Rebecca Maligno, LCSW

Rebecca Maligno, LCSW is a Sleep Medicine physician practicing at her clinic in Gainesville, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Sleep Medicine care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she understands the crucial role of sleep in overall well-being and the potential for sleep disorders to contribute to a range of long-term health complications.

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. Dr. Rebecca LCSW serves all ages and is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She is licensed in Florida with 11 years of experience, and has a proven track record in helping clients manage stress, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression. She believes in creating a safe space for open communication and collaboration, recognizing the courage it takes to seek a more fulfilling life. To confirm if she is currently accepting new patients, please call (352) 548-0250. Dr. Rebecca LCSW provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Mild Headache: A mild headache, while seemingly insignificant, could be an early warning sign of a sleep disorder like sleep apnea, so addressing it promptly can help prevent more serious health problems down the line.
• Insomnia: Insomnia, the struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, can be addressed early to prevent long-term health problems like anxiety, depression, and weakened immunity.
• Parasomnias: Experiencing unsettling sleep behaviors like sleepwalking or sleep terrors? These parasomnias can be managed to reduce the risk of accidents and improve sleep quality.
• Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia: Addressing symptoms of childhood-onset schizophrenia through treatment and support can prevent severe mental health crises and promote stability.
• 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.
• Psychological Disorders: Early detection and treatment of psychological conditions can help improve sleep, reducing the risk of developing or worsening sleep apnea, insomnia, or other sleep-related issues.
• Fibromyalgia: Effective fibromyalgia management, through a combination of therapies and self-care, can help prevent the progression of pain and fatigue, allowing you to live a fuller life.

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

• Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Proactive psychosocial rehabilitation helps you identify and address emotional and mental health factors that might be affecting your sleep and overall well-being.
• Psychosomatic Medicine Services: Invest in your health by understanding the interplay between mental and physical well-being as it relates to sleep, allowing for early diagnosis and intervention.
• Sleep Medicine Sonography: Take a proactive step towards better sleep health with a sleep medicine sonography, a painless screening that identifies structural issues potentially contributing to sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.
• Behavior Therapy: Take control of your sleep with behavior therapy, learning techniques to improve sleep hygiene and address underlying issues contributing to insomnia.
• Lung Spirometry: Take a proactive step towards better lung health with lung spirometry—a quick test that screens for conditions that may affect your breathing and sleep quality.
• Diet Counseling: Invest in better sleep: Let's work together to explore how your nutrition impacts your sleep, leading to more restful nights and improved overall well-being.
• Behavioral Activation: Behavioral activation helps you identify and increase activities that boost your mood and energy levels, improving your sleep and overall well-being.

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. Rebecca 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 a persistent mild headache as a potential sleep disorder sign, a patient proactively addressed the issue with a sleep medicine's guidance, reducing the risk of more serious health problems down the line. This proactive approach provided the patient with peace of mind and a plan for maintaining optimal health.
• By establishing a consistent sleep schedule and practicing relaxation techniques, a patient reduced their insomnia symptoms, improving their overall well-being and preventing future health concerns.

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. Rebecca 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, 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 diagnosing sleep disorders and creating an effective prevention plan.

What is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological sensory disorder causing an overwhelming, uncomfortable urge to move the legs, often worsening in the evening or at night. It's not simply a muscle cramp, but a specific sensation requiring movement. Diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing severe sleep disruption and improving your quality of life.

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 like narcolepsy or parasomnias.

How is chronic insomnia treated?

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

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 connection between depression/anxiety and sleep?

Anxiety and depression can significantly impact sleep, and conversely, poor sleep can worsen symptoms of these conditions. Our practice recognizes this strong, bidirectional link and provides comprehensive care, treating both the sleep disorder and the mood disorder together to break this negative cycle.

825 NW 23rd Ave Bldg 3
Gainesville FL 32609
Phone: (352) 548-0250

Rebecca Maligno, 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): 1548712318

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. Rebecca 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.