Dr. Alissa Wallach Sheldon, PHD

Dr. Alissa Wallach Sheldon, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) practicing at Alissa J. Sheldon, PhD in Pembroke Pines, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Mental Health care. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), ensuring patients receive the highest quality and legally compliant care. 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 and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (954) 998-6515 to schedule.

Dr. Alissa Wallach Sheldon, PhD is a psychologist in Pembroke Pines, FL, affiliated with Memorial Hospital West. She is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Alissa PHD completed rigorous medical training from recognized institutions, including an internship at the University of Miami School of Medicine Jackson Memorial Hospitals, which provided foundational clinical experience. She 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. Dr. Alissa PHD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Adjustment Disorder: Adjustment disorder highlights the importance of building resilience; learning coping skills now can prevent major life changes from causing prolonged mental health difficulties.
• Anxiety: Addressing anxiety early can prevent it from escalating into more serious mental health challenges, impacting your overall well-being and quality of life.
• Depressive Disorders: Understanding and managing risk factors for depressive disorders, like stress and isolation, helps prevent their onset and promotes mental wellness.
• Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder: Recognizing and treating mixed receptive-expressive language disorder can help children develop effective communication strategies, reducing stress and boosting their confidence, thus acting as a preventative measure against various mental health issues.
• Hydrocodone Withdrawal: Stopping hydrocodone use can cause withdrawal symptoms, highlighting the importance of seeking professional help to manage opioid dependence and prevent dangerous complications.
• Physical Disorders (Psychological impact of): Taking care of your mental health alongside your physical health reduces the risk of long-term mental health complications linked to physical illness.
• Dissociative Disorder: Dissociative disorders, characterized by disconnections from one's thoughts, feelings, or memories, can be better managed with early intervention, preventing more severe symptoms and long-term complications.

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. Alissa PHD 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 mental health concerns with CBT, a therapy proven to help you manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other conditions, leading to improved overall well-being.
• Family Psychotherapy: Family therapy proactively strengthens communication and problem-solving skills within your family to prevent future relationship conflicts and improve overall well-being.
• Relapse Prevention: Relapse prevention helps you identify and manage triggers that could lead to a setback in your mental health recovery, keeping you on the path to lasting well-being.
• Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Substance Abuse: Proactively address substance abuse challenges with Intensive Outpatient Treatment, receiving comprehensive care in a supportive setting to aid recovery and prevent long-term health issues.
• Addiction Treatment: Invest in your mental and physical health by seeking addiction treatment; it helps you develop coping mechanisms and prevent the escalating consequences of substance abuse.
• Adolescent Counseling: Give your teen the gift of mental wellness with adolescent counseling; this proactive approach helps identify potential problems early, fostering emotional intelligence and promoting overall well-being.
• Smoking Cessation Treatment: Take control of your health and quit smoking with our proven cessation program, improving your lung health and overall well-being.

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. Alissa PHD 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 learning coping mechanisms, a patient successfully navigated a significant life transition, experiencing a more positive and resilient adjustment rather than prolonged distress. This approach fostered a sense of calm and control over the challenges faced.
• By learning coping mechanisms and stress-reduction techniques, a patient proactively managed their anxiety, fostering a greater sense of calm and well-being. This early intervention prevented anxiety from interfering with their daily life and personal relationships.

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. Alissa PHD:

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 challenges from becoming crises.

What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

Psychologists, like Dr. Alissa, hold a PhD or PsyD and specialize in psychotherapy and psychological testing. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, 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. Alissa can help everyone, not just those with serious mental illness. Seeing a psychologist is beneficial for managing everyday stress, improving relationships, navigating life transitions, and building skills to prevent more serious issues from developing.

How do you help people cope with the stress of a chronic medical illness?

Dr. Alissa provides a supportive space to process the emotional impact of chronic illness and teaches practical coping strategies to manage pain, fatigue, and stress, helping to prevent the illness from leading to depression or anxiety.

How can a psychologist help my child or teenager?

Dr. Alissa can provide a supportive space for children and teenagers to navigate challenges like anxiety, behavioral problems, and social skills. She helps equip them with tools to manage these issues and prevent them from impacting their long-term development.

How can therapy support someone in recovery from a substance use disorder?

Therapy is a crucial component of long-term recovery from substance use disorder. It helps you understand the root causes of your addiction, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and rebuild relationships, all vital for preventing relapse.

Can therapy help me improve my sleep?

Yes, therapy can significantly improve sleep. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a highly effective, drug-free treatment for chronic insomnia. Dr. Alissa can teach you strategies to restructure your sleep habits and challenge anxious thoughts that may be preventing restful sleep.

What is trauma-focused therapy like EMDR?

Trauma-focused therapies, like EMDR, are specialized treatments designed to help the brain process and heal from traumatic memories. EMDR, a structured therapy, helps reduce the distress associated with traumatic events, preventing the long-term effects of PTSD.

Alissa J. Sheldon, PhD
601 N Flamingo Rd Ste 213
Pembroke Pines FL 33028
Phone: (954) 998-6515

Dr. Alissa Wallach Sheldon, PHD 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): 1942591557

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. Alissa PHD 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.