Paula Porterfield Izzo, LMHC

Paula Porterfield Izzo, LMHC is a Sleep Medicine provider dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at Grow Therapy in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). She understands that 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. She serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (786) 244-2403 to schedule.

Dr. Paula LMHC's practice is rooted in a deep understanding of the diverse needs of her patients. Recognizing that personal growth is an ongoing journey, she employs a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive-behavioral Therapy, Solution-Oriented Therapy, and Positive Psychology, to help facilitate healing and self-discovery. As a well-seasoned Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor since 1994 and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia, she brings extensive experience to her work. Dr. Paula LMHC understands that each person has a unique purpose and that identifying and embracing one's unique talents and gifts is essential for overall well-being. Her care philosophy, as part of a technology-enabled mental health group, focuses on delivering affordable care. Dr. Paula LMHC offers consultations in American sign language.

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

• Separation Anxiety: For children, unresolved separation anxiety can significantly impact their sleep, growth, and development; timely intervention is key to preventing long-term issues.
• Addiction: By managing addiction, you can improve your sleep hygiene and reduce the risk of developing sleep apnea, insomnia, or other sleep disorders related to substance abuse.
• ADHD and-or ADD: Early identification and treatment of ADHD and ADD are important steps in preventing the negative effects of poor sleep on physical and mental well-being.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Untreated OCD can lead to anxiety and restlessness, impacting sleep and increasing the risk of developing other health issues; proactive management is key.
• Grief: Experiencing significant grief without proper coping mechanisms can lead to chronic sleep problems, emphasizing the need for emotional support and potentially professional help to prevent long-term health consequences.
• Panic Attack: Addressing panic attacks is vital for maintaining healthy sleep patterns, as untreated anxiety can significantly affect sleep duration, quality and overall well-being.
• Major Depressive Disorder: Recognizing and treating depression promptly can safeguard against the debilitating effects of sleep deprivation and help maintain better sleep hygiene.
• Adjustment Disorder: Experiencing significant stress after a major life change? Recognizing and managing adjustment disorder is crucial for protecting your sleep and mental health.
• Panic Disorder: Since panic attacks can cause significant sleep disruption, proactive management of your panic disorder is crucial for promoting healthy sleep habits and preventing further health complications.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Experiencing PTSD can lead to insomnia and other sleep disturbances, so seeking help promptly is key to prevent further health problems down the line.
• 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.
• Depression: Since depression is closely linked to sleep disorders, seeking early treatment can improve your sleep quality, reduce daytime fatigue, and ultimately safeguard your long-term 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. Paula LMHC offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Grief Therapy: Prioritizing grief therapy can lead to improved sleep patterns and a reduced risk of long-term health complications related to sleep deprivation.
• Relaxation Therapy: Discover how relaxation exercises can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, potentially avoiding the need for sleep medication.
• Family Counseling: Family counseling can help identify and address how stress and family dynamics might be affecting your sleep, paving the way for a more restful night.
• Psychotherapy Services: Improve your sleep quality and overall well-being by undergoing psychotherapy; it can help uncover and manage emotional or psychological factors affecting your sleep.
• Psychological Testing: Taking a psychological test can help identify underlying mental health conditions that may be affecting your sleep.
• Behavior Modification: Strengthen your sleep hygiene with personalized guidance on better sleep habits, reducing the risk of long-term sleep-related health problems.
• Marital Counseling: Strengthen your relationship and improve your sleep by proactively addressing communication and conflict resolution challenges through marital counseling.
• Couples Therapy: Take a proactive step towards better sleep by exploring couples therapy; it can help identify and resolve relationship issues that impact sleep quality for you and your partner.
• Family Psychotherapy: Proactive family therapy can help uncover hidden stressors impacting sleep, offering a supportive environment to identify and manage these challenges within the family unit.
• Group Psychotherapy: Group therapy offers a safe space to explore the emotional impact of sleep disorders and develop strategies to improve your sleep quality, proactively preventing the long-term complications of sleep deprivation.
• Pediatric Counseling: Ensure your child's healthy development by seeking pediatric counseling; it can pinpoint sleep problems and offer solutions for better sleep.
• Adolescent Counseling: Empower your teenager with adolescent counseling, designed to identify sleep problems that might be affecting their mood, behavior, and academic performance.

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 LMHC 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 the early signs of separation anxiety, a family proactively implemented strategies suggested by the sleep medicine specialist, significantly reducing their child's distress and fostering a more secure home environment. This early intervention prevented the anxiety from escalating into a more significant issue.
• By understanding the early warning signs of substance use and developing coping mechanisms, a patient proactively reduced their risk of developing addiction-related sleep problems, enhancing 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 Sleep Medicine care with Dr. Paula LMHC:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist is a board-certified doctor who has completed specialized training to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. Often trained in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, they bring a unique perspective to identifying the underlying 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, we monitor your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements overnight. This non-invasive procedure provides a complete picture of your sleep patterns, serving as the gold standard for accurately diagnosing sleep disorders and creating an effective prevention plan.

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 that originate in the brain's control centers, such as narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias.

What is an oral appliance for sleep apnea?

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

How is chronic insomnia treated?

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

What is a circadian rhythm disorder?

Circadian rhythm disorders are problems with the body's internal 24-hour clock, often causing a misalignment between this internal clock and the external environment, such as delayed sleep phase. A sleep specialist can help reset this clock using strategies like light therapy and timed melatonin. We can work together to improve your sleep.

Can my child have sleep apnea?

Yes, sleep apnea in children is common and often caused by large tonsils and adenoids. Early diagnosis is crucial, as untreated sleep apnea can affect a child's growth, learning, and behavior. Treatment is a key step in preventing these developmental issues.

Grow Therapy
2598 E Sunrise Blvd Side 2104
Fort Lauderdale FL 33304
Phone: (786) 244-2403

Paula Porterfield Izzo, LMHC 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): 1427073741

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 LMHC 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.