Dr. Sara Bertoch, PHD

Dr. Sara Bertoch, 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 Jacksonville, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her approach emphasizes building resilience and utilizing evidence-based therapies to create long-term wellness plans. She is committed to serving as a primary partner in proactively safeguarding your mental well-being, coordinating necessary screenings, and working collaboratively with you to achieve your health goals. She serves all ages. Please call (904) 376-3800 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Sara Bertoch, PhD is a psychologist in Jacksonville, FL, affiliated with Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. She is accepting telehealth appointments. 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. Sara PHD is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where you feel empowered to take an active role in your long-term health. She provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Organic Mood Syndrome: Organic Mood Syndrome emphasizes the connection between physical and mental health; proactive monitoring of your overall health is key to preventing mood disturbances related to underlying medical conditions.
• Overeating: Addressing overeating through healthy coping mechanisms and mindful eating habits strengthens your resilience against emotional triggers and prevents the development of more severe eating disorders.
• Developmental Delay: Preventive care includes regular developmental screenings to identify potential delays, allowing for early interventions that can maximize a child's potential and prevent setbacks.
• Panic Attack: By building resilience and adopting healthy lifestyle habits, you can effectively reduce your risk of experiencing panic attacks and improve your ability to cope with stressful situations.
• Rape Trauma Syndrome: Rape trauma syndrome describes the complex emotional and psychological reactions following sexual assault, and timely intervention is crucial for reducing its impact on your life.
• Sexual Abuse: Experiencing sexual abuse can have long-lasting mental health effects, so seeking support and therapy early can help prevent these serious consequences.
• Healthy Aging (Psychological aspects): Protecting your mental well-being as you age involves proactively addressing potential challenges like depression or cognitive decline to maintain your quality of 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. Sara 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: As a proactive step in maintaining your cognitive health, ImPACT testing measures various cognitive functions, helping you understand your baseline and monitor changes over time.
• Coping Strategy: By developing effective coping strategies, you can prevent minor stressors from becoming major mental health issues, fostering a positive and balanced life.
• Eating Disorder Treatment: Prioritize your mental health by exploring eating disorder treatment; it's a critical step in building resilience and preventing the serious consequences of these disorders.
• Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD): As a proactive measure, CISD can be used after a significant stressful event to identify early signs of distress and help prevent future mental health problems.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CTB-I): Proactively address sleep problems and prevent the negative impact on your mental and physical health with CBT-I, a therapy designed to help you develop healthier sleep patterns.
• 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.
• Geriatric Assessment (Cognitive/Mental health): Proactively safeguard your cognitive well-being with a geriatric assessment, helping identify potential mental health concerns early for timely intervention.

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. Sara 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 addressing potential physical health issues and closely monitoring their overall well-being, a patient significantly reduced the risk of mood disturbances linked to underlying medical conditions. This proactive approach instilled a sense of peace and control over their mental and physical health.
• By learning healthy coping mechanisms and mindful eating, a patient reduced emotional eating triggers, preventing the development of an eating disorder and fostering a healthier relationship with food.

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. Sara 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 life's challenges from becoming mental health crises.

What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

Psychologists, like Dr. Sara, hold PhDs or PsyDs and specialize in psychotherapy and psychological testing. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) 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. Seeing a psychologist like Dr. Sara PhD is beneficial for everyone. Therapy can help manage everyday stress, improve relationships, navigate life transitions, and build skills to prevent more serious issues.

How can couples counseling or family therapy help prevent problems?

Couples and family therapy provides a safe space to improve communication, learn conflict resolution, and navigate life transitions together. This investment strengthens relationships, preventing future crises and fostering healthier family dynamics.

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 attacks, on the other hand, are typically a gradual build-up of worry in response to a specific stressor, and less intense.

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 multifaceted approach ensures an accurate diagnosis.

How can a psychologist help my child or teenager?

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

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 proven effective in preventing the worsening of conditions like anxiety and depression.

820 Prudential Dr Ste 510
Jacksonville FL 32207
Phone: (904) 376-3800

Dr. Sara Bertoch, 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): 1033461611

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. Sara 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.