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 15 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. SHAH, Psy.D.
Dr. Shah earned her doctorate of psychology degree from Nova Southeastern University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship in a large community mental health setting in Topeka, KS, focusing on a wide range of diagnoses affecting children, adolescents, and their families. Dr. Shah provides psychological services, including individual, group, and family therapy to children, adolescents, families and adults.
Dr. Shah’s extensive clinical background consists of assisting clients who are experiencing mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and behavioral disorders. In addition to providing psychotherapy, Dr. Shah has extensive experience completing psychological testing. She has worked in a neuropsychological assessment center conducting comprehensive testing for learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and cognitive functioning.
Dr. Shah treats clients with an eclectic approach depending on their needs. She often incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy. Currently, Dr. Shah is under direct supervision by Dr. Simon while at PTA.
DR. Anna Kourakis, PH.D
Dr. Anna Kourakis is a post-doctoral fellow at Psychological Testing Associates with more than 15 years of research and clinical experience. Throughout her professional career, Dr. Kourakis has worked with a variety of clients with diverse counseling and psychological needs, including bereavement, depression, anxiety, care-giving, end-of-life concerns and career stagnation. With a compassionate, down-to-earth style, Dr. Kourakis enables her patients to feel at ease, which encourages self-discovery, fosters personal growth and builds upon existing strength. Dr. Kourakis' theoretical framework is client centered, with a blend of cognitive-behavorial, and family system therapies.
Dr. Kourakis earned her Masters Degree at the University of WI- Milwaukee. She relocated to Florida for graduate school, and completed her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Florida State University. Dr. Kourakis completed an internship at the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where she enjoyed working with veterans with diverse needs including, chronic pain, depression, anxiety and marital discord. She is passionate about helping her clients grow, discover their strengths, and develop coping skills. Dr. Kourakis’ work with PTA is supervised by Dr. Matthew Simon.
Dr. Monique Mendez, Psy.D.
Dr. Monique Mendez is a native South Floridian who earned her doctoral degree at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), where she worked predominately offering psychological testing and psychotherapy to at risk youth including incarcerated adolescents and juvenile sexual offenders. Throughout her training, Dr. Mendez has worked with a variety of populations, including children, adolescents, adults and families. She has provided individual and group therapy, as well as assessments in English or Spanish, for clients who are experiencing a range of mental health concerns. She has worked with individuals presenting with mood disorders, behavioral disorders, anxiety disorders, learning disorders, pervasive developmental delays, traumatic stress, substance abuse, and inappropriate sexual behaviors.
Dr. Mendez treats clients from a primarily Cognitive Behavioral approach, but she works to use a variety of techniques to help meet individual client needs. Dr. Mendez also has extensive experience completing forensic psychological assessments, including psychosexual, parental fitness, reunification, treatment recommendation, and disability evaluations, as well as evaluations that aid in determining child custody. Dr. Mendez's current clinical activities at PTA are supervised by Dr. Simon and Dr. Shah.
Dr. Lee Messina, Psy.D.
Dr. Messina received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Forensics at Nova Southeastern University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at a New York State psychiatric hospital, where she provided group and individual psychotherapy to clients who were experiencing mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse disorders, and schizophrenia.
Dr. Messina has extensive experience completing psychological testing evaluations with both children and adults. In fact, she has previously worked at PTA as a psychometrician while completing her doctoral degree. Dr. Messina has a special interest in conducting forensic evaluations and is well versed in testing for learning related disorders. Dr Messina is a well rounded clinician who excels in evaluation and testing for a wide range of academic and clinical problems.
Dr. Messina provides treatment for clients having difficulties with anger management, addiction, and relationship problems. She also has experience treating patients suffering from mood and anxiety disorders. Dr. Messina's therapeutic approach is individually tailored to meet client's specific needs. Treatment typically includes cognitive-behavioral strategies to reduce symptomatology and to develop coping skills. She strives to provide a comfortable environment that is supportive and non-judgmental. All of Dr. Messina's work is under direct supervision by Dr. Simon and Dr. Shah at PTA.