Maricela Alfonseca

Maricela Alfonseca is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Mental Health care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her clinic in Miami, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). She is committed to building resilience, utilizing evidence-based therapies, and creating long-term wellness plans to proactively safeguard your mental 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. She serves all ages. Please call (305) 964-5426 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Maricela Alfonseca, a psychologist in Miami, FL, is dedicated to collaborative, evidence-based medicine. Her approach focuses on creating a supportive and empowering environment where patients actively participate in their long-term health. She understands that proactive mental health care is essential for overall well-being and emphasizes the importance of building resilience and long-term strategies for maintaining mental wellness. Dr. Alfonseca is committed to providing comprehensive care, working alongside patients to develop and implement tailored plans. While her primary consultation language is English, she is committed to providing compassionate care to all.

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

• Mild Chronic Pain (Psychological management of): Psychological approaches to mild chronic pain can help you build healthy habits and reduce your risk of relying on medications.
• Major Depressive Disorder-Related Fibromyalgia: Managing both depression and fibromyalgia effectively, through a combination of treatments, helps reduce chronic pain, prevent further complications, and build resilience to future challenges.
• Fear of Open Places (Agoraphobia): Agoraphobia can become a serious obstacle, but understanding its symptoms and seeking help promptly prevents further anxiety and improves quality of life.
• Intellectual Disability: Preventive care for individuals with intellectual disability includes regular health check-ups and specialized support to maximize their potential and reduce the risk of developing further health complications.
• Dementia: Dementia is a decline in thinking skills that can be detected early, allowing for interventions that may slow progression and improve quality of life.
• Neurasthenia: Although no longer a formal diagnosis, the symptoms described by the older term 'neurasthenia'—including sleep disturbances and emotional instability—can be early warning signs of other treatable conditions. Recognizing these symptoms promotes early intervention and effective preventive mental health care.
• Depression: Proactively managing stress and building resilience are effective preventive strategies to reduce your risk of developing depression and maintain your mental 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. Maricela Alfonseca offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Eating Disorder Treatment: Invest in your mental and physical health by accessing eating disorder treatment; this service provides early diagnosis and personalized support to aid recovery.
• Wellness Coaching: Wellness coaching offers personalized support to help you build healthy habits and strengthen your mental resilience, preventing burnout and other issues.
• Sexual Abuse Therapy: Sexual abuse therapy offers a safe space to explore the effects of past abuse, fostering emotional healing and preventing the development of related mental health conditions.
• QEEG (Quantitative Encephalogram): For those seeking to build resilience and enhance mental wellness, a QEEG offers a detailed assessment of brain function, enabling early detection of issues and promoting proactive management.
• Dyslexia Assessment: Proactively address potential reading and writing difficulties with a dyslexia assessment, ensuring your child receives the necessary support for successful learning and development.
• Mindfulness Technique Therapy: Proactively address stress and improve your ability to cope with life's challenges by developing mindfulness skills through guided therapy sessions.
• Marital Therapy: Take a proactive step toward a happier, healthier marriage by exploring and resolving conflicts with the guidance of a marital therapist.

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. Maricela Alfonseca 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 learning coping mechanisms and stress-reduction techniques, a patient significantly reduced pain triggers and improved their overall well-being, fostering a healthier lifestyle.
• By proactively addressing potential depressive symptoms and managing pain triggers, a patient significantly reduced the likelihood of developing major depressive disorder-related fibromyalgia, leading to a more fulfilling and pain-free life.

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. Maricela Alfonseca:

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. Alfonseca, 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. Alfonseca helps everyone, not just those with serious mental illness. Seeing a psychologist like Dr. Alfonseca is beneficial for managing everyday stress, improving relationships, navigating life transitions, and building skills to prevent more serious issues from developing.

What is mindfulness and how is it used in therapy?

Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment without judgment. In therapy, it's used to help reduce stress, manage difficult emotions, and prevent unhelpful thoughts from taking over.

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, in particular, is a structured therapy that helps reduce the distress associated with traumatic events, preventing the long-term effects of PTSD.

How can a psychologist help my child or teenager?

Dr. Alfonseca provides a supportive space for children and teenagers to navigate challenges like anxiety, behavioral problems, and social skills. She helps equip them with tools to address these issues and prevent them from impacting their long-term development.

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

Dr. Alfonseca teaches specific coping skills to manage symptoms, helps identify early warning signs of a relapse, and addresses the root causes of distress, building a mental health toolkit to navigate future challenges.

How do you help people cope with the stress of a chronic medical illness?

Dr. Alfonseca helps patients navigate the emotional challenges of chronic illness. She provides a supportive space to process the impact of the illness and teaches practical coping strategies to manage pain, fatigue, and stress, helping prevent related depression or anxiety.

790 NW 107th Ave Ste 110
Miami FL 33172
Phone: (305) 964-5426

Maricela Alfonseca 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): 1194536672

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. Maricela Alfonseca 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.