About Jim West

Adolescent Expert, Jim West offers expert advice to Local and National TV News & Schools Internationally and provides phone or face-to-face counseling in the Orlando area. Jim is an Author, Communicator, School Consultant, Nationally Certified and State Licensed Counselor and specializes in counseling for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). Jim has been interviewed for multiple TV, Radio, magazine and newspaper articles. He is president of Total Life Counseling Center and his Total Life approach accelerates the therapeutic & healing process by relating to children, adolescents and adults and incorporating wellness. Jim’s clients travel from all over Florida, England, Georgia, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas as he has been able to treat clients with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Depression and more with FDA approved supplements and Dietary Modifications. 85% of his clients have not needed medication or used less medication than when they first came to Total Life Counseling Center.

How Much Is Marriage Counseling? Understanding the Costs

TL;DR Marriage counseling is usually far more affordable than divorce. Compared to the emotional and financial costs of separation, therapy is a smarter, long-term investment in your relationship. It’s helpful for more than just crisis situations. Couples use counseling [...]

By |2025-08-07T07:41:48+00:00August 7th, 2025|Updates|

What are the Hidden Signs of PTSD from Medical Trauma?

TL;DR Medical trauma can lead to PTSD when a person feels helpless, unsafe, or emotionally overwhelmed during a medical event, even if the procedure itself was routine. PTSD from medical trauma often shows up as fear of hospitals, emotional [...]

By |2025-08-05T13:48:36+00:00August 5th, 2025|Updates|

What is Internal Family Systems Therapy and its Benefits?

TL;DR Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy views the mind as a system of “parts,” each carrying its own emotions, roles, and experiences. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s, it focuses on balancing these parts under the guidance [...]

By |2025-08-05T13:48:44+00:00August 5th, 2025|Updates|

What Is Family Counseling: Purpose and Impact

TL;DR Family counseling helps improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen relationships among family members through guided, structured therapy sessions. It focuses on the family as a unit, not just individuals, addressing dynamics, patterns, and emotional struggles that affect everyone [...]

By |2025-08-05T13:48:52+00:00August 5th, 2025|Family, family counseling|

How to Tell If Shortness of Breath Is a Symptom of Anxiety?

TL;DR Anxiety can cause shortness of breath through your body’s fight-or-flight response. It often feels sudden, shallow, and comes with other symptoms like a racing heart or dizziness. It usually improves with breathing exercises or calming techniques. Asthma, heart, [...]

By |2025-08-05T13:49:00+00:00July 31st, 2025|Adults, Anxiety|

Can Play Therapy Themes Reveal What My Child Is Feeling?

TL;DR Play therapy themes are recurring patterns in a child’s symbolic play that help therapists understand what the child is feeling or working through, especially when they can’t express it in words.Common themes include power/control, safety, nurturance, aggression, rescue, and [...]

By |2025-07-31T09:54:02+00:00July 31st, 2025|Play Therapy|

Is Play Therapy Evidence Based or Just Child’s Play?

TL;DR Yes, play therapy is evidence-based, supported by numerous studies and randomized controlled trials. Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is a widely researched, non-directive approach that builds emotional strength through the language of play. Meta-analyses show positive results for anxiety, [...]

By |2025-07-31T09:45:58+00:00July 31st, 2025|Play Therapy|

Is ADHD Genetic – Concerned If It Runs in Your Family?

TL;DR ADHD is highly genetic, with heritability estimates around 70–80%. Twin studies show the difference: ADHD appears in 76% of identical twins vs. 32% of fraternal twins. It can come from either parent, and may show up differently across [...]

By |2025-07-31T09:25:01+00:00July 31st, 2025|ADHD, Blog|

Is ADHD A Disability, Or Simply A Different Way Of Thinking?

TL;DR Yes, ADHD can be considered a disability under U.S. law (ADA, Section 504) when it significantly limits daily functioning like learning or working. It’s classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder in the DSM-5 and often qualifies for school or [...]

By |2025-07-31T09:16:51+00:00July 31st, 2025|ADHD, Blog|

Do I have ADHD, Or Am I Just Easily Distracted & Burnt Out?

TL;DR ADHD is a real mental health condition that affects focus, impulse control, emotional regulation, and motivation, not just hyperactivity. If you often feel distracted, disorganized, forgetful, or emotionally reactive despite trying hard, you might be dealing with more [...]

By |2025-07-31T08:57:59+00:00July 31st, 2025|ADHD, Blog|

Orlando Counselor’s Tips and Traveling Advice for People With ADHD

How does traveling impact individuals with ADHD differently compared to those without the condition? Traveling can be especially challenging for individuals with ADHD due to the inherent disruptions in routine, sensory overload, and struggles with organization that are characteristic [...]

By |2025-04-17T20:33:49+00:00April 1st, 2025|ADHD, ADHD, Adults, Autism, Blog, Children, Jim West, Orlando, Parenting, Self-Care, Teens|

Strategies to Enhance Active Listening with Your Daughter From Orlando Counselor

Listening is a fundamental aspect of effective communication, and it holds immense power in building strong relationships, especially with your daughter. By leading through listening, you not only demonstrate genuine care and empathy but also create a safe space [...]

3 Tips to Help you Avoid Valentines Day Disappointment

3 Tips to Help you Avoid Valentines Day Disappointment by Orlando Marriage Expert Jada Jackson, MS. It comes around once a year; to some it’s not a real holiday, and to some it’s expected to be a promising occasion—Valentine’s Day. The sensationalizing [...]

By |2025-06-05T08:00:55+00:00February 5th, 2025|Updates|

Sex, Students & Teachers | 10 Tips to Protect Your Child | Michelle Preston | Family Counselor

10 Tips to Protect Your Child | Student-Teacher Relationship | Michelle Preston A high school teacher having sex with a teenaged student is the hot topic this week. Once again, a female teacher is accused of seducing a young [...]

Orlando Social Skills Groups for Effective Peer Interaction

Key Highlights Social skills are essential for effective peer interaction and can be developed at any age. Socially awkward individuals may struggle with body language, social anxiety, be a target for bullying and negative beliefs. Early identification and intervention [...]

How to Help Electronic Addiction | Orlando Counselor

Introduction: How to Help Electronic Addiction In today's digital age, children are increasingly becoming dependent on electronics such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. This overdependence on technology, including popular platforms like Instagram, can have negative effects on their physical [...]

Co-Parenting a Child with ADHD | Orlando Counselor

Key Highlights Understanding ADHD in children is crucial for effective co-parenting strategies. Consistency and communication are key elements in co-parenting a child with ADHD. Behavioral strategies, such as positive reinforcement and structured routines, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Educational [...]

Orlando Counselor on Dangers of Spring Break

        Spring break provides a time of relaxation and stress-free fun.  With all this, there are some risk factors to be aware of, so to ensure you have the best time, follow these tips. Alcohol:                    During spring break there is [...]

Complete Guide: Autism Symptoms in Adults Checklist: Orlando Counselor

Autism Symptoms in Adults Checklist: A Complete Guide Source Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects millions of adults across the United States, presenting unique challenges in social communication, behavior, and daily functioning. Recent [...]

By |2025-05-05T17:14:18+00:00March 15th, 2024|Anxiety, Autism, Blog, Depression, Diet, Family, Jim West, Orlando, Parenting, Self-Care, Self-growth, Social Skills|

Orlando Counselor on Benefits of Sensory Enrichment Therapy | High Functioning Autism Parenting

Why Sensory Enrichment Therapy? You may find that your child with Autism Spectrum Disorder is easily captivated by visual stimulation, songs, repetitive sounds, and tactile play. Although it may seem that children with ASD are highly in-tune with their [...]

By |2025-04-15T10:05:30+00:00March 15th, 2024|Anxiety, Aspergers, Autism, Children, Family, Jim West, Orlando, Parenting, Teens, Treatment Alternatives|

Let’s Discuss Eating Disorders | Orlando Counselors

Disordered eating does not discriminate when it comes to age, race, gender, ethnicity, weight, or sexual orientation. Typically eating disorders can appear majority in younger populations, in teens and young adults. Don’t be fooled, eating disorders also can start [...]

5 Ways Dads Impact Teen Self Esteem | Penn State Study | Orlando Counselor Jim West

"I don't understand why my daughter is so sad lately? "Why is my son spending time with bad influences?" "Why does my daughter go out with abusive guys?" "Why does my son have such low self esteem?" If you [...]

Orlando Counselor on The Effects of Trauma

The effects of trauma are not limited by factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. The experience of trauma is common among both adults and children, but it is especially prevalent in the lives [...]

Mental Health Counseling Awareness | Orlando Counselor

      April is the season of springtime and growth!  This is an excellent time of the year to facilitate the growth of your mental health and development.  Mental health is a critical topic to talk about.  By being transparent [...]

Orlando Counselor | Video Tips to Keep your Child or Teen off the Bully Radar | Fox 35 Expert Jim West

Orlando Based Counselor | Video Tips to Keep your Child or Teen off the Bully Radar | Fox 35 Expert Jim West and his marriage, family experts provide counseling with offices in Lake Mary, Orlando, East Orlando, Clermont & Winter [...]

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