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Who We ArePonte Vedra Psychologists
What Do All Those Letters Mean?
Understanding Credentials in Mental Health (Florida-Specific)
It’s not your job to know what all the letters mean—but it helps to understand the differences when choosing a provider. The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous and competitive mental health degrees. In Florida, licensure requires a doctoral degree, a full-year internship, a postdoctoral residency, and passing two exams.
| Credential | Florida Training Summary | Total Time to Licensure |
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy |
4 yrs undergrad + 5–7 yrs doctoral program (incl. therapy, research, testing) + 4,000 hrs supervised clinical experience (internship + postdoc); national and FL law exams | 8–12 years |
| Psy.D. Doctor of Psychology |
4 yrs undergrad + 4–6 yrs doctoral program (therapy-focused); same 4,000 hrs supervised experience + exams | 8–11 years |
| Ed.D. Doctor of Education |
4 yrs undergrad + 4–6 yrs education-based doctorate; licensable only if APA-accredited + meets supervision criteria | 8–11 years |
| M.D. / D.O. Psychiatrist |
4 yrs undergrad + 4 yrs med school + 4 yrs psychiatry residency; can prescribe meds; may provide therapy | 12+ years |
| L.C.S.W. Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
2 yrs Master’s (MSW) + 2 yrs supervised work (1,500 hrs in Florida); clinical exam required | 6–8 years |
| L.M.F.T. Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist |
2–3 yrs Master’s + 2 yrs supervised experience (1,500 hrs in Florida); national and FL-specific exams | 6–8 years |
| L.M.H.C. Licensed Mental Health Counselor |
2–3 yrs Master’s + 2 yrs supervised experience (1,500 hrs in Florida); exam required | 6–8 years |
| M.A.C. Master Addiction Counselor |
Certification added to an existing license (e.g., LCSW or LMHC); specializes in substance use | Varies |
| A.R.N.P. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner |
Master’s or DNP in nursing + psychiatric certification; can prescribe meds | 6–8 years |
| P.A. Physician Assistant |
4 yrs undergrad + 2–3 yrs PA program; may work in psychiatry under MD supervision | 6–7 years |
| M.S. / M.A. Master’s Degree |
Pre-licensure degree; used by associates or interns working under supervision | 4–6 years |
| Div.D. Doctor of Divinity |
Religious degree; may offer spiritual guidance but not licensed for clinical therapy in Florida | Varies |
| B.A. / B.S. Bachelor’s Degree |
Undergraduate psychology or related major; not licensed for independent therapy | 4 years |
Note: The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology involves one of the longest and most selective training paths in mental health care.
- 4 years of undergraduate education
- 5–7+ years in an APA-accredited doctoral program
- 1 year full-time internship (approx. 2,000 hrs)
- Postdoctoral supervision (to meet 4,000 hrs total)
- Licensure via the EPPP + Florida’s ethics/law exam
This 8–12 year journey provides deep expertise in evidence-based psychotherapy, psychological testing, ethics, and scientific research.
"It's an Alphabet Soup!"
Finding the right doctor isn't easy because behavioral health practitioners have so many different initials after their names.
The different letters represent different levels of education, fields of study, professional certifications, and state licenses.
Here's a small sample: Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed. D. D., Div.D., M.D., D.O., B.S., M.S.W., M.S., L.C.S.W., L.M.F.T., L.M.H.C., M.A.C., P.A., A.R.N.P. *
So, how in the world do you go about finding the right doctor when the choices are so confusing?
One healthcare expert, Angela Haupt, makes the bold claim that "finding the right doctor isn't easy–and it shouldn't be."
Read what she has to say below and see if it makes sense.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
So, yes, finding the right doctor can make all the difference in the world.
And that's why I’m glad you’ve found your way here. We've created this space to help you get to know our practice—what we do, how we work, and how you can make the most informed choice when seeking help.
Whether you’re considering therapy for yourself or someone you care about, or simply exploring your options, we encourage you to ask questions about credentials, licensure, training, experience, and specialization.
You deserve to feel comfortable and confident in your choice of healthcare practitioners—especially when you're about to put your emotional well-being – your whole world – in their hands.
At Ponte Vedra Psychologists, we strive to provide care that is warm, respectful, and backed by science. Our website is designed to help you take the next step forward—toward clarity, confidence, and well-being.
We invite you to explore and learn more about our services—such as individual therapy, couples counseling, life coaching, and psychological testing and assessment—and how we can help.
Whether you are a prospective client or a professional looking to collaborate, we welcome your interest in Ponte Vedra Psychologists.
Warm regards,
Gregory L. Garamoni, Ph.D. ("Dr. G")
About Ponte Vedra Psychologists
Founded in 1991, Ponte Vedra Psychologists is a well-established private practice in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, serving children, adolescents, adults, and seniors.
We offer a wide range of evidence-based services, including individual therapy, couples counseling, sex therapy, family therapy, life coaching, and psychological testing and assessment.
Our mission is to deliver compassionate, scientifically grounded care that helps people lead more satisfying and meaningful lives.
We are proud to serve a broad geographic area, including Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, Nocatee, Palm Valley, St. Augustine, and the greater Jacksonville area.
Our clients come from all walks of life, and we take care to meet each person with compassion, respect, and understanding—wherever they may be on their personal journey.
Our approach is collaborative, practical, and strengths-based. We draw upon well-established methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and solution-focused therapy to address a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal concerns. For those seeking growth and change outside of clinical diagnosis, we also offer professional life coaching services.
Learn more about our guiding philosophy on our How We Work page.
About Dr. Gregory Garamoni
Gregory L. Garamoni, Ph.D., is the founder and director of Ponte Vedra Psychologists.
He is a licensed clinical psychologist with a distinguished career spanning clinical, academic, and corporate settings.
Credentials
Dr. Garamoni holds a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in clinical psychology–the highest level of education available to mental health professionals. Among healthcare providers, clinical psychologists receive some of the most rigorous training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of emotional and behavioral conditions.
He earned both his doctoral and postdoctoral training at the University of Pittsburgh, consistently ranked among the World’s Best in psychology and psychiatry by U.S. News & World Report.
Experience
As a licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Garamoni has over 30 years of clinical experience in private practice in Ponte Vedra Beach.
He has published 20 peer-reviewed articles on depression, anxiety, stress, cognitive therapy, and human sexuality, and has taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels. He has presented to national, state, and local organizations of psychologists.
Within the scientific community, Dr. Garamoni is best known for developing the “States of Mind (SOM) Model” with Dr. Robert M. Schwartz. This theory posits that emotional well-being is typically characterized by an optimal balance between positive and negative thinking, and that sustained deviations from this balance are indicative of emotional illness. The SOM Model has generated substantial research contributing to our understanding of healthy and unhealthy patterns of thinking.
Dr. Garamoni also has extensive experience in corporate settings. During the first decade of his professional life, he held increasingly responsible roles in major corporations, including Citibank, GTE Sylvania, and PepsiCo.
His final role in that period was serving as Personnel Director for PepsiCo International’s Middle East and Africa division, where, based in Athens, Greece, he provided cross-cultural support to employees and their families in over 20 countries. His diverse clinical, academic, and global experience uniquely shapes the care he provides.
Licensure
Dr. Garamoni has maintained an active license to practice psychology in Florida since 1991 (License Number PY4603, issued by the Florida Department of Health). His record is clear—no disciplinary actions and no public complaints have ever been filed.
You can verify Dr. Garamoni’s licensure—or that of any mental health provider—through the Florida Department of Health Practitioner Profile Search.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you're considering therapy, coaching, or psychological assessment, we invite you to reach out by clicking or tapping one of the buttons below to:
Call us at (904) 285-4229 to schedule an appointment or ask questions.
Email Dr. Garamoni directly to start a conversation.
Visit our Contact Us page to explore location, hours, and directions.
Find Ponte Vedra Psychologists on these directories and social media:
Fast Facts Footnote
WHO we are
At Ponte Vedra Psychologists, we are a compassionate and experienced team led by Dr. Gregory Garamoni, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience. We serve individuals, couples, and families navigating emotional, relational, or psychological challenges—with care that emphasizes clinical excellence, transparency, and personal respect. Based in Ponte Vedra Beach, we also support clients from across Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville, Orange Park, Nocatee, Palm Valley, and St. Augustine.
WHAT we do
We provide therapy for anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and other emotional concerns. We also offer life coaching to support personal development, decision-making, and forward momentum, as well as psychological assessments for a wide range of cognitive, emotional, and educational needs—including specialized gifted IQ evaluations. Our approach blends evidence-based methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy with individualized strategies that promote insight, clarity, and lasting change.
WHERE we are
Our office is located in the Sawgrass Village Shopping Center in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. We offer a discreet and welcoming environment in the heart of the community, making it easy for clients from throughout the First Coast—including Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville, Orange Park, Nocatee, Palm Valley, and St. Augustine—to access care.
Ponte Vedra Psychologists
2304 Sawgrass Village Drive
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
(In Sawgrass Village Shopping Center, our office has a private exterior entrance on the 3rd floor of the professional office building, Park Place.)
🧭 Get Directions on Google Maps
WHEN we're open
Appointments are available Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. We’re flexible, so you can find a time that works best for your life and schedule—whether you're seeking therapy, life coaching, or psychological evaluation.
WHYchoose us
Choose Ponte Vedra Psychologists for our deep clinical experience, our warm and respectful atmosphere, and our unwavering commitment to your long-term well-being. We value transparency, privacy, and personalized care—offering therapy, life coaching, and expert psychological testing to meet you wherever you are in your journey and help you take confident steps forward.
HOWto connect
We invite you to call us at (904) 285‑4229 to schedule a confidential consultation, or visit our Secure Contact Form page to send a message or request an appointment online.
Our office is located at:
Ponte Vedra Psychologists
2304 Sawgrass Village Drive
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
(In Sawgrass Village Shopping Center, our office has a private exterior entrance on the 3rd floor of the professional office building, Park Place )
🧭 Get Directions on Google Maps
Availability
We are currently accepting new clients for both in-person and online sessions. Whether you're local to Ponte Vedra Beach or connecting from elsewhere in Florida, we’re here to support you with flexible, confidential care.
Please note that all appointments must be scheduled in advance. We do not accept walk-in visits, as unplanned arrivals may disrupt our scheduled sessions.
Whether you're reaching out for therapy, life coaching, or psychological assessment, we're here to support you with responsive and compassionate guidance every step of the way.
Find Ponte Vedra Psychologists onthese directories and social media: