Alexandra Barreto

Alexandra Barreto is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Mental Health care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her clinic in Sarasota, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). She is committed to building resilience and utilizing evidence-based therapies to create long-term wellness plans, coordinating necessary screenings, and serving as a primary partner in proactively safeguarding your mental well-being. Clinical psychologists specializing in preventive mental health partner with you to build resilience, utilize evidence-based therapies, create long-term wellness plans, coordinate necessary screenings, and serve as your primary partner in proactively safeguarding your mental well-being. She serves all ages. Patients should call (941) 408-4915 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Alexandra Barreto is a psychologist in Sarasota, FL, with a strong commitment to collaborative, evidence-based medicine. Her approach emphasizes creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She understands the importance of proactive mental health and strives to equip individuals with the tools and strategies necessary to maintain optimal well-being. Dr. Barreto's practice prioritizes patient partnership and a comprehensive understanding of each individual’s needs, providing personalized plans to support their overall mental health journey. Dr. Alexandra Barreto provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Alexandra Barreto is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Alexandra Barreto can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Alexandra Barreto provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Midlife Changes: Preventative mental health strategies during midlife help you identify and address potential stressors, promoting well-being and reducing the likelihood of developing mental health disorders.
• Disorders Related to Physical and Sexual Abuse: Early intervention for trauma related to abuse can help build resilience and coping mechanisms, reducing the risk of developing chronic mental health disorders.
• Genetic Predisposition to Autism: Understanding genetic predispositions to autism empowers families to seek professional guidance and implement early support strategies, helping to build resilience and promote healthy development.
• Binge Eating Disorder: Proactive steps, such as building healthy eating habits and seeking professional help, are vital in preventing binge eating disorder from developing or worsening, thus safeguarding your physical and mental health.
• Antisocial Behavior: Addressing antisocial tendencies through preventative strategies like therapy and social skills training helps build resilience and reduces the likelihood of developing more severe mental health conditions.
• Hallucinogen Dependence: Hallucinogen dependence, a serious condition, requires early intervention to prevent escalating problems and improve long-term mental well-being.
• Conduct Disorder: Recognizing and managing conduct disorder in young people can prevent escalation into more serious antisocial behavior and help them build resilience against future challenges.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Alexandra Barreto offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Mind-Body Focused Therapy: Take proactive steps towards better mental well-being by exploring Mind-Body Focused Therapy, which helps you understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations to manage stress and improve overall health.
• Quantitative Sensory Test (QST): By taking a Quantitative Sensory Test (QST), you're taking a proactive step to assess your body's sensory processing and potentially prevent future issues stemming from undetected sensitivities.
• Imago Relationship Therapy: Imago Relationship Therapy helps you and your partner understand recurring patterns in your communication and interactions to build a stronger, healthier relationship, preventing future conflicts and improving overall well-being.
• PTSD Treatment: Early intervention is key: PTSD treatment helps diagnose and treat post-traumatic stress, empowering you to reclaim your emotional health and prevent debilitating symptoms.
• Chronic Pain Management (Psychological aspects): Proactively address the emotional and psychological challenges associated with chronic pain to improve your overall quality of life.
• Neuropsychology Services for Gifted Children: Ensure your gifted child thrives by proactively seeking neuropsychological evaluation; this comprehensive assessment can uncover hidden learning disabilities or cognitive vulnerabilities, preventing future academic and emotional struggles.
• Medication Management for Learning and Behavioral Disabilities: Improve learning and behavioral outcomes by working with a healthcare professional to develop a tailored medication plan.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Clinical Psychologists (Preventive Mental Health) in Florida.

Dr. Alexandra Barreto is dedicated to partnering with Family Members and Support Systems to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Individual's life:

• By proactively addressing potential stressors and developing coping mechanisms, a patient navigated midlife transitions with greater ease and confidence, fostering a stronger sense of well-being. This proactive approach reduced the likelihood of future mental health challenges, promoting a more positive outlook on life's changes.
• A family, through proactive support from a clinical psychologist, learned coping mechanisms for past trauma, significantly reducing their risk of future mental health challenges related to abuse. This early intervention fostered resilience and peace of mind, empowering them to build a healthier future.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Preventive Mental Health care with Dr. Alexandra Barreto:

What is a Clinical Psychologist, and how can they help me?

A clinical psychologist is a doctoral-level expert in mental and emotional health. They provide evidence-based therapy to help you develop coping strategies, build resilience, and prevent life's challenges from becoming mental health crises.

What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

Psychologists, like Dr. Barreto, hold a PhD or PsyD and specialize in psychotherapy and psychological testing. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who can prescribe medication and also provide therapy. They often collaborate as part of a comprehensive treatment team.

Do I need to have a serious mental illness to see a psychologist?

No. A psychologist like Dr. Barreto can help everyone manage everyday stress, improve relationships, navigate life transitions, and build skills to prevent more serious issues.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, goal-oriented therapy that helps you identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. It's proven effective in preventing the worsening of conditions like anxiety and depression.

How can a psychologist help my child or teenager?

Dr. Barreto provides a supportive space for children and teenagers to navigate challenges like anxiety, behavioral problems, and social skills difficulties. She helps them develop coping mechanisms and tools to prevent these issues from impacting their long-term development.

How can couples counseling or family therapy help prevent problems?

Couples and family therapy provides a safe space to improve communication, learn conflict-resolution skills, and navigate life transitions together, strengthening bonds and preventing future relationship crises.

How can therapy help prevent my anxiety or depression from getting worse?

Dr. Barreto helps build a mental health toolkit by teaching specific coping skills to manage symptoms, identifying early warning signs of a relapse, and addressing the root causes of distress. This proactive approach prevents anxiety or depression from worsening and equips you to navigate future challenges effectively.

What is psychological testing and why might I need it?

Psychological testing uses standardized tests and interviews to assess cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. It can help diagnose conditions like ADHD or learning disabilities, and inform the creation of a personalized treatment plan.

8237 Vicela Dr
Sarasota FL 34240
Phone: (941) 408-4915

Alexandra Barreto is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1902241730

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Clinical Psychologists (Preventive Mental Health) like Dr. Alexandra Barreto are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your clinical psychologist (preventive mental health) about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.