Elena Perea, MD

Dr. Laura Mayol is double-boarded in child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 12 years. Dr. Mayol practice focuses on medication management, which is offered in conjunction with supportive therapy offered in 30 min visit follow-up visits. However occasionally Dr. Mayolmay believe additional therapy is needed and ask you to bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

Dr. Mayol received her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She completed her residency in adult psychiatry at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. She pursued her fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Florida, in Gainesville. After completing training, Dr. Mayol worked with children and adult in a variety settings including Community Mental Health Centers and hospitals, providing both inpatient and outpatient services.

Dr. Mayol then became a Clinical Assistant Professor for the University of Florida Department of Psychiatry and provided clinical services for UF Student Mental Health at the Counseling and Wellness Center. While treating a wide variety of patients, her clinical focus has been on treating adolescents and young adults with mood and anxiety disorders

Dr. Upton Thomas is a board-certified psychiatrist who takes a warm, collaborative, and evidence-based approach to care. With a focus on treating mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, and substance use, he integrates psychopharmacology and psychotherapy to support patients in achieving meaningful change. He brings curiosity, creativity, and a deep respect for each individual’s story to his clinical work.

Patients often find Dr. Thomas easy to talk to and appreciate his calm, thoughtful demeanor. He emphasizes shared decision-making and believes that treatment works best when the patient’s values and voice are at the center. Dr. Thomas aims to create a safe space for honest dialogue and ongoing reflection as treatment evolves.

Dr. Thomas begins with a comprehensive evaluation to understand each patient’s mental health history, current concerns, and goals. He then develops an individualized treatment plan that may include medication, therapy, or both. He prefers to use the lowest effective dose of medications and often integrates psychotherapeutic strategies such as CBT, DBT, or insight-oriented work into his sessions.

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Dr. Jackie Long is an adult psychiatrist who recently completed her residency at the Institute of Living. During her training, she received extensive training caring for a diverse patient population in a variety of settings including emergency, inpatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient settings.

Dr. Long blends clinical expertise with a holistic, thoughtful approach individually tailored to each patient’s needs. At the core of Dr. Long’s approach is a belief that healing is most effective when it is collaborative, personalized, and grounded in a strong therapeutic relationship.

Dr. Long provides medication management combined with supportive therapy. She treats a variety of patients with a focus in mood and anxiety disorders and has a clinical interest in cross cultural psychiatry.

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Dr. Patricia de la Cabada earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Central Florida/HCA Consortium in Gainesville, where she served as outpatient chief resident and received the Excellence in Psychotherapy award. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Florida and has experience in outpatient, inpatient, and consult-liaison psychiatry. Dr. de la Cabada is fluent in Spanish and has special interests in OCD, depression, perinatal depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and PTSD.

Dr. de la Cabada approaches care with empathy and compassion, creating a warm, supportive environment. She values strong therapeutic relationships and uses a holistic lens that considers lifestyle and psychosocial factors. Her collaborative, patient-centered style focuses on creating personalized treatment plans.

She begins with a thorough history and discussion of concerns and goals. Treatment plans include medication management, supportive therapy, and lifestyle strategies, with follow-up visits to monitor progress and adapt care as needed.

Dr. Varma grew up in an immigrant family surrounded by aspiring doctors, and her passion for understanding the human mind and behavior blossomed early. This curiosity led her to pursue extensive medical training abroad, beginning at Kasturba Medical College in Southern India, followed by clerkships at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. She completed her Adult psychiatry residency at the University of Florida in Gainesville and specialized further with a child/adolescent fellowship at Brookdale University Hospital in Brooklyn, NY.

Dr. Varma believes in a holistic, integrative approach to mental health. Her philosophy centers on identifying the root causes of ailments rather than merely addressing symptoms. She views mental health care as a partnership, where the mind, body, and spirit work together to achieve wellness. Dr. Varma is committed to fostering a safe, confidential therapeutic alliance to help you explore your potential for healing.

Dr. Varma embraces integrative psychiatry, which combines the best of conventional Western medicine with complementary approaches. This involves a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment tailored to each individual, incorporating psychopharmacology alongside lifestyle adjustments in diet, movement, and breathwork. She collaborates with therapists and other professionals to create a well-rounded treatment plan that honors your unique journey.

Dr. Carter chose the field of psychiatry with the goal of empowering her patients and equipping them with the skills and tools to improve their mental health. She strives to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where patients feel heard and supported. She strives to destigmatize mental illness and normalize seeking help when struggling. Her passion for psychiatry stems from a deep interest in connecting with people and understanding their unique stories.

Dr. Carter believes the patient-physician relationship should be a partnership, built on trust, empathy, and shared goals. She encourages honesty, collaboration, and open communication, and believes there are no wrong questions, and your voice matters. She encourages questions and feedback and tailors care to each person’s goals, comfort level, and pace.

Dr. Carter wants to get to know the whole person, not just their symptoms. Together, she works with patients to create a personalized and thoughtful treatment plan that may include therapy, lifestyle support, and/or medication, always with room to adjust based on your evolving needs and preferences.

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