Dr. Deidre Pereira, PHD

Dr. Deidre Pereira, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Mental Health care. She practices at her clinic in Gainesville, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in preventive health, Dr. Deidre PHD understands that a proactive approach to mental well-being is crucial for overall health and vitality. 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 (352) 273-6039 to schedule.

Dr. Deidre Pereira, PhD is a psychologist in Gainesville, FL, affiliated with UF Health Shands Hospital. She is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Deidre PHD completed rigorous medical training at recognized institutions, including an internship at the University Of Miami, gaining foundational clinical experience. Her approach to care emphasizes building strong, collaborative relationships with patients to foster lasting mental wellness. Due to HIPAA privacy laws, she is unable to respond to the content of any reviews or ratings, negative or positive, reported on this site. Dr. Deidre PHD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Overeating: Recognizing and addressing overeating as a potential symptom of stress or anxiety is crucial for preventive mental health; proactive management helps build healthy coping strategies and reduce long-term health risks.
• Sexual Desire Disorders: Proactive management of sexual desire issues can improve intimacy and prevent long-term relationship dissatisfaction.
• Developmental Language Delay: Addressing developmental language delay early can significantly reduce the risk of long-term difficulties with reading, writing, and social interaction, fostering stronger communication and self-esteem.
• Panic Attack: Early recognition of panic attack symptoms allows for timely intervention, preventing the development of chronic anxiety and improving your overall mental well-being.
• Psycho-Reactive Insomnia: Experiencing significant stress or emotional upset that leads to trouble sleeping? Understanding that this is psycho-reactive insomnia helps you take proactive steps to manage stress and improve your sleep before it significantly impacts your well-being.
• Reactive Attachment Disorder: Preventing the negative consequences of Reactive Attachment Disorder involves creating a nurturing and responsive environment for children, reducing the risk of future mental health challenges.
• Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Seeking professional help for schizoid and schizotypal personality patterns can prevent negative impacts on personal relationships and overall well-being.

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

• Integrated Yoga Therapy: Take a proactive step towards better mental wellbeing by exploring integrated yoga therapy, which can help you develop coping mechanisms and reduce the risk of anxiety and depression.
• Couples Therapy: Couples therapy offers a proactive approach to relationship well-being, helping you identify and address underlying issues that may lead to stress, conflict, or separation before they become significant problems.
• Cognitive Function Testing: Safeguarding your cognitive health starts with knowledge; cognitive function testing provides a comprehensive evaluation and empowers you to address any potential challenges proactively.
• Yoga Therapy: As a preventative measure, explore yoga therapy to enhance self-awareness, improve mood regulation, and cultivate a sense of calm, potentially reducing the risk of mental health disorders.
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Protect your well-being by getting screened for dual diagnosis; this comprehensive approach helps prevent the worsening of mental health conditions and substance abuse issues.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CTB-I): Take control of your sleep with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), a proactive approach to identifying and changing unhelpful sleep habits to improve your sleep quality and overall well-being.
• Psychiatric Evaluation: Taking the proactive step of a psychiatric evaluation helps screen for a wide range of mental health conditions, enabling you to build a stronger foundation for your 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. Deidre 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:

• Recognizing overeating as a stress response, a patient learned healthy coping mechanisms, reducing their risk of long-term health problems and gaining greater emotional well-being.
• By proactively addressing potential concerns with a clinical psychologist, a couple experienced increased intimacy and a stronger relationship foundation, fostering a positive outlook on their sexual 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 Preventive Mental Health care with Dr. Deidre PHD:

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

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

What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

Psychologists, like Dr. Deidre, 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. Often, psychologists and psychiatrists work together as part of a comprehensive treatment team.

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

No. Dr. Deidre offers support for everyone, whether facing everyday stress, relationship challenges, or life transitions. Seeing a psychologist like Dr. Deidre is beneficial for building skills to manage stress and improve well-being, which can prevent more serious issues from developing.

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

Dr. Deidre teaches specific coping skills to manage symptoms, identifies early warning signs of a relapse, and helps address the root causes of distress, building a mental health toolkit to navigate future challenges.

How can a psychologist help my child or teenager?

Dr. Deidre's child and adolescent therapy provides a supportive space for young people to navigate challenges. She can help with issues such as anxiety, behavioral problems, and social skills, equipping them with tools to prevent these challenges 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. This investment strengthens bonds, preventing future relationship crises.

Can therapy help me improve my sleep?

Yes, therapy can help. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a highly effective, drug-free treatment for chronic insomnia. Dr. Deidre can teach strategies to restructure sleep habits and challenge anxious thoughts that prevent restful sleep.

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 difficult emotions, and prevent anxious or depressive thought patterns.

1600 SW Archer Rd
Gainesville FL 32610
Phone: (352) 273-6039

Dr. Deidre Pereira, 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): 1639186935

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. Deidre 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.