Gabriela Kepley, LCSW

Gabriela Kepley, LCSW is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her clinic in Boca Raton, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is committed to preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders. Your general Sleep Medicine physician is your primary partner in preventing these complications, 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 is dedicated to fostering a supportive and empowering environment for each patient. To confirm new patient acceptance, please call (561) 350-3430.

With 20 years of experience, Dr. Gabriela LCSW brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her practice. She has worked extensively with acute trauma and crisis, abuse, addiction, various anxiety disorders, divorce and relationship issues, depression, grief and loss, and body image disorder. Her approach is warm, nonjudgmental, and solution-focused, helping patients understand their circumstances and develop the coping skills needed to achieve their goals. She firmly upholds confidentiality and empowers her clients to become their best selves, advocating for their needs and guiding them gently and honestly without sugar-coating. Dr. Gabriela LCSW offers consultations in Spanish.

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

• Grief: Grief's effect on sleep can worsen existing conditions like sleep apnea or narcolepsy, making early intervention and support crucial for managing both grief and sleep disturbances.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD is a serious condition that often manifests as sleep problems, making early intervention essential to improve sleep quality and prevent related health risks.
• Relationship Issues: Strong relationships contribute to better mental health, which in turn improves sleep; prioritizing relationship health is an important aspect of preventive sleep care.
• Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorders: Substance use can induce anxiety, directly impacting your sleep and potentially causing serious health problems down the line; seeking help with substance use is a preventative measure for better sleep and overall health.
• Chronic Cluster Headache: Managing chronic cluster headaches is essential for preventing the negative impact on your daily life, including sleep disturbances and reduced productivity, which highlights the importance of proactive healthcare.
• Breathing-Related Sleep Disorders: Breathing-related sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, can be managed to prevent serious health problems like high blood pressure and heart disease, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
• Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Because schizotypal personality disorder can affect emotional regulation and potentially lead to sleep disturbances, proactive mental health care is essential for preventive sleep health.

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

• Couples Therapy: Couples therapy can help you and your partner improve your sleep by addressing underlying relationship stressors that contribute to sleep disturbances, preventing further health complications.
• Neuropsychological Testing: Taking a proactive step towards better sleep, neuropsychological testing helps identify cognitive issues linked to sleep disorders, enabling early intervention and preventing long-term brain health problems.
• Parotidectomy: Occasionally, a parotidectomy may be performed to remove tumors that could potentially lead to sleep disruption if left untreated.
• Substance Abuse Treatment: Addressing substance abuse is a crucial step in improving your sleep health, as many substances disrupt sleep cycles and can mask or worsen underlying conditions.
• Diagnostic Evaluation: Protecting your long-term well-being starts with a diagnostic evaluation to assess your sleep health and detect any sleep disorders that need attention.
• Ventilator Management: Proactive ventilator management helps ensure your breathing support is optimized, preventing complications and improving your quality of life.
• Psychological Counseling: Psychological counseling offers a supportive environment to identify and manage mental health challenges that may be at the root of your sleep disorder, allowing for earlier intervention.

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. Gabriela LCSW 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:

• Recognizing the impact of grief on sleep patterns, a patient proactively sought support, enabling them to address sleep disturbances and manage their emotional well-being more effectively. This proactive approach helped reduce the risk of worsening existing health conditions.
• By addressing sleep disruptions early, a patient proactively reduced the risk of developing PTSD, gaining a sense of calm and control over 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 Sleep Medicine care with Dr. Gabriela LCSW:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist is a board-certified doctor who has specialized training in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Often coming from backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, they bring a unique perspective to identifying the root cause of 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 major risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Treatment is critical in preventing these serious long-term complications.

What happens during a sleep study (polysomnogram)?

During a sleep study, we monitor your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements overnight. This non-invasive test provides a complete picture of your sleep patterns, serving as the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders and creating a personalized prevention plan.

What is narcolepsy?

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

What is a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)?

The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) is a daytime test, often following an overnight sleep study. It involves a series of scheduled naps to objectively measure how quickly you fall asleep in quiet situations. This test is primarily used to diagnose narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.

My partner says I act out my dreams. Should I be concerned?

While acting out dreams can be concerning, it might be a sign of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD). A consultation with Dr. Gabriela LCSW is important, as RBD can sometimes be an early indicator of other neurological conditions. Fortunately, treatments are available to manage symptoms and ensure your safety during sleep.

What is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological sensory disorder causing an overwhelming, uncomfortable urge to move the legs, often worse in the evening or night. It's not just a muscle cramp, but a condition that can significantly disrupt sleep. Diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing severe sleep disruption and improving your quality of life.

Are there alternatives to CPAP for treating sleep apnea?

Yes, there are important alternatives to CPAP, including custom-made oral appliances to reposition the jaw and surgical options to address anatomical blockages, which can be part of a personalized treatment plan.

2200 NW 62nd Dr
Boca Raton FL 33496
Phone: (561) 350-3430

Gabriela Kepley, LCSW 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): 1275716755

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. Gabriela LCSW 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.