Business Details
33 Years
experience
Your Trusted Mental Health Counseling Center in Orlando
At First Orlando Counseling, we have dedicated ourselves to transforming lives through compassionate mental health care for over three decades. Our team of licensed professionals specializes in evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, and Trauma-Informed Interventions, designed to address anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other emotional challenges. With a foundation built on 30+ years of clinical expertise, we prioritize personalized treatment plans that empower clients to reclaim control over their thoughts and relationships.Our therapists hold advanced certifications in specialized modalities like TBRI and ART, ensuring cutting-edge care for trauma recovery. Committed to ethical excellence, we maintain strict confidentiality while fostering client resilience through skills-based approaches. Our practice combines deep industry knowledge with a client-centric philosophy, establishing trust through consistent, measurable outcomes that demonstrate our authority in mental health treatment.
Services
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
EMDR Therapy
Trauma-Informed Care
Anxiety Treatment
Depression Counseling
PTSD Recovery
Grief Counseling
OCD Treatment
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of experience in mental health counseling
- Specialized in trauma-informed therapies like TBRI and ART
- Licensed professionals with advanced certifications
- Personalized treatment plans for measurable outcomes
- Proven success helping thousands overcome emotional struggles
What people say
Life-changing support
Compassionate counselors
Effective trauma treatment
Personalized care plans
Measurable improvements
Services
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps clients identify and modify negative thought patterns affecting their emotions and behaviors. This structured, goal-oriented approach teaches practical skills to manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Our therapists guide clients through evidence-based techniques that reframe distorted thinking, fostering healthier coping mechanisms and improved emotional regulation.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy accelerates healing from traumatic experiences through guided eye movements that reprocess distressing memories. This FDA-approved treatment effectively reduces PTSD symptoms by helping the brain integrate traumatic events in a healthier way. Our certified practitioners use this eight-phase approach to address trauma's lasting impact on mental health and daily functioning.
Trauma-Informed Care
Our trauma-informed approach recognizes how past experiences shape current behaviors and emotional states. Using specialized interventions like TBRI and ART, we create safe therapeutic environments for processing trauma. This comprehensive care model addresses the complex needs of trauma survivors through connection-based therapies that promote neural reorganization and emotional healing.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Accelerated Resolution Therapy rapidly reprograms distressing memories through guided eye movements similar to REM sleep patterns. This innovative technique helps clients process traumatic experiences in fewer sessions than traditional therapies. ART effectively reduces PTSD symptoms by altering how the brain stores and accesses traumatic memories, minimizing their emotional impact.
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy improves adult relationships through structured sessions focusing on attachment patterns and bonding. This short-term approach helps couples identify destructive interaction cycles and develop secure emotional connections. Our therapists guide clients through creating healthier relationship dynamics that foster trust, understanding, and long-term relational satisfaction.
People
CJ Varghese
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Specializing in relationship counseling and family dynamics, CJ Varghese brings extensive experience in helping couples and families build stronger connections through evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Cynthia Knowles
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Cynthia Knowles offers comprehensive mental health treatment with expertise in anxiety disorders and trauma recovery, utilizing specialized therapies to help clients achieve emotional stability and personal growth.
Edward Maerkl
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Edward Maerkl specializes in trauma treatment and cognitive behavioral therapy, providing targeted interventions for clients struggling with PTSD and complex emotional challenges through personalized care plans.
Kari Russo
Director, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
As director, Kari Russo oversees clinical operations while maintaining expertise in trauma-focused therapies, combining leadership experience with direct client care in mental health treatment.
Chris Venezia
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Chris Venezia specializes in relationship counseling and family systems therapy, helping clients improve communication patterns and develop healthier interpersonal connections through evidence-based interventions.
Questions
What mental health conditions do you treat?
We treat anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, grief, and relationship issues using evidence-based therapies tailored to each client's specific needs and treatment goals.
Do you offer online therapy sessions?
Yes, we provide telehealth counseling services for clients who prefer remote sessions, maintaining the same quality of care through secure virtual platforms.
How long does therapy typically last?
Treatment duration varies by individual needs, with many clients seeing significant improvement in 8-12 sessions, while complex cases may require longer-term care.
What therapy approaches do your counselors use?
Our therapists utilize CBT, EMDR, ART, TBRI, and EFT, selecting evidence-based approaches matched to each client's specific mental health concerns and treatment objectives.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Contact our Orlando office directly to schedule your initial consultation, where we'll match you with the most appropriate therapist based on your specific needs.
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