Child and Adolescent Psychologist
Dr. Schiavelli-Sommers is employed by Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists, the physician-led multispecialty group practice of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. She is a licensed child and adolescent psychologist within the Department of Psychology at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Dr. Schiavelli-Sommers participates in the hospital’s Medical Education program and provides educational training to nurses, interns and residents. She also serves as a clinical supervisor to interns and residents to facilitate an understanding of the dynamics of each patient and family to assure that the best care possible is delivered.
Dr. Schiavelli-Sommers earned her doctorate with Summa Cum Laude honors from Carlos Albizu University in Miami, Florida. She then completed advanced training in psychoanalysis at the Argentinean Psychoanalytic Institute in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her clinical interests include pediatric psychology, pediatric and adult congenital heart disease, neonatology, family therapy, adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders, pain management, trauma and critical incident debriefings.
Dr. Schiavelli-Sommers has presented at conferences and is frequently sought out as a subject-matter expert by the media. In addition, she is the author of two books about premature babies, The Baby Who Couldn’t Wait and Your Preemie, both of which are available in English and Spanish.
Dr. Schiavelli-Sommers sees patients at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. She is fluent in English, Spanish, French, Italian and conversant in Portuguese.
The Department of Psychology at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital offers unique therapeutic programs in both the inpatient and outpatient settings using a collaborative approach that enlists the cooperation of professionals, child and family. It offers consultations, therapy, and assessment services to children and adolescents, including psychological, psycho-educational, developmental, and neuropsychological assessments. The care team works with medically complex children and adolescents, as well as addresses a wide range of conditions that include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD,) anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, bipolar disorder, developmental delays, psychotic disorders and autism, among others.