Alicia Kohalmi

Trauma leaves scars. It's hard to put words to pain that's been inflicted mentally, emotionally, or physically. Healing begins when you're ready to address these scars.

The First Step   

Learning more about trauma and ways to process it can lead to healing. In some cases, you may benefit more from one-on-one conversation with a professional therapist. My goal is to provide you with information and resources to help you determine what's best for you. 

Recommendations & Resources

Who you are today doesn't define who you really are or who you want to be. Exploring your inner thoughts, challenges, and obstacles that are keeping you from experiencing life fully is key to resilience. The past cannot be changed, but your mindset and emotional responses can! 

I look forward to sharing stories, tips, and resources to help you feel your best. Why? Because you matter--to yourself and to the world around you. 

My Background

I am a licensed psychologist at the James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa, Florida. I provide assessment, psychotherapy, and consultation services within the Post-deployment Rehabilitation and Evaluation Program (PREP). PREP is a rehabilitation program for veterans and active duty service members with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and other polytraumatic injuries. As a psychologist on this team, I assess for and treat trauma-related disorders such as adjustment disorders and PTSD, other anxiety-related disorders, depressive disorders, chronic pain, and impaired sleep using a cognitive-behavioral approach.

My master's level education in health psychology from PCOM afforded me the opportunity to complete my first clinical training experience within a long-term residential facility for retired and disabled veterans at the Royersford Veteran Center. There, the focus of my clinical work was with veterans struggling with loss, concerns related to health and wellness, medication compliance, and changing family roles.

My diagnostic practice was completed at the JBVAMC within neuropsychology and inpatient psychological assessment. I became so attracted to the practice of neuropsychology that I pursued additional assessment experience within a private practice. I later received valuable interdisciplinary team experience when I completed my therapy practice within the EHJVH's TBI/Polytrauma Psychology Outpatient Clinic. I was then invited to continue at Hines for my advanced therapy practica in the Trauma Services Program, where I received training in evidence based trauma-focused therapy.

While completing my pre-doctoral internship at the JAHVH, I gained additional experience working in the areas of TBI and Polytrauma rehabilitation, military sexual trauma, chronic pain rehabilitation, and acute trauma/burn center consultation-liaison. I then completed my post-doctoral residency at the JAHVH, specializing in PTSD and TBI.