GET TO KNOW US
About Us
At the Psychological Health And Therapy Center we see every person as a unique and awesome individual. Our goal is to assist you on your journey to discover and cultivate the best you, that you want to be. Our clinicians are licensed and highly trained in their area of treatment, to ensure the highest quality of therapy for those that seek our help.
ABOUT OUR LOGO
The UNICORN is a unique creature that is seen as a symbol of clarity and hope. Its horn is said to have the power to render poisoned water potable and to heal sickness. We chose the UNICORN as our symbol with the goal to provide those same attributes to you. Ours has a horn that glows, to serve as a beacon of hope and guide you on the way to becoming your own UNICORN.
Introducing the Therapists
Our Executive Director
Andre Caruso, Psy.D.
(He/Him)
Have you achieved your full level of awesomeness?
Having to work is a huge part of life. Imagine enjoying your job more, while also being present in your own life, and connecting more with friends and family. Visualize not experiencing burnout, being overwhelmed with stress or having a work-life balance out of whack. Ready to make that your reality? He specializes with assisting Professionals with anxiety, stress and achieving a work-life balance. Additionally, he assists those in exploring their identity, be it, their personal, professional, sexual and/or gender. He works with individuals, couples, and families who desired to enhance the relationships they have with themselves, others, and their profession. He believes that, Awesomeness is achieved through a healthy mind. Let him assist you in achieving your AWESOMENESS!
Dr. Andre Caruso earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University. Prior to founding DACPACS, Inc, and becoming the Executive Director of the Psychological Health And Therapy Center, Dr. Caruso was the COO of the Biscayne Foundation, a non-profit organization and the Vice Principal of the Biscayne Academy, a school for special needs children. Earlier in his career, as Director of Training, Dr. Caruso help train and shape the minds of interns and practicum students from multiple local graduate programs. In addition, Dr. Caruso was responsible for Program Development and Oversight. Some of those treatment programs included: Traumatic Brain Injury, Developmentally Disabled, Life Enhancement (geriatric), and Pediatric cognitive retraining. Dr. Caruso also specialized his work with the LGBTQ communities, with extra training and focus on gender identity.
Currently, Dr. Caruso serves as the Chairman of the Board, for the LoveGood Foundation, a non-profit focusing on increasing the equality and reducing the stigma in the community. He also serves on the medical advisory board for the Scleroderma Foundation.
For More Information about Dr. Caruso’s speaking events or consultation services or to learn more about our Parent Company DACPACS, Inc. Please visit their site. http://dacpacs.com
Orinthea Decarish, LMHC
(She/Her)
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor dedicated to working with children, adolescents, and their families. I am always exploring new ways to help the people and populations I serve.
I have a genuine passion for helping people make positive movements in their life. I have been professionally trained to provide counseling to children and adults dealing with stress, Anxiety, Depression, Addictions, and grief/loss. I also work with families for issues related to family conflict and life transitions. My therapeutic modality is Mindfulness based Cognitive Behavioral therapy.
I personally believe that one’s path towards self-acceptance, healing, and prosperity all began with a small leap of faith. As individuals, couples, and families we have the potential to overcome any obstacles in our lives. Those obstacles may initially appear daunting but with support and guidance, they will diminish over time. I look forward to helping you on your journey to mental wellness and peace.
Jennifer Dash, LMHC
(She/Her)
I am a licensed Mental Health Counsellor with a passion for expression, communication, and identity. I work with individuals and couples who want to improve their relationships and connections with others while developing and loving the person they are within. My life has been obsessed with learning and growth.
I earned a master’s degree in education and, for 20 years, I helped adults develop through leadership and communication skills. My second Master’s Degree was in Applied Psychology and I achieved my license as a Mental Health Counselor, which I do through private practice.
I am certified as a gender therapist, and am a Master’s level Certified Addictions Professional (MCAP), as well as trained in EMDR therapy for trauma and Gottman’s level 2 couples counseling.
Through my Practice I’m proud of my clients as they bloom to life and become their best authentic selves.
Jon Waller , LMHC
(He/Him)
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida with over 15 years of experience in emotional and behavioral health. I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Florida Atlantic University.
I have extensive experience working with addictions and mental health in treatment settings, supervising therapists and clinical teams. I am active in contributing to my community through assisting at Evolve personal growth seminars, running support groups for Gilda’s Club, and volunteering with the Faulk Center for Counseling to train upcoming therapists.
Lauren Berner, LCSW
(She/Her)
Are you ready to achieve your best life by creating stability and healthy routine? I want to help you clear away the obstacles that are blocking you from achieving your best self! I am a Board Certified Florida Licensed Clinical Social Worker, EMDR trained, and DBT-informed therapist who has been serving the community in outpatient and residential settings for over 8 years. I am a Florida native and I earned my Bachelor degree from The University of Florida and Masters of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University. While studying as an undergrad I recognized that the most important area of my interest lay in helping people and is considered a core value of mine. I follow a treatment philosophy that focuses on all individuals deserving to be treated with dignity and respect and I choose to do so by ‘meeting you where you are at’ along with warmth and a confidential safe environment to start your journey of building a life that you desire.
I provide treatment focused on treating generalized anxiety, depression, and Bipolar utilizing a combination of EMDR, dialectical behavior skills training, and cognitive behavioral therapy. I have had great success treating clients with issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, addictions, and trauma; along with many other mental health disorders.
My integrative approach provides a focus on whole body self-care by developing more effective coping skills with a focus on holistic well-being.In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors, preferably with my husband and our 2 year old Flat-Coated Retriever. My activities of choice include scuba diving, fishing, running, yoga, and swimming. As a firm believer in self-care I also enjoy the occasional visit to the spa for a massage and pedicure.
Samantha D. Toney, LMFT
(She/Her)
You’re in DEEP! Somehow you have found yourself in such a deep pit and you’re not sure how to dig yourself out of it. Some days you’re not even sure that you can get yourself out of it. All you know is that this IS NOT the life that you want. The life you imagined, leaving work at a decent time, coming home to spend time with family or friends in the evening, trying out that new restaurant you’ve heard so much about and brunch with your girls on the weekend keeps getting further and further away from your reality. You take care of everyone else, but your needs always seem to be dead last on your list. Half the time by the time you even glance at one of your goals you’re too exhausted to do anything about them. You’ve been hanging on by a thread, sometimes just a hair away from locking yourself in a room and crying for hours.
You’ve decided it’s time. You’re ready to take control and put yourself first. To live authentically and unapologetically… Okay, that feels like a stretch right now. It’ll be hard at first, but it’s possible for you to stop feeling like you have to justify or apologize for the choices that bring your JOY. In fact, you’re probably thinking “Joy? I don’t even know what that is!”
We can figure it out together, and in the process challenge all those thoughts that tell you that you don’t deserve this life. The ones that tell you there are 100 reasons why you shouldn’t or can’t have that life. I know it’s possible, and I can help you get there through finding balance that embraces all of your wonderfulness-es.
Samantha believes you have the strength to overcome your challenges within you. Her role is simply to guide you in recovering, discovering and cultivating your power to create a life you love. Samantha is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and earned her degree from Nova Southeastern University. She has spent over ten years working with individuals and their families recover from substance use and mental health illnesses. Samantha is truly passionate about her work as a therapist and enjoys assisting people create the lives and relationships that they want for themselves.
- 954-800-8448
- info@phatcenter.com
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4390 N Federal Hwy Suite 208
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308