Dr. Carla Kelly, PHD

Dr. Carla Kelly, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Mental Health care. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) at her clinic in Tampa, FL. As a trusted partner in preventive health, Dr. Carla PHD understands that mental well-being is a crucial element of overall health, and she actively works to build resilience and support long-term wellness. Clinical psychologists specializing in preventive mental health partner with you to build resilience, utilize evidence-based therapies, create long-term wellness plans, coordinate necessary screenings, and serve as your primary partner in proactively safeguarding your mental well-being. She serves all ages.

Dr. Carla Kelly, PhD is a psychologist in Tampa, FL, committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine. Her approach emphasizes creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She believes in the power of prevention and works to equip individuals with the tools and strategies necessary to thrive. To confirm if Dr. Carla Kelly, PhD is currently accepting new patients, please call (813) 289-6502. Dr. Carla PHD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Carla PHD is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Carla PHD can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Carla PHD provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Auditory Processing Disorders: Auditory processing disorder (APD) can make learning and social interaction challenging, so early identification and intervention are crucial for preventing academic struggles and social isolation later in life.
• Mild Chronic Pain (Psychological management of): Learning healthy coping strategies for mild chronic pain can prevent it from worsening and impacting your overall well-being.
• Major Depressive Disorder-Related Fibromyalgia: Managing both depression and fibromyalgia effectively, through a combination of treatments, helps reduce chronic pain, prevent further complications, and build resilience to future challenges.
• Cocaine Addiction: Addressing cocaine addiction early is crucial for preventing the development of serious health problems, including heart issues, stroke, and mental health disorders.
• Sex Addiction: Seeking help for problematic sexual behaviors is a form of preventive mental health care, allowing you to manage your actions before serious harm occurs.
• Depressive Disorders: Proactive steps to address depressive symptoms, such as seeking professional help, can prevent the disorder from worsening and impacting other areas of your life.
• Hypomania: Hypomania's elevated mood and energy can be disruptive, but proactive management, through self-care strategies and professional guidance, can prevent serious disruptions to your life and relationships.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Carla PHD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Hypnosis (Medical Hypnotherapy): Take a proactive step towards better sleep and reduced anxiety by utilizing medical hypnotherapy to access and manage your subconscious mind and reduce unhelpful thought patterns.
• Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD): To proactively manage stress after a difficult experience, CISD offers a structured discussion to help you understand your reactions and develop coping strategies.
• Aftercare for Substance Abuse: Take charge of your recovery journey with aftercare services designed to identify potential challenges and build strategies to maintain sobriety.
• Pediatric Trauma Management: Ensure your child receives support to process traumatic experiences and develop coping mechanisms, helping prevent future mental health issues.
• QEEG (Quantitative Encephalogram): As part of your preventive mental health strategy, a QEEG can provide valuable insights into your brain's electrical activity, facilitating personalized treatment plans and preventing future difficulties.
• Learning Disabilities Testing: Empower your child's learning journey through comprehensive learning disabilities testing; early diagnosis allows for timely interventions and improved academic outcomes.
• Chronic Pain Management (Psychological aspects): Take proactive steps to manage your chronic pain by understanding its psychological impact and learning coping strategies.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Clinical Psychologists (Preventive Mental Health) in Florida.

Dr. Carla PHD is dedicated to partnering with Family Members and Support Systems to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Individual's life:

• Recognizing the potential for auditory processing difficulties early, a family proactively sought support, leading to strategies for improved communication and learning, preventing future challenges.
• By learning relaxation techniques and stress management strategies, a patient found relief from mild chronic pain, improving their overall quality of life and preventing further discomfort.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Preventive Mental Health care with Dr. Carla PHD:

What is a Clinical Psychologist, and how can they help me?

Dr. Carla is a doctoral-level expert in mental and emotional health. She provides evidence-based therapy to help you develop coping strategies, build resilience, and prevent challenges from becoming crises.

What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

Psychologists, like Dr. Carla, hold a PhD or PsyD and specialize in psychotherapy and psychological testing. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, are medical doctors (MD or DO) who can prescribe medication and also provide therapy. They often collaborate as part of a comprehensive treatment team.

Do I need to have a serious mental illness to see a psychologist?

No. Seeing a psychologist like Dr. Carla PhD is beneficial for everyone. Therapy can help manage everyday stress, improve relationships, navigate life transitions, and build skills to prevent more serious issues.

How can a psychologist help my child or teenager?

Dr. Carla can provide a supportive space for children and teenagers to navigate challenges like anxiety, behavioral problems, and social skills difficulties. She helps them develop coping mechanisms and tools to prevent these issues from impacting their long-term development.

What is mindfulness and how is it used in therapy?

Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment without judgment. In therapy, it's a tool to reduce stress, manage difficult emotions, and prevent anxious or depressive thoughts from overwhelming you.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, goal-oriented therapy that helps you identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. It's been proven effective in preventing worsening of conditions like anxiety and depression.

How can couples counseling or family therapy help prevent problems?

Couples and family therapy provides a safe space to improve communication, develop conflict-resolution skills, and navigate life transitions together. This investment strengthens relationships, preventing future crises and fostering a more resilient family unit.

How can therapy help prevent my anxiety or depression from getting worse?

Dr. Carla helps build a mental health toolkit by teaching coping skills to manage symptoms, identifying early warning signs of a relapse, and addressing the root causes of distress. This proactive approach empowers you to navigate future challenges and prevent your anxiety or depression from worsening.

4100 W Kennedy Blvd Ste 214
Tampa FL 33609
Phone: (813) 289-6502

Dr. Carla Kelly, PHD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1437291747

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Clinical Psychologists (Preventive Mental Health) like Dr. Carla PHD are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your clinical psychologist (preventive mental health) about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.