Dr. Lisa Saponaro is a South Florida native with a private psychology practice in her hometown of Plantation, Florida. Dr. Saponaro obtained her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University where she continues to teach as adjunct faculty training future therapists. Dr. Saponaro started her career working with youth and families before going on to obtain a doctorate in Counseling Psychology at The University of Memphis. Following concentrated studies in addictions, psychological diagnostics and evaluation, youth and family services and community mental health, Dr. Saponaro returned to Broward County. She resumed work locally providing assessments to children in foster care, group therapy to chemically dependent adults and individual and family therapy to the community at large before starting her career in private practice.
Lisa Saponaro is licensed by the state of Florida as a clinical psychologist (PY7494). She has been in practice for 20 years and is proud to have grown her practice into collaborative treatment environment. Dr. Saponaro is the owner of the Center for Psychological Growth and Wellness where she provides direct services to children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. She provides individual, couples and family psychotherapy as well as psychological testing in her private practice. Dr. Saponaro is experienced in treating a variety of clinical concerns including: anxiety, depression, addictions, behavioral problems, ADHD, Autism, eating disorders, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, stress, grief, life transitions, gender related issues, relationship problems, family communication, complex presentations, dual diagnoses and more.
Dr. Saponaro values diversity and understands the impact that our social environment plays in our wellbeing. She has worked to recruit a diverse team with the hopes that you will find a good fit for your care in her practice. Dr. Saponaro explores aspects of clients social lives in therapy such as culture, religion/ spirituality, gender and sexuality related issues, discrimination, work, relationships, and other factors contributing to our identity and wellbeing.
Dr. Saponaro utilizes a variety of treatment approaches when working with patients. She works to establish a warm and supportive environment that places the client in charge of determining goals. She takes time to get to know each patient and understand their unique strengths and challenges as part of a collaborative treatment planning process. Dr. Saponaro relies on research to drive her clinical choices and works with each client to help them achieve their treatment goals. By facilitating an understanding and supportive environment, Dr. Saponaro helps clients identify their strengths, overcome obstacles in their path, and reach their potential for personal growth. With support clients develop resilience and flourish with mental wellness habits. Dr. Saponaro believes if we nourish, you flourish and has made this the motto at the Center for Psychological Growth and Wellness.
Dr. Saponaro has presented at national conferences and to general audiences on topics including: wellbeing, stress management, mental health, sleep hygiene, avoiding burnout, coping with depression, setting realistic goals, managing anxiety, coping with ADHD, improving time management, reading nonverbal communication, improving relationships, diagnosing learning disabilities, breaking bad habits, building resilience, family strengthening, navigating divorce, resolving trauma and more. Dr. Saponaro has been a guest speaker at the Firefighters mental health collaborative, U.S. Coast Guard base Miami, local and national business, schools and volunteer organizations such as the Girl Scouts of America. Dr. Saponaro enjoys educating the community on ways psychology can improve lives.
Professional Activities and Memberships:
-American Psychological Association Member since 1997
-Council for the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology since 2005
-National Association of Divorce Professionals founding member since 2017