Dr. Lora Thompson, PHD

Dr. Lora Thompson, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) practicing at Moffitt Magnolia Campus in Tampa, FL. She is a dedicated partner in preventive health, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her expertise lies in empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Mental Health care. She is committed to building resilience, utilizing evidence-based therapies, and creating long-term wellness plans to safeguard your mental well-being. Dr. Lora PhD coordinates necessary screenings and serves as your primary partner in this journey, and she is welcoming new patients of all ages to begin their proactive health 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. Dr. Lora PHD's clinical interest is in psychosocial oncology, focusing on providing support and management of symptoms like depressed mood, anxiety, and sleep difficulty for patients facing cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. She also directs the Integrative Medicine Service, offering massage, yoga, meditation, and acupuncture. Dr. Lora PHD completed rigorous medical training from recognized institutions and pursued fellowship training at the University of South Florida, further specializing in her area of patient health. Her approach to care is collaborative and evidence-based, fostering a supportive environment where you feel empowered to take an active role in your long-term health. Dr. Lora PHD provides consultations primarily in English. Call (888) 663-3488 to schedule an appointment.

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

• Atypical Depression: Managing atypical depression proactively, through therapy and lifestyle changes, can prevent it from negatively affecting your relationships and work life.
• Compulsive Finger Picking: Preventive mental health strategies, such as therapy, can help manage compulsive finger picking and improve overall well-being by reducing anxiety or stress linked to the behavior.
• Depersonalization Disorder: Depersonalization disorder can disrupt your sense of self, but by recognizing the signs and seeking support, you can prevent further emotional distress and improve your quality of life.
• Developmental Language Delay: By proactively managing developmental language delay, we can help children build strong communication foundations and prevent difficulties in school, friendships, and self-confidence later in life.
• Inhalant Dependence: Inhalant dependence is a serious condition where someone relies heavily on breathing in fumes from household or industrial chemicals to feel high, and early intervention can prevent serious health consequences and improve long-term well-being.
• Fear of the Dark: Early intervention for fear of the dark can help prevent the development of more complex phobias or anxiety disorders.
• Intense Feelings: Learning to recognize and understand your intense feelings is a vital step in preventing them from interfering with your daily 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. Lora PHD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• 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.
• Independent Educational Evaluation: To ensure your child receives the most effective education, consider an independent educational evaluation – it helps uncover learning challenges and create a personalized learning plan, promoting their success.
• EEG (Electroencephalogram) (as a diagnostic tool): To prevent future mental health challenges, an EEG helps assess your brain's function, providing valuable information for personalized treatment plans and early intervention strategies.
• Developmental Assessment: This assessment screens for developmental delays or differences that could impact your child's learning, social skills, or emotional well-being.
• Marital and Family Psychotherapy: Take a proactive step toward preventing relationship breakdown by addressing challenges early on with professional marital and family psychotherapy.
• Psychoanalysis: Begin your journey to improved mental health by exploring deep-seated emotional patterns and beliefs through psychoanalysis, potentially preventing future distress and improving your emotional regulation.
• Addiction Treatment: Take a proactive step towards a healthier you by seeking addiction treatment; it helps identify potential substance use issues early, preventing further harm and promoting long-term well-being.

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. Lora 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 proactively addressing potential triggers and practicing healthy coping mechanisms, a patient significantly reduced the risk of atypical depression impacting their daily life, fostering greater emotional well-being.
• By addressing underlying anxieties through therapy, a patient significantly reduced compulsive finger picking, finding greater peace of mind and improved self-esteem.

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. Lora PHD:

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

Dr. Lora 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. Lora, 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. Dr. Lora's practice emphasizes preventive mental health, helping everyone manage everyday stress, improve relationships, navigate life transitions, and build skills to prevent more serious issues.

What is trauma-focused therapy like EMDR?

Trauma-focused therapies, like EMDR, are specialized treatments designed to help the brain process and heal from traumatic memories. EMDR, a structured therapy, helps reduce the distress associated with traumatic events, preventing the long-term effects of PTSD. It's a process that can be very effective in helping individuals move forward.

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

A panic attack is a sudden, intense surge of fear with physical symptoms, often unexpected. Anxiety attacks, on the other hand, are usually a gradual build-up of worry in response to a specific stressor, and less intense.

How can a psychologist help my child or teenager?

Dr. Lora provides a supportive space for children and teenagers to navigate challenges like anxiety, behavioral problems, and social skills difficulties. She helps equip them with 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 used as a tool to reduce stress, manage emotions, and prevent unhelpful thoughts from dominating.

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

Dr. Lora 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 navigate future challenges and prevent your anxiety or depression from worsening.

Moffitt Magnolia Campus
12902 Usf Magnolia Dr
Tampa FL 33612
Phone: (888) 663-3488

Dr. Lora Thompson, 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): 1972537207

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. Lora 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.