Trauma Therapy Tampa for PTSD, Grief, and Emotional Healing
Do certain memories from a traumatic experience still haunt you, even when life seems to have moved on? Do you feel stuck, anxious, or emotionally drained without knowing exactly why?
Trauma can leave invisible wounds that impact your relationships, focus, and sense of safety.
If you’ve been carrying the weight of past pain or childhood experiences that never truly healed, you’re not on your own.
At Total Life Counseling Center in Tampa Bay, our compassionate trauma counselors are here to help you unpack that burden, gently, respectfully, and at your own pace. Whether you’re looking for a trauma therapist near me or someone who truly understands trauma recovery, we’re here for you.
What Does Trauma Look Like?
Trauma doesn’t always look like panic attacks or visible distress. Often, it’s quieter, but just as heavy.
You might feel:
- Ongoing sadness, emotional numbness, or disconnection
- Anxiety or feeling constantly on edge
- Nightmares, flashbacks, or intrusive thoughts
- Avoiding people, places, or reminders of past events
- Trouble focusing, emotional ups and downs
- Guilt, shame, or feeling “stuck” in the past
These are not personal flaws, they’re your nervous system’s way of protecting you after overwhelming experiences.
If these symptoms feel familiar and you’ve found yourself searching for trauma counseling near me, our compassionate trauma counseling Tampa team is here to walk with you, gently, at your pace in the therapy sessions.
What Is Trauma Therapy, And Why It Matters?
Trauma therapy is more than just talking about what happened, it’s about healing how the experience still lives inside you.
When trauma is left unprocessed, it can quietly affect how you think, feel, and respond to daily life. You may not always link your symptoms to past trauma, but the impact can show up in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.
Why People Seek Trauma Therapy?
Many individuals who come to us at Total Life Counseling Center in the Tampa Bay area are not just looking to talk; they’re looking to feel safe, heard, and finally start to feel like themselves again through various life transitions. That’s what sets our trauma therapy counseling sessions services apart.
If you’ve experienced trauma symptoms, such as:
- Childhood trauma or neglect
- Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
- A car accident, natural disaster, or unexpected medical event
- Grief, loss, or the pain of a broken relationship
- Ongoing stress from toxic environments or unsafe relationships
…working with a trauma therapist Tampa residents trust can help you make sense of your past and regain control over your present.
How Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Shape Trauma in Adulthood
Many symptoms of chronic trauma don’t begin in adulthood; they begin in childhood. ACEs, or Adverse Childhood Experiences, are early life stressors that can leave lasting emotional and physiological impacts. And they’re more common than you might think.
According to the CDC, 64% of adults in the U.S. report at least one ACE before age 18, while nearly 1 in 6 report four or more types of ACEs.
These experiences can include but are not limited to:
- Physical, sexual, or verbal abuse, including physical abuse, can lead to severe psychological effects.
- Emotional or physical neglect
- Living with a caregiver suffering from mental illness or addiction
- Experiencing domestic violence or the incarceration of a parent
- Parental separation, divorce, or death
Remember, these symptoms are not personality flaws. They’re survival responses your body learned early on. If you’re looking for trauma therapy near me, we at TLC can help you unlearn what no longer serves you. Our team is a good fit since we include a skilled trauma counselor Tampa residents rely on for safe, personalized healing.
When Everyday Events Become Traumatic: PTSD After a Car Accident
A car accident can leave behind more than bruises, it can affect how you feel long after the crash.
You may be experiencing trauma if you:
- Feel panic while driving or passing the accident site
- Have nightmares, flashbacks, or intrusive thoughts
- Struggle to sleep, focus, or stay calm
These aren’t just stress responses, they’re signs your body is still trying to protect you.
At Total Life Counseling Tampa, our trauma counselors use evidence-based, drug-free therapies like Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Trauma-Focused CBT to help you feel safe and in control again.
The Hidden Trauma of Dog Bites: Scars That Linger
Dog bites are often portrayed as minor incidents, but for many victims, they’re anything but. Especially for children, a dog attack can result in deep psychological trauma, even if physical wounds eventually heal.
Victims may continue to suffer from:
- Fear of dogs or anxiety in outdoor settings
- Nightmares, flashbacks, or panic attacks
- Body image issues following disfigurement or surgery
- Social withdrawal, especially among children who feel different from their peers
Dog Bite Statistics: What You Should Know
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), stressful situations like dog bites are more common, and more serious, than many realize. Children are the most frequent victims, often suffering both physical and emotional trauma.
- The highest incident rate is among children aged 5–9.
- For kids 10 and under, 77% of injuries affect the face, neck, or head.
- In 47% of attacks on children under 4, the family dog was the aggressor.
- 4.7 million dog bites occur annually; 800,000 require medical care, 386,000 result in ER visits, and 32 fatalities were reported in 2007—3 in Florida.
- Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds are the top breeds involved.
- Pit Bulls account for one-third of all fatal dog bites.
- Male dogs aged 1–5 are three times more likely to bite than neutered males.
- Chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite than unchained ones.
- Most attacks happen at home or a friend’s house. Insurers pay about $1 billion annually due to dog bites.
These numbers are more than just statistics, they represent real trauma. If you or your child has been affected by a dog attack, trauma therapy at our healing center can help address the lasting emotional impact.
Start with a Free 15-Minute Consultation
Feeling overwhelmed, scattered, or stuck? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Connect with a dedicated ADHD therapist in Tampa for a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. We’ll listen, understand where you’re coming from, and help you explore the next best step, whether it’s individual therapy, ADHD coaching, or holistic support.
Why TLC Is a Safe Place to Heal from Trauma?
At Total Life Counseling, we don’t just treat symptoms, we treat the whole person. Our trauma-informed therapies are designed to gently uncover and heal what’s underneath the pain.
When emotions feel stuck or overwhelming, EFT can help release them.
Also known as “tapping,” EFT is a gentle technique used to reduce the emotional charge of trauma. It’s especially helpful for anxiety, addiction, and intrusive memories, often more effective than traditional talk therapy alone.
Still haunted by vivid memories or flashbacks? EMDR therapy helps you move forward. This structured therapy guides your brain in reprocessing traumatic memories, without reliving the pain. It’s widely used for trauma from car accidents, dog bites, military service, or abuse.
When fear, guilt, or shame take over your thoughts, TF-CBT brings clarity.
TF-CBT helps you identify and reframe negative thinking patterns. It’s ideal for adults, teens, and children who feel emotionally overwhelmed and need practical tools to manage their triggers.
Feel like you’re stuck in grief or pain that won’t let go? This therapy can unlock it.
Using clinical hypnosis and guided imagery, Rapid Resolution Therapy helps quickly uncover and clear subconscious blocks, ideal for trauma, grief, and phobias with faster relief.
Your mind and body are connected, and we treat both.
Alongside therapy, we guide you in making small, sustainable changes to support nervous system regulation. From nutrition tips to targeted supplements (like B vitamins and amino acids), we help reduce anxiety naturally.
How Trauma Can Lead to PTSD
PTSD symptoms isn’t just something soldiers face, it can affect anyone who’s lived through a traumatic or life-threatening event. This includes car accidents, dog bites, sexual assault, abuse, violent crimes, or sudden loss. These experiences often leave emotional scars like flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, or a constant sense of fear. If this feels familiar, you may be living with trauma, and healing is possible.
Helpful Websites for PTSD & Trauma Support
Testimonials
A Few Kind Words From Satisfied Clients
“He is doing so well! We are continuing with the diet changes and vitamins and his attitude is so much better. You were right! – kids don’t see you for very long [because of the diet, supplements and coaching]! We are so grateful for your help. We were in a bad place before we saw you and I am really amazed at the difference.”
Anne Marie
Parent
“So glad you duked it out with us. You always gave way above and beyond what I think most in your field would have. And I don’t think anyone else could have reached our teenage son as you did. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.”
Kristi
Parent & Teacher
“Jim, thank you again for giving so much of your time on Friday. The feedback I got from everyone that attended was extremely positive. I also gave a copy of your DVD to one of our teachers. Your help will make an enormous difference for Daniel both at home and at school.”
Anonymous
“We were so thankful to Total Life Counseling. Over the past five years, we had seen five other counselors/psychologists with our son, but in the last 1 1/2 years our son gained skills to cope. The ADHD/Social Skills group helped our son realize that he was not alone. The parenting skills group helped us know how to anticipate problems and equipped us to handle them. Thank you to Jim and the caring team of professionals at Total Life Counseling – you are an answer to prayer.”
Tim & Janet
Parents
Total Life In The News
Total Life Counseling Subject Matter Experts Have Been Featured On Multiple TV Networks and News Stations:
Our subject matter experts have participated in over 150 national & local news interviews and they are here for you!
At Total Life Counseling Center our Counselors are Experts for National and Local TV, Radio and Print Media. We have an excellent reputation amongst graduate & private schools, attorneys, doctors, therapists, providers and corporations. We strive to ensure our therapists have diverse clinical backgrounds, to allow us to match each client to the therapist that will best meet his or her needs.
Services
Explore Expert Counseling Services Offered by Gemima McMahon
ADHD Counseling and Therapy for Teens or Adults, often without medication.
Anxiety or trauma healing for fears, phobias, obsessing, and Worrying.
Play Therapy is a wonderful means for children to communicate and heal.
Are you looking to find peace in your family?
Relationships can be difficult. TLC’s Gottman trained marriage & relationship experts can help.
TLC aims to help others heal from their past so it no longer affects one’s present or future.
Licensed Counselors & Therapists
Meet Our Team of Certified & Experienced Professionals
Total Life Counseling Center consists of Licensed Counselors, Masters Level Therapists, Espanol Counselors, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Business Coaches, Image Enhancement Coaches who provide counseling for emotional, mental, physical and spiritual care including marriage, individual, family, substance abuse and more. Our team of certified and experienced professionals, dedicated to serving a comprehensive spectrum of mental health and relationship issues such as couples, women and men’s issues, children and teens with oppositional defiance, video game addiction, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and trauma survivors, is here to support and guide you through your journey towards healing and navigating life transitions. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of the counseling provided but also builds trust within the community and among potential clients, who may be seeking support.
We offer next level counselors specialized in areas such as relationships, video game & drug/alcohol addictions, abuse, trauma, depression, and ADHD. Our Therapists are ARTT (Accelerated Resolution Trauma Therapy) trauma therapy trained, cognitive behavioral therapy, specialize in ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Children, and are also professional Gottman method marriage couples counselors to give the best results to couples and to provide the best comprehensive spectrum of mental health and relationship care for our clients.
Gemima McMahon
MA, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in Women’s issues, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Cutting, Couples, Children and Teenagers and more!
Jim West
MA, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, national certified counselor
President, Counselor, Guest Speaker, Author, Social Skills, ADHD, ODD, ASD, children, teens, and more!
Mathew Martin
MS, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
Counselor, Coach, Guest Speaker, Marriage, Individual Males, Substance Abuse and more!
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of therapy is best for trauma?
Effective trauma therapy includes Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT, and Rapid Resolution Therapy. These are all offered at Total Life Counseling Tampa for personalized, evidence-based healing.
What are the 3 C’s of trauma?
The 3 C’s of trauma, Calm, Connect, and Co-regulate, emphasize safety, emotional connection, and nervous system regulation.
What’s the difference between CPTSD and PTSD?
PTSD involves symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance after a single traumatic event. CPTSD includes those symptoms plus chronic emotional dysregulation from repeated trauma. Therapy at TLC helps manage both using ART, CBT, and mindfulness techniques.
What are the ABCs in trauma patients?
The ABCs are Affect, Behavior, and Cognition. They refer to how trauma and trauma treatment affects emotions, actions, and thought patterns, including emotional abuse and a variety of trauma and various mental health conditions, as well as mental health symptoms, impacting your overall quality of life. In the long term, trauma-focused therapy at Total Life Counseling addresses all three while considering the unique needs of individuals through cognitive processing therapy, ART, TF-CBT, and Rapid Resolution Therapy.
Can I get trauma therapy without medication?
Absolutely. Many clients benefit from non-medication approaches like Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, clinical hypnosis, and holistic lifestyle support—all available at our Tampa office.
Tampa Office Location
Our Tampa counseling, therapy, group, coaching and career services are conveniently located at 6060 N. Central Expressway in Tampa, Florida
