Dr. Virgil Wittmer, PHD

Dr. Virgil Wittmer, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) practicing at Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, FL. He is a dedicated partner in preventive health, committed to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), Dr. Virgil PHD is deeply invested in building resilience and fostering long-term wellness through evidence-based therapies. He serves all ages, and patients should call (904) 345-7373 to confirm if he is currently accepting new patients.

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. Virgil PHD understands the importance of a collaborative approach to care, emphasizing evidence-based medicine and creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. As a psychologist in Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Virgil PHD is dedicated to fostering mental well-being through proactive strategies and a commitment to the patient experience.

Dr. Virgil PHD provides consultations primarily in English. He is deeply invested in helping you achieve and maintain optimal mental health, and is committed to working with you to develop a personalized plan that supports your unique needs and goals. We encourage you to contact his office to learn more and schedule a consultation.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Virgil 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. Virgil 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. Virgil 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: Managing substance dependence through evidence-based treatments prevents further health complications, relationship breakdowns, and financial difficulties, improving overall quality of life.
• Premenstrual Syndrome (Psychological aspects): Learning coping mechanisms for PMS symptoms like mood swings and irritability can help prevent these from interfering with your relationships and overall quality of life.
• Marriage Break-Up: Experiencing a marriage break-up can significantly impact mental well-being, so seeking support early can prevent long-term emotional distress and build resilience.
• Genetic Predisposition to Autism: Understanding genetic predispositions to autism empowers families to seek professional guidance and implement early support strategies, helping to build resilience and promote healthy development.
• Complex Psychological Disorders: Understanding your risk factors and seeking professional guidance for complex psychological disorders can significantly improve your quality of life and prevent the development of secondary mental or physical health issues.
• Sexual Arousal Disorder: Understanding the factors contributing to sexual arousal difficulties is crucial for preventive care; early intervention can help address underlying concerns and prevent further emotional distress.
• Reactive Depression: Reactive depression, triggered by stressful life events, highlights the importance of building resilience skills beforehand to better manage emotional responses and prevent prolonged suffering.

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

• Medication Management for Learning and Behavioral Disabilities: Proactively manage medications for learning and behavioral challenges to improve focus, behavior, and overall well-being.
• Substance Abuse Treatment: Take a proactive step towards better mental and physical health by seeking substance abuse treatment; it can help identify unhealthy substance use patterns early on.
• Eating Disorder Treatment: Protecting your well-being starts with recognizing potential eating disorders; our treatment helps identify and address these issues before they escalate.
• Neurological Testing (Neuropsychological part): Take a proactive step towards understanding your brain's health by undergoing neuropsychological testing, which can help detect cognitive issues early and support timely interventions.
• Parenting Classes: Gain valuable insights into child development and effective communication strategies to improve family relationships and promote emotional well-being.
• Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (ISRT): Take a proactive step towards better mental well-being with ISRT, a therapy that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle and social rhythms to prevent mood instability.
• Meditation: Strengthen your mental fitness and prevent stress overload by making time for daily meditation, helping you manage challenging emotions and improve your overall sense of 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. Virgil 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 early warning signs and developing coping mechanisms, a patient successfully reduced their substance use, leading to improved relationships and a more stable financial situation.
• By learning effective coping strategies for mood swings and irritability, a patient found ways to manage premenstrual symptoms, improving her relationships and overall well-being. This proactive approach allowed her to feel more in control and confident during her menstrual cycle.

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. Virgil PHD:

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

A clinical psychologist, like Dr. Virgil, 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 challenges from becoming crises. This includes working with you to understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and develop healthy ways to manage them.

What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

Psychologists, like Dr. Virgil, hold a PhD or PsyD and specialize in psychotherapy and psychological testing. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, are medical doctors (MD/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. Dr. Virgil offers preventive mental health services for everyone. Seeing a psychologist is beneficial for managing everyday stress, improving relationships, navigating life transitions, and building skills to prevent more serious issues from developing.

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, aims to reduce the distress associated with traumatic events, preventing the long-term effects of PTSD.

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. Virgil can teach you strategies to restructure your sleep habits and challenge anxious thoughts that may be preventing restful sleep.

How can a psychologist help my child or teenager?

Dr. Virgil provides a supportive space for children and teenagers to navigate challenges like anxiety, behavioral problems, and social skills difficulties. Therapy equips them with coping mechanisms and tools to prevent these issues from affecting their long-term development and well-being.

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

Dr. Virgil provides a supportive space to process the emotional impact of 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 an assessment for ADHD like?

A comprehensive ADHD evaluation goes beyond a simple questionnaire. It includes a detailed clinical interview, review of school or work history, and standardized psychological tests to assess attention, impulsivity, and executive function. This thorough approach ensures an accurate diagnosis.

Brooks Rehabilitation
3901 University Blvd S
Jacksonville FL 32216
Phone: (904) 345-7373

Dr. Virgil Wittmer, 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): 1396769758

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. Virgil 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.