PROFESSIONALS
Dr. Matthew Simon, Psy.D., FICPPM., ABPP
Dr. Simon is a board certified licensed clinical psychologist in Florida and New York. He is board certified as a clinical psychologist through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). This means that he has completed a rigorous voluntary process to earn this extra certification beyond his training as a doctorate level psychologist. He is also board certified in psychopharmacology and has completed over 450 hours of advanced training in psychopharmacology. In addition to this, he possesses board certification in forensic psychology. Dr. Simon has been practicing for over 13 years and has served as an expert witness on numerous occasions in both family and federal court. He is an expert in psychological testing and has conducted numerous evaluations for educational, clinical, emotional, and all of the forensic reasons listed above. Dr. Simon’s expertise is in psychological testing, forensic/disability evaluation, and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy for individuals, families, and couples.
Dr. Simon is a Florida Certified Supreme Court Mediator and a Certified Parent Coordinator. Given his forensic expertise and extensive counseling background, he often assists families/couples in managing divorce. The use of a psychologist mediator can dramatically help families minimize the impact divorce may have on children. In his role as a parent coordinator or mediator, Dr. Simon puts the needs of children at the heart of his work.
Dr. Simon is a cognitive behavioral practitioner who emphasizes the need for self-empowerment, positive change, and strategies for more effective living. He provides psychotherapy for all age ranges. His experience supports psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families. His experience lends itself to treatment for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, marital/relationship problems, interpersonal difficulties, stress management, self-esteem issues, anger management, etc. In all of these areas, he utilizes a structured solution focused approach to problem management.
Dr. Nathaly Shoua-Desmarais, Psy.D.,M.S. Psychopharm
As a post-doctoral clinician, Dr. Shoua-Desmarais provides clients with a unique blend of psychodynamic, interpersonal, cognitive, and behavioral therapies. The goal of therapy is for clients to discover and build upon their existing strengths and develop new skills to cope with a wide range of problems. Treatment is designed to meet specific individual needs in a confidential and professional environment.
Dr. Shoua-Desmarais’s diverse clinical and professional background allows for services to be extended to a wide range of presenting problems. Dr. Shoua-Desmarais has 10 years of training and experience providing psychotherapy to clients of all ages with an emphasis in issues relating to depression, anxiety, and interpersonal difficulties. Dr. Shoua-Desmarais has extensive training and interest in conducting psychological assessments, neuro-psychological evaluations, and psycho-educational assessments.
Dr. Shoua-Desmarais has also earned a Pre-doctoral Masters degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology in 2006. This additional training allows for her to assist her clients with understanding health conditions, medications, and possible strategies for life management.
Additionally, Dr. Shoua-Desmarais has advanced training in Health Psychology. This enables her to work with clients who have been diagnosed with medical conditions which impact their general well-being. She has experience working with diabetic patients, patients with cardiovascular issues, patients facing lifestyle change issues, and weight management. Dr. Shoua-Desmarais is an empathic and consummate professional whose efforts strive to promote prevention through research and clinical interventions designed to foster health and reduce the risk of disease. Dr. Shoua-Desmarais is currently under direct supervision by Dr. Simon while at PTA.
DR. NATALIE VA, PH.D, M.S. Psychopharm
Dr. Va is a postdoctoral fellow at Psychological Testing Associates. She received her Ph.D. from Nova Southeastern University. In addition to a Ph.D., she completed a Master’s degree in Psychopharmacology. Dr. Va completed her internship year at the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center and has worked for over six years with a variety of populations, specializing in Behavioral Medicine. Her extensive clinical background consists of assisting clients who are experiencing medical concerns. She works with clients and families teaching them how to cope with the psychological impact these issues often have and creating effective solutions which lead to empowerment and change.
She provides psychotherapy for families and individuals experiencing a scope of health concerns as diabetes, overweight/obesity issues, heart disease, Hepatitis C, transplant patients, sexual dysfunction, sleep disorders, chronic pain, cancer, HIV and AIDS, spinal cord injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, fertility issues, and more. She also conducts research at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis with individuals with spinal cord injuries and pain.
Dr. Va also provides psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families who are experiencing general life difficulties. She also offers treatment for grief, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders such as panic disorder and post traumatic stress disorder, addiction problems, as well as a variety of other concerns.
Dr. Va’s therapeutic style is eclectic in that she is primarily cognitive-behavioral and solution focused. She does incorporate psychodynamic and existential perspectives based on individual need.
In addition to her experience providing psychotherapy in both English and Spanish, Dr. Va also conducts bilingual psychological testing for clinical, emotional, educational, and forensic needs. Dr. Va is currently under direct supervision by Dr. Simon while at PTA.
Gillespie Stedding, M.S.
Gillespie Stedding, M.S. is a third year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the Center for Psychological Studies at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) concentrating in forensic psychology. She completed her Bachelor's degree in psychology from Vassar College. Prior to beginning her graduate studies, she worked for three years in a community mental health setting with adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illnesses. She has experience providing psychotherapy to adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Currently she is conducting court ordered forensic evaluations as part of her clinical training. She has an eclectic approach to therapy utilizing cognitive-behavioral techniques as well as existential and psychodynamic approaches. Her areas of interest include trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, and behavior problems.
Ms. Stedding works for Dr. Simon as a Psychometrician (testing assistant) working with both adults and children. Gillespie provides individual, couples, and family psychotherapy in addition to testing. All of her professional activities at PTA are directly supervised by Dr. Simon.