Telehealth Psychiatric Care · Florida

Feeling like yourself again starts with being heard.

Compassionate psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluations, and medication management for ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma-related conditions, and women's mental health — serving adults throughout Florida via telehealth.

Board-Certified PMHNP-BC 100% Telehealth — Statewide in Florida Sliding Scale Self-Pay Available Now Accepting New Patients

Stephanie Alvarez

MSN, ARNP, PMHNP-BC
  • Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Background in psychiatric & emergency nursing
  • Founder, Better Minds Therapy & Wellness
  • Serving patients across Florida via telehealth
About

Care that feels personal, never rushed.

I became a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner because I wanted 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, entirely by telehealth, so getting support fits into your life rather than disrupting it.

I work collaboratively with other 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.

Services

What I Treat

Medication management tailored to your specific symptoms and goals, always paired with a real conversation about what's actually going on.

Anxiety & Depression

Evidence-based medication management for anxiety, panic, and mood disorders, paired with realistic, day-to-day guidance.

ADHD

Thorough evaluation and ongoing management for adults and adolescents navigating focus, organization, and follow-through.

Postpartum & Maternal Mental Health

Specialized support for the mood and anxiety changes that can come before, during, and after pregnancy.

Psychiatric Evaluations

A thorough first visit to understand your history and symptoms, and build a plan that actually fits your life.

Medication Management

Ongoing follow-up visits to monitor how treatment is working and adjust course as your needs change.

Collaborative Care

Coordinated treatment alongside your therapist or primary care provider, when that's part of your care plan.

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy sessions alongside medication management, with one provider who knows your full clinical picture.

Trauma & PTSD

Trauma-informed evaluation and treatment for the lasting effects of difficult or traumatic experiences.

Mental Health & Chronic Pain

Support for the anxiety, depression, and emotional toll that often accompany living with chronic pain.

Sleep & Insomnia

Evaluation and treatment for sleep difficulties that often go hand-in-hand with anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

Getting Started

How Telehealth Visits Work

Simple, from booking to your first prescription refill.

01

Book online

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

02

Complete intake forms

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

03

Meet by video

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

04

Ongoing care

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

Insurance & Access

In-network with most major plans.

  • 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 see your plan listed, or prefer to pay out of pocket? A sliding scale is available for self-pay patients. Everyone deserves access to quality psychiatric care, regardless of insurance.

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.

1 Who I Treat

Adults and adolescents with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma-related conditions, chronic pain-related mood concerns, and women's/perinatal mental health concerns — for therapy, medication management, or both.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

FAQ

Common Questions

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 I also offer a sliding scale for self-pay patients so cost doesn't have to be a barrier to getting support.

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.

Stay Connected

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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 ✉️ bettermindstherapyandwellness@gmail.com 🌿 Telehealth across Florida