Evelyn Torres, LMHC

Evelyn Torres, LMHC is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her clinic in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is a vital partner in preventive health. Your general Sleep Medicine physician is your primary partner in preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders, creating personalized long-term health plans, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing your overall wellness through collaboration with pulmonologists, neurologists, and otolaryngologists. She serves all ages, and patients should call (954) 587-1008 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Evelyn LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 25 years of experience, providing holistic care to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Her commitment to collaborative, evidence-based medicine creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to actively participate in their long-term health. She specializes in helping clients build the skills needed for optimal wellness and inner healing, understanding that knowledge is power and that individuals possess the tools to overcome challenges. I am a firm believer that knowledge is power and that every individual with the right set of skills as tools can overcome every challenge and acquire the outcomes you desire for your life. I have had the opportunity to help clients with issues related to stress, anxiety, relational problems, family conflicts and an array of other difficulties faced by many. Taking the first step for self care takes courage. I am proud that you are getting started! Dr. Evelyn LMHC offers consultations in Spanish.

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

• Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) can lead to insomnia and other sleep problems due to the constant worry and self-criticism. Early detection and treatment can help you achieve restful sleep and prevent further health complications.
• Mild Headache: Don't ignore persistent mild headaches – they could indicate an underlying sleep problem, like insomnia, and early intervention is key for better sleep and overall health.
• PANDAS: PANDAS emphasizes the connection between infections like strep throat and subsequent neurological and sleep problems in children, so proactive monitoring for strep and early treatment are crucial for preventive care.
• Cognitive Disorders: Protecting your brain health starts with prioritizing good sleep; untreated sleep disorders can significantly increase your risk of developing cognitive problems later in life.
• Fibromyalgia: Recognizing the symptoms of fibromyalgia early is important to prevent the condition from negatively impacting your physical and mental well-being.
• Stress-Induced Disorders: Stress can significantly disrupt your sleep, leading to insomnia and other sleep problems; proactively managing stress through techniques like mindfulness or exercise can prevent long-term health issues.
• Passive-Aggressive Behavior: Passive-aggressive behavior can disrupt healthy sleep patterns, potentially leading to sleep disorders; seeking help to manage this behavior is a crucial step in preventive healthcare.

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

• Quantitative Sensory Test (QST): To better understand and manage potential sleep disturbances, a Quantitative Sensory Test (QST) helps assess your body's sensitivity to various stimuli, leading to more effective treatment.
• Meditation: Take charge of your sleep health by practicing meditation; it can help manage stress and improve sleep patterns, potentially preventing future sleep problems.
• Evoked Potential Test: An evoked potential test helps your doctor check your brain's response to different stimuli, aiding in the early detection of neurological conditions that might affect your sleep.
• Psychosocial Rehabilitation: By participating in psychosocial rehabilitation, you'll develop coping strategies for daily challenges that may affect your sleep, improving both your sleep and quality of life.
• Ventilator Management: Taking a proactive approach with ventilator management helps avoid infections and other complications that can arise from prolonged use of breathing support.
• Marital Therapy: Enhance your overall well-being and sleep health by addressing relationship challenges that could be negatively affecting your sleep patterns.
• Psychopharmacologic Treatment: Taking medication as prescribed can help manage your sleep disorder and prevent serious health problems down the line.

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 Sleep Medicine in Florida.

Dr. Evelyn LMHC is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By addressing concerns about their body image early on, a patient was able to reduce the negative impact on their sleep and overall well-being, fostering a healthier mindset and more restful nights.
• Recognizing a pattern of mild headaches, a patient proactively consulted a sleep specialist. Early intervention led to the identification of an underlying sleep disorder, enabling them to implement lifestyle changes and significantly reduce headache frequency.

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 Sleep Medicine care with Dr. Evelyn LMHC:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist, like Dr. Evelyn LMHC, is a board-certified doctor who has specialized training in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. They often have backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, allowing them to provide a comprehensive approach to finding the root cause of your sleep problems.

What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and why is it a health risk?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to a blocked airway. Untreated OSA is a significant risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in preventing these serious long-term complications.

What happens during a sleep study (polysomnogram)?

A sleep study, or polysomnogram, is a safe, non-invasive overnight test that monitors your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements. It provides a complete picture of your sleep patterns, serving as the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders and creating an effective prevention plan.

What is CPAP therapy and how does it work?

CPAP therapy is a common and effective treatment for sleep apnea. It uses a machine to deliver gentle, constant air pressure through a mask, keeping your airway open during sleep. This prevents breathing pauses, restoring healthy sleep and protecting your heart.

Are there alternatives to CPAP for treating sleep apnea?

Yes, there are important alternatives to CPAP, including custom-made oral appliances from a dentist to reposition the jaw, and surgical options from an ENT to address anatomical blockages. These can be crucial components of a personalized treatment plan.

How is chronic insomnia treated?

Treatment for chronic insomnia goes beyond just sleeping pills. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the first-line, most effective long-term treatment. CBT-I is a program that retrains the brain and body for healthy sleep by addressing thoughts and behaviors that interfere with sleep.

Can my child have sleep apnea?

Yes, sleep apnea in children is common, often due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Prompt diagnosis is crucial, as untreated sleep apnea can impact a child's growth, learning, and behavior. Treatment is a vital step in preventing these developmental issues.

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition where the brain has trouble regulating sleep-wake cycles, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and potentially cataplexy. While there's no cure, a personalized management plan with medication and lifestyle strategies can help prevent symptoms from significantly impacting daily life.

3800 W Broward Blvd Ste 100
Fort Lauderdale FL 33312
Phone: (954) 587-1008

Evelyn Torres, LMHC 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): 1760143457

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. Sleep Medicine like Dr. Evelyn LMHC 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 sleep medicine about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.