Accepting new patients · Florida

Feeling like yourself again starts with being heard.

Psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and therapy — one provider who knows your full clinical picture, delivered entirely by telehealth, anywhere in Florida.

Board-certified PMHNP-BC · no referral needed In-network with most major insurance · self-pay sliding scale Se habla español · Consultas completas en español
In-networkAetna · Cigna · United · Carelon Self-paySliding scale available ReferralNot required
A complete approach

Therapy and medication management, under one roof.

Most practices offer one or the other. Here you can have both, coordinated by a single provider who knows your full clinical picture — so nothing gets lost between offices.

01 · Psychotherapy

A steady space to do the work

Confidential talk therapy at your own pace, with a provider who listens first — not a rushed 15-minute check-in.

02 · Medication management

Thoughtful prescribing, closely monitored

Evaluation, prescribing, and ongoing adjustment when medication is part of the plan — reviewed as your needs change.

Prefer just one? That’s completely fine — many patients do well with therapy alone or medication alone. We decide together what fits you.

Stephanie Alvarez, PMHNP-BC
Stephanie Alvarez
MSN, ARNP, PMHNP-BC
Founder
The provider

I became a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner to help people not just survive hard seasons, but actually feel better — with care that takes the time to listen first.

My background spans both psychiatric and emergency nursing, which gives me a steady, experienced hand in every patient relationship. I founded Better Minds Therapy & Wellness to bring thoughtful, whole-person psychiatric care to the Miami–Fort Lauderdale community and beyond, entirely by telehealth — so getting support fits into your life rather than disrupting it. I see patients in both English and Spanish — being able to describe what you’re feeling in your own language is often the difference between being treated and being understood.

I work collaboratively with therapists, primary care providers, and OB-GYNs when that’s part of a patient’s care — and for many patients, I provide both therapy and medication management myself, so care stays consistent under one roof.

Presenting concerns treated

What I treat

Treatment tailored to your specific symptoms and goals — always paired with a real conversation about what’s actually going on.

Anxiety & panicGeneralized anxiety, panic, and related mood concerns. Therapy · Meds
Depression & mood disordersEvidence-based treatment with realistic day-to-day guidance. Therapy · Meds
ADHD — adults & adolescentsThorough evaluation and ongoing management for focus and follow-through. Eval · Meds
Trauma & PTSDTrauma-informed evaluation and treatment for lasting effects of difficult experiences. Trauma-informed
Postpartum & maternal healthSupport for mood and anxiety changes before, during, and after pregnancy. Perinatal
Sleep & insomniaOften hand-in-hand with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Eval · Meds
Procedure

How a telehealth visit works

Simple, from booking to your first prescription refill.

STEP 01

Book online

Choose a time that works for you — no referral required.

STEP 02

Complete intake

A few short forms ahead of your visit so we make the most of our time.

STEP 03

Meet by video

Your evaluation happens over a secure video visit, wherever you’re comfortable.

STEP 04

Ongoing care

Regular follow-ups to monitor progress and adjust your plan as needed.

Patient notes

Trusted by patients across Florida

Reviews from people I’ve had the privilege to care for, collected through WebMD and Google.

5.0 27 reviews across WebMD and Google
20WebMD reviews
7Google reviews
100%WebMD: answered my questions
Verified patient
“My visit with Stephanie went as well as someone could possibly hope for. She is incredibly attentive, highly professional, and creates a welcoming, non-judgmental space. I felt genuinely heard and supported throughout our conversation.”
WebMD · Jul 2026
Verified patient
“Desde la primera cita me sentí escuchada y comprendida, sin juicios. Me ayudó a entender lo que estaba pasando con mi salud mental y encontramos un plan de tratamiento que realmente ha funcionado. Es muy profesional pero también muy humana.”
WebMD · Jun 2026
Verified patient
“I wish I would have found her sooner. She was god sent!!! So sweet, educated, great listener.”
WebMD · Jul 2026

Been seen at Better Minds? Leave a review on Google

I never aim to replace the therapeutic relationship you’ve built — only to support it. Medication management is one part of a larger care team, and everyone deserves access to quality psychiatric care.
Stephanie Alvarez, MSN, ARNP, PMHNP-BC · Founder
Insurance & access

In-network with most major plans.

Coverage you can count on, and options if your plan isn’t listed.

  • United Healthcare (Optum, Oscar, Oxford)
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Carelon Behavioral Health
  • Ascension SmartHealth
  • Independence BC PA (virtual)
  • Horizon BCBS NJ (virtual)

Self-pay & sliding scale

Don’t have insurance, or facing a high copay? We’ll work with you to find a reasonable, fair price so cost isn’t a barrier to getting the care you need. Everyone deserves access to quality psychiatric care, regardless of insurance.

Good Faith Estimate. Under the federal No Surprises Act, patients who are uninsured or paying out of pocket have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected costs before scheduling care. You’ll be provided one on request, or automatically before your visit. Learn more at cms.gov/nosurprises.

For referring providers

Let’s coordinate care, together

If you’re a therapist, counselor, PCP, OB-GYN, or psychologist, here’s what to expect when referring a client to Better Minds.

01 Who I treat

Adolescents (ages 13+) and adults with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma-related conditions, and women’s/perinatal mental health concerns — for therapy, medication management, or both.

02 How to refer

Send your client’s name and best contact method by email, or have them book directly online. No formal referral paperwork required — a quick note is enough to get started.

03 Staying in the loop

With the client’s written consent, I’m glad to communicate directly with their existing therapist or PCP about shared treatment goals and progress.

04 Collaborative philosophy

I see medication management as one part of a larger care team. I never aim to replace the therapeutic relationship you’ve built — only to support it.

To refer a patient, email a quick note with their name and best way to reach them — no formal paperwork needed.

Common questions

Frequently asked

Do I need a referral to book an appointment?

No referral is needed. You can book directly, and many patients self-refer. If you’re currently working with a therapist or PCP, I’m always glad to coordinate care with them, with your permission.

What happens during my first visit?

Your first visit is a full psychiatric evaluation — we’ll talk through your history, current symptoms, and goals, and build a plan together. It typically runs longer than follow-up visits so there’s time to cover everything.

Is telehealth as effective as an in-person visit?

For psychiatric medication management, yes — research consistently supports telehealth as an effective format, and many patients find it more comfortable and easier to fit into their schedule.

What if my insurance isn’t listed?

Reach out and ask — insurance networks change. And if you don’t have insurance or have a high copay, we’ll work with you to find a reasonable, fair self-pay price so cost doesn’t have to be a barrier to getting support.

What ages do you see?

I see adolescents ages 13 and up, as well as adults. Whether care is a good fit for a particular teen is something we’ll confirm during the first visit.

Do you prescribe controlled substances?

This is evaluated case-by-case based on your history and clinical presentation, consistent with safe prescribing guidelines. We can discuss specifics during your evaluation.

Do you treat ADHD in adults?

Yes — adult ADHD is one of my core focus areas, including evaluation, diagnosis, and ongoing medication management.

Do I need both therapy and medication?

Not necessarily. Some people do well with medication alone, others with therapy alone, and many benefit most from both together. We’ll talk through what makes sense for your specific situation.

Can you see patients anywhere in Florida?

Yes — as a Florida-licensed PMHNP, I see patients by telehealth anywhere in the state.

Get started

Ready to feel like yourself again?

Now accepting new patients across Florida. Book your first visit, or reach out with any questions first.

786-380-5836 Email us Telehealth across Florida
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