Lisa Walton, LCSW

Lisa Walton, LCSW is a Sleep Medicine physician practicing at Rula Health - Florida in Miami, FL. She is a registered provider with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), and dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Sleep Medicine care. As a partner in preventive health on weprevent.org, she recognizes that your general Sleep Medicine physician is your primary partner in preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders. She creates personalized long-term health plans, coordinates necessary screenings, and manages your overall wellness through collaboration with pulmonologists, neurologists, and otolaryngologists. Dr. Lisa LCSW serves all ages and is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where you feel empowered to take an active role in your long-term health. Please call (323) 676-1233 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Lisa LCSW provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• ADHD and-or ADD: Because ADHD and ADD often affect sleep quality, addressing these conditions early can prevent the development of more serious sleep problems and associated health issues.
• Anxiety: Untreated anxiety can disrupt your sleep, leading to fatigue and impacting your overall health, so addressing it early is key for better sleep and well-being.
• Depressive Disorders: Managing depressive disorders is vital for preventing long-term health complications, including sleep problems like insomnia, which can affect your energy levels and quality of life.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Because poor sleep is a common symptom of OCD, addressing the OCD can greatly improve sleep and prevent related health complications.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Managing PTSD effectively can significantly reduce sleep disturbances and improve overall health; recognizing the link between PTSD and sleep is vital for preventative care.
• Relationship Issues: Untreated relationship stress can worsen sleep disorders like insomnia and increase the risk of developing chronic health problems; proactively managing relationships is key to preventing these complications.
• Substance Abuse: Preventing long-term health issues requires addressing substance abuse, a major risk factor contributing to various sleep disorders and their associated complications.

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

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Proactively address sleep problems and prevent long-term health issues by learning healthy sleep habits through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): To proactively improve your sleep, DBT teaches you techniques for better managing stress and anxiety, which are often linked to insomnia and other sleep disorders.
• Family Psychotherapy: Addressing family conflicts through psychotherapy can improve sleep quality for all family members, acting as a proactive step in maintaining everyone's well-being.
• Individual Therapy: Individual therapy can help you identify and address the underlying emotional or behavioral factors contributing to your sleep problems, promoting better sleep hygiene and preventing long-term health issues.
• Marital Counseling: For better sleep, consider marital counseling; it helps identify and resolve relationship problems that might be contributing to sleep disturbances.
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): Take a proactive step towards improved sleep with SFBT; it's a short-term therapy that helps you find quick solutions to your sleep problems.
• Bronchoscopy: Taking a proactive step towards better sleep, a bronchoscopy helps identify blockages or irregularities in your lungs that could be contributing to sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.

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. Lisa 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:

• By addressing potential ADHD and/or ADD concerns early, a family gained valuable insights into sleep patterns and implemented strategies to improve overall well-being, reducing future sleep-related challenges.
• By proactively addressing their anxiety with guidance from a sleep medicine specialist, a patient experienced improved sleep quality and reduced overall anxiety levels, leading to a greater sense of 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. Lisa LCSW:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist is a board-certified doctor with additional training in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. They often have backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, offering a unique perspective on 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 major risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Treatment is a critical step 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. This comprehensive evaluation provides a detailed picture of your sleep patterns, serving as the gold standard for accurately diagnosing sleep disorders and creating a customized prevention plan.

Why would a Neurologist be involved in my sleep care?

Neurologists specialize in the brain and nervous system. They play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders that originate in the brain's control centers, such as narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias.

How does an Otolaryngologist (ENT) help with sleep problems?

An ENT is a surgeon specializing in the ear, nose, and throat. They can identify and surgically correct physical blockages, such as a deviated septum or enlarged tonsils, which can cause snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, sometimes providing a permanent solution.

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.

What is narcolepsy?

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

Can my child have sleep apnea?

Yes, sleep apnea is common in children, often due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Early 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.

Rula Health - Florida
78 SW 7th St
Miami FL 33130
Phone: (323) 676-1233

Lisa Walton, 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): 1285879528

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. Lisa 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.