Business Details
33 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Mental Health Therapy Center in Orlando
First Orlando Counseling has dedicated over three decades to transforming lives through specialized mental health therapy. Our team of licensed professionals employs evidence-based methodologies like CBT, EMDR, and EFT to address PTSD, anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges. With a focus on personalized care, we empower clients to reclaim control over their mental well-being and foster healthier connections. Our clinicians combine extensive experience with innovative techniques such as TBRI and RTM to deliver rapid, lasting results. We prioritize creating secure therapeutic environments where individuals and couples can process emotional wounds and develop sustainable coping strategies.As a community pillar, we offer crisis intervention resources and educational content through our podcast and video library. Our multidisciplinary approach integrates neuroscience research with compassionate care to address both immediate symptoms and root causes. We maintain rigorous professional standards while fostering accessible, stigma-free mental health support for Central Florida residents.
Services
PTSD Counseling
EMDR Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Couples Counseling
Trauma Recovery
Anxiety Treatment
Depression Management
Family Therapy
Substance Abuse Counseling
Grief Counseling
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of specialized trauma therapy experience
- Our team uses proven methods like EMDR, CBT, and RTM
- Personalized treatment plans for individual needs
- Multidisciplinary team of licensed mental health professionals
- Evidence-based approaches with measurable outcomes
What people say
Life-changing counseling
Compassionate professionals
Effective trauma treatment
Rapid symptom relief
Supportive environment
Services
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy helps clients heal from traumatic experiences through guided eye movements. This evidence-based approach reprocesses distressing memories to reduce emotional distress. Clinicians use bilateral stimulation to facilitate neural reprocessing of traumatic events.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT addresses dysfunctional thinking patterns through structured, goal-oriented sessions. Our therapists teach practical skills for modifying negative thought cycles and behaviors. This time-limited approach focuses on present challenges and skill-building for long-term mental wellness.
Couples Counseling
Specialized therapy for relationship challenges using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). We help couples identify destructive patterns and build secure attachments. Sessions focus on improving communication and creating healthier relational dynamics through evidence-based interventions.
Trauma Recovery
Comprehensive trauma treatment combining RTM, TBRI, and ART techniques. Our specialists address PTSD symptoms through memory reconsolidation and trauma-informed care. We help clients achieve symptom relief from nightmares, flashbacks, and anxiety with proven neurological interventions.
Anxiety Treatment
Specialized programs for anxiety disorders using mindfulness and cognitive restructuring. We teach coping strategies for panic attacks, generalized anxiety, and phobias. Our approach combines relaxation techniques with evidence-based therapeutic frameworks for lasting symptom reduction.
People
Kari Russo
Director, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
With over 30 years of clinical experience, Kari Russo leads our trauma-informed care initiatives. She specializes in complex PTSD treatment and organizational leadership for mental health services.
CJ Varghese
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
CJ Varghese provides relationship-focused therapy using evidence-based approaches for couples and family systems. He specializes in attachment-based interventions and trauma recovery for relational healing.
Christopher Venezia
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Christopher Venezia specializes in adolescent mental health and technology-related anxiety. He leads educational initiatives about screen time impacts and develops community mental health resources.
Paula Navarro
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Paula Navarro focuses on women's mental health issues and trauma recovery. She has appeared on local media discussing mental health trends and provides expert commentary on emotional wellness topics.
Jeff Mclaughlin
Pastoral Counselor, Marriage Coach
Jeff Mclaughlin integrates spiritual perspectives with clinical counseling. He specializes in faith-based approaches to marriage counseling and provides ethical guidance for complex relationship decisions.
Questions
What mental health specialties do you treat?
We specialize in PTSD, anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, relationship counseling, and substance abuse treatment using evidence-based therapies like EMDR, CBT, and EFT.
Do you offer teletherapy options?
Yes, we provide secure online therapy sessions for clients who prefer remote counseling while maintaining the same quality of care as in-person visits.
How do I schedule an initial appointment?
Call our office at (407) 514-4470 to schedule your initial consultation. Our intake specialists will match you with the appropriate therapist based on your needs.
What insurance plans do you accept?
We accept most major insurance plans. Contact our billing department to verify your specific coverage and discuss payment options for mental health services.
Are your therapists licensed professionals?
Yes, our team includes licensed mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and specialized interns under direct supervision of licensed clinicians.
What crisis resources are available?
We offer emergency counseling for mental health crises. Call our main line for immediate assistance or visit our website for local crisis center referrals.
Videos
