Trauma Therapy in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
Intensive Trauma Therapy & Counseling Near Me
Trauma can take many shapes, while some experiences are unmistakably painful, others affect us in ways we can’t always see, name, or even recall initially. Our skilled, trauma-informed therapists help individuals uncover, process, and heal from the deep wounds trauma leaves behind.
What is Trauma?
Trauma isn’t just what happened to you, it’s what happened inside you as a result. It’s the fear, confusion, or overwhelm that can stay in your body long after the moment has passed. Sometimes it comes from something obvious, like an accident, assault, or a deep personal loss. Other times, it comes from things that built up silently like emotional neglect, betrayal, or deeper seeded attachment issues that can stem from when you were young.
“Trauma isn’t always about what happened — it’s about how your brain and body learned to survive. When those survival responses keep firing long after the danger is gone, that’s when trauma therapy can truly help.”
— Dr. Mary Perleoni, LMHC | Founder & Trauma Therapist, It Begins Within
People often live with trauma symptoms without realizing their root. Feeling emotionally numb, reactive, constantly anxious, or disconnected from yourself or others doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means you’ve been carrying more than your nervous system was meant to handle alone.
At It Begins Within our role is to help you name it, understand it, and resolve it — on your terms, in your own time. Regardless if you are seeking help to overcome a past childhood trauma or searching for complex ptsd therapists near me, the team at IBW is here to help.
Trauma Therapy for Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
Trauma therapy isn’t limited to “big” or “obvious” events. It’s about how those experiences impacted you. We specialize in helping people across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties heal from:
Sexual abuse or assault (including childhood or adult experiences)
Loss or grief—losing a loved one, divorce, sudden life changes
Childhood trauma—emotional neglect, domestic violence, unstable caregivers
Emotional abuse—gaslighting, manipulation, or betrayal in relationships
Medical trauma—life-altering diagnoses, surgeries, or hospitalizations
Accidents or disasters—car crashes, natural disasters, physical injuries
Military or combat trauma (veterans, first-responders and their families)
Betrayal trauma—infidelity, abandonment, lies that shattered trust
Relationship trauma therapy - lasting trust and attachment injuries
Healing from relationship trauma involving narcissistic traits—chronic manipulation, gaslighting, emotional withdrawal, or instability that leaves lasting wounds.
Our Tampa therapy office near serves clients across Hillsborough County, including Hyde Park, South Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, and Carrollwood. Our licensed trauma therapists provide evidence-based, personalized care designed to help adults, teens, and children heal from trauma in a way that feels safe, moves at your pace, and
Our Tampa trauma therapists specialize in treating military and first-responder trauma, workplace burnout and betrayal, complex childhood trauma impacting relationships and parenting, medical trauma following serious diagnoses or procedures, and relationship trauma involving emotional abuse or betrayal. We use the leading evidence-based trauma treatment modalities including: EMDR therapy, ART, trauma-focused CBT, and somatic therapy approaches, with options for traditional weekly sessions or intensive trauma therapy for those seeking deeper, accelerated healing.
Alex Castañeda, LMHC
Alex specializes in trauma therapy for men navigating PTSD, relationship trauma, and chronic stress. He works with high-performing professionals and fathers who feel pressure to “hold it together” while carrying unresolved trauma, helping them build emotional resilience and healthier relationships.
Paris McDonald, LMHC
As a military veteran, Paris specializes in trauma therapy for service members, first responders, and individuals healing from sexual trauma. She uses EMDR and trauma-informed, body-based approaches to help clients process PTSD, restore a sense of safety, and regain control.
Brianna Garcia, LMHC
Brianna focuses on providing trauma therapy for children and adolescents. She helps kids and teens recover from childhood trauma, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation using developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed approaches.
Located in Pinellas County, our St. Petersburg team provides specialized trauma treatment for individuals across Clearwater, Gulfport, Seminole, and nearby communities. Our licensed therapists understand that healing from traumatic experiences requires more than just talking about what happened—it involves creating new neural pathways, processing stored memories, and rebuilding a sense of safety in your body and relationships.
We work with clients addressing a wide range of traumatic experiences: early life adversity and developmental trauma, illness, injury, and complex-ptsd, relationship trauma and betrayal, and sexual trauma. Our therapeutic approach incorporates EMDR therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral interventions, and somatic therapy approaches.
Melissa Zentner, LMHC
Melissa specializes in trauma therapy for high-performing individuals seeking to move through personal trauma and infidelity-related betrayal. She works with professionals who want focused, results-driven therapy to rebuild trust, emotional clarity, and resilience after disruptive life experiences.
Tyler MacDonald, LMHC
Tyler focuses on trauma therapy for men navigating PTSD, CPTSD, emotional suppression, and relational trauma. He helps men develop emotional awareness, process past experiences, and build healthier relationships without judgment or pressure to perform.
Megan Midura, LMHC
Megan Midura is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who provides trauma therapy for children and adolescents in St. Petersburg. She focuses on helping young clients process early adverse experiences, reduce anxiety-driven behaviors, and develop emotional regulation skills through structured, age-appropriate, trauma-informed care.
Our Sarasota practice serves clients throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties, including Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Venice, and Longboat Key. Our licensed trauma therapists provide specialized care for adults, teens, and children working through difficult experiences, using methods grounded in neuroscience and proven effective in helping people reclaim their lives after trauma.
Trauma shows up differently for everyone. Some people experience flashbacks and hypervigilance, while others feel emotionally numb or disconnected from themselves and others. Our therapists are trained to recognize these varied presentations and tailor treatment accordingly. We support clients navigating post-traumatic stress from various sources: childhood abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction, sexual assault and interpersonal violence, car accidents and medical emergencies, combat and military service, and grief complicated by traumatic loss.
Chelsea Walker, LMFT
Chelsea specializes in relational trauma, working with individuals whose past experiences in relationships—whether romantic, familial, or platonic—have created patterns of fear, mistrust, or emotional withdrawal.
Nicole Young, LCSW
Nicole focuses on childhood trauma therapy for teens and adults still carrying the weight of early traumatic experiences. She works with adolescents struggling with the impact of abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction.
Ciana Nguyen, LCSW
Ciana provides trauma therapy for children and adults dealing with the intersection of trauma and chronic pain or illness. She understands that medical trauma, ongoing health challenges, and chronic pain create their own traumatic stress that affects mental health, relationships, and quality of life.
Evidence-Based Trauma Therapy Modalities We Use
The training and skill of a trauma therapist lies in knowing which approach each unique person needs, and when to use it. At It Begins Within, that’s exactly what you can expect. Our clinicians aren’t generalists, they’re highly trained in specific types of trauma and deeply experienced in the modalities that support healing most effectively.
Our therapists are trained in a range of powerful, trauma-informed approaches, including:
Accelerated Resolution Therapy for PTSD and Distressing Memories
CBT for Trauma-Related Anxiety and Negative Thought Patterns
TF-CBT for trauma in children and adolescents
Somatic Therapy and Somatic Experiencing for Trauma Recovery
What is the Best Therapy for Trauma?
Here’s the honest (and maybe slightly disappointing) truth from Dr. Mary Perleoni - There is no one “best” therapy for trauma. Trauma lives in the body, the nervous system, and the stories we tell ourselves. While evidence-based options like EMDR, ART, CBT, and somatic therapy are powerful, the best approach is the one that meets you where you are.
An example of a clients healing journey from trauma
“We started with more traditional talk therapy and shadow work to explore unconscious beliefs. Then, once she had enough internal safety, we moved into EMDR and body-based techniques — helping her not just understand the trauma, but finally release it. Later, we rewrote the narrative with CBT to reflect her resilience and power.”
What Trauma Therapy Looks Like at It Begins Within
Everyone experiences trauma differently, which means healing should never be one-size-fits-all treatment plan. At It Begins Within, our approach to trauma counseling is personalized, evidence-based, and grounded in a deep sense of compassion. Whether you're managing the aftershocks of a single experience or unraveling the complex layers of long-term emotional pain, our therapists meet you exactly where you are. Without judgment, and at a pace that is comfortable for you.
What Is Intensive Trauma Therapy & Is It Right for You?
Intensive trauma therapy is designed for those who feel stuck in traditional sessions or need a deeper dive into their healing journey. It’s particularly beneficial for individuals who have experienced complex trauma, are navigating acute distress, or prefer a more immersive experience for healing.
Who Is It For?
Clients feeling plateaued in traditional weekly therapy
Survivors of childhood trauma or unexpected life events
Those seeking more rapid stabilization and healing
Individuals who have experienced complex trauma
In contrast to standard therapy, which often occurs on a weekly basis, intensives consist of longer sessions (90 minutes to 3 hours) across one or more days.
Types of Intensive Trauma Therapy offered in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
EMDR Intensive Therapy
ART Intensive Therapy
Your Path to Healing Through Traumatic Therapy
Trauma manifests in many forms, and it's not always visible, but its impact on your emotional and physical wellbeing is real
Healing is possible, and you don't have to navigate this journey alone
We offer personalized, trauma-informed therapy in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota, tailored to your unique experiences and goals.
Our top-rated trauma therapists utilize various evidence-based modalities to support your personalized healing process.
Intensive trauma therapy provides an option for deeper, more focused work for those ready to accelerate your healing.
Understanding Trauma in Tampa & Beyond
At It Begins Within Healing Center, we offer trauma therapy to support Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota residents. Trauma affects more in our community than you may be aware of, which is reflective of national studies such as:
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which found that 70% of U.S. adults have faced a traumatic event. Source: NIMH
The National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), reporting that untreated trauma significantly increases the risk of lifetime anxiety disorders (30.5%) and major depression (20.4%) among those exposed. Source: National Comorbidity Survey Replication
These studies highlight the need for healing in Tampa, where personal and local challenges like hurricanes add to the burden. Our personalized approach helps you process trauma and rebuild hope. Ready to start?
Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Therapy
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If you're experiencing symptoms like anxiety, emotional numbness, flashbacks, trust issues, or ongoing distress after a painful event, trauma therapy may be helpful. People often seek support after sexual abuse, grief, childhood neglect, infidelity, divorce, assault, or medical trauma. If your past still affects your present, it’s time to reach out.
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Trauma-informed therapy takes into account the lasting impact of trauma on the brain, body, and behavior. It prioritizes safety, consent, and empowerment throughout the process. Our therapists at It Begins Within are specifically trained to avoid retraumatization and use therapeutic methods proven to support trauma recovery.
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Intensive trauma therapy is ideal for people who need more than weekly sessions, feel stuck or emotionally overwhelmed, or want to work through trauma at a deeper pace. It’s especially helpful for those healing from complex trauma, childhood abuse, or recent life-shaking events.
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Yes. We have therapists specially trained in child and adolescent trauma therapy using interventions like play therapy, TF-CBT, and parent-child techniques. We support children who’ve experienced family disruption, abuse, grief, bullying, or other forms of emotional distress.
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Unresolved trauma can show up as anxiety, irritability, emotional numbness, trouble sleeping, flashbacks, or difficulty in relationships. If past experiences still affect how you feel or respond today, trauma therapy can help you make sense of those patterns and begin to heal.
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Yes. We offer trauma therapy both in-person at our Tampa and St. Petersburg offices and virtually for clients across Florida. You can choose the setting that feels safest and most convenient for you.
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When looking for a complex PTSD therapist near you, prioritize licensed clinicians with advanced training in trauma-specific methods such as EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, or somatic therapy. Because complex PTSD often stems from prolonged or repeated trauma, it’s important to find a therapist who understands how to work with layered triggers, attachment wounds, and emotional regulation
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Yes. Somatic therapy addresses the body’s stored stress responses, which talk therapy alone may not fully resolve. It helps regulate the nervous system, reduce hypervigilance, and improve overall emotional stability.
Begin Your Healing Journey Today Supported by Trauma Therapists Near Me
Let us support you in healing from the past, coping with the present, and instilling hope for the future. Your path to inner peace starts here.