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.

Our Positive Approach to ADHD 

In order to keep up with demand for Jim’s expertise he has trained TLC Counselors to utilize his approach with ADHD.  His positive approach to ADHD is refreshing and helps parents, and teachers get in the head of their students and truly empathize with their attentional issues.

Stanford did a study that showed the learning style of the average person as follows: 89% Visual, 10% Auditory & 1% the remaining 3 senses.  As we reflect on the teaching style in our schools we realize that the average student will struggle because the primary learning style is Auditory and then we expect an ADHD child that is primarily Visual and Tactile in their learning style to assimilate and learn.

ADHD students are entrepreneurial, inventors like Thomas Edison, visionaries, creators, scientists like Albert Einstein, professional athletes like Terry Bradshaw, CEO’s, entertainers, and more because they are full of passion.  If we can help them through school and let them loose in their area of passion they will far exceed their peers.

Choosing the Right Counselor

Deciding to seek out counseling can be very scary, but picking out a specific counselor can sometimes be even scarier. Here at Total Life Counseling you can be sure that your child is receiving the best care possible. We have a highly qualified staff that is full of caring and approachable individuals. These very counselors are often asked to provide advice on local news networks,print media, and radio, as well as speak at various conferences and seminars across the state of Florida. We often hear that it is easy to relate and open up to our counselors, and that is something that we take great pride in. But what makes Total Life Counseling a different, interactive counseling experience?

What to Expect from ADHD Counseling and Coaching:

Jim West, MA, LMHC Specializes in Child/Adult/Adolescent ADD/ADHD in Orlando & Winter Park area

POSITIVES OF ADHD:

• In the past several years we have read articles, and watched television programs talking about the negative aspects of ADHD.
• ADHD has several positive aspects and if properly treated and educated families can nurture ADHD individuals that possess incredible creativity, entrepreneurial traits, spontaneity, sensitivity, passion and much more.
• Click here to see U.S. News & World Report article about famous people and celebrities with ADHD.  
• “ADHD is a Good Thing?” article by James L West, LMHC, NCC

Our ADHD Holistic Approach:

• Clients travel from the Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Egypt, Belgium and all over Florida as 85% of patients since 2003 did not need medication or their medication was reduced significantly.
• Clients benefited almost immediately from FDA approved supplements/vitamins and dietary changes. We take a holistic approach incorporating, parent/child or adult education, behavior modification, positive reinforcement, coordination with the school, support for the child, dietary interventions and referral for medication consults (if necessary).
• “Food for Thought – How what we Eat effects how we Think!” In February 2006 the FDA black labeled several drugs for ADHD. See this link for more information.
• Dr. Marc Seigel, MD Professor at NYU states that 25% of teens in the United States are on medication. “Families and pediatricians need to look at what their kids are eating.”
• The Lancet Journal did a study: “Diet May Help ADHD Kids More than Drugs.”

Leadership Social Skills Support Group:

• Social Delays | 60% of ADHD Students are behind Socially by up to 25%.  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.
• Utilizes short Power Point presentations to maintain attention and focus.
• Group also processes appropriate ways to express feelings of frustration or hurt.

Anger Management in Central Florida

ADHD teens struggle with mood regulation and as a result they feel everything intensely.  Intense excitement and intense frustration!  Therefore anger management groups or tips might be helpful so we offer teen anger management groups!

What is ADHD or ADD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:

Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-V) provides criteria for diagnosing ADHD. The criteria are presented here in modified form in order to make them more accessible to the general public. They are listed here for information purposes and should be used only by trained health care providers to diagnose or treat ADHD. DSM-V Criteria for ADHD I. Either A or B:

1. Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Inattention

1. Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
5. Often has trouble organizing activities.
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn’t want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
8. Is often easily distracted.
9. Is often forgetful in daily activities.

1. Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Hyperactivity

1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
2. Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
3. Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
4. Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
5. Is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”.
6. Often talks excessively.

Impulsivity

1. Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
2. Often has trouble waiting one’s turn.
3. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

1. Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years.
2. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home).
3. There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning.
4. The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).

Based on these criteria, three types of ADHD are identified:

1. ADHD, Combined Type: if both criteria 1A and 1B are met for the past 6 months
2. ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type: if criterion 1A is met but criterion 1B is not met for the past six months
3. ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: if Criterion 1B is met but Criterion 1A is not met for the past six months.

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2014.

ADHD or ADD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Resources:

ADHD or ADD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Articles:

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