Paloma Pedraza, MS

Paloma Pedraza, MS is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) practicing at her clinic in Miami, FL. 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. 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.

Dr. Paloma MS is a psychologist in Miami, FL, committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine. Her approach emphasizes creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She is passionate about preventative mental health, recognizing that early intervention and proactive strategies are crucial for long-term well-being. To confirm if she is currently accepting new patients, please call (786) 250-3451. Dr. Paloma MS provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Organic Personality Syndrome: Understanding and addressing personality traits that might increase your risk of mental health challenges is key to building resilience and preventing future problems.
• Mood Disorders (Dysthymia and Cyclothymia): Building resilience by learning to manage mild mood disturbances like dysthymia and cyclothymia is essential for preventing the development of more severe mood disorders, underscoring the value of preventive mental healthcare.
• Anxiolytic Dependence: By addressing the underlying causes of anxiety and developing resilience through therapy, you can proactively prevent the need for excessive anxiolytic medication and avoid dependence.
• Chronic Motor or Vocal Tic Disorders: By learning strategies to manage chronic tics, you can prevent disruptions in your work, school, and social life, promoting resilience and overall mental health.
• Sexual Abuse of Child: Protecting children from sexual abuse is crucial for their long-term mental health and well-being, preventing lasting trauma and promoting resilience.
• Substance Dependence: Managing substance dependence through evidence-based treatments prevents further health complications, relationship breakdowns, and financial difficulties, improving overall quality of life.
• Physical Disorders (Psychological impact of): Understanding how physical health problems can affect your mental well-being is key to preventing stress, anxiety, and depression.

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

• Wellness Coaching: Proactively improve your mental health by partnering with a wellness coach to develop strategies for stress management and emotional well-being.
• Imago Relationship Therapy: By focusing on improving empathy and understanding within your relationship, Imago Relationship Therapy proactively addresses potential relationship challenges before they escalate into significant problems, fostering emotional resilience.
• Couples Therapy: Strengthen your bond and prevent future relationship challenges by proactively seeking couples therapy; it helps improve communication, manage conflict effectively, and foster deeper understanding.
• Smoking Cessation Treatment: Invest in your future by quitting smoking; our program provides support and strategies to help you achieve a smoke-free life.
• Addiction Treatment: Proactively address addiction concerns with a comprehensive assessment; early intervention through treatment can significantly improve your chances of a successful recovery.
• Mental Status Examination: As a preventative measure, a mental status exam helps us assess your current mental state, allowing for early identification and treatment of any developing mental health challenges.
• Psychoanalysis: Take a proactive step towards understanding your unconscious patterns and behaviors to prevent future mental health challenges by exploring your thoughts and feelings with a psychoanalyst.

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. Paloma MS 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 understanding and addressing potential personality traits, a patient proactively reduced their risk of future mental health challenges, fostering greater emotional resilience. This proactive approach provided significant peace of mind, allowing them to confidently navigate life's complexities.
• By learning coping mechanisms and developing resilience, a patient effectively managed mild mood fluctuations, reducing the risk of more severe mood disorders and gaining a greater sense of control over their emotional 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. Paloma MS:

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. Paloma MS, typically hold a PhD or PsyD and specialize in psychotherapy and psychological testing. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, 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. Paloma MS offers preventive mental health services to help everyone manage stress, improve relationships, navigate life transitions, and build skills to prevent future issues.

What is the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack?

Panic attacks are sudden, intense surges of fear with physical symptoms, often unexpected. Anxiety attacks, on the other hand, are usually a gradual build-up of worry in response to a specific stressor, and are generally less intense.

How can therapy support someone in recovery from a substance use disorder?

Therapy is a crucial part of long-term recovery from substance use disorder. It helps you understand the root causes of your addiction, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and rebuild relationships—all vital for preventing relapse.

What is an assessment for ADHD like?

A comprehensive ADHD evaluation involves more than just a questionnaire. It includes a detailed clinical interview, review of school/work history, and standardized psychological tests to assess attention, impulsivity, and executive function. This multi-faceted approach ensures an accurate diagnosis.

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

Dr. Paloma MS works with patients to process the emotional impact of chronic illness and teaches practical coping strategies. She helps manage pain, fatigue, and stress, preventing potential depression or anxiety. She is part of a comprehensive healthcare team dedicated to your well-being.

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 as a tool to reduce stress, manage difficult emotions, and prevent unhelpful thoughts from dominating.

13300 SW 128th St
Miami FL 33186
Phone: (786) 250-3451

Paloma Pedraza, MS 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): 1700070091

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. Paloma MS 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.