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Consultation Liaison Psychiatrist

Clara Alvarez Villalba MD, FAPA

Consultation Liaison Psychiatrist

Dr. Clara Alvarez Villalba is a highly accomplished triple board-certified psychiatrist with extensive experience spanning several critical areas of mental health. Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology, Addiction Medicine, and Psychosomatic Medicine, Dr. Alvarez's expertise underscores her commitment to comprehensive patient care.

English & Spanish

About Me

Dr. Alvarez completed her residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Hospital in Bronx, NY, affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College, where she excelled and was appointed Chief Resident in 2007. Furthering her specialization, she pursued a fellowship in Consultation Psychiatr at North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, affiliated with Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in 2008.

Throughout her career, Dr. Alvarez has held significant leadership roles, including Medical Director, Training Director, and Chair at prestigious institutions in Florida. She is recognized for her dedication to compassionate, ethical standards and advocacy for superior patient care. Her professional journey includes serving as Outpatient Medical Director at Memorial Regional Hospital in Broward County and Jackson Memorial Hospital- University of Miami in Miami Dade County, FL. Additionally, Dr. Alvarez was an Assistant Professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and an Attending Psychiatrist at Roosevelt Hospital in collaboration with Columbia University in 2008.

Dr. Alvarez's research interests are diverse, with notable contributions as Principal Investigator for Deep Brain Stimulation protocols for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder patients, in collaboration with the Neurology and Neurosurgery departments at the University of Miami. Dedicated to continuous learning, Dr. Alvarez obtained a certification in Artificial Intelligence from UC Berkeley in 2021. She was elected Councilor of the Florida Psychiatry Society in 2024, advocating for medical and mental healthcare education and strict patient safety standards.

Dr. Alvarez's clinical interests in consultation psychiatry, healthy aging, women’s health, and collaborative medicine reflect her holistic approach to patient care. She emphasizes personalized treatment plans that integrate the latest innovations in mental health with traditional methodologies, always tailored to individual patient needs.

Philosophy & Approach

Dr. Alvarez's approach to mental health care is holistic, addressing the interconnected aspects of mind, body, and spirit. Her practice integrates cutting-edge treatments with a patient-centered focus, emphasizing collaboration across medical specialties and providers to optimize patient outcomes.

Believing in the power of compassionate, empathetic care, Dr. Alvarez's philosophy centers on enhancing overall wellness and promoting healing, success, performance and happiness through evidence-based practices. She is committed to advancing psychiatry, improving patient care, and shaping the future of the prevention of chronic disease and medical wellness.

Medical Education & Training.

Medical School

Residency

Fellowship

Licensed In

Memberships

Medical School: MD Program, Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Senora del Rosario (1994)

Psychiatry, Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Weill Cornell Medical College Academic Affiliate (2007)

Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Albert Einstein Medical College Academic Affiliate (2008)

Florida & New York

American Psychiatric Association, Florida Psychiatric Association, Obesity Medicine Association, American Board of Addiction Medicine, American College of Lifestyle Medicine, International Society of Reproductive Medicine

Awards, Recognitions & Honors

2024 - Councilor Committee Member, Florida Psychiatry Society

2019 - Articles & Bylaws Committee Member, Florida Psychiatric Society

2015 - Leadership Development Cohort, Memorial Health System

2014 - FAPA Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association

2013 - Best Senior Teacher Award, Psychiatry Residency, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami

2011 - APBN Psychiatry Oral Board Examiner

2007 - Outstanding Resident Award, NY Lincoln Hospital

2006 – Chief Resident, NY Lincoln Hospital

2005 - Best Resident Teacher Award, Weill Medical College of Cornell University

2004 - Women’s History Month Award, Generations + Northern Manhattan Health Network, NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation

1998 - Scholarship- Postgraduate Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics, International Institute on Aging, United Nations - Malta

As a Consultation Liaison Psychiatrist, there is a wide range of conditions we are equipped to treat, and provide comprehensive care that addresses both physical and mental health needs such as :

Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobias
Mood Disorders: Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder)
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders: Somatic Symptom Disorder, Illness Anxiety Disorder, Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)
Neurocognitive Disorders: Dementia (including Alzheimer's Disease), Delirium
Eating Disorders: Bulimia Nervosa, Binge-Eating Disorder
Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Restless Legs Syndrome
Stress-Related Disorders: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Acute Stress Disorder, Adjustment Disorders
Chronic Pain and Psychiatric Symptoms: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Perinatal and Reproductive Psychiatry: Postpartum Depression, Perinatal Anxiety Disorders, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), Infertility, Menopause, PCOs
Medical-Psychiatric Conditions: Depression and Anxiety in Chronic Illness (e.g., cancer, heart disease), Psychiatric symptoms related to endocrinological disorders (e.g., thyroid dysfunction), Psychological impact of chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, HIV/AIDS)
Consultation and Management in Acute Medical Settings: Psychiatric complications in Intensive Care Units (ICU), Psychiatric aspects of organ transplantation, End-of-life care and psychiatric support
Behavioral Medicine: Coping with chronic illnesses, Lifestyle modifications for disease prevention, Men and Women’s Health, Grief, Bariatric Surgery Psychiatric Clearance, Geriatric Psychiatry, Healthy Aging, Psych-Oncology, and Anxiety related to Rheumatological Diseases.

Women’s Health & Reproductive Mental Health

Our Women's Health Services are designed to address the unique mental health needs that women face throughout different stages of their lives. We understand that women's experiences, from adolescence through menopause and beyond, are influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. Our goal is to support women in achieving optimal mental well-being through personalized, evidence-based treatments and holistic care.

Services We Offer:

1. Reproductive Mental Health: Perinatal and Postpartum Care.

2.Fertility and Infertility Counseling.

3.Menstrual-Related Disorders.

4.Menopause and Perimenopause: Transition Support.

5. Trauma and Abuse Survivors: Trauma-Informed Care.

6. Body Image and Eating Disorders: Comprehensive care for women struggling with body image issues and eating disorders.

We empower our patients with knowledge and skills to take control of their mental health. Through education and support, we help women understand their conditions and the available treatments, fostering a sense of agency and confidence in their care.

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