Mindfulness is about being intentionally grounded in the present moment, allowing yourself to manage one moment at a time, helping you place full attention to the here and now. Although the effects of mindfulness impact each person differently, for many, it allows them to address life stressors in a calmer, intentional way and improves their quality of life. For more information, click on the links below: The 7 Most Inspirational Mindfulness Ted Talks Psychology Today on Mindfulness Example scripts for mindfulness practice at the Center for Koru Mindfulness Our mindfulness group will teach participants mindfulness meditation techniques that can be particularly helpful in managing stress and anxiety. Group schedule and format Mindfulness group will run for 12 weeks. Groups will take place on Fridays from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. First group to start on May 6th, 2016. Groups consist of a brief educational piece related to mindfulness, followed by discussion and practice of mindfulness skills. Connect with individuals who share your struggles, fears, and interests in these weekly group therapy sessions. Cost $45 each session, pay as you go $40 each session, pay for 4 sessions at a time $35 each session, pay for the full 12-session course. Contact Us Some insurance companies are accepted. Call us at (954) 577-0095 for more information about the groups.

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Food addiction is a difficult battle that many people do not understand. It is like any other addiction, as it tests a person each day and it is a constant struggle to avoid temptation. Many people that suffer from food addiction do not know why they want to eat when they do or why they eat what they do. Many food addicts consume food when they encounter stress, anger, sadness, or other emotions. Dr. Lisa Saponaro, PhD. provides therapy for weight loss in Plantation, Florida, as well as, food addiction. Dr. Saponaro understands weight loss frustration personally. She experienced her own weight loss battle. Her personal experience with weight loss combined with her professional training as a licensed psychologist, enables her to meet people where they are in their food addiction and help them understand why they behave and feel the way they do. She then teaches them how to change negative emotions, thoughts, and behavior for growth and personal goal achievement. Use Therapy to Achieve Weight Loss in Plantation, Florida Food and weight loss are intertwined. As human beings, we need food for survival, health, and every day bodily processes. When we eat food as a means of dealing with stressful situations or uncomfortable emotions, we create a negative relationship with food that hurts us emotionally and physically. Dr. Saponaro uses therapy to help her clients to see food as a positive and necessary part of life. She also helps them to learn coping skills and stress management techniques that help them avoid abusing food when triggers occur. When a person is able to eat food in a healthy way and make nutritious food choices they are better able to reach their weight loss goals. Therapy can help an individual to overcome food addiction and achieve weight loss in Plantation, Florida. Therapy for Food Addiction in Plantation, Florida Food addiction and obesity carries a stigma in society. People battling food addiction and excessive weight can feel embarrassed, ashamed, and defeated. Dr. Saponaro has the tools needed to gain control over these areas of concern. She educates, supports, encourages, and guides each client on his or her own personal journey towards self-discovery, healing, and happiness. Food addiction does not have to control your life. Take charge of your life, beat food addiction, and win the weight loss battle with therapy from Dr. Lisa Saponaro, PhD. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Saponaro, please call (954) 590-0501. Understanding our strengths and weaknesses is the first step toward making meaningful changes. Take a free screening below to identify your areas of growth. Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating Test Diet and Weight Loss Test Emotional Eating Test Exercise IQ Test Fitness IQ Test Nutrition IQ Test Goal-Setting Skills Test

Understanding our strengths and weaknesses is the first step toward making meaningful changes. Take a free screening below to identify your areas of growth.

Children are similar to adults in that they experience stress, frustration, and disappointment. Recent studies suggest that parents underestimate the amount of stress in their children’s lives (APA Stress Survey: Children are more stressed than parents realize). The thoughts and feelings associated with life challenges may lead child to display social, emotional, behavioral problems. Some warning signs that your child may be having problems include: a drop in grades, school conduct referrals, social, withdrawal, moodiness, unrealistic worry and engagement in high risk behaviors such as alcohol with drug use. Parents who want to discover why your child acts out can seek answers from a caring child therapist, Lisa Saponaro, PhD. Dr. Saponaro is an expert in child behavior. She provides an understanding and supportive environment that enables a child to speak freely about his or her fears, feelings, and emotions and help you to discover the root causes of social, emotional, and behavioral problems and replace them with positive coping skills. Plantation Child Psychologist Dr. Lisa Saponaro, PhD is a Florida licensed child psychologist who specializes in family and child therapy. She builds a relationship with each client and gains insight into why an individual thinks and behaves the way they do. Once she discovers this she can help the client (child and parents) understand the root cause of the negative behavior and how to make behavior changes that will improve family communication and household balance. Children may act out because they are seeking attention, control, independence and approval, stressors, such as changes in family dynamics, grief and trauma can erode a person’s coping mechanisms and highlight the need for help. Plantation Children's Counseling Plantation child therapist, Dr. Lisa Saponaro, provides individual and family therapy. She can meet with family members together and separately in order to gain insight into family dynamics and communication styles. She can utilize the family’s strengths and help them work through problem areas. She can teach them how to build stronger bonds and positive communication skills. Children and families often lack the communication skills to properly express their thoughts and emotions. Dr. Saponaro can help them improve this area for personal growth and a return to peaceful and happy family relationships. To schedule therapy sessions for children with behavioral, social, or emotional problems call (954) 560-9567.

The winter season can bring with it stress, sorrow, and anxiety. Instead of focusing on gifting and baking, take some time to focus on your personal mental health. Psychotherapy, also know as talk therapy can help people to overcome obstacles, gain insight into negative behavior and eliminate self defeating patterns in order to make positive changes for improved mental health. Complete the year with a greater sense of self-confidence and personal growth with Plantation counseling services. Plantation Florida Counselor As the days grow short, the weather becomes challenging, and stress builds, this time of year can leave many people feeling overwhelmed. Counseling can help clients to improve communication skills, relationships, and self-image. Dr. Lisa Saponaro, PhD. is a Plantation, FL Psychologist who helps people to enjoy more peaceful and balanced lives. She provides guidance, support, and expertise as her clients take this journey of self-discovery and personal goals. She serves clients from Plantation (33326, 33324, 33325) and the surrounding areas of Sunrise and Davie Florida. Couples and Family Counseling Plantation Dr. Saponaro is a licensed clinical psychologist that provides psychological testing, individual therapy, couples counseling in Plantation, family counseling, and group therapy. She has had great success in helping clients to overcome substance abuse, family issues, and relationship concerns. Dr. Lisa Saponaro, PhD. Performs counseling services from her private practice located off University Drive in Plantation Florida. Her office provides an understanding and supportive environment, where she is able to help her clients identify their strengths, overcome obstacles, and reach personal growth. ANXIETY AND STRESS TESTS Understanding our strengths and weaknesses is the first step toward making meaningful changes. Take a free screening below to identify your areas of growth. Mental Health Assessment Anxiety Test Depression Test What are your stress triggers? Coping and Stress Management Skills Test

ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurobehavioral, developmental disorder that consists of attention problems and hyperactivity. ADHD is the most commonly studied and diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children. According to the National Institute of Mental Health two million have ADHD. This means that in a typical classroom at least one child has ADHD. Child Warning Signs of ADHD According to the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry the following may be some of the signs a child will display if he or she has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Has trouble paying attention Has trouble sleeping Easily distracted Has trouble finishing assignments at home and at school Has trouble listening Has trouble following multiple adult requests Is squirmy or fidgets a lot Cannot sit still, jumps out of seat to run or climb Seems "on the go" or "busy" all the time Talks a lot and interrupts others Has trouble playing quietly ADHD Diagnosis Dr. Lisa Saponaro uses ADHD testing as a useful tool in determining if a student’s academic difficulties are the result of an attention problem, behavioral problem or underlying emotional issue. ADHD testing may include parent and teacher questionnaires, self-report measures, tests of attention, and personality inventories. This type of testing is often conducted in conjunction with some psychoeducational testing so that a more thorough and individually tailored academic plan can be recommended. Psychoeducational testing is often recommended when a child is struggling to keep up with academic demands, has been retained, or appears to have unusual difficulty with a specific subject. Psychoeducational testing is used to diagnose learning disabilities and provide recommendations for educational planning and special testing accommodations. ADHD Counseling There are multiple types of counseling or ADHD therapy that can benefit both the ADHD child as well as the parents of an ADHD child. Individual therapy using cognitive-behavioral approaches can be very helpful in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD. Teaching the ADHD child how to solve problems, and decreasing impulsivity are targeted goals. Teaching the Attention Deficit Disorder - ADHD child how to monitor his or her own behaviors provides a sense of accomplishment and source of positive self esteem to the child. Family Therapy can help both parents and children providing knowledge of ADHD such as what to expect and what adjustments might be required. Family therapy for ADHD can also help soothe family tension or sibling jealousy as the ADHD child is likely to receive an abundacne of attention from the parents, both good attention and bad creating this jealousy. ADHD counseling can be found in West Broward Florida through the expertise of Dr. Lisa Saponaro of Plantation Florida 33324. Dr. Lisa Saponaro has extensive experience helping families set up, execute and find improvement in their child’s behaviors. By utilizing evidence based behavioral interventions she helps parents choose the optimal parenting strategies for the targeted area and works to individualize each plan of treatment to the family and their unique strengths. Understanding our strengths and weaknesses is the first step toward making meaningful changes. Take a free screening below to identify your areas of growth. ADHD/Attention Deficit Disorder Test Attention Span Test Concentration & Focus Skills Test Organization Skills Test (Personal Life Version) Organization Skills Test (For Students and Workers) Procrastination Test Time Management Test

A study that was done by the Anxiety Disorder Resource Center found that approximately one-third of American adults have at least one anxiety or panic attack in their lifetimes. This startling data means that an anxiety disorder is the most common emotional disorder and is more common than alcohol abuse or depression. Anxiety is the unpleasant feeling of uneasiness, apprehension, fear or worry that the body naturally feels as a reaction to stress. When anxiety becomes excessive, it is perceived as uncontrollable or unavoidable by the client and interferes with functioning, this level of anxiety may be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder. The term "anxiety disorders" encompasses several clinical conditions. Some specific anxiety disorders include: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) Panic Disorder Social Phobia Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Separation Anxiety Specific Phobias Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD