Today we’d like to introduce you to Liza Acosta.
Liza, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My career ultimately began when I was a teenager. At 15 years old, I had knee surgery, and the doctor told me my dream of playing professional soccer for the Women’s National Team was over. Hearing that was devastating. Soccer had been my whole life, and suddenly I was faced with the question: Who am I without it? During that time of sadness and uncertainty, I discovered something else—my deep passion for people. I realized how much it meant to me to help others feel better, no matter what they were going through. That moment gave me a second chance to fulfill my heart’s desire, and I knew nothing would stand in my way.
I went on to attend Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in human services with double minors in Psychology and Sociology. After graduation, I returned home to Florida and pursued my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University. Because of my passion for people and relationships, I narrowed my scope of practice and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I believe that truly helping someone requires a systemic approach—one that integrates culture, education, family dynamics, and life experiences—otherwise, we risk missing a key part of the person’s story.
Once licensed, I served as Clinical Director for several mental health centers, immersing myself fully in the clinical field. That experience gave me a deep understanding of how mental health organizations operate—from clinical documentation and audits to managing teams with diverse personalities. After a few years, I became a state-approved Qualified Supervisor in Florida, and I continue to supervise registered interns to this day.
In 2018, I launched my consulting business, LDGL Consulting, LLC, where I help companies either acquire accreditation through The Joint Commission of Healthcare (JCAHO) or become licensed through the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to provide substance use services in the state of Florida. This chapter of my career was incredibly rewarding, as I had the privilege of working with entrepreneurs and business owners, helping them elevate their standards of care.
The highlight of my consulting was meeting Oscar Rivero and his family, owners of Believe and Trust TCM in Miami, Florida. Initially, they contacted me to help get them accredited with the Joint Commission. After just a few months, they invited me to join their team as Clinical Director. What I didn’t realize then was how much they would become like family. The trust we built grew stronger over time, and they welcomed me with open arms.
When my husband and I decided it was time to move our family to Tennessee in 2023, I was nervous about what Oscar and his family would say. I wanted to stay connected to their company but didn’t know what that would look like from another state. His immediate response was, “Don’t worry—you’ll always have a place here.” That reassurance meant everything.
By June 2023, we relocated to Maryville, Tennessee, drawn by the quality schools, safety, and small-town feel. I quickly fell in love with the people, the seasons, and the quiet beauty of the area. But soon after settling in, I began hearing a troubling pattern from neighbors, parents, and even people I’d meet at the grocery store—many said they had to wait up to six months to access mental health services. As a therapist, that was heartbreaking to hear.
I knew something had to be done. I called Oscar and shared what I was learning. Without hesitation, he said, “I trust you. Let’s do it.” Together, we decided to open a mental health center in Maryville. That’s how B & T Health was born—B & T stands for Believe and Trust, as it is the sister company to Believe and Trust TCM in Florida.
I handled the licensing, compliance, and hiring, while Oscar handled credentialing with insurance companies and the financial responsibilities. I hit the ground marketing and connecting with the community. Now, nearly two years later, I’m proud to say that unlike many places, we have no waitlist—clients can be seen within one week.
I truly believe I’ve found my purpose and that God is working through me to help people heal. Without Oscar’s trust and our shared vision, none of this would be possible.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Any time you open a business, there are always challenges. But opening a business in a brand-new state, just after moving there, doubled those challenges. I spent the first month carefully reading statutes and learning Tennessee’s specific requirements for mental health centers, as well as city and state operating standards. In the beginning, I often asked myself, What if no one wants us here? What if we fail? But I quickly reminded myself that operating out of fear gets you nowhere. Challenges are not roadblocks—they’re opportunities for growth.
In both business and life, failure is inevitable. The real question isn’t if you’ll fail, but how you’ll fail. Will you fail forward? Will you pick yourself up, persevere, and let the experience empower you—or will you let fear take control? For me, the answer has always been to keep going, to keep believing in myself and the vision.
One example that stands out was just last year, when we moved our office into a larger location that would allow us to expand. What I didn’t anticipate was that Tennessee’s licensing board does not transfer licenses when you move locations. That meant I had to stop services, wait for the site surveyor to come out, and acquire all new licenses—all while being audited. I remember telling myself, “Feel the emotion for a few minutes, and then it’s time to get to work”. I refused to let anything stand in the way of our mission to help people.
And that’s exactly what happened. We survived that inspection, came through stronger, and have continued to thrive in the community ever since.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
B & T Health is a Mental Health Center in Maryville, TN where our mission is to assist and work closely with individuals diagnosed with mental illness as well as their families, and significant others to ensure they have access to the full array of services and resources available in the community. At its core, our mental health mission statement is centered on the idea that every individual has the right to achieve optimal mental well-being. Our mission is to promote mental wellness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges, empowering individuals to seek and receive the care and support they need to thrive.
No one should be denied the benefit of quality mental healthcare. We strive to create a world where mental health is valued and prioritized, and where individuals are able to access the care they need, regardless of their background, socioeconomic status, or other factors.
Our mission is rooted in a commitment to education, prevention, and early intervention. By providing resources, information, and support to individuals and communities, we aim to promote mental health literacy and empower individuals to take proactive steps to safeguard their mental health. We also recognize the importance of early intervention in preventing mental health challenges from escalating, and we are committed to promoting access to timely and effective mental healthcare for all.
Ultimately, our mental health mission statement is grounded in a belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. We are committed to promoting mental wellness and reducing the burden of mental health challenges on individuals, families, and communities, and we will work tirelessly to achieve our vision of a world where mental health is valued and supported.
At B & T Health, we provide individual and family therapy, marriage counseling, Christian counseling, and parent management training, all delivered through evidence-based treatment approaches. In addition, we offer psychiatric evaluations and medication management to ensure clients receive comprehensive care.
Our team specializes in trauma-informed treatment, and I personally take great pride in ensuring that every staff member receives the highest level of training in this area. Research shows that up to 93% of people evaluated for therapy are misdiagnosed because they are not properly screened for trauma. That is why I emphasize accuracy in diagnosis and adherence to the standards of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
I often tell my staff: “We wouldn’t want to be diagnosed with diabetes and placed on lifelong medication if we didn’t actually have that condition. The same principle applies to mental health.” Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment, and it is what we are committed to providing every client who walks through our doors.
What I want readers to know about our brand is that at B & T Health, you can truly Believe and Trust in the therapeutic services you and your family will receive with our team. We understand that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process, and the relationship between client and therapist is one of the most important factors in healing. That’s why we remind our clients, “a therapist is like a pair of jeans—each one is cut and styled differently, so it may take some time to find your perfect fit.”
If the first therapist isn’t the right match, that’s completely okay. We encourage clients to let us know, because our goal is to ensure that every individual receives the care and connection they deserve. Nothing about that process is taken personally—it’s about what works best for the client. At the end of the day, treatment is tailored, individualized, and designed to create the best possible outcomes.
Our motto is simple but powerful: “How can we help?” This reflects the heart of our brand. We are here to listen, to support, and to walk alongside our clients on their journey to healing. We want the community to know that with B & T Health, they will always be met with compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to doing what is best for them.
I am most proud of my staff. Each one of them is unique, talented, and brings something special to our practice. They bring me joy every single day when I walk into the office, and for that I am truly grateful. I personally hand-select every member of our team to ensure they share the same core principles that guide B & T Health: a commitment to proper training, openness to constructive feedback, respect for one another, and the understanding that every voice matters. We have no room for egos or drama—our focus is on collaboration, respect, and providing the highest quality care to our clients.
At B & T Health, our staff is truly like family. I make it a priority to show them that I care about their well-being and will support them in any way I can. This field can be emotionally demanding, and burnout is unfortunately common. That’s why I emphasize self-care and balance by encouraging vacations, allowing flexibility in schedules to meet documentation requirements, and planning team-building activities outside the office. At the end of the day, we must practice what we preach to our clients—maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Any big plans?
The future of B & T Health is centered around growth, accessibility, and community impact. Our plan is to open additional locations across Tennessee and, eventually, in other states where communities have expressed the same challenges in accessing timely mental health care. We want to ensure that no one has to wait months to receive the support they need.
In addition to expanding our physical presence, we are deeply committed to embedding ourselves in the local education system. We are actively training school counselors in trauma-informed care, crisis management, and de-escalation techniques—as we successfully did last year with the Blount County School Board. By providing these trainings, we aim to equip schools with the tools they need to support students’ mental health before issues escalate.
Our long-term vision also includes developing programs that address gaps in mental health services within the community. There is a significant shortage of accessible, evidence-based care, and B & T Health’s mission is to fill that void. We are committed to expanding our reach, creating innovative programs, and collaborating with local organizations so that more individuals and families can access high-quality mental health support. We will not stop until we have made a measurable, positive impact on mental health access in every community we serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bthealth.org
- Instagram: @BTHEALTHLLC
- Linkedin: B & T Health LLC
