Steven Johnson, LCSW

Steven Johnson, LCSW is a Sleep Medicine physician practicing at Rula Health - Florida in Miami, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Sleep Medicine care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, Dr. Steven LCSW understands that your general Sleep Medicine physician is your primary partner in preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders. He creates personalized long-term health plans, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing your overall wellness through collaboration with pulmonologists, neurologists, and otolaryngologists. He serves all ages, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (323) 676-1233 to schedule.

Dr. Steven LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with over 25 years of experience in the helping professions, approaches care with a deeply empathetic and collaborative focus. His experience working with individuals, couples, and families, as well as his time on the faculty at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, has instilled in him a commitment to evidence-based medicine, measurable outcomes, and establishing achievable goals for treatment. He is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. This personalized approach emphasizes the unique therapeutic connection between patient and provider, recognizing that every individual and situation is unique. Dr. Steven LCSW is committed to providing the best possible care, and understands that healing can occur, lives can be changed, and goals can be achieved, even through challenging times. He provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• ADHD and-or ADD: Untreated ADHD or ADD can lead to poor sleep hygiene and increase the likelihood of developing sleep disorders, highlighting the need for proactive intervention to maintain good sleep health.
• Anxiety: Because anxiety significantly impacts sleep quality, addressing it through therapy or other means can help prevent long-term health complications stemming from sleep deprivation.
• Depressive Disorders: Depression often goes hand-in-hand with poor sleep, creating a vicious cycle. Addressing your depression proactively can prevent these sleep disturbances and promote better overall health.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD, if left untreated, can significantly disrupt sleep patterns, highlighting the importance of early intervention for better overall health.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can severely disrupt sleep, leading to chronic health problems if left untreated; early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing long-term complications.
• Relationship Issues: Relationship problems can significantly impact sleep quality, highlighting the importance of addressing relationship issues to protect your overall health and well-being.
• Tobacco Withdrawal: Managing tobacco withdrawal symptoms is crucial for preventing sleep disturbances and improving overall 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. Steven LCSW offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you understand and overcome the underlying causes of insomnia, leading to better sleep and improved overall health.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): As a proactive step toward better sleep, DBT can help identify and address underlying emotional and behavioral issues that interfere with restful sleep, helping prevent further health complications.
• Family Psychotherapy: As a proactive measure, consider family psychotherapy to improve communication and resolve conflicts, which often contribute to sleep disturbances in family members.
• Individual Therapy: Individual therapy provides a personalized approach to understanding and managing sleep difficulties, helping you develop coping mechanisms and preventing the development of serious sleep-related complications.
• Marital Counseling: Improve sleep by participating in marital counseling to resolve relationship conflicts that negatively affect your sleep health.
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): Improve your sleep quality and address underlying issues contributing to sleep problems with Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), a powerful and efficient approach.
• Coping Strategy: Take control of your sleep health by creating a coping strategy tailored to your unique needs and circumstances, improving sleep quality and reducing daytime fatigue.

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. Steven 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:

• A patient, proactively addressing potential ADHD/ADD challenges, developed a personalized sleep hygiene plan, significantly reducing the risk of associated sleep disorders and ensuring a more restful night's sleep.
• Recognizing the link between anxiety and sleep, a patient proactively addressed their concerns through therapy, significantly reducing anxiety and improving their overall sleep quality, thereby preventing potential long-term health issues.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He 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. Steven 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 finding 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)?

A sleep study, or polysomnogram, is a safe, non-invasive overnight test. It monitors your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements to evaluate your sleep patterns. This comprehensive evaluation is the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders and creating a personalized prevention plan.

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 therapy for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.

How does an Otolaryngologist (ENT) help with sleep problems?

An otolaryngologist (ENT) is a surgeon specializing in the ear, nose, and throat. They can identify and surgically correct physical blockages, like a deviated septum or large tonsils, which can cause snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Sometimes, this can provide a permanent solution.

What is the connection between depression/anxiety and sleep?

Depression and anxiety can significantly disrupt sleep, and conversely, poor sleep can worsen symptoms of these conditions. Our practice addresses both the sleep disorder and the mood disorder concurrently to break the negative cycle and promote overall well-being.

My partner says I act out my dreams. Should I be concerned?

We understand your concern about acting out your dreams. This could be a sign of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), which sometimes precedes other neurological conditions. A consultation with Dr. Steven LCSW is important to assess and determine the best course of treatment, which can help manage symptoms and ensure your safety during 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 world. A specialist can help reset this clock using strategies like light therapy and timed melatonin to improve sleep patterns.

Rula Health - Florida
78 SW 7th St
Miami FL 33130
Phone: (323) 676-1233

Steven Johnson, 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): 1023267382

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. Steven 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.