Trauma Therapy and PTSD Recovery in Florida
Defining “Trauma”
Trauma is not just about what happened to you—it’s about how your mind and body responded to those experiences. As Bessel van der Kolk explains in The Body Keeps the Score, trauma is stored in the body, shaping how we feel, react, and even perceive the world.
Janina Fisher expands on this, emphasizing that trauma fragments our sense of self, leaving parts of us stuck in the past while we try to move forward. If you've ever felt like your reactions don't match the present moment, or that you're reliving painful experiences even when you're safe, trauma may be at the root.
Have you ever felt like a past experience still has a grip on you? Maybe certain sounds, places, or even thoughts bring back overwhelming emotions, sensations, or even pain. The thought of processing in therapy may overwhelm you. As your therapist, I am here to meet you where you are and gently guide you through the process when you're ready. Identifying and understanding how you have adapted to trauma is the first step in healing.
PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and is diagnosed based on specific criteria, including exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.
Symptoms are grouped into four categories: intrusive thoughts (such as flashbacks and nightmares), avoidance (staying away from trauma-related reminders), negative changes in mood and thinking (feelings of guilt, detachment, or difficulty experiencing positive emotions), and changes in arousal and reactivity (being easily startled, hypervigilant, or having difficulty sleeping).
Even when you know you’re safe, your nervous system may still react as if the danger is present. It can show up as flashbacks, nightmares, feeling on edge, avoiding reminders of the past, or feeling emotionally numb. Even when you know you’re safe, your nervous system may still react as if the danger is present.
C-PTSD
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5 but is widely recognized by trauma experts as a condition that develops from long-term, repeated trauma—often in childhood or relationships where there was no safe escape.
While it shares many symptoms with PTSD, individuals with C-PTSD often experience additional challenges such as deep-seated shame, difficulty trusting others, struggles with self-worth, or a sense of disconnection from themselves. The prolonged nature of the trauma can make healing feel more complicated, but recovery is absolutely possible with the right support.
In addition to PTSD symptoms, you may experience deep-seated shame, difficulty trusting others, struggles with self-worth, or a sense of disconnection from yourself. If you’ve ever felt like your trauma is woven into your identity, making it hard to feel safe in your own skin, C-PTSD may be part of your experience.
Healing through Connection: Rebuilding Safety in Mind and Body
Trauma isn’t just something you “think” about—it’s something you feel in your body. If your nervous system is constantly in overdrive or shutdown mode, healing requires more than just talking about what happened. That’s where mind-body approaches come in.
I work carefully and intentionally with PTSD, ensuring that each step of therapy feels safe and manageable. My approach is not about rushing into painful memories but about strengthening your ability to navigate them with support. Our work together typically includes:
Building Safety and Stability: Before processing trauma, we focus on creating a foundation of safety. This means learning how to regulate your nervous system, develop coping strategies, and feel more grounded in the present moment.
Exploring Trauma at Your Pace: Using approaches like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), we gently process traumatic memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge. These techniques help your brain integrate past experiences without overwhelming you.
Reconnecting with Yourself: Healing is not just about reducing symptoms—it’s about reclaiming your sense of self. We work on rebuilding trust in your body, strengthening self-compassion, and creating a life that feels safe and fulfilling.
Moving Forward with Confidence: The goal of therapy is not to erase the past but to help you move forward with greater resilience and freedom. As you integrate these healing experiences, you’ll find yourself feeling more in control, more connected, and more at peace.
Healing from trauma isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about reclaiming your sense of safety, trust, and self-worth. If you’re ready to break free from the grip of trauma, I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Does this resonate with you?
Are you ready to take the next steps towards change? If you feel a bit nervous, that is totally normal! I am here to help guide you in the right direction and answer any questions you may have.
Finding the right therapist for your healing journey is key. I offer a free 15-minute consultation over the phone or on video session to see if we are a good fit for each other.
Please let me know in your message why you are seeking therapy at this time and what your preferred method of contact is for me to reach out to you!