About Dr. Smalheiser

Dr. Lisa Smalheiser is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Florida. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a specialization in Forensic Psychology. Dr. Smalheiser utilizes an integrative approach to treatment combining both cognitive behavioral and self-empowerment/motivational interviewing strategies. She prides herself in tailoring treatment to the specific needs of each and every individual, as there are no two people exactly alike. Additionally she has worked with children, adolescents and adults experiencing mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, psychosis, PTSD, personality disorders, substance abuse, self-esteem, stress management and anger management difficulties. Dr. Smalheiser also has extensive experience providing psychological testing evaluations to both adults and children. You will find her to be sincere, compassionate, and a wealth of knowledge.

Dr. Smalheiser completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Los Angeles County Detention Center through the Forensic Inpatient Program, where she provided psychiatric evaluations, crisis intervention, individual and group therapy, recreational and occupational therapy, and evaluation for involuntary hospitalization for inmates with serious mental illness. She then went on to complete her post-doctoral psychology fellowship at the Adult Outpatient Treatment Facility through Jackson Memorial Hospital at the Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital, where she provided psychotherapy (i.e. assessment, consultation, direct clinical care) and psychological testing (i.e. cognitive, neuropsychological, personality) to a diverse and multicultural population. Concurrently, she worked with the Miami-Dade Pre-Trial Detention Center as part of her fellowship in order to provide incarcerated individuals with mental health treatment services while awaiting trial. She has completed the Florida Forensic Examiner Training.

In addition to her Clinical work, Dr. Smalheiser is a CrossFit Coach. She is an advocate of the beneficial use of exercise, sport, and physical activity in improving one’s overall quality of life. She strives to educate others on the parallel between mental health and physical health and aims to incorporate holistic approaches stressing the mind-body connection in treatment when suitable. She supports the use of regular exercise as a viable alternative to psychopharmacology and a good complementary strategy to implement in conjunction with psychotherapy. Exercise can alleviate depression and anxiety by providing individuals with a sense of accomplishment from completing a meaningful activity, has positive effects on the brain by normalizing sleep patterns, and causes increases in serotonin that can naturally reduce depression and anxiety. Dr. Smalheiser has seen positive effects in both athletes and non-athletes, and hopes to promote an understanding in the general population of how participation in sport, exercise and physical activity affects an individual's psychological development, health and well-being throughout the lifespan.