Dr. Manuel Garcia, MD is a Geriatric Psychiatrist practicing at our Miami, FL clinic. He is dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive Geriatric Psychiatric care for older adults, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing 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 committed to fostering a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care, ensuring patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. Currently, Dr. Garcia is not accepting new patients, but you can call (305) 551-2828 to inquire about waitlists or future openings.
Dr. Manuel Garcia, MD is a psychiatrist in Miami, FL with over 30 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from the Higher Institute Of Medical Sciences in 1993 and completed residency training in Geriatric Psychiatry at Jackson Memorial Hospital in 2010, specializing in the comprehensive medical care of older adults (typically age 65 and older). With this extensive experience, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. Dr. Garcia is Board Certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology and offers consultations in Spanish. He is a trusted partner in senior health, dedicated to providing the highest quality care to this important population. Please note that Dr. Garcia is not currently accepting new patients.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Manuel Garcia is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Garcia is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, offering comprehensive geriatric psychiatric care. He expertly addresses complex mental and behavioral conditions like depression, anxiety, and dementia, ensuring safe medication management and close collaboration with primary care physicians and other specialists. His person-centered approach prioritizes understanding individual needs and goals, creating a supportive plan to maximize well-being and independence for each patient.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Manuel Garcia can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- APCN Choice POS II
- Aetna
- Aetna HMO
- Ambetter
- AvMed
- Blue Card High Performance Network HPN
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- BlueCard PPO
- BlueCare HMO
- BlueOptions
- BlueSelect
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Choice
- Choice Large Group POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna PPO
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- FL Medical Providers
- Florida Blue
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- LocalPlus
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice PPO
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- Seamless HMO
- SimplyBlue
- Small Group Elect HMO
- Superior Health Plan
- SureFit South Florida
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Manuel Garcia 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:
- Schizoaffective Disorder: Schizoaffective disorder involves a blend of mental health challenges, including psychosis and mood disturbances, making daily functioning difficult; however, a psychiatrist can create a treatment plan to alleviate these symptoms and increase their quality of life.
- Prolonged Grief Disorder: Prolonged grief disorder is an intense and persistent sadness after a significant loss that interferes with daily life, but with professional help, including therapy and sometimes medication, you can learn to manage your grief and find a path toward healing.
- Tobacco Use Disorder: Tobacco use disorder is a serious condition where someone finds it hard to quit smoking despite wanting to, and it can be successfully managed with help from a doctor.
- Chronic Depression (Dysthymia): If you've been feeling down or hopeless for a considerable length of time, it might be chronic depression. It's treatable, and with a psychiatrist's help, you can develop a plan that includes medication, therapy, or a combination, to improve your mood and overall health.
- 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.
- Dementia: Dementia changes how a person thinks and behaves, but through medication, therapy, and support, it's possible to maintain a sense of independence and dignity for longer.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): If you're struggling with PTSD, you may experience intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbances, and emotional numbness stemming from a past trauma; working with a mental health professional can provide the support you need to heal and live more fully.
- Schizophrenia: Managing schizophrenia in later life involves a collaborative approach with a psychiatrist, using medication and therapy to ease symptoms like disorganized thinking and improve social interaction, promoting independence and a better quality of life.
- Alcohol-Induced Mental Disorders: If alcohol is affecting someone's mental state, a psychiatrist can provide support and guidance to reduce alcohol consumption and manage any related mental health challenges, leading to better emotional stability and independence.
- Anxiety: Anxiety in older adults is a treatable condition marked by excessive worry and nervousness, often managed with therapy, medication, or both, leading to a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
- Cocaine Addiction: If an older adult is struggling with cocaine use, a psychiatrist can provide a tailored treatment plan to address underlying issues contributing to the addiction and help them regain control of their life.
- Suicidal Ideation: Experiencing suicidal thoughts can feel overwhelming, but it's crucial to know that help is available; professional help can provide effective treatment, reducing these thoughts and paving the way for a more fulfilling life.
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. Manuel Garcia 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.
- Dementia or Depression Screening: By assessing for both dementia and depression, healthcare providers can identify and manage overlapping symptoms, optimizing the senior's well-being.
- Psychiatric Evaluation: A psychiatric evaluation helps your doctor understand your mental health concerns and develop a personalized treatment plan.
- Psychological Evaluation: By assessing your mental state, a psychological evaluation helps your doctor rule out or confirm underlying conditions, leading to faster relief and better outcomes.
- Psychological Evaluations Prior to Bariatric Surgery: Before bariatric surgery, a psychological evaluation helps ensure you're mentally and emotionally prepared for the significant lifestyle changes ahead.
- Opioid Antagonist Therapy: As part of a comprehensive care plan, opioid antagonist therapy can help manage the risks associated with opioid misuse or addiction in older adults.
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. Manuel Garcia 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:
- With personalized treatment, a senior experiencing schizoaffective disorder found relief from distressing symptoms, allowing them to reconnect with loved ones and enjoy familiar hobbies again.
- After years of profound sadness following the loss of her spouse, a senior felt a significant reduction in grief symptoms, allowing her to reconnect with her hobbies and rediscover joy in daily life. Her family felt a sense of relief and renewed hope for her future well-being.
- With the support of a compassionate professional, a senior felt empowered to quit smoking, leading to improved lung function and a renewed ability to enjoy outdoor walks with their grandchildren.
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
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- 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. Manuel Garcia:
- What is the difference between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist?
- Dr. Garcia, as a medical doctor, is uniquely qualified to prescribe and manage medications for mental health conditions. Psychologists, while experts in psychotherapy and testing, are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medication. Often, psychiatrists and psychologists work together to provide comprehensive care.
- How do you make sure a new psychiatric medication won't interfere with my other medications?
- Dr. Garcia has extensive training in how medications interact. A thorough review of all your current medications (a "polypharmacy review") is a core part of his practice. He works closely with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure any new treatment is both safe and effective.
- I thought Bipolar Disorder was a condition for younger people. Can it start later in life?
- Bipolar disorder can sometimes develop for the first time later in life. Managing it in older adults requires specialized expertise due to potential medication interactions and co-existing health conditions. Dr. Garcia has experience diagnosing and safely managing bipolar disorder in seniors.
- 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 a sense of well-being.
- What is TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)?
- TMS is a modern, non-invasive treatment for depression. It uses focused magnetic pulses to gently stimulate areas of the brain that are underactive in depression. The procedure is done in our office while you are awake and comfortable, and you can return to your normal activities immediately afterward.
- 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 considered addictive. For anxiety, some medications can be habit-forming, but Dr. Garcia will discuss the best, non-addictive options for long-term management. He prioritizes your safety and will discuss all options thoroughly.
- What is ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)? It sounds scary.
- ECT, or electroconvulsive therapy, is a safe and effective treatment for severe depression. It's a brief, controlled electrical stimulation of the brain, performed under general anesthesia, and is painless. It's a powerful tool, sometimes life-saving, for older adults with treatment-resistant depression.
- 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. 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.
1695 NW 110th Ave Ste 309
Miami FL 33172
Phone: (305) 551-2828
Dr. Manuel Garcia, 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): 1245487388
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. Manuel Garcia 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.