Dr. Joachim Benitez, MD is a Geriatric Psychiatrist practicing at our Lakeland, FL clinic, dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive Geriatric Psychiatric care for older adults. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Geriatric psychiatrists are specialized mental health doctors who expertly manage complex mental and behavioral conditions in older adults, such as depression, anxiety, and dementia, safely prescribing and managing medications while collaborating closely with primary care physicians and other healthcare providers. He serves older adults (typically age 65 and older) and is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (863) 680-7000 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Joachim Benitez, MD is a psychiatrist in Lakeland, FL with over 15 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from St. Luke's College of Medicine in 2005 and is affiliated with New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. With over 15 years of dedicated experience in Geriatric Psychiatric care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from St. Luke's College Of Medicine in 2005 and is Board Certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology. His approach to care emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. Dr. Benitez offers consultations in Tagalog.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Joachim Benitez is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Benitez acts as a compassionate and dedicated partner in navigating the unique health challenges of aging. His comprehensive geriatric psychiatric care focuses on understanding each senior's individual needs, expertly managing mental and behavioral conditions like depression and anxiety, while safely prescribing and coordinating care with other healthcare professionals. This collaborative approach ensures a holistic, person-centered plan that prioritizes both mental well-being and overall health and independence.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Joachim Benitez can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Cigna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Anthem
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- HealthyBlue 2.0
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- LocalPlus
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Joachim Benitez provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Hypochondriasis: Hypochondriasis, or health anxiety, involves excessive worry about having a serious illness, even when medical tests show otherwise, and a psychiatrist can help manage this worry through therapy and sometimes medication, improving your peace of mind.
- Chronic Depression (Dysthymia): Chronic depression, also known as dysthymia, is a persistent low mood that lasts for at least two years, making everyday life feel challenging, but with the right support and treatment, you can find ways to manage it and live a more fulfilling life.
- Cyclothymia (Chronic Mood Disorder): Experiencing unpredictable mood changes, neither severely high nor severely low, could indicate cyclothymia. Working with a psychiatrist can provide a tailored treatment approach using medication and/or therapy to lessen the impact of these mood fluctuations on your daily life.
- Psychosis Due to Mental Illness: Hallucinations or firmly held beliefs that aren't true (psychosis) can be distressing. A psychiatrist can create a safe treatment plan, including medication and therapy, that enables someone to live more comfortably and independently.
- Schizophreniform and Schizoaffective Disorder: If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms such as persistent delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized thinking, it's crucial to seek a psychiatric evaluation. Early diagnosis and treatment of schizophreniform or schizoaffective disorder are key to stabilizing symptoms and promoting long-term well-being.
- Tobacco Use Disorder: Many older adults who smoke want to quit but struggle. A healthcare professional can provide support, medication, and counseling to overcome this challenge.
- Mood Disorders (Dysthymia and Cyclothymia): If you're struggling with ongoing low mood or noticeable mood swings, these may be symptoms of dysthymia or cyclothymia. A psychiatrist's expertise can lead to effective treatment plans to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Experiencing a traumatic event can lead to PTSD, characterized by flashbacks, avoidance of reminders of the event, and intense emotional distress; a psychiatrist can offer therapy, medication, or a combination to help you manage these symptoms and rebuild your life.
- Schizoaffective Disorder: Schizoaffective disorder is a challenging condition combining symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or disorganized thinking, with symptoms of a mood disorder like depression or mania, and treatment focuses on managing these symptoms to improve daily life.
- Drug and Alcohol Dependence: Many older adults find themselves struggling with substance dependence, often due to underlying mental health concerns or life stressors; however, professional treatment can effectively address these issues, leading to increased happiness and a stronger sense of well-being.
- Panic Disorder: Panic disorder can make it challenging to leave the house or engage in daily activities, but with professional help, you can learn coping mechanisms and develop strategies to better manage symptoms and remain independent.
- Nondependent Drug and Alcohol Abuse: Even without a full-blown addiction, problematic substance use can negatively impact an older adult's mental and physical well-being, relationships, and independence, and a psychiatrist can help manage this.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Joachim Benitez offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Alcohol or Substance Misuse Screening and Counseling: Counseling for alcohol or substance misuse is a supportive step in managing mental health conditions and improving overall well-being in older adults.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a valuable tool for seniors experiencing behavioral changes related to dementia, helping them develop strategies to adapt.
- Couples Therapy: Couples therapy can help older adults and their partners improve communication and manage relationship challenges impacting mental well-being.
- Dementia or Depression Screening: This screening helps differentiate between dementia and depression, leading to more accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment strategies.
- Family Psychotherapy: This therapy involves family members to address challenges related to a senior's mental health, improving communication and coping mechanisms.
- Group Psychotherapy: As part of a holistic care plan, group therapy provides seniors with a safe space to discuss their feelings and experiences, improving communication and emotional regulation.
- Psychiatric Evaluation: A psychiatric evaluation helps your doctor understand your mental health concerns and develop a personalized treatment plan.
- Psychological Evaluation: A psychological evaluation helps your psychiatrist understand your mental health concerns and develop a personalized treatment plan.
- Psychological Evaluations Prior to Bariatric Surgery: This evaluation helps doctors create a comprehensive care plan by identifying any underlying mental health conditions that might affect your surgery outcome.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Geriatric Psychiatrists in Florida.
Dr. Joachim Benitez is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- Mrs. Rodriguez's worry about her health lessened significantly, allowing her to enjoy a more peaceful and secure home environment. She felt more confident in her ability to manage her health concerns and resumed her beloved knitting hobby.
- With consistent support and treatment, a senior felt less burdened by the persistent low mood, and was able to rediscover joy in spending time with loved ones, leading to a significantly improved quality of life.
- A senior, struggling with unpredictable mood swings, found a significant reduction in these fluctuations with a tailored treatment plan. This allowed her to reconnect with her favorite hobby, painting, and enjoy more stable emotional well-being.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Psychiatry)
Here are answers to some common questions about Geriatric Psychiatric care with Dr. Joachim Benitez:
- What is the difference between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist?
- Dr. Benitez, a psychiatrist, is an MD who can prescribe medications. Psychologists, on the other hand, have a doctorate in psychology and specialize in therapy and testing, but are not able to prescribe medication. Often, psychiatrists and psychologists work collaboratively to provide comprehensive care.
- How do you make sure a new psychiatric medication won't interfere with my other medications?
- Dr. Benitez has extensive training in how medications interact. A thorough review of all your current medications (a "polypharmacy review") is a core part of our practice. We coordinate closely with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure any new treatment is both safe and effective.
- What is ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)? It sounds scary.
- ECT, or electroconvulsive therapy, is a safe and effective medical procedure that uses a brief, controlled electrical stimulation of the brain under general anesthesia. It's a powerful treatment option for severe depression that hasn't responded to other therapies, and can be life-saving for older adults. Modern ECT is painless and performed with advanced safety measures.
- Do you only prescribe medication, or do you also provide therapy?
- Dr. Benitez provides both medication management and psychotherapy. Many of our best treatment plans combine both approaches to address both the biological and emotional aspects of mental health conditions.
- I've felt 'down' for a while, but isn't depression just a normal part of getting older?
- Persistent sadness is not a normal part of aging. Late-life depression is a treatable medical condition, not a personal failing. Symptoms like loss of interest, poor sleep, and low energy can be effectively managed with medication and therapy, restoring well-being.
- I have anxiety but I'm worried about taking tranquilizers like Xanax or Valium.
- We understand your concern about taking benzodiazepines. These medications are used very cautiously in older adults due to potential risks. Fortunately, there are many other highly effective and safer long-term options for anxiety, including antidepressants and therapy. Our goal is to manage your anxiety safely and effectively.
- Are psychiatric medications addictive? I'm worried about taking them.
- It's understandable to be concerned about medication addiction. While some psychiatric medications can cause physical dependence, most modern antidepressants and mood stabilizers are not addictive. Some anxiety medications can be habit-forming, but Dr. Benitez will discuss all options and prioritize your safety.
- I thought Bipolar Disorder was a condition for younger people. Can it start later in life?
- While Bipolar Disorder often begins in younger adulthood, it can sometimes present for the first time later in life. Managing it in seniors requires special expertise due to potential medication interactions and co-existing health issues. Dr. Benitez has extensive experience in diagnosing and safely managing this condition in the geriatric population.
1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd
Lakeland FL 33805
Phone: (863) 680-7000
Dr. Joachim Benitez, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1114990330
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Geriatric Psychiatrists like Dr. Joachim Benitez are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.