expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Lata Sonpal, PH. D.,FCHT

Psychologist

Dr. Lata Sonpal PH. D.,FCHT is a top Psychologist in Miami, . With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Dr. Lata Sonpal PH. D.,FCHT is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the field, Dr. Lata Sonpal PH. D.,FCHT is a prime example of a true leader in healthcare. As a leader and expert in their field, Dr. Lata Sonpal PH. D.,FCHT is passionate about enhancing patient quality of life. They embody the values of communication, safety, and trust when dealing directly with patients. In Miami, Florida, Dr. Lata Sonpal PH. D.,FCHT is a true asset to their field and dedicated to the profession of medicine.
Dr. Lata Sonpal, PH. D.,FCHT
  • Miami, Florida
  • Accepting new patients

Can I treat my depression naturally?

Dear Madam, Sorry to hear that you are suffering from depression. There are several factors to consider before you start treating yourself. Is there a family history? Does your READ MORE
Dear Madam,

Sorry to hear that you are suffering from depression. There are several factors to consider before you start treating yourself. Is there a family history? Does your depression have a genetic component? Is it situational? Is it connected with a trauma? How long have you had it? What other approaches have you followed, i.e., psychotherapy, consulting your primary care physician? What do you mean by "can I treat it naturally," i.e, Homeopathic, Aurvedic, over-the-counter medicines? Even for those natural medicines you will need to consult someone who specializes in them so you are guided on the right path. It may be a good idea to consult a licensed psychologist and then decide which path to choose. You may want to get a book titled "Feeling Good" by Dr. David D. Burns.

Take care,

Dr. Lata Sonpal

What can I do for social anxiety?

Dear Sir/Madam: I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from Social Anxiety preventing you from interacting with other human beings. You do realize the importance of socializing READ MORE
Dear Sir/Madam:

I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from Social Anxiety preventing you from interacting with other human beings. You do realize the importance of socializing otherwise would not have reached out. Besides adversely affecting relationships it also affects our brain's functioning. Brains of people with Alzheimer's when stop socializing decay faster than those who continue to socialize. You can seek therapy from a licensed Psychologist to get to the roots of your social anxieties and heal from them. The therapist can also help you get desensitized so you can overcome the unnecessary fears and mingle with people. You may also seek group therapy so can get accustomed to being with people and extend that comfort level to others that you come in contact with. Until you find the right therapist start reading Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne. 

Take care,

Dr. Lata Sonpal

Psychoanalysis vs. Cognitive behavioral therapy?

Dear Sir/Madam: Thanks for your concern about your mom's OCD. Is she on any medication? What does her psychiatrist or PCP recommend? Both Psychoanalysis and CBT have their merits. READ MORE
Dear Sir/Madam:

Thanks for your concern about your mom's OCD. Is she on any medication? What does her psychiatrist or PCP recommend? Both Psychoanalysis and CBT have their merits. Why not have mom check out someone that specializes in both and see who she connects with as that is important. Psychoanalysis traditionally required 2-3 visits weekly. There is also hypnotherapy/regression therapy. It gets to the roots and causes of the underlying issues and helps the person heal from them. Hypnotherapy cuts down on the number of sessions.
I wish your mom well.

Take care,

Dr. Lata Sonpal

How do nicotine patches work on smokers?

Dear Sir/Madam: Thanks for your concern regarding your sister's smoking as it is an addiction that can cause many physical health problems. As a psychologist, I prefer to do READ MORE
Dear Sir/Madam:

Thanks for your concern regarding your sister's smoking as it is an addiction that can cause many physical health problems. As a psychologist, I prefer to do hypnotherapy to help people become a non-smoker. When someone is truly motivated to be a non-smoker, it takes about two to three sessions. You may also want to suggest to her that she read a book called "The Easy Way for Women to Stop Smoking" by Allen Carr.
Give my regards to your sister. I am glad that she is being mindful of her health and that you are supporting her on this new path of being a non-smoker.

Take care,

Dr. Lata Sonpal

Is borderline personality disorder serious?

Dear Madam/Sir: I am sorry to hear that your dad is suffering from the Borderline Personality disorder. I am glad that he is in treatment. I hope that he is seeing a therapist READ MORE
Dear Madam/Sir:

I am sorry to hear that your dad is suffering from the Borderline Personality disorder. I am glad that he is in treatment. I hope that he is seeing a therapist that specializes in working with the Borderline Personality Disorder. It may be a good idea for you to talk to your dad's therapist to find out how serious is his condition. Some of the recommended treatment for this disorder are Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I would also recommend that you and the rest of the family members also go for therapy as it will give you needed help.

Take care,

Dr. Lata Sonpal

Why does my sister get so angry at times?

Dear Concerned Sibling, I thank you for your needing to help your sister. It certainly is a good idea for her to see a licensed psychologist to figure out the roots and origins READ MORE
Dear Concerned Sibling,

I thank you for your needing to help your sister. It certainly is a good idea for her to see a licensed psychologist to figure out the roots and origins of her anger so she can heal and release the unnecessary anger. Sometimes people do express their depression through their anger. Has she read a book titled "Feeling Good" by Dr. David Burns for depression? You may want to recommend it to her. There is also a book by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama called "Healing Anger". She could also read "The Art of Happiness" by HHDL.

Take care,

Dr. Lata Sonpal

How do I prepare to speak to a psychologist about my depression?

Dear Madam/Sir: I am sorry to hear that you are feeling depressed. YOU have brought up an excellent point as sometimes when in a Dr. 's office you may be a little nervous the READ MORE
Dear Madam/Sir:

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling depressed. YOU have brought up an excellent point as sometimes when in a Dr. 's office you may be a little nervous the first time. So, I would suggest you write down everything that you need to cover in the session, including your feelings, your thoughts, your symptoms, how long you have been suffering, what you have done to feel better including exercise, healthy meals, getting enough sleep, any family history of depression, how does your depression affect your school, work, relationships, etc.

In case you have forgotten something you can always bring it up in the next session. So it may be a good idea to keep a daily Journal of your daily habits of eating, sleeping, social media, game playing, etc., to see what changes you can make to feel better.  I would also recommend read "Feeling Good" by Dr. David Burns and do the assignments given in the book. There is another good book called "Mindful Way through Depression".

Take care,

Dr. Lata Sonpal

Do we need marriage counseling?

Dear Madam: Sorry to hear about you and your husband are having a lot of problems in your relationship with each other. It is a long-term relationship, though you have been READ MORE
Dear Madam:

Sorry to hear about you and your husband are having a lot of problems in your relationship with each other. It is a long-term relationship, though you have been married only three years. Do you both have any children? Are you both working? Did you have the problems before you got married? Are those the same issues since you got married? 

I would definitely suggest you seek marital therapy with a licensed psychologist or a licensed marriage and family therapist.  Financial issues are a major cause of separation and divorce so sooner you address those issues in therapy the better off you are emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. I would recommend that the two of you read together "Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman and "Love is Never Enough" by Dr. Aaron T. Beck and do all the assignments.

Take care,

Dr. Lata Sonpal

How can one control anger?

Dear Concerned Friend, Is you friend's pattern of angry outbursts a new thing or has he been like this since you have known him? Is it a deep rooted issue or is he manifesting READ MORE
Dear Concerned Friend,

Is you friend's pattern of angry outbursts a new thing or has he been like this since you have known him? Is it a deep rooted issue or is he manifesting his depression through anger?  Not having evaluated him it is difficult for me to suggest what he needs to do to control it. I would definitely have him see a licensed psychologist to find out what is going on and what would be the appropriate remedies for his anger. He will definitely benefit from reading "healing Anger" by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Another good book is by Robert A. F. Thurman called "Anger". There are a couple of other good books: "When Anger Hurts" by, McKay, Rogers and McKay and "Vinegar into Honey", and "The Dance of Anger".
Hope and pray that your friend will take care of the issue of his Anger so that neither he, nor his wife and his well wishers, like a good friend like you, have to suffer unnecessarily.

Take care,

Dr. Lata Sonpal

Why am I dreaming about teeth?

Dear Madam/Sir: It is difficult to analyze a person's dream without getting to know them in therapy. The interpretation may seem to be out of context as I do not know you. My READ MORE
Dear Madam/Sir:

It is difficult to analyze a person's dream without getting to know them in therapy. The interpretation may seem to be out of context as I do not know you. My suggestion is to check CJ Jung's book "Dreams" (anxiety) and or other books like "The Element Encyclopedia of 20,000 Dreams" (uncertainty, ending of one phase of life and beginning of another, or "10,000 Dreams Explained" (going through through transition) and see what applies to your situation! You may want to seek therapy with a licensed psychologist where you can discuss the dreams and what they mean in your life's context.

Take care,

Dr. Sonpal

Can a divorce drive people toward alcoholism?

Dear Madam/Sir: Sorry to hear about your divorce. Any separation is painful, regardless of whether you were getting along with each other or not! How you are going to deal with READ MORE
Dear Madam/Sir:

Sorry to hear about your divorce. Any separation is painful, regardless of whether you were getting along with each other or not! How you are going to deal with the loss is up to you. Drowning your sorrow by being drunk is not a healthy way to cope with the loss as alcohol in itself is a depressant.

Re: your question whether it is normal? What is normal for one may not be normal for another. So, I am unable to answer that question of yours. Apparently, you are concerned about your consumption of alcohol, otherwise you would not have posed that question and reached out. So, my suggestion is for you to find a licensed psychologist in your area who specializes in helping people cope with their divorce. Seeking therapy is a more healthy way of approaching your pain and release it rather than seeking alcohol as that is a temporary way of numbing the pain. 
I wish you all the best and hope and pray that you take care of yourself.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sonpal

Do you have to be married for couples therapy?

Dear Sir/Madam: I appreciate your taking initiative to resolve the issues regardless of your marital status. There are many couples, regardless of whether they live together READ MORE
Dear Sir/Madam:

I appreciate your taking initiative to resolve the issues regardless of your marital status. There are many couples, regardless of whether they live together or not, seek therapy. They may not tell others as sometimes in our society there is a stigma about people seeking therapy. So, I would encourage you to seek counseling as a couple, when needed, and not worry about whether other people pursue it or not. Just ensure that you are going to a licensed psychologist or a licensed marital/couple therapist who are experienced in helping you deal with those issues.

Take care,

Dr. Sonpal

Is Talkspace actually effective?

Dear Madam/Sir: Sorry to hear that you are suffering from anxiety both at work and at home. I have heard of Talk Space and some other APPS. I do not know anyone, of my clients, READ MORE
Dear Madam/Sir:

Sorry to hear that you are suffering from anxiety both at work and at home. I have heard of Talk Space and some other APPS. I do not know anyone, of my clients, who have used it. So I cannot tell you whether it is effective or not. As they are charging less than other therapists in their offices I would be a little vigilant. I would suggest you check into whether they are licensed in the field of Psychological practices or not. I would recommend for you to see some one who is licensed in the field of psychology for the anxiety issues. In the meantime, you may want to read "Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" by Dr. Edmund J. Bourne and "The Art of Happiness" and "The Art Of Happiness at Work" by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, MD.

Take care,

Dr. Sonpal

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

Dear Madam, I appreciate your concern for your son's being inattentive when you and your husband are addressing him and worrying about his not focusing on anything. How old READ MORE
Dear Madam,

I appreciate your concern for your son's being inattentive when you and your husband are addressing him and worrying about his not focusing on anything. How old is he? Does he play any games and sports? What is the observation of his team mates and instructors? Are his teachers concerned about his not being able to focus? Have they given you feedback on their observations of his behaviors? When the same symptoms are exhibited across different situations and different environments, then you may need to have him be tested by a licensed psychologist and get a 2nd opinion from a psychiatrist. In case you are thinking about medicating him, then you need to be aware of the side effects of the medicines. In the mean time, you may want to teach him to be mindfully present in the moment and practice that with him and point out the consequences of not doing so. I know that it is frustrating for you, so you need to be extra vigilant that that frustration does not come across as punitive to your child.

Take care,

Dr. Sonpal

Sudden spider phobia

Dear Sir/Madam, I am sorry to know that you have a sudden fear of spiders invoking panic. Not having evaluated you I am not able to tell you where it is coming from. You may READ MORE
Dear Sir/Madam,

I am sorry to know that you have a sudden fear of spiders invoking panic. Not having evaluated you I am not able to tell you where it is coming from. You may want to find a licensed hypnotherapist who also does cognitive behavior therapy. They may regress you to the time where the fear began and help you heal from it. Alternatively, they may help you get desensitized to the fear. So, please seek help ASAP as even the word spider invokes the fear and associated panic.

Take care,

Dr. Sonpal

What is the treatment for sex addiction?

Dear Sir, I am sorry to hear that you are perceiving your wife needing to have sex with her spouse, that is you, as Sex Addiction, unless her pattern has changed since you two READ MORE
Dear Sir,

I am sorry to hear that you are perceiving your wife needing to have sex with her spouse, that is you, as Sex Addiction, unless her pattern has changed since you two started dating each other. In case you are concerned about her hormonal changes, then you may want to have her Primary Care Physician get her blood tested, specifically her testosterone level. In case you suspect drug abuse leading to heightened sexuality, then you need to address that issue. Encouraging her to accompany you to see a Licensed Sex Therapist, who specializes also in couple therapy, would be recommended. There are also sex addicts groups available in case she qualifies for that.

Take care,

Dr. Sonpal

Why am I so scared of the dark?

Dear Madam/Sir, Sorry to hear that fear of darkness prevents you from sleeping without the TV on. As the fear has been through your childhood, did you ask your parents about READ MORE
Dear Madam/Sir,

Sorry to hear that fear of darkness prevents you from sleeping without the TV on. As the fear has been through your childhood, did you ask your parents about the precipitating factor? Do they now what started it? Do you have the sound of the TV on? Or just the screen with light on? You may want to engage in prayers or meditation depending on your belief system. I would also suggest you consider seeing a licensed psychologist, who specializes in hypnotherapy, to get to the roots and origins of the fear. Heal from it and release it so you can live a life without the fear of darkness.

Take care,

Dr. Lata Sonpal

Why does my sister obsess over the idea of getting sick?

Dear Sister/Brother, Thank you for your concern about your sister's fear of doctors and worries that something might be wrong with her health. You are asking why she is doing READ MORE
Dear Sister/Brother,

Thank you for your concern about your sister's fear of doctors and worries that something might be wrong with her health. You are asking why she is doing this? Without evaluating her, it would be difficult for me to say what is leading her to engage in those behaviors. Also, "whys" can lead one into spinning wheels! So, your focus needs to be on what can be done about the painful situation she is in. She definitely needs to go and see a licensed psychologist, preferably someone who specializes in hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, like I do.  That will help her get to the root and origins of her fears and then release those fears so she can be happy again and enjoy her life fully.
Take care.

Dr. Lata Sonpal

My son is a different child since the death of his father. What can I do to help him?

Dear Parent, I am so sorry to hear the loss of your spouse and the loss of your son's father. As he is having difficulty opening up to a therapist, I would like to suggest that READ MORE
Dear Parent,

I am so sorry to hear the loss of your spouse and the loss of your son's father. As he is having difficulty opening up to a therapist, I would like to suggest that you find a children's bereavement center in your area. They have groups for children and parents who are in a similar grief situation. This may allow him to come out of his shell and stop from being quiet and withdrawn. The one in Miami area has a website: www.childbereavement.org. They may be able to refer you to similar centers in your area. You may also want to get a book titled "On Grief and Grieving" by Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. Her "Letter to Dougy" has comforted many a grieving people. Read it and decide whether that would be appropriate for you to share with your son.

Take care,

Dr. Lata Sonpal

My son has a hard time paying attention to instructions, and tells me he feels nervous all the time. Should he be in counseling?

Dear Madam/Sir: Thanks for your concern regarding your son's difficulties in listening and his feeling nervous all the time. Have you asked him what he is nervous about? And READ MORE
Dear Madam/Sir:

Thanks for your concern regarding your son's difficulties in listening and his feeling nervous all the time. Have you asked him what he is nervous about? And what he is doing when not listening to your given instructions? That is what is he instead focusing on? It seems like a good idea, to have him be checked out by a licensed psychologist. Finding out what is troubling him and what needs to be done about it so he can start paying attention will be the first step. Teaching him meditation and relaxation will also be very beneficial as he will then learn to be mindfully present in any given moment without being nervous all the time.

Take care,

Dr. Lata Sonpal