Dr. Megan Stodard, PHD

Dr. Megan Stodard, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) practicing at her clinic in Pensacola, 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. Dr. Megan PHD is a licensed psychologist in Florida, founder of Harbor Wellness, and holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and Human Systems from Florida State University, along with extensive clinical experience.

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. Megan PHD's practice focuses on adolescent and adult services, employing a primarily cognitive behavioral therapeutic approach, while integrating other modalities to provide individualized care. She serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (850) 733-6617 to schedule.

Dr. Megan PHD's background includes a clinical psychology internship at Arkansas State Hospital, post-doctoral training at Lake Psychological Services, and experience at The Anchor Clinic. This diverse experience has shaped her approach to mental wellness, emphasizing a holistic and preventative perspective. Her practice at Harbor Wellness is designed to support individuals in navigating life transitions, addressing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, attention difficulties, trauma, grief, and interpersonal conflicts. She provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• ADHD and-or ADD: Preventive mental health approaches for ADHD or ADD focus on strengthening executive functioning and self-regulation to prevent future mental health issues and maximize success.
• 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.
• Adolescent Depression: Early intervention for adolescent depression is crucial for preventing its progression into more serious mental health conditions and improving overall well-being.
• Anxiety: Learning healthy coping mechanisms for anxiety is crucial preventive self-care, helping you avoid more severe issues and maintain emotional balance.
• Depressive Disorders: Proactive steps to address depressive symptoms, such as seeking professional help, can prevent the disorder from worsening and impacting other areas of your life.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Proactive management of OCD symptoms, such as through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can prevent the development of significant anxiety and depression, fostering resilience and better mental health.
• Panic Disorder: Learning coping strategies for panic attacks, like deep breathing and mindfulness techniques, is key to managing the disorder's symptoms and building resilience against future episodes.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Proactive management of PTSD symptoms through therapy and self-care strategies helps prevent the development of related mental health issues and improves overall resilience.
• Relationship Issues: Strong, healthy relationships are vital for mental wellbeing; proactive management of relationship issues is key to building resilience.

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

• ADHD Testing: By getting screened for ADHD, you can gain clarity on potential attention and behavior patterns and learn strategies to build resilience and manage challenges effectively.
• 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.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Take a proactive step towards better mental health by learning CBT techniques to manage stress and negative thought patterns, preventing future anxiety and depression.
• Psychological Testing: By undergoing psychological testing, you can gain a clearer understanding of your mental health and develop a tailored plan to enhance your resilience and prevent potential problems.
• Relaxation Therapy: Enhance your coping mechanisms and prevent mental health issues from escalating by incorporating relaxation therapy into your wellness routine.
• Stress Management: Take control of your mental health; stress management techniques can help you identify and address stressors before they escalate.
• Mindfulness Technique: Take a proactive step towards better mental well-being by learning mindfulness; it's a skill that builds resilience against stress and anxiety.

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. Megan 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 focusing on strengthening executive functioning skills, a family proactively managed potential ADHD challenges, fostering a more supportive and organized home environment. This approach reduced stress and improved communication, leading to a more positive outlook for the whole family.
• By proactively developing coping mechanisms and stress-reduction strategies, a patient successfully navigated a challenging life transition, maintaining a positive outlook and preventing prolonged adjustment difficulties.

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. Megan PHD:

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

A clinical psychologist, like Dr. Megan, 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. Megan, hold a PhD or PsyD and specialize in psychotherapy and psychological testing. Psychiatrists 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. Seeing a psychologist like Dr. Megan PhD 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.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, goal-oriented therapy that helps you identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. It's been proven effective in preventing the worsening of conditions like anxiety and depression.

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

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

How can couples counseling or family therapy help prevent problems?

Couples and family therapy provide a safe space to improve communication, learn conflict resolution skills, and navigate life transitions together. This investment strengthens bonds and helps prevent future relationship crises.

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

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

What is psychological testing and why might I need it?

Psychological testing uses standardized tests and interviews to assess cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. It can help diagnose conditions like ADHD or learning disabilities and create a personalized treatment plan. This process provides a clearer picture of your needs, leading to more effective care.

25 W Cedar St Ste 120
Pensacola FL 32502
Phone: (850) 733-6617

Dr. Megan Stodard, 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): 1871805663

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. Megan 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.