Dr. Colleen Clark, PHD

Dr. Colleen Clark, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Mental Health care. She practices at her clinic in Tampa, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her commitment to preventive care extends to all ages, recognizing that mental well-being is a lifelong journey. 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. Please call (813) 985-0273 to confirm if Dr. Colleen Clark, PhD is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Colleen Clark, PhD is a psychologist in Tampa, FL, committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care. She fosters a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Her focus is on building resilience and fostering a proactive stance toward mental wellness, recognizing the importance of early intervention and long-term strategies. She understands the multifaceted nature of mental health and is dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to each individual's needs. Dr. Colleen PhD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Colleen 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. Colleen 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. Colleen 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:

• Genetic Predisposition to Autism: A family history of autism may increase the risk, however, preventive strategies such as early developmental screenings and intervention programs can make a significant difference.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD): OCPD, or Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, involves rigid thinking and behavior patterns that can negatively impact your life, but early intervention through therapy can help prevent serious relationship problems and career difficulties.
• Marriage Break-Up: Marriage break-ups are a major life stressor; proactively managing the emotional fallout through therapy or support groups can help prevent the development of more serious mental health issues.
• Dissociative Amnesia: Dissociative amnesia, characterized by gaps in memory, can be better managed with early intervention, preventing further emotional distress and relationship problems.
• Intellectual Functioning Disabilities: By recognizing and addressing intellectual functioning disabilities early on, we can prevent secondary complications such as social isolation and low self-esteem, fostering greater life satisfaction.
• Sadism: While not everyone experiences sadism, recognizing early signs of deriving pleasure from inflicting pain on others is important for preventing potential harm and seeking appropriate support.
• Paranoid Personality Disorder: Paranoid personality disorder involves a long-term pattern of mistrust and suspicion that can be managed through early therapy, preventing strained relationships and emotional distress.

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. Colleen PHD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Smoking Cessation Counseling: Proactively protect your lungs and heart by participating in smoking cessation counseling; it provides evidence-based techniques to help you successfully quit.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Take a proactive step towards better mental health by learning CBT techniques to manage stress and negative thought patterns, preventing future anxiety and depression.
• Chronic Pain Management (Psychological aspects): Invest in your well-being by exploring how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence your chronic pain experience.
• Pre-School Neuropsychological Assessment: This assessment screens for any neurological or cognitive delays that could impact your preschooler’s future academic success and overall mental health, paving the way for supportive strategies.
• Independent Educational Evaluation: An independent educational evaluation is a crucial tool for identifying learning differences early, allowing for timely intervention and preventing potential frustration and academic setbacks.
• Integrated Yoga Therapy: Proactively address mental health concerns and foster inner peace by incorporating integrated yoga therapy into your life – it's a gentle yet powerful tool for self-care and resilience building.
• Twelve Step Faciliation: As a preventative measure against relapse, 12-step facilitation offers a supportive environment and proven strategies for lasting recovery from substance use disorders.

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. Colleen 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:

• Knowing their family history, a family proactively sought early developmental screenings and intervention programs, significantly reducing their concerns about a potential genetic predisposition to autism. This proactive approach fostered peace of mind and empowered them to focus on the child's healthy development.
• Recognizing early warning signs of potential OCPD tendencies and engaging in proactive therapy, a patient developed healthier coping mechanisms, reducing the risk of future relationship and career challenges. This proactive approach allowed them to navigate life's complexities with greater ease and confidence.

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. Colleen PHD:

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

Dr. PHD 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 life's challenges from becoming mental health crises.

What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

Psychologists, like Dr. Colleen, 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. Often, psychologists and psychiatrists work together 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. Colleen PhD is beneficial for everyone, not just those with serious mental illness. Therapy can help manage everyday stress, improve relationships, navigate life transitions, and build skills to prevent more serious issues.

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 help reduce stress, manage difficult emotions, and prevent negative thought patterns.

What is the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack?

Panic attacks are sudden, intense surges of fear with physical symptoms, often unexpected. Anxiety attacks, on the other hand, are typically a gradual buildup of worry in response to a specific stressor, and are usually less intense.

Can therapy help me improve my sleep?

Yes, therapy can significantly improve sleep. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a highly effective, drug-free treatment for chronic insomnia. Dr. Colleen can teach you strategies to restructure your sleep habits and challenge anxious thoughts that prevent restful sleep.

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

Dr. Colleen PHD helps build a mental health toolkit by teaching specific 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 prevent anxiety or depression from worsening and navigate future challenges effectively.

What is psychological testing and why might I need it?

Psychological testing uses standardized tests and interviews to evaluate cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. It helps diagnose conditions like ADHD or learning disabilities and create a personalized treatment plan. This process provides a comprehensive understanding to guide effective interventions.

8066 N 56th St
Tampa FL 33617
Phone: (813) 985-0273

Dr. Colleen Clark, 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): 1447208707

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. Colleen 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.