Paula Ambroso, LCSW

Paula Ambroso, LCSW is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her Gainesville, FL clinic. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she serves all ages. Your general Sleep Medicine physician is your primary partner in preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders, creating personalized long-term health plans, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing your overall wellness through collaboration with pulmonologists, neurologists, and otolaryngologists. To confirm Dr. Paula LCSW's availability for new patients, please call (352) 538-3385.

Dr. Paula LCSW's approach to care is deeply rooted in collaboration and evidence-based medicine. She believes in creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Her practice focuses on helping individuals change, solve problems, and increase awareness to flourish. She utilizes a strengths-based, person-centered approach, incorporating trauma-informed, integrative modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, CBT, Solution-Focused therapy, and crisis intervention, among others. Dr. Paula LCSW holds a Master's degree in Social Work from Florida State University and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Criminology from the University of Florida. She is committed to providing a safe and supportive space for open communication and growth, enabling patients to reach their full potential. Dr. Paula LCSW provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Dyssomnia: Prevent long-term health consequences by recognizing and managing dyssomnia—problems with your sleep that negatively impact your health and well-being.
• Psychogenic Disorders (incl. Psychogenic Pain): Recognizing and treating psychological factors contributing to sleep disorders is vital for improving sleep health and preventing associated physical and mental health complications.
• Borderline Personality Disorder: Because BPD is linked to sleep disturbances that can negatively impact physical and mental health, early intervention and appropriate management strategies are essential for preventing further health complications.
• Opiate Dependence: Because opiate dependence can lead to chronic sleep problems and other health concerns, addressing it proactively is essential for protecting your long-term health.
• Neurosis: Since anxiety and emotional distress associated with neurosis can interfere with sleep, proactive mental healthcare helps prevent the negative ripple effects on your sleep health.
• Secondary Insomnia: If you're struggling with insomnia due to another medical condition, recognizing and managing that condition is key to preventing long-term sleep disturbances and their associated health risks.
• Feeding Disorders: Proper management of feeding disorders helps ensure adequate nutrition, which is crucial for healthy sleep patterns and overall well-being.

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

• Psychotherapy With Medication Management: Proactively manage sleep disorders through a comprehensive plan that uses psychotherapy to address emotional factors and medication to manage symptoms.
• Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT): Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a self-help method that may help manage stress and anxiety, which can contribute to insomnia and other sleep problems.
• Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test: Protect your long-term health by getting a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test; it's a simple test that can detect early signs of neurological issues affecting your sleep.
• Cognitive Assessment: To ensure your brain health, a cognitive assessment checks your mental sharpness and can uncover problems like sleep-related cognitive impairment.
• Nutritional Counseling: Proactively improve your sleep quality and reduce the risk of sleep disorders by working with a registered dietitian to optimize your nutrition.
• Behavior Modification: Improve your sleep quality and reduce daytime fatigue by adopting simple behavioral modifications tailored to your needs.
• Medication Management: Proactive medication management helps optimize your sleep health by addressing underlying conditions that may disrupt your sleep.

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. Paula 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 early signs of sleep disruption, a patient developed a personalized sleep hygiene routine, significantly reducing their risk of long-term health issues related to dyssomnia and improving their overall well-being.
• Recognizing the link between stress and sleep, a patient proactively addressed potential psychogenic pain through improved sleep hygiene and stress management techniques, significantly reducing their risk of future complications.

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. Paula 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 with backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, they bring a unique perspective to identifying 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)?

During a sleep study, or polysomnogram, 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 accurately diagnosing sleep disorders and creating an effective prevention plan.

How is chronic insomnia treated?

Treatment for chronic insomnia goes beyond just sleeping pills. Our approach emphasizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), a program proven highly effective. CBT-I retrains the brain and body for healthy sleep by addressing thoughts and behaviors that interfere with sleep.

What is an oral appliance for sleep apnea?

An oral appliance is a custom-fitted device, similar to a mouthguard, made by a specially trained dentist. It gently shifts the lower jaw forward, keeping the airway open during sleep. This can be a comfortable and portable alternative to CPAP for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Why would a Neurologist be involved in my sleep care?

Neurologists specialize in the brain and nervous system. They are often involved in sleep care to diagnose and treat sleep disorders originating in the brain's control centers, such as narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias.

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 the difference between a home sleep apnea test and an in-lab study?

A home sleep apnea test is a simpler screening tool for straightforward obstructive sleep apnea. An in-lab study is a more comprehensive test needed for complex cases or to diagnose other sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy or parasomnias.

1601 SW Archer Rd
Gainesville FL 32608
Phone: (352) 538-3385

Paula Ambroso, 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): 1295108165

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. Paula 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.