Dr. Tara Lamarca, PHD

Dr. Tara Lamarca, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Mental Health care at her clinic in Miami, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she partners with patients of all ages to build resilience and foster 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. Tara Lamarca, PhD is a psychologist in Miami, FL, committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine. She strives to create a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Her approach emphasizes prevention, recognizing the importance of mental well-being at every stage of life. Please call (305) 243-6857 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Tara PhD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Idiopathic Hypersomnia: To prevent the negative effects of unexplained excessive sleepiness on your daily life, understanding idiopathic hypersomnia and its treatment options is crucial for maintaining a healthy routine and improving your overall health.
• Neurological Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Psychological aspects): Understanding the psychological impact of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) early on can help prevent it from worsening and significantly impacting your daily life.
• Elimination Disorders: Proactive management of elimination disorders reduces the risk of lasting social isolation and improves the child's ability to participate fully in school and social activities.
• School Refusal: Recognizing and treating school refusal is crucial for promoting children's mental well-being and preventing negative impacts on their overall development.
• Polysubstance Dependence: Using multiple substances together significantly increases your risk of serious health complications; proactive steps toward healthier habits can help manage this risk.
• Impaired Cognition: Impaired cognition, like difficulty with memory or problem-solving, can be a symptom of underlying conditions, so addressing it proactively helps prevent these conditions from worsening.
• Major Affective Disorder 2: Major Affective Disorder 2, often involving depression or bipolar features, can be proactively managed through early detection and preventative strategies like therapy and lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of severe episodes and improve overall well-being.

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

• PTSD Treatment: Proactively address the impact of past trauma through PTSD treatment, improving your mental health and preventing further emotional distress.
• Anger Management Worksheet: Take charge of your anger with this worksheet; it's a proactive step to improve your emotional regulation and prevent anger from escalating into unhealthy behaviors.
• Detoxification Evaluation: By evaluating your substance use, this screening helps identify any potential health risks and guides the development of strategies to manage those risks effectively.
• Group Psychotherapy: Join a supportive group to proactively build coping skills and prevent future mental health challenges.
• Neurofeedback: By monitoring your brainwave activity, neurofeedback can identify patterns linked to mental health challenges, allowing for early intervention and prevention of more serious issues.
• ImPACT Testing: ImPACT testing helps screen for cognitive impairment, empowering you to take proactive steps towards maintaining optimal brain health and preventing future difficulties.
• Diagnostic Evaluation: Taking the proactive step of a diagnostic evaluation can screen for various mental health conditions, enabling you to begin treatment and build resilience sooner.

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. Tara 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 understanding the causes and treatment options for idiopathic hypersomnia, a patient developed a proactive sleep hygiene plan, leading to improved energy levels and a more fulfilling daily routine.
• Recognizing the psychological impact of chronic fatigue syndrome early on, a patient developed coping mechanisms and strategies to proactively manage the condition, leading to a significant reduction in its impact on daily life. This proactive approach allowed them to maintain a positive outlook and prevent the syndrome from significantly affecting their 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. Tara PHD:

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

Dr. Tara is a doctoral-level expert in mental and emotional health. She provides evidence-based therapy to help you develop coping strategies, build resilience, and prevent challenges from becoming crises.

What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

Psychologists, like Dr. Tara, 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. They often collaborate as part of a comprehensive treatment team.

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

No. Dr. Tara PhD. offers preventive mental health services to help everyone manage stress, improve relationships, navigate life transitions, and build skills to prevent more serious issues.

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 usually less intense.

Can therapy help me improve my sleep?

Yes, therapy can help improve sleep. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a highly effective, drug-free treatment for chronic insomnia. Dr. Tara can teach you strategies to restructure your sleep habits and challenge anxious thoughts that prevent restful sleep.

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.

How can couples counseling or family therapy help prevent problems?

Couples and family therapy provide a safe space to improve communication, learn conflict resolution, and navigate life transitions. This strengthens bonds and helps prevent future relationship challenges by fostering healthier interactions.

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.

1601 NW 12th Ave Rm 2047
Miami FL 33136
Phone: (305) 243-6857

Dr. Tara Lamarca, 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): 1316647902

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. Tara 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.