It tells us that people don’t just appreciate our care, they trust it. At the core of our brand is faith, compassion, and a genuine love for the community we serve.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is taking family vacations to Boquerón in Puerto Rico. We didn’t travel far, we did what you’d call “internal tourism,” exploring the beauty of our own island, but those trips meant everything to me. I remember the beach days, the simple joy of being together, the food, the laughter, and the feeling of not having to rush. It wasn’t about luxury; it was about connection. Those vacations taught me to appreciate family, culture, and slowing down enough to enjoy the moment, values that still shape who I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soundmindbhfl.com
