Trauma Therapy in Tampa for Healing and Recovery
You feel anxious, sad and hopeless
You feel constantly on edge, like you're walking on a tightrope. The smallest things set you off, and you are constantly irritated. You wonder if something is wrong with you—if your reactions are normal. You're confused, struggling, and unsure what to do. I want you to know that I understand. No matter what happened to you, it wasn’t your fault, and you didn’t deserve it. Sometimes, bad things happen, but that doesn’t mean you’re beyond healing. You can find peace, happiness, and a sense of control again. You are not alone in this.
What is trauma?
Trauma occurs when an event overwhelms our ability to cope, leaving a lasting impact on our emotional and physical well-being. Common responses to trauma include:
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Everyone processes trauma differently, and these responses are not a sign of weakness—they are natural reactions to overwhelming experiences. With the right support, healing is possible.
Trauma can stem from many different experiences, including:
- An abusive childhood (physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse)
- An abusive relationship (physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse)
- Sexual assault or harassment
- Physical abuse or domestic violence
- Traumatic loss of a loved one
- A serious accident
- Witnessing violence
- A near-death experience
- Any event that made you feel deeply scared, unsafe, or helpless
What is PTSD and do I have it?
PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a serious and often debilitating condition. It is a clinical diagnosis characterized by multiple symptoms, including flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories, avoidance of certain people or situations, difficulty concentrating, and trouble sleeping. A formal diagnosis requires an evaluation by a mental health professional, such as a therapist or psychiatrist.
Trauma can also manifest in other ways, including physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, muscle tension, high blood pressure, and ulcers. Emotional and psychological effects may include increased anxiety, depression, anger, emotional numbness, heightened startle responses, and feelings of hopelessness or cynicism.
Even if you don’t meet the strict criteria for PTSD, it doesn’t mean your experience isn’t valid. PTSD is just one way to classify trauma-related symptoms, but trauma itself can affect people in many different ways. Therapy and other forms of trauma treatment can help you heal and reduce your symptoms.
Trauma therapy in Tampa for healing and growthI use a therapy called Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), which is similar to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) but often delivers results much more quickly—typically within 1 to 5 sessions. Many clients experience significant relief starting from the very first ART session. To learn more about ART and how it works, visit my dedicated ART page.
I also incorporate Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, which is particularly effective for complex trauma, such as childhood or relational trauma. IFS helps clients understand the different "voices" or parts of themselves, fostering deeper self-awareness and healing.
Therapeutic yoga is another highly effective form of trauma treatment I offer that is especially suited for complex trauma. You can learn more about that on my Therapeutic Yoga page.
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Trauma resources
National Center for PTSD - Information on post-traumatic stress disorder
- The Spring of Tampa Bay - Domestic violence resource
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Coping with Traumatic Events - Information on coping
- Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence--From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror - Book on trauma recovery
- Self-Guided Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction - Self-guided course on learning mindfulness
- Therapeutic resources and retreats for Military Veterans - Brian Bill Foundation
"Trauma creates change you don't choose.
Healing is about creating change you do choose."
Michelle Rosenthal
Healing is about creating change you do choose."
Michelle Rosenthal