Dr. John Toms, PHD

Dr. John Toms, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) practicing at our Tampa, FL clinic. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Mental Health care. Dr. John PHD is committed to partnering 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. He is accepting new patients of all ages.

Clinical psychologists specializing in preventive mental health recognize that proactive care is key to long-term well-being. Dr. John Toms, PhD approaches each patient with a collaborative, evidence-based approach, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He is a psychologist in Tampa, FL, currently accepting new patients. Please call (813) 281-8955 to schedule your appointment. Dr. John PHD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Substance Dependence: Regular self-assessment and open conversations about substance use can help identify potential dependence early, allowing for proactive intervention and preventing the development of serious health issues.
• Development of Written Expression Disorder: Addressing writing difficulties early on can build resilience and improve a child's confidence in their ability to communicate effectively.
• Fragile X Syndrome: Because Fragile X syndrome affects brain development, early identification and appropriate support can help prevent the development of associated behavioral challenges and enhance adaptive skills.
• Major Affective Disorder 2: Taking steps to prevent complications from Major Affective Disorder 2, such as depression or bipolar disorder, involves recognizing early warning signs, building resilience, and seeking professional support to improve your mental health and prevent crises.
• Behavioral Problems of Dementia: Understanding and addressing behavioral changes early in dementia can help prevent further complications and improve quality of life for both the individual and their caregivers.
• Adult Development Disorders: Regular check-ups and mental health screenings can help detect adult development disorders early, enabling timely treatment and preventing negative consequences.
• Attention Problems: Untreated attention problems can lead to more serious issues; seeking help early is key to building healthy coping skills.

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

• Marital Therapy: Proactively safeguard your relationship's well-being through marital therapy, which can identify and resolve underlying issues before they escalate.
• Eating Management: Develop healthy eating skills to enhance your resilience and prevent emotional eating, promoting better mental and physical health.
• Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT): Proactively address potential relationship challenges and improve emotional regulation by engaging in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), strengthening your ability to navigate interpersonal conflicts.
• Neuropsychology Services for Gifted Children: Invest in your gifted child's future mental wellbeing with neuropsychological testing; it helps identify underlying cognitive factors that may affect their academic success and emotional development, enabling early intervention.
• Dementia or Depression Screening: Enhance your overall mental health journey by participating in dementia and depression screenings; early diagnosis is key to managing symptoms and improving your outlook.
• Addiction Treatment: Invest in your mental and physical health by seeking addiction treatment; it helps you develop coping mechanisms and prevent the escalating consequences of substance abuse.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CTB-I): Invest in your mental health by participating in CBT-I, a therapy that identifies and addresses unhelpful thinking and behaviors related to sleep, preventing long-term sleep problems.

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. John 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:

• By regularly assessing their substance use and openly discussing concerns with a supportive professional, a patient identified potential risks early and implemented strategies to maintain healthy habits, significantly reducing their risk of substance dependence.
• A family proactively addressed potential writing difficulties in their child, building confidence and a strong foundation for future communication skills.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He 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. John PHD:

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

A clinical psychologist is a doctoral-level expert in mental and emotional health. They provide 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. John, 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 collaboratively as part of a comprehensive treatment team.

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

No. A psychologist like Dr. John PhD can help everyone manage everyday stress, improve relationships, navigate life transitions, and build skills to prevent more serious issues.

How can therapy support someone in recovery from a substance use disorder?

Therapy is a vital component of long-term recovery from substance use disorder. It helps you understand the root causes of your addiction, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and rebuild relationships, all crucial for preventing relapse.

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 the worsening of conditions like anxiety and depression.

How do you help people cope with the stress of a chronic medical illness?

Dr. John provides a supportive space to process the emotional impact of a chronic illness and teaches practical coping strategies to manage pain, fatigue, and stress, helping to prevent the illness from leading to depression or anxiety.

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 unhelpful thoughts from taking over.

How can couples counseling or family therapy help prevent problems?

Couples and family therapy provides a safe space to improve communication, learn conflict resolution, and navigate life transitions together, strengthening bonds and preventing future relationship crises.

1211 N West Shore Blvd Ste 411
Tampa FL 33607
Phone: (813) 281-8955

Dr. John Toms, 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): 1568513216

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. John 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.