Committed to your wellbeing

  Board Certified Psychiatrist,

Fellow of the APA and member of the CTMSS

I’ve always been interested in people and their individual stories. This curiosity coupled with my love of science made my career choice quite easy. I grew up between Cairo, Egypt, and New York City. After completing medical school at Ain Shams University in Cairo, I moved to Chicago for my psychiatry residency program at Rosalind Franklin University which is affiliated with the North Chicago VA Medical Center. Upon graduating from the program in 2007 I was asked to remain at the VA as an attending psychiatrist while being involved in academic teachings of new residents and medical students at the university. 

I moved to Florida in 2009 as a transfer to West Palm Beach VA and passed my board certification exam in 2010.  I remained at the VA until 2013 when I decided to expand my knowledge to include the general population in a private sector hospital where I continued to treat adult patients as well as a significant number of the senior population until 2021 when I decided to reach yet another milestone in my career by starting my private practice under Psychiatric Care Florida. I believe in learning as a goal and medicine as an art and so continues my passion for new directions in psychiatry to encompass interventional psychiatry including TMS and the emerging psychedelic-assisted treatments. I am board certified, a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a member of the Clinical TMS Society. I  look forward to assisting you in achieving your goals in every way my training allows. 

Board Certified Psychiatrist

Adult, Child, and Adolescent

  I attended UMDNJ, New Jersey Medical School where I received my medical degree in 2005. I was then accepted into their General Psychiatry residency program followed by a fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. After graduating, I decided to stay within the same organization working as one of the head psychiatrists for a Partial Hospitalization Program. Aside from treating adults and adolescents I also have experience working with young children who benefited from treatment within a Therapeutic Learning Center. During these times, I treated severe cases of depression, anxiety, psychosis, and disruptive and defiant behaviors. I worked with many families, children and adolescents who experienced major traumatic events, lacked resources, and struggled significantly with their emotions, behavior, and academics. Additionally, I had the opportunity to work closely with public schools completing psychiatric evaluations and assessments for children with special needs. 

All these different experiences have allowed me to enrich my career and become a better Child and Adolescent psychiatrist.  As I continued to expand my horizons within the field of Psychiatry, my family and I decided to relocate to the Sunshine State. Since my relocation, I have been working within the private sector with children, adolescents, and adult patients.  I favor an inclusive and collaborative approach. I believe in cautious prescribing based on evidence. I strive to provide good quality care that includes patients’ opinions and concerns.  I am happy and excited to have joined Psychiatric Care Florida and to be part of a team that shares my values and goals. I look forward to meeting and working with you.  

Board Certified Adult Psychiatrist,

Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association

My first curiosity about human behavior came about when I moved to NYC at the age of 10 years old. Coming from Nigeria, I was fascinated with being around different groups of people from all over the world. I joined an international school in New York City and then studied medicine in an International university in Moscow. It was fascinating to witness the changes that the people of the former Soviet Union went through at the time of the fall of communism. Seeing these changes increased my curiosity about the human behavior. I noticed how people’s culture influences their behaviors and the impact that it has on the course of their mental health while I was doing my psychiatric rotation in medical school. I later did research and a grand round presentation on this topic in my final year of residency at Maimonides Medical center in New York.

I enjoyed working with people of different cultural backgrounds and was happy to be able to use my knowledge of the Russian language in treating the Russian immigrant community during my residency program in New York. My residency program was in a very diverse area of Brooklyn, New York City. In my over 15 years as a physician in the field of psychiatry, I have engaged in teaching medical students and residents. I am a board-certified psychiatrist and a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. I enjoy traveling all over the world and learning new languages. My hobbies include fitness, reading and photography.

I am here to support you on your journey to wellness and will do my best to help you reach your goals!

Adult and Adolescent interventional Psychiatrist

   I'm always fascinated by the stories and narratives of people I meet. I am consistently in awe of the courage and determination that people show in the face of extreme adversity. With experience, I came to recognize that at times adversity cannot be overcome alone. This, combined with an innate curiosity of the sciences, naturally led me to pursue a career in psychiatry. 

After completing medical school at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine as part of their inaugural class, I went on to attend UT Southwestern for psychiatry residency in Dallas, Texas. While there I was a part of the interventional training program gaining proficiency in psychiatric treatment such as ECT, rTMS and esketamine. However, it was rTMS that truly captivated me with its ability to rapidly change patient's lives with minimal side-effects when compared to antidepressants. Under the mentorship of leading experts in TMS, I honed my skills in TMS evaluation and treatment including experience working with adolescent patients above the age of 13, offering hope to those grappling with depression and anxiety.

All these experiences have ultimately led me back home to South Florida and am excited to join Psychiatric Care Florida. My practice philosophy is a patient-centered approach with a focus on holistic care including biological, psychological, and social treatments. My goal for all my patients is achieving symptom remission. I believe in tailoring treatments to each individual and empowering them on their journey to mental wellness.

I was born and raised in New Hampshire but moved to Florida over twenty years ago to follow a job I loved. I met and married my husband and have been here ever since. After receiving my Nursing degree from Broward College, I began my career working in the hospital. I have worked in mother-baby postpartum, NICU, Antepartum, and Labor & Delivery. I have also received specialized training in Perinatal Bereavement as well as Postpartum Depression in Fathers/Partners. I received my Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Florida International University specializing in Psychiatry. I have also received my PMH-C from Postpartum Support International with a pharmacology focus. For over a decade, I have worked with mothers, fathers, and infants before, during, and after the birth process. Being an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for over 10 years brought me into close contact with families who were struggling with more than breastfeeding issues. This sparked in me a need to help individuals and families experiencing depression, anxiety, as well as other mental health illnesses. Being a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner allows me to work with my patients to identify and overcome the obstacles life puts in our way. I believe in a holistic approach to care because mind and body are firmly linked. We must consider both to achieve a good mental health balance. I also believe focusing on the entire family’s mental health is essential and find great joy in treating patients of all ages. I am excited to work with Dr. Youssef at Psychiatric Care Florida. I look forward to meeting and working with you. Here at Psychiatric Care Florida, we are committed to your health and well-being!

 
Dr. Samantha Montealegre, DNP, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C, IBCLC

Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

 I am a bilingual Nurse Practitioner who was born in New York and raised in south Florida.  I knew from an early age that nursing was a passion of mine. I received my bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University with Magna Cum Laude honors in 2015.  I completed a Masters of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner specialty, at Florida Atlantic University. I have worked in a variety of settings throughout my nursing career providing quality and evidence-based care to all my patients. 

After working the frontline throughout the COVID pandemic and seeing firsthand the mental health crisis, I decided to pursue a career in psychiatry/mental health. I believe in fostering a safe, therapeutic environment where individual relationships can form and grow.  I strive to provide personal care to my patients so they can achieve their optimal mental and physical health. I am thrilled to work with a skilled team of caring providers, and I look forward to providing care to you!

 Vanessa Alban, PMHNP-BC 

Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

I always knew I wanted to help people, however was unsure how that could be accomplished. Growing up in a military family I went through many moves and transitions. The feelings of nervousness, loneliness, or feeling out of control are not feelings that are foreign to me. Throughout my undergraduate studies at Florida State University, an amazing professor of mine exposed me to the world of psychology. Not only was I able to better understand my feelings and become more in tune with them, I knew that was exactly how I wanted to help others. I furthered my education and completed my Masters degree at Nova South Eastern University in Mental Health Counseling and Applied Behavioral Analysis. 

I am now a dedicated licensed mental health counselor who aims to provide a non-judgmental, comfortable environment where clients begin to heal. I help my clients lead a life worth celebrating and assist them in uncovering their true potential. Some of my specialties are anxiety, depression, relationship issues, parenting issues, grief and loss, low self-esteem, ADHD, and Autism. I have experience working with children, adolescents,, and adults. I work with my clients collaboratively and provide knowledge and support to help them achieve their goals. I am extremely passionate about this field and I ensure that my clients come first. My clients can expect empathy, transparency and support when they step into my therapy room. I am excited to begin this journey with you and allow the healing process to begin. I am also very excited to start working with Dr. Youssef and I look forward to working with you at Psychiatric Care Florida. 

Monica Garcia

Licensed mental health counselor

I received my Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Denver, during that time I was studying psychology as well and was truly fascinated by it.  In 2011 I moved to Las Vegas and started working with at-risk children and teens in the foster care system.  This is when I realized that I was meant to work with people.  I started my graduate program in Social Work at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada.  Since then, I have worked in day treatment, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, outpatient agencies, and intensive outpatient programs at the hospitals.  I have also worked in private practice including individual as well as group settings.  I enjoy working with adolescents and adults to help them overcome obstacles and challenges in their lives.  I enjoy watching their progress, helping them create new goals and then meeting those goals.  Some of my specialties include depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and eating disorders.  I find using a mindfulness approach is very helpful in these areas.  I also use a coaching style approach to help clients learn to reach their goals.  I recently moved to Florida at the end of 2019.  I love the outdoors and always wanted to be closer to the beach.  I am very excited to join Psychiatric Care Florida and looking forward to working with you! 

Natalie Jaspers

Licensed Clinical Social Worker  

My passion for this field of work came alive through my own experiences, background, and journey to well-being. When we become intentional in confronting life's many obstacles, we can allow for the opportunity to become the best version of ourselves. Therapy is most effective when there is a partnership involved, and I am here to provide a deep understanding of the unique challenges that each person faces on their journey toward emotional well-being.

I was born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in New York until I reached high school, where I continued my schooling in Florida. Graduating from the advanced standing Master in Social Work program at Florida Atlantic University has equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to provide effective guidance. Since then, I obtained my Licensure for Clinical Social Work and have gained experience working with children, teenagers, and adults in various settings. 

Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or relationship problems, I'm here to provide a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or criticism. 

I want to empower my clients to gain new insights, develop effective coping strategies, and ultimately find their way toward a brighter future.

I look forward to meeting you and working with you!

Stephanie Vega

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Living in Queens, NY, through my first year of college, allowed me to be immersed in an environment composed of people and families from all over the world. I moved to South Florida and completed my degree at FAU and I was thrilled to be living in another multi-cultural community. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Florida Atlantic University, which I chose to pursue because of my interest in how and why people behave as individuals and in groups. I love studying and observing diverse cultures. I received my Master's of Social Work degree from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida, and went on to complete two years of clinical training and obtained a License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW). 

My experience includes years of working at a community mental health center, which allowed me to learn and understand those living with serious mental illness, as well as community resources. I served as VP of Operations for a large community-based non-profit organization working with children and families from disenfranchised communities delivering family-strengthening, after-school, and mentoring programs, as well as outpatient psychiatry and in-home therapeutic services. Before private practice, I worked at a large healthcare system providing and then supervising clinical services including assessment, individual and group therapy, and crisis counseling. 

I'm excited to work with Dr. Youssef and the experienced, professional team at Psychiatric Care Florida.

Katherine Murphy

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

After being in practice for over 5 years, I realized how badly clients needed a safe space to process feelings and find healing. I believe that Depression, Anxiety and most forms of Mental Illness are not a problem, but a signal that we have unmet needs. I work with men, families and children of all ages. If you’re looking for purpose and meaning, dealing with work or school related issues, or struggling as a family.. I am here to help guide you on your journey of healing.

I have a Masters Degree from Florida Atlantic University and I am a licensed clinical therapist in Florida. My practice is known for working with men and families of all ages. I address marriage issues, parenting issues, professional development, sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety and mood disorders.

I believe that therapy should be an exploration process, and ultimately something that brings a sense of peace. It takes a lot of courage to begin this process, but the rewards are endless. So congratulations on taking this step, and let's get started.

James "Cody" Bothe 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

 I was born and raised in South Florida and I also lived in Central America for years.  I received my Bachelors degree in Social work at Florida International University.  I then went on to receive my Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and University of Central Florida.  I love helping people and always knew I wanted to work as a therapist.  I work to help each of my clients create the lives they want and deserve.  I work with my clients to help create plans of how they can make changes in their lives that will empower them to feel their best.  I always seek to understand why my client is seeking therapy and how I can best serve them.   I specialize in women’s issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and parenting issues.  I also utilize Mindfulness techniques as I believe in the mind body connection.   Learning how to ground yourself and calm your nervous system through mindfulness techniques can be very effective.   I have specialized training in Peri-natal Mood Disorders such as postpartum depression and anxiety.  I love working with new mothers or women on their journeys to becoming mothers. 

Catherine Pryor

Licensed Clinical Social Worker