Dr. Sharon Older, PHD

Dr. Sharon Older, 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 Maitland, 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 long-term 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. Sharon Older, PhD is a psychologist in Maitland, FL, and is accepting telehealth appointments. Patients should call (407) 927-0444 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Her approach to care emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Sharon PHD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Histrionic Personality Disorder: Seeking professional help for histrionic personality tendencies can help prevent the escalation of symptoms and their negative impact on various life areas.
• Autism: Preventive mental health strategies for individuals with autism focus on building resilience and coping mechanisms to navigate social and emotional challenges, promoting well-being.
• Alzheimer's Disease With Early-Onset: Managing risk factors such as high blood pressure and heart disease can significantly impact your risk of developing early-onset Alzheimer's and preserving cognitive health.
• Tourette's Syndrome: Preventive strategies focused on stress reduction and supportive environments can help individuals with Tourette's Syndrome manage their symptoms and maintain overall mental health.
• Substance Use Disorders: Building resilience through healthy coping mechanisms reduces the likelihood of turning to substances to manage stress, a key step in preventing substance use disorders.
• Panic Disorder: Panic disorder, characterized by sudden, overwhelming fear, can be effectively managed with early intervention and therapy, preventing long-term anxiety and disruptions to daily life.
• Major Depressive Disorder: Major Depressive Disorder can significantly affect daily life, but proactive mental health care, including therapy and possibly medication, helps prevent it from becoming chronic.

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

• 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.
• Yoga Therapy: Proactively address mental health concerns and build emotional resilience through yoga therapy, a practice shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Meditation: Strengthen your mental fitness and prevent stress overload by making time for daily meditation, helping you manage challenging emotions and improve your overall sense of well-being.
• Smoking Cessation Treatment: Our smoking cessation treatment offers personalized support and guidance to help you successfully quit smoking and live a healthier, longer life.
• Preventive Care (Mental health screening): A mental health screening helps identify potential issues early, allowing for timely intervention and preventing more serious problems down the line.
• ADHD Testing: ADHD testing helps identify if you have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, allowing for early intervention and improved management of symptoms.
• Medication Management for Learning and Behavioral Disabilities: Prevent the negative impact of learning and behavioral difficulties by carefully managing medication and monitoring its effects.

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. Sharon 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 histrionic personality tendencies, a patient developed healthier coping mechanisms and improved relationships, leading to greater emotional well-being.
• A family, through proactive engagement with a clinical psychologist, developed strategies to support their child's social and emotional growth, fostering a positive and supportive environment. This approach helped them feel more confident in their ability to navigate potential challenges.

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. Sharon 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 challenges from becoming mental health crises.

What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

A psychologist, such as Dr. Sharon, typically specializes in psychotherapy and psychological testing. A psychiatrist, on the other hand, is a medical doctor 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. Sharon PhD is beneficial for everyone. Therapy is a valuable tool for managing everyday stress, improving relationships, navigating life transitions, and building skills to prevent more serious issues from developing.

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 gradual build-up of worry related to a specific stressor, and is usually less intense.

What is psychological testing and why might I need it?

Psychological testing uses standardized tests and interviews to evaluate cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. It helps clarify diagnoses like ADHD or learning disabilities and create a personalized treatment plan.

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

Dr. Sharon 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.

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

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

Dr. Sharon helps build a mental health toolkit by teaching coping skills to manage symptoms, identifying early warning signs of a relapse, and addressing the root causes of distress. This proactive approach prevents anxiety or depression from worsening and equips you to navigate future challenges.

125 S Swoope Ave Ste 110
Maitland FL 32751
Phone: (407) 927-0444

Dr. Sharon Older, 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): 1821212515

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. Sharon 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.