Trauma/PTSD Treatment in Florida
“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” – Laurell K. Hamilton
Experiencing trauma can leave deep emotional and physical imprints that affect how you think, feel, and connect with the world around you. Whether your trauma was a single event or something that occurred over time, its impact can linger. You may notice changes in your mood, sleep, or relationships, or find yourself feeling detached, on edge, or easily overwhelmed. At Sunshine Therapy Solutions, I provide compassionate trauma therapy in Tampa, Florida, to help you understand what you’ve been through and rebuild a sense of safety and strength.
What Is Trauma and PTSD?
Most of us will experience trauma at some point in our lives, whether from an accident, abuse, assault, war, natural disaster, or loss or death of a loved one. Trauma may be direct, such as personally experiencing harm, or indirect, such as:
- Witnessing a traumatic event as it happens to someone else
- Learning about a traumatic event experienced by a friend or loved one
- Repeated exposure to trauma, as often seen among first responders or medical professionals
While many people recover over time with support from family and friends, others may benefit from trauma therapy to resolve ongoing fear, confusion, or emotional pain. These lingering effects can be signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Trauma and PTSD Symptoms
Trauma can affect how you think, feel, and respond to the world around you. Symptoms may develop soon after the traumatic event or surface much later, and they can vary in intensity from person to person. Generally, trauma-related symptoms appear in several ways:
Re-Experiencing Symptoms
These occur when memories of the trauma resurface, making it feel as though the event is happening again:
- Recurring, intrusive, and upsetting memories about the traumatic event (flashbacks)
- Nightmares
- Emotional distress or physical reactions to reminders of the event
Avoidance Symptoms
These involve efforts to stay away from reminders of the trauma, both mentally and physically:
- Avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the trauma
- Avoiding specific locations, sights, sounds, or situations that bring up reminders
Negative Cognition and Mood Symptoms
These affect how you see yourself and the world, often leading to emotional numbness or hopelessness:
- Trouble remembering details of the event
- Negative thoughts about yourself or the world
- Guilt or self-blame about what happened
- Feelings of numbness, sadness, or disconnection
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in habits or behavior
- Feeling isolated from others
Hyperarousal Symptoms
These involve heightened alertness and physical tension that can make it hard to relax or feel safe:
- Anger, irritability, or constant alertness (hypervigilance)
- Reckless or self-destructive behavior
- Being easily startled
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
If these symptoms cause distress or interfere with several areas of your life, you may be experiencing post-traumatic stress or PTSD. The effects of trauma are real, and they are treatable. With trauma therapy in Tampa, FL, healing and recovery are possible.
Treatment for Trauma and PTSD
In trauma therapy in Tampa, FL, at Sunshine Therapy Solutions, I use a trauma-informed approach that meets you where you are and guides you toward lasting healing and resilience. Together, we’ll explore how your experiences have shaped you, develop tools to manage distress, and support your journey toward emotional well-being.
What It Means To Be Trauma-Informed
A trauma-informed approach acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma and prioritizes your sense of safety and control throughout the therapeutic process. This means therapy is conducted with sensitivity, respect, and a deep understanding of how trauma can influence every aspect of life. My trauma-informed practice includes:
- Realizing the widespread impact of trauma
- Recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma
- Understanding paths to recovery
- Integrating trauma knowledge into all areas of care
- Avoiding re-traumatization
Key Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach
The foundation of PTSD therapy and trauma-informed counseling rests on several core principles:
- Safety – A PTSD therapist creates an environment where you feel emotionally and physically secure
- Trust and transparency – Building openness and consistency in the therapeutic relationship
- Peer support – Encouraging connection and understanding through shared experiences
- Collaboration – Working together with your trauma therapist in all aspects of treatment
- Empowerment and choice – Supporting your autonomy and recognizing your strengths
- Cultural, historical, and gender awareness – Respecting each person’s unique background and lived experience
Building on this foundation, several therapeutic approaches can be incorporated into trauma therapy in Tampa, FL, to help you further process trauma and move toward lasting recovery.
Therapy Approaches for Healing
A trauma-informed framework aligns well with solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), a collaborative, strengths-based approach that highlights and expands on your natural resiliencies and resources. You can learn more about this method at solution-focused brief therapy in Florida. In addition to SFBT, I integrate other evidence-based, trauma-informed therapies, including:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is a mindfulness-based, behavioral approach that helps you let go of painful thoughts and emotions and focus instead on what truly matters to you. This process supports both healing and resilience while encouraging meaningful, value-driven action. Learn more about acceptance and commitment therapy in Florida.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
In a trauma therapy context, CBT becomes trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT), a structured approach that helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors related to trauma. This method reduces fear, guilt, and other symptoms while restoring a sense of balance and control. Learn more about cognitive behavioral therapy in Florida.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness practices that integrate trauma-informed principles emphasize grounding, body awareness, and emotional regulation. Techniques such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) address several core symptoms of PTSD, helping to calm the nervous system, reduce hypervigilance, and ease feelings of guilt, shame, or disconnection. Find out more about mindfulness-based therapy in Florida.
Begin Your Path to Healing
Recovering from trauma is possible. If you think you may be experiencing post-traumatic stress or PTSD, I would be honored to support you with trauma therapy in Tampa, FL. We can create a compassionate, personalized plan that helps you feel more grounded, connected, and hopeful. Let’s connect online and move forward on your path to healing, growth, and thriving! Please see additional information about my virtual services at online therapy in Florida.