Dr. Carina Massa, PSY.D

Dr. Carina Massa, PSY.D is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Mental Health care at her clinic in Coral Gables, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she partners with patients of all ages to build resilience, utilize evidence-based therapies, and create long-term wellness plans. 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. Dr. Carina PSY.D is a psychologist in Coral Gables, FL, committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine and creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Please call (305) 662-9162 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Carina PSY.D provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Carina PSY.D 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. Carina PSY.D 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. Carina PSY.D 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:

• Mood and Adjustment Disorder: Building coping mechanisms and seeking support when experiencing mood and adjustment challenges helps prevent these issues from impacting your mental health negatively in the future.
• Nondependent Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Abuse: Managing stress and anxiety in healthy ways is important for preventing the misuse of sedatives, sleeping pills, or anti-anxiety medication. Seeking professional help can build healthier coping strategies.
• Development of Written Expression Disorder: By proactively addressing challenges in written expression, we can help children succeed academically and avoid the development of more complex learning disabilities.
• Online Gambling Addiction: Early intervention for online gambling addiction is key to preventing long-term financial, social, and emotional problems; seeking professional help can help manage urges and prevent escalation.
• Hoarding: Early identification and management of hoarding behaviors can help avoid the escalation of related problems like financial difficulties and social isolation.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD, characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts and behaviors, can significantly impact your life, but early detection and treatment through therapy can prevent long-term struggles and improve your overall well-being.
• Opioid Withdrawal: Managing opioid withdrawal effectively prevents dangerous complications like seizures and relapse, emphasizing the importance of preventative care and support systems.

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. Carina PSY.D offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your 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.
• Maudsley Approach: To proactively address eating disorders, the Maudsley Approach empowers families to support their teenage child's recovery, acting as a vital preventative measure against serious health risks.
• Depression Screening: A depression screening is a quick check-up to identify potential signs of depression so you can get support early.
• Neuropsychological Testing: Neuropsychological testing helps proactively identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses, allowing for early intervention and preventing potential problems down the line.
• Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Substance Abuse: Invest in your well-being by joining Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Substance Abuse—a program focusing on identifying triggers, coping strategies, and preventing a return to substance use.
• Sex Therapy: Early intervention through sex therapy can prevent sexual dysfunction from escalating and negatively affecting your self-esteem and relationships.
• Yoga Therapy: Yoga therapy offers a holistic approach to mental wellness, helping you develop coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety, preventing these issues from escalating into more serious conditions.

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. Carina PSY.D 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 developing healthy coping mechanisms and understanding their emotional responses, a patient proactively managed their mood swings, improving their overall well-being and reducing future adjustment challenges.
• By learning healthy coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety, a patient reduced their risk of potentially misusing medication, fostering a greater sense of well-being and confidence in their mental health.

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. Carina PSY.D:

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

A clinical psychologist, like Dr. Carina PSY.D., 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. Carina PSY.D., specialize in psychotherapy and psychological testing. Psychiatrists, who are medical doctors, 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. Seeing a psychologist like Dr. Carina PSY.D. is beneficial for everyone, not just those with serious mental illness. Therapy can help manage everyday stress, improve relationships, navigate life transitions, and build skills to prevent more serious issues from developing.

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. Carina PSY.D. can teach you strategies to restructure your sleep habits and challenge anxious thoughts that may be preventing restful sleep.

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

Therapy equips you with a mental health toolkit. Dr. Carina PSY.D. teaches coping skills to manage symptoms, helps identify early warning signs, and addresses the root causes of distress, proactively preventing your anxiety or depression from worsening.

What is an assessment for ADHD like?

A comprehensive ADHD evaluation involves more than just a questionnaire. It includes a detailed clinical interview, review of school/work history, and standardized psychological tests to assess attention, impulsivity, and executive function. This multi-faceted approach provides a more accurate diagnosis.

What is the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack?

A panic attack is a sudden, intense surge of fear with physical symptoms, often unexpected. Anxiety, on the other hand, is typically a more gradual build-up of worry in response to a specific stressor, and generally less intense.

What is mindfulness and how is it used in therapy?

Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment without judgment. In therapy, it's used as a tool to reduce stress, manage challenging emotions, and prevent unhelpful thoughts from becoming overwhelming.

1390 S Dixie Hwy Ste 1305
Coral Gables FL 33146
Phone: (305) 662-9162

Dr. Carina Massa, PSY.D 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): 1063896504

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. Carina PSY.D 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.