Holly Cortella

Holly Cortella is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) with a Focus on Substance Abuse Counseling, practicing at our Miami, FL clinic. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). She is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Mental Health care, recognizing that early intervention and preventative strategies are essential for long-term well-being. 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. This area of practice is key to prevention, focusing on the early detection and management of substance abuse counseling to help patients maintain long-term health. She serves all ages. Please call (786) 202-6338 to confirm if Dr. Cortella is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Holly Cortella is a psychologist in Miami, FL. She is accepting telehealth appointments. Her approach to care prioritizes a collaborative, evidence-based model, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She understands the complexities of mental health and is committed to providing personalized care tailored to each individual's unique needs. Dr. Cortella is committed to providing quality care and is dedicated to helping her patients achieve optimal mental well-being. While Dr. Cortella provides consultations primarily in English, she strives to provide accessible care to all patients.

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

• Pathological Gambling: Problem gambling is a treatable condition; seeking help prevents its progression to more severe stages, protecting your overall well-being.
• Chat Room Addiction: Spending excessive time in chat rooms can negatively impact your mental well-being, so recognizing this early can prevent social isolation and other problems.
• Nightmare Disorder: If you're struggling with frequent nightmares, understanding and treating this condition early prevents negative impacts on your mood, stress levels, and overall mental health.
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD): Addressing ADD early on, often through a combination of therapy and lifestyle adjustments, prevents the development of secondary mental health issues and promotes a higher quality of life.
• Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble focusing can be a sign of an underlying mental health concern, and addressing it early can prevent more serious problems down the line.
• Psychotic Depression: Psychotic depression is a severe form of depression where you experience symptoms like hallucinations or delusions alongside typical depressive symptoms; early identification and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term disability.
• Mood and Adjustment Disorder: Early intervention for mood and adjustment disorders is key to preventing disruption to your daily life, relationships, and work productivity.

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

• Pediatric Counseling: Pediatric counseling proactively addresses emotional and behavioral challenges in children, helping them develop healthy coping skills and preventing future mental health issues.
• Twelve Step Faciliation: Take a proactive step towards managing your substance use by joining a 12-step facilitation group, which provides support and guidance on your recovery journey.
• Pain Management (Psychological aspects): Invest in your health by exploring how stress, anxiety, and other psychological factors influence your pain levels, and receive guidance on effective management techniques.
• Family Counseling: Take a proactive step towards a stronger family unit; family counseling can help uncover and address relational patterns that might lead to mental health difficulties.
• ADHD Testing: By getting screened for ADHD, you can gain clarity on potential attention and behavior patterns and learn strategies to build resilience and manage challenges effectively.
• Behavioral Activation: By scheduling pleasant activities, behavioral activation helps you build resilience and overcome challenges before they impact your mental wellbeing.
• Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT): Proactively manage your emotional responses and build resilience by learning EFT, a technique that helps you process difficult emotions and improve overall mental health.

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. Holly Cortella 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 problem gambling, a patient developed a proactive plan to manage the urge to gamble, significantly reducing the risk of escalating the condition and ensuring a healthier lifestyle. This proactive approach fostered a sense of control and peace of mind, preventing the potential for more severe consequences.
• Recognizing the signs of potential chat room overuse early, a patient developed healthy boundaries and reduced their online time, preventing social isolation and promoting a more balanced lifestyle. This proactive approach significantly improved 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. Holly Cortella:

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. Cortella, 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. 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. Cortella helps people of all backgrounds and experiences build resilience and coping skills. Seeing a psychologist like Dr. Cortella is beneficial for managing everyday stress, improving relationships, navigating life transitions, and building skills to prevent more serious issues from developing.

How can couples counseling or family therapy help prevent problems?

Couples and family therapy provide a safe space to improve communication, learn conflict-resolution skills, and navigate life transitions together. This investment strengthens bonds, preventing future crises and fostering healthier relationships.

Can therapy help me improve my sleep?

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

What is psychological testing and why might I need it?

Psychological testing uses standardized tests and interviews to assess your cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. It can help diagnose conditions like ADHD or learning disabilities, and create a personalized treatment plan.

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

Therapy can be a powerful proactive tool. Dr. Cortella teaches specific coping skills to manage symptoms, helps identify early warning signs of a relapse, and works to address the root causes of distress, building a mental health toolkit to navigate future challenges.

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 reduce stress, manage difficult emotions, and help prevent anxious or depressive thoughts from overwhelming you.

9198 NW 8th Ave
Miami FL 33150
Phone: (786) 202-6338

Holly Cortella 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): 1265854467

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. Holly Cortella 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.