Dr. Sofia Poma, PHD

Dr. Sofia Poma, 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 Miami, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Dr. Sofia PHD is committed to partnering with individuals of all ages to build resilience and cultivate long-term wellness. 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. Sofia Poma, PhD is a psychologist in Miami, FL, committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine. Her approach emphasizes creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She is deeply dedicated to helping you understand and address potential mental health concerns before they escalate. To schedule a consultation, or to confirm if Dr. Sofia PHD is currently accepting new patients, please call (305) 799-7832. Dr. Sofia PHD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Sofia 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. Sofia 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. Sofia 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 Disorders (Dysthymia and Cyclothymia): Managing dysthymia and cyclothymia through early detection and appropriate treatment can prevent the progression to more serious mood disorders and improve your long-term mental health.
• Complex Psychological Disorders: Understanding your risk factors and seeking professional guidance for complex psychological disorders can significantly improve your quality of life and prevent the development of secondary mental or physical health issues.
• Attachment Disorders: Building secure attachments in childhood helps prevent the development of attachment disorders, promoting lifelong mental well-being and resilience.
• Mood and Adjustment Disorder: Addressing mood and adjustment disorders early can prevent them from escalating into more serious mental health challenges, significantly improving your overall well-being.
• Disruptive Behavior Disorders: By identifying and managing disruptive behavior disorders early, we can help children develop healthy coping skills and reduce the risk of developing more severe mental health conditions as they grow.
• Personality Disorders: Understanding and managing personality traits that cause distress or difficulty in relationships can prevent more serious problems later in life.
• Compulsive Finger Picking: Recognizing and managing compulsive finger picking is crucial for preventing potential social isolation and self-esteem issues stemming from body image concerns.

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

• Mindfulness Technique Therapy: Begin your journey to a calmer, more focused you through mindfulness techniques, helping you build resilience against everyday stressors and potential mental health difficulties.
• Psychiatric Evaluation - Child and Adolescent: Protecting your child's mental health involves regular check-ups, similar to physical health. A psychiatric evaluation acts as a vital screen to detect early signs of mental health disorders and enhance their overall well-being.
• Behavioral Activation: Behavioral activation is a strategy to boost your motivation and energy levels, preventing a downward spiral into low mood.
• Relaxation Therapy: Strengthen your mental resilience and equip yourself with effective stress management strategies by mastering relaxation techniques.
• Wellness Coaching: Wellness coaching offers personalized support to help you build healthy habits and strengthen your mental resilience, preventing burnout and other issues.
• Mindfulness Meditation: Improve your ability to cope with daily stress and prevent its escalation into more serious mental health concerns through regular mindfulness meditation.
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): EFT is a powerful approach to improve communication and connection in your relationships, preventing future conflict and promoting emotional resilience.

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. Sofia 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 warning signs of mood fluctuations, a patient developed a proactive self-care plan, reducing the risk of dysthymia and cyclothymia progressing to more serious conditions.
• By understanding their risk factors and developing a proactive self-care plan with a clinical psychologist's guidance, a family gained valuable insights, reducing stress and improving their overall 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. Sofia 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. Sofia, 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 collaboratively as part of a comprehensive treatment team.

Do I need to have a serious mental illness to see a psychologist?

No. Dr. Sofia offers preventive mental health services for everyone. Seeing her is beneficial for managing everyday stress, improving relationships, navigating life transitions, and building skills to prevent more serious issues from developing.

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, in particular, is a structured therapy that helps reduce the distress associated with traumatic events, preventing the long-term effects of PTSD.

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 negative thought patterns.

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

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

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 bonds, preventing future relationship crises and promoting overall well-being.

What is an assessment for ADHD like?

A comprehensive ADHD evaluation goes beyond 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 thorough approach ensures an accurate diagnosis.

3390 Mary St Ste 116
Miami FL 33133
Phone: (305) 799-7832

Dr. Sofia Poma, 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): 1801619341

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. Sofia 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.