Dr. Sarah Westen, PHD

Dr. Sarah Westen, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Mental Health care. She practices at her Gainesville, FL clinic and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her commitment to preventive care extends beyond simply treating existing conditions; she partners with patients to build resilience, utilize evidence-based therapies, create personalized long-term wellness plans, coordinate necessary screenings, and serve as a primary partner in proactively safeguarding their mental well-being. Dr. Sarah Westen, PhD is a psychologist in Gainesville, FL, committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, and fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She serves all ages. Please call (352) 265-0294 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Sarah PHD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD): Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) can significantly impact daily life, but early identification and treatment can prevent long-term challenges like relationship difficulties and career setbacks.
• 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.
• AIDS Dementia Complex: AIDS Dementia Complex is a consequence of untreated or poorly managed HIV, emphasizing the importance of consistent adherence to antiretroviral therapy to protect brain health.
• Hypomania: Experiencing a period of heightened energy, creativity, and reduced need for sleep? While exciting, this could be hypomania; understanding and managing it prevents potential problems down the line.
• Encopresis: Addressing encopresis early can prevent long-term emotional distress for both the child and family, highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare approaches to address bowel control problems.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD): Recognizing the signs of OCPD early can prevent it from worsening and affecting your relationships and well-being, allowing you to build healthier coping mechanisms.
• Fear of Open Places (Agoraphobia): Don't let the fear of open places control you – proactive steps like seeking therapy for agoraphobia can prevent it from worsening and impacting your daily activities.

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

• Exposure Therapy: As a proactive approach to mental health, exposure therapy helps you overcome avoidance behaviors and build confidence, preventing future anxiety and depression.
• Depression Treatment: Take a proactive step towards better mental well-being by accessing depression treatment, which can help identify and address depressive symptoms early on, preventing them from escalating into more severe issues.
• Sex Therapy: Early intervention through sex therapy can prevent sexual dysfunction from escalating and negatively affecting your self-esteem and relationships.
• Cognitive Rehabilitation: Proactively address cognitive challenges through cognitive rehabilitation; it helps assess your strengths and weaknesses, leading to personalized strategies for improvement.
• Biofeedback: Biofeedback helps you learn to control your body's responses to stress, proactively building resilience and preventing future anxiety or panic attacks.
• PTSD Treatment: Take a proactive step towards healing by seeking PTSD treatment to address trauma's lingering effects and build resilience for a healthier future.
• Concussion Treatment (Neuropsychological evaluation): Protect your long-term cognitive well-being: a neuropsychological evaluation after a concussion helps identify any hidden issues and guides personalized treatment plans.

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. Sarah 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 early signs of potential ADD, a patient proactively developed strategies for managing focus and organization, leading to improved relationships and career satisfaction.
• By proactively addressing potential mental health concerns, a patient developed strategies for maintaining a positive outlook and cognitive sharpness as they aged, fostering a sense of peace and 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. Sarah PHD:

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

A clinical psychologist, like Dr. Sarah PhD, 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. Sarah, 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. Seeing a psychologist like Dr. Sarah 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.

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. Sarah can teach strategies to restructure sleep habits and challenge anxious thoughts that prevent restful sleep.

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

Dr. Sarah provides a supportive space to process the emotional impact of chronic illness and teaches practical coping strategies to manage pain, fatigue, and stress. This helps prevent the illness from leading to depression or anxiety. She works collaboratively with other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care.

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, a structured therapy, helps reduce the distress associated with traumatic events, preventing the long-term effects of PTSD. Our team provides a supportive environment to help you navigate these challenging experiences.

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 known stressor, and is generally less intense.

1600 SW Archer Rd
Gainesville FL 32610
Phone: (352) 265-0294

Dr. Sarah Westen, 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): 1043842495

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. Sarah 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.