2nd Vice President - Florida

Habsi began her career in the field of mental health in rehabilitation and recovery, nearly 25 year ago. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, her passion as an educator and public speaker on mental health, has inspired her work to create understanding, compassion and connections within the behavioral health community, first responders and society. Since 2003, Habsi has led the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Criminal Mental Health Project, in Miami-Dade County. Among numerous certifications, Habsi is a certified Mental Health First Aid, USA and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Instructor. To date, she has trained over 10,000 first responders, 911 Communications personnel, mental health professionals, government officials, including organizations in the private sector. Habsi has served as a consultant on an international, federal, state and local level, including the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Hostage Negotiation Team. Habsi is an internationally recognized expert in the field of crisis intervention best practices and education, curriculum design and development, trauma, first responder self-care, de-escalation techniques and police and mental health collaboration. She shares her vast experience as a boundary spanner, leader and resources facilitator, in the implementation of behavioral health criminal justice initiatives, systems transformation and law enforcement, behavioral health and community liaison services. In 2014, Habsi was named the CIT International Coordinator of the Year, for her many contributions to law enforcement, behavioral health and her community. Her expertise, celebrated interpersonal skills and unique style has made her a widely known and sought-after educator, panelist and conference speaker throughout the United States.