Dr. Lourdes Pola, PHD

Dr. Lourdes Pola, PhD 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 Hialeah, 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 helping all ages build resilience and achieve optimal mental well-being through evidence-based therapies and personalized 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. Lourdes Pola, PhD is a psychologist in Hialeah, FL, and is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She strives to provide a personalized approach to care, tailoring interventions to the unique needs of each individual. To confirm if Dr. Lourdes Pola, PhD is currently accepting new patients, please call (305) 826-9293. Dr. Lourdes PHD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• 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.
• Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, and early detection and treatment can prevent severe episodes and improve long-term well-being.
• Insomnia With Sleep Apnea (Behavioral aspects): Effective management of insomnia stemming from sleep apnea through behavioral techniques protects your mental health and improves your quality of life.
• Night Eating Syndrome: By addressing Night Eating Syndrome early through lifestyle changes and therapy, you can prevent long-term consequences like obesity, diabetes, and depression, thus safeguarding your overall well-being.
• Social Phobia: Early intervention for social phobia can prevent it from becoming a chronic condition that limits your opportunities and personal growth.
• Aphasia: While not directly preventable, managing the risk factors associated with stroke (a common cause of aphasia) through healthy lifestyles is crucial for prevention.
• Pica Childhood: Recognizing and managing childhood pica is a key step in preventive mental health; it can help identify underlying issues and prevent escalation to more severe eating disorders later in life.

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

• ImPACT Testing: By taking a proactive approach to your brain health with ImPACT testing, you can get a clear picture of your current cognitive abilities, which may help in the early detection of any issues.
• Medication Management for Learning and Behavioral Disabilities: Improve learning and behavioral outcomes by working with a healthcare professional to develop a tailored medication plan.
• Depression Screening: Investing in your mental health starts with a depression screening; it's a proactive way to identify and manage depression, improving your overall well-being.
• Aftercare for Substance Abuse: Proactive aftercare for substance abuse helps you address any lingering triggers or vulnerabilities, strengthening your path to a healthier, substance-free life.
• Hypnosis (Medical Hypnotherapy): Medical hypnotherapy can help you proactively manage stress and anxiety by teaching you self-regulation techniques.
• Relapse Prevention: By learning relapse prevention techniques, you'll build resilience and develop a personalized plan to overcome obstacles and sustain mental health improvements.
• Parenting Classes: Empower yourself with evidence-based parenting techniques to create a nurturing environment and reduce the risk of mental health issues in your children.

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. Lourdes 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 learning practical coping strategies and building a support network, a patient successfully navigated life transitions with greater ease and resilience, preventing future mood challenges.
• By understanding their mood patterns and developing coping mechanisms, a patient proactively managed potential bipolar disorder symptoms, reducing the risk of future episodes and gaining greater emotional stability.

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. Lourdes PHD:

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

A clinical psychologist, like Dr. Lourdes, 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. Lourdes, 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. Dr. Lourdes offers preventive mental health services to help everyone manage stress, improve relationships, and navigate life transitions. She helps build skills to prevent more serious issues from developing.

What is mindfulness and how is it used in therapy?

Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment without judgment. In therapy, it's a tool to help reduce stress, manage difficult emotions, and prevent anxious or depressive thoughts from becoming overwhelming.

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

Dr. Lourdes 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 therapy support someone in recovery from a substance use disorder?

Therapy is a crucial part of long-term recovery from substance use disorder. It helps you understand the underlying causes of your addiction, develop healthy coping strategies for triggers, and rebuild important relationships—all vital for preventing relapse.

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, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured approach that helps reduce the distress associated with traumatic events, preventing the long-term effects of PTSD.

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. Lourdes can teach you strategies to restructure your sleep habits and challenge anxious thoughts that prevent restful sleep.

1840 W 49th St Ste 306
Hialeah FL 33012
Phone: (305) 826-9293

Dr. Lourdes Pola, 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): 1003832262

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. Lourdes 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.