Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jessica Peña Morales.
Hi Dr. Jessica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2008, I completed my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at Carlos Albizu University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 2016, I relocated to Orlando, Florida, where I completed a postdoctoral degree. The following year, I began working at the mental health clinic at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, where I served for three years, providing care to over 2,000 service members from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Currently, I am the Founder and President of Dr. Psychologist, LLC, located in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Our team is composed of fully bilingual (English and Spanish) licensed clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed mental health counselors. We provide mental health services to children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Our services include individual, couples, and family therapy, as well as psychological evaluations for the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions and for surgical procedures. For the past two years, we have been collaborating with the Department of Education Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the Florida Department of Health, Division of Disability Determination. Our mission is to help all human beings (clients) overcome life’s difficulties by learning to recognize their strengths and achieve a sense of wellbeing. Next month, we will celebrate four years in Wesley Chapel, and collectively, our team has over 45 years of experience in the mental health field.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a journey filled with both challenges and blessings. I have been blessed to have incredible mentors who have guided me with their wisdom and years of experience. Dr. Manuel “Coco” Morales has been instrumental in my professional journey. He not only offered valuable guidance on a professional level, but also personal and spiritual advice that continues to support me to this day. My family and friends have also played a key role in my achievements and success. As a Latina woman, I encountered several challenges along the way, and today, with both humility and pride, I can say that those experiences helped shape and refine the professional and person I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Although I provide services to the entire family, the majority of my clients are adults seeking individual or couples therapy. I am certified in trauma therapy, specifically in Prolonged Exposure Therapy, which is designed to support individuals who have experienced a stressful or traumatic event. I am also trained and certified in the Prepare/Enrich Assessment, a valuable tool for couples preparing for marriage or for those who are already married and looking to strengthen their relationship. In addition, I am certified to administer the ADOS-2, which is considered the gold standard assessment for diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder. At Dr. Psychologist, LLC, when clients call to schedule an appointment, they are matched with a provider based on their specific needs, as well as the expertise and experience of each clinician on our team.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I have completed all of the half marathons at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Additionally, both the team at Dr. Psychologist and I have participated in various sporting events in solidarity with foundations supporting causes such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Autism, Mental Health Awareness, Suicide Prevention, and others. These experiences reflect our commitment not only to mental health, but also to promoting overall wellbeing and supporting important community initiatives.
Pricing:
- We accept the majority of the medical insurances.
- We also do slide scale to help clients that cannot pay the whole rate of services.
- We do pro-bono in special cases.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drpsychologist.net
- Instagram: @iamdrpsychologist
- Facebook: @drpsychologistfl
