Picking the Right Counselor

Our Lake Mary children and teen counselors at Total Life Counseling will give your child the highest care possible. We take the guesswork out of finding the right counselor by hiring accomplished, capable, talented staff that is full of compassion. Our counselors are experts in their field and are asked to appear on TV (NBC, Fox35, ABC, CBS, CFN) and radio. Children and teens find it easy to relate to our Lake Mary counselors.

The TLC difference!

Our counselors not only meet with your teen or child, they get to know them in a much more exciting way then just talking.

Interactive Technique:

They use special “techniques” like play therapy, recreation therapy, interactive games, and more! They interact with the children and make a connection while also making counseling comfortable and fun. Our Lake Mary counselors often use groups, retreats, and camps to help the children while in a more social environment, not just within the walls of the counseling center. Popcorn, Xbox, and humor are a usual experience in a counseling session at our center. Your children will learn, connect, and have fun all while getting the benefits of counseling.

Holistic Approach Available:

Another thing that TLC does differently is we use a more holistic approach when it comes to medication. Our counselors like dietary changes, vitamins, supplements, and behavior modification before turning to any type of medical referrals. Due to this, 85% of our ADHD clients have been able to get off of or reduce their medications! At Total Life Counseling, you can trust that your child will be in good hands. We have many different services that are offered by our trustworthy counselors. We use different techniques that we are sure of and proud of, and we would love to help you and your family!

Total Life Counseling Center:

Jim West is the president/owner. Since 2003 Jim has expanded his staff by training counselors his approach to connect with teens to handle the demands and needs of families and teens in Central Florida. Currently we have offices in Metro Orlando including Metro West, Winter Park, East Orlando, Lake Mary and Clermont. Additionally, Jim has always thought of creative experiential treatment approaches to reach those who might not respond to traditional therapies.

Connects quickly with students

Jim has a unique way of bonding with children and adolescents through Play Therapy, Power Point Presentations, Interactive Games, Recreation Therapy and staying current with the constantly changing world of the children & adolescents. Jim also stays current with adolescents through his 13 years experience in youth ministry in speaks to students at school assemblies, youth groups and conventions.

Retreats:

We provide retreats for schools as well to help students resolve conflicts and repair past hurts.

Summer Camps:

Since 2004 incorporating a Challenge Ropes Course and Equestrian program has helped students mature significantly, socially and emotionally, increase confidence, become calmer, more compliant, improved leadership skills, and a more positive influence on their peers.

Speaking Engagements:

Our counselors are asked to speak across the state of Florida to the following organizations to list a few :

Community Involvement:

Jim West the president of Total Life Counseling Center was the producer of Sunday Night Live (Virginia) & Standing Room Only (a Saturday Night Live type program for High School Students in Lakeland) as well as Club 77. Club 77 was a Smoke Free Drug Free & Alcohol Free club for High School and College age students. Sunday Night Live & Standing Room Only were run by college students and the actors were teenagers entertaining other teens. These programs have built incredible self-confidence and developed talents and leadership skills for many teens. Jim has kept in touch with some of the teens that were involved in these programs and most are now adults involved in their community mentoring adolescents in some way. Jim is in the process of developing similar programs in Orlando.

Leadership Social Skills Support Group:

Jim leads a social skills group for ages 6-10, 11-13 and 14-17. This group is covers anger management, social skills, dealing with perceptions, greeting people, starting conversation, resolving conflict, apologizing, etc. The group utilizes interactive games focusing on building trust, focusing, not interrupting, etc. The group also utilizes short Power Point presentations to maintain attention and focus. The group also processes appropriate ways to express feelings of frustration or hurt.

Professional Memberships:

• LMHC MH6561 – State of Florida’s Department of Health
• NBCC – National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
• AACC
• Psychology Today Verified
• GoodTherapy.org Credentials Verified