Tampa Bay Evidence-Based Therapy

Our Team: Adina Aldea, Ph.D.; Vicki Tangney, LCSW; Rafael Harris, Psy.D. Scroll down for information on each clinician. We are licensed to provide telehealth therapy throughout the United States ([https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap]. ___________________________________ MIRELA (ADINA) ALDEA, Ph.D. EDUCATION AND CAREER BACKGROUND Dr. Aldea earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 2007. She completed a pre-doctoral internship at the University Counseling Center at Florida State University and a post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University of Florida’s Obsessive-Compulsive Program. Dr. Aldea started her career as an assistant professor at the University of South Florida’s Department of Pediatrics, Rothman Center of Neuropsychiatry. In this role, she conducted clinical research and provided individual and family evidence-based therapy for adults, adolescents, and children with obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, and other conditions. During her tenure at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center, Dr. Aldea founded and managed a program specializing in the assessment and treatment of OCD, anxiety disorders, and comorbid conditions in veterans. She then served as the Chief of the Collaborative Addictions Recovery Services (CARS) at Providence VA and Clinical Director at Rogers Behavioral Health, where she oversaw all aspects of clinical operations. In addition to direct clinical services, Dr. Aldea is passionate about clinical research, training, and supervision of peers and younger colleagues in evidence-based treatments. She has served in various consultant and subject matter expert roles, including for the Veterans Health Administration National Evidence Based Psychotherapy Program and the VA Center of Innovation. Dr. Aldea has a strong background in academic research and scholarly writing, contributing to professional books, peer-reviewed journal publications, presentations, invited talks, and conference proceedings. CLINICAL EXPERIENCE AND APPROACH With close to 20 years of experience, Dr. Aldea is trained and well-versed in a range of evidence-based psychotherapies and interventions for different mental health concerns and developmental issues across the lifespan. She specializes in the evaluation and evidence-based treatment of OCD, anxiety-related disorders, trichotillomania, excoriation disorder, trauma, pain, and co-occurring conditions in adults, children, and adolescents. The evidence-based interventions she offers include exposure and response prevention, prolonged exposure, general and specialized cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT; e.g., CBT-Pain, CBT-Insomnia, CBT-Depression), habit reversal training (HRT), cognitive processing therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Dr. Aldea provides highly individualized evidence-based treatment to meet the unique needs and specific presenting concerns of each person she works with. She has a strong background in outcome-informed treatment and utilizes standardized measures and client feedback to monitor treatment response and optimize treatment plans. _____________________________________ VICKI TANGNEY, LCSW EDUCATION AND CAREER BACKGROUND Vicki Tangney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over two decades of experience in mental health and social services. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of South Florida. Vicki began her career in human services, working with children and family court-ordered intervention programs and victim advocacy. She then transitioned into the mental health field, serving in various roles at a VA medical center, including case management for returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. Her experience with Veterans suffering from trauma inspired her to specialize in trauma-informed care and holistic healing. CLINICAL EXPERIENCE AND APPROACH For the past 11 years, Vicki has worked as a mental health counselor, addressing a wide range of mental health concerns and continually expanding her therapeutic skills. She has helped many individuals cope with life-altering experiences, including assault, war, health struggles, and relationship difficulties. Vicki specializes in evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for sleep, pain, and depression, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for depression and anxiety, and trauma-informed therapies (CPT and PE). She believes in a holistic approach to mental health, integrating evidence-based practices for individualized care and treatment planning. Vicki is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel empowered to achieve their mental health goals. __________________________________ RAFAEL HARRIS, Psy.D. EDUCATION AND CAREER BACKGROUND Rafael began his graduate studies with a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1995. He then earned a second master's degree in Clinical Psychology and a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree, both from the Florida Institute of Technology, in 1999. Following his education, Rafael spent 10 years working in university counseling centers, where he focused on addressing students' mental health concerns to support their academic success and personal development. For the past 16 years, he has served as a clinical psychologist and Evidence-Based Treatment Coordinator for Mental Health Services at the Department of Veterans Affairs. CLINICAL EXPERIENCE AND APPROACH Rafael's 29 years of clinical experience encompass a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, adjustment difficulties, anxiety, trauma, and interpersonal challenges. He has developed particular expertise in couples/family therapy and substance abuse treatment. Rafael approaches his work from an existential/humanistic perspective, with a focus on helping individuals identify and activate sources of meaning and purpose in their lives. He believes that the absence of meaning often underlies mental health symptoms. Rafael employs a problem-solving approach, working with clients to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of specific behaviors and identify choices that will maximize their quality of life. __________________________ WHAT WE OFFER All our services are provided via a secure telehealth video platform. We offer initial evaluations and individual therapy (one session per week). For those needing more intensive support, we also provide semi-intensive and intensive outpatient therapy (multiple sessions per week). The frequency of sessions is determined based on the severity of your concerns and your desired timeframe for treatment. SPECIALTIES Dr. Aldea specializes in the treatment of adults, adolescents, and children • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - OCD (all OCD presentations) • Health Anxiety • Panic Disorder • Social Anxiety • Phobias • Hair Pulling • Skin Picking • Generalized Anxiety Disorder • Trauma Vicki specializes in the treatment of • Depression • Anxiety • Trauma • Insomnia • Pain management • Anger • Adjustment disorders Dr. Harris specializes in the treatment of • Couples • Families • Substance Abuse • Adjustment Disorders Note: We do not participate in any insurance networks, including Medicare or Medicaid; however, many insurance policies provide out-of-network reimbursement for licensed clinicians. While we do not bill insurance directly, we will provide you with a statement (superbill) that includes all the required information that can be submitted for reimbursement. If you would like to use your insurance, we recommend that you verify out-of-network mental health benefits before submitting a claim. By choosing not to contract with any insurance companies, including Medicare, we have the freedom to make optimal treatment decisions regarding length and type of therapy without the limitations imposed by third party payers. Extended, more frequent, or intensive treatment team services may be more cost-effective in the long run, though insurance may not reimburse for such services. We are committed to providing you with the best, most effective treatment available without having to fit into generic constraints often imposed by insurance companies. Although our initial fee may be higher, ultimately, we believe that our method of cost-effective, results-oriented therapy will result in shorter treatment cycles and lower out-of-pocket costs for you.