Andrea Schemmari, LMHC

Andrea Schemmari, LMHC is a Sleep Medicine specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her clinic in Miami, FL. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), prioritizing preventive health as a key component of her patient-centered approach. Your general Sleep Medicine physician is your primary partner in preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders, creating personalized long-term health plans, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing your overall wellness through collaboration with pulmonologists, neurologists, and otolaryngologists. She serves all ages and is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Patients should call (786) 860-2804 to confirm if the doctor is currently accepting new patients.

As an Argentinian psychologist with 18+ years of experience, Dr. Andrea LMHC provides bilingual services in English and Spanish. Licensed as a Mental Health Counselor in Florida, she offers psychotherapy, coaching, and a holistic approach to mental well-being. Her clinical work encompasses adults and adolescents, focusing on high performance, quality of life improvement, and habit change. Through a combination of diverse techniques, including body intelligence, breathing exercises, and mindfulness, she helps patients address anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and other challenges. She empowers individuals to gain self-awareness, confidence, and the tools to make informed choices that lead to greater clarity, freedom, and fulfillment. Dr. Andrea LMHC provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Andrea LMHC 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. Andrea LMHC 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. Andrea LMHC 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:

• Codependency: Preventing sleep problems requires addressing underlying issues like codependency, as the stress associated with unhealthy relationships can significantly impact sleep quality and overall well-being.
• Nose Polyposis, Familial: Familial nose polyposis, a hereditary condition causing nasal polyps, can obstruct airflow and worsen sleep apnea if left untreated, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and management for better sleep health.
• Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy, a chronic neurological condition, disrupts your sleep-wake cycle, leading to significant health consequences if left untreated; proactive management helps improve quality of life and reduce these risks.
• ADHD Comorbidity: Because ADHD and sleep disorders frequently occur together, early identification of ADHD is key to preventing the development of sleep problems.
• Seizure Disorders: Proper diagnosis and treatment of seizure disorders are vital to minimizing the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
• Tobacco Withdrawal: Tobacco withdrawal can disrupt sleep, so seeking support to manage cravings can help maintain healthy sleep habits.
• Early Childhood Trauma: By recognizing and addressing the impact of early childhood trauma, we can improve sleep health and reduce the likelihood of developing chronic sleep problems later on.

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. Andrea LMHC offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Proactively address sleep problems and prevent long-term health issues by learning healthy sleep habits through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• Lumbar Puncture: For a comprehensive sleep health assessment, a lumbar puncture may be suggested to detect infections or other conditions impacting your brain and spinal cord that affect sleep.
• Psychoanalysis: To proactively address potential underlying emotional factors contributing to sleep problems, exploring psychoanalysis can help identify and manage these issues, leading to improved sleep quality.
• Deep Brain Stimulation: Deep brain stimulation is a cutting-edge procedure that may be considered to improve the quality of sleep for people with severe sleep disorders by helping regulate irregular brain signals that disrupt sleep.
• Depression Treatment: Strengthen your mental resilience: Addressing depression through treatment can lead to better sleep, increased energy, and a greater sense of well-being, creating a foundation for a healthier life.
• Bronchoscopy: A bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows doctors to visually examine your airways to detect and address potential breathing problems that might be impacting your sleep.
• Cognitive Assessment: Taking a proactive step with a cognitive assessment can help identify potential cognitive decline associated with sleep disorders, allowing for timely intervention.

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 Sleep Medicine in Florida.

Dr. Andrea LMHC is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• Recognizing the impact of codependency on sleep, a patient proactively addressed relationship dynamics, leading to improved sleep quality and a greater sense of personal well-being.
• By proactively managing their familial nose polyposis through regular checkups, a patient experienced improved breathing and reduced sleep apnea symptoms, leading to enhanced sleep quality and overall well-being.

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 Sleep Medicine care with Dr. Andrea LMHC:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist is a board-certified doctor who has specialized training in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Often with backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, they offer a unique perspective to identify the root cause of sleep problems.

What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and why is it a health risk?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to a blocked airway. Untreated OSA is a major risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Treatment is a critical step in preventing these serious long-term complications.

What happens during a sleep study (polysomnogram)?

A sleep study, or polysomnogram, is a safe, non-invasive overnight test. It monitors your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements to create a complete picture of your sleep patterns. This gold standard test helps accurately diagnose sleep disorders so we can develop an effective prevention plan.

What is a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)?

The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) is a daytime test, often following an overnight sleep study. It involves a series of scheduled naps to objectively measure how quickly you fall asleep in quiet situations. This is the primary tool for diagnosing conditions like narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.

My partner says I act out my dreams. Should I be concerned?

We understand your concern about acting out your dreams. This could be a sign of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), which sometimes precedes other neurological conditions. A consultation with us is important to evaluate the situation and discuss treatment options to manage symptoms and ensure your safety during sleep.

Can my child have sleep apnea?

Yes, sleep apnea is common in children, often due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Prompt diagnosis is important, as untreated sleep apnea can impact a child's growth, learning, and behavior. Treatment is a key step in preventing these issues.

What is CPAP therapy and how does it work?

CPAP therapy is a common and effective treatment for sleep apnea. It uses a machine to deliver gentle, continuous air pressure through a mask, keeping your airway open during sleep. This prevents breathing pauses, restoring healthy sleep and protecting your heart.

Why would a Neurologist be involved in my sleep care?

Neurologists specialize in the brain and nervous system. They are often involved in sleep care to diagnose and treat sleep disorders originating in the brain's control centers, such as narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias.

1395 Brickell Ave Ste 800
Miami FL 33131
Phone: (786) 860-2804

Andrea Schemmari, LMHC 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): 1215678081

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. Sleep Medicine like Dr. Andrea LMHC 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 sleep medicine about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.