Education & Experience

Dr. Anna Lisa De Lima earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in trauma and crisis from Walden University. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas, and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She is EMDR trained and has advanced training in trauma, PTSD, crisis intervention, substance use disorders, and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Throughout her career, Dr. De Lima has held a variety of clinical and leadership roles within mental health and substance use treatment settings, including Primary Therapist, Program Director, Executive Clinical Director, and Corporate Director of Compliance and Clinical Integrity for behavioral healthcare organizations across Florida and Texas. Her work has included the development and oversight of trauma-informed residential and outpatient programming, clinical supervision, staff training, and the implementation of evidence-based treatment models for complex trauma and co-occurring disorders.

After many years working in leadership and clinical roles within the behavioral health field, Dr. De Lima transitioned into private practice and founded De Lima Counseling Group, LLC, a trauma-focused group practice rooted in holistic and evidence-based care. The practice places a strong emphasis on EMDR and trauma treatment, while also addressing co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns. Under her leadership, the group integrates approaches such as EMDR, CBT, DBT, CPT, mindfulness, and other trauma-informed modalities to support individuals struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, and relational difficulties.

Dr. De Lima has dedicated a significant portion of her clinical and research career to working with first responders and individuals exposed to chronic stress and trauma. Her dissertation research focused on factors that promote posttraumatic growth and resilience in first responders, and she has presented nationally on trauma, PTSD, compassion fatigue, and first responder mental health. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as contributing faculty at Walden University, where she mentors and educates future counselors and clinicians.