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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a trauma can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Cigna | Evernorth, Florida Blue | BCBS | Blue Cross Blue Shield, +4 more
Military / Veteran, Chronic Illness, Medical / Health Issues, Narcissism, LGBTQIA+, +19 more

Let me meet you where you are on your mental health journey and help you embrace growth!

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Carelon, Cigna | Evernorth, +18 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +10 more

Come as you are, and we will work together to overcome personal obstacles to improve overall well-being.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Carelon, Cigna | Evernorth, +19 more
LGBTQIA+, Self Esteem, Stress, Life Transition, Relationships, +3 more

As a woman who has gone through life changes myself I can understand how sometimes we need someone to share with who isn't going to be biased. I can o... As a woman who has gone through life changes myself I can understand how sometimes we need someone to share with who isn't going to be biased. I can offer my clinical ear and nonjudgmental presence to you. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), Cigna | Evernorth, +16 more
Stress, Sexual Abuse, Relationships, Anxiety, Trauma / PTSD

Karen Allen

Hear from Karen Allen, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

View Karen Allen's profile

What is your go-to approach for PTSD/trauma therapy?

My first choice approach for helping people who have trauma and PTSD is a mind-body therapy approach such as accelerated resolution therapy or EMDR. In my experience with clients, mind-body therapies are able to quickly relieve their correlated symptoms and return to pre-trauma levels of functioning. Every person is different and I have witnessed improvement and relief as quickly as one session and often after 2-3 sessions.

What tools do you teach in PTSD/trauma therapy?

Mind-body therapies can clear trauma, but they do not usually involve skills development. People who have experienced trauma/PTSD usually benefit from learning and/or strengthening a variety of skills (tools) such as:

  • Soothing & relaxation skills such as a variety of breathing techniques, muscle relaxation skills, guided imagery, and vagus nerve reset exercises.
  • Cognitive skills for managing unhelpful thoughts and negative self-talk. Cognitive skills can help improve mood by helping people identify, analyze, and reframe inaccurate/unhelpful thoughts and self-talk associated with negativity. Self-talk is the running conversation about what is happening and how you feel about it. Often, people are unaware of their self-talk and its influence on them.
  • Emotional regulation skills for managing emotional intensity. These skills include training the mind to maintain focus in the present moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, distracting skills, identification of thoughts influencing emotions, and widening the window of tolerance.
  • Pacing skills to help mitigate overwhelm and re-traumatization. I practice the strategy of “inch by inch, it's a cinch; mile by mile, it takes a while” as a guide for reducing the occurrence of setbacks.
  • Boundaries and assertiveness skills to help with verbalizing needs and getting them met. Assertiveness skills can help prevent feelings of helplessness and powerlessness, promote safety, and strengthen the support system.
  • Trigger processing and management skills such as identifying triggers and sorting the differences between the past and the present experience.
  • Shifting of the locus of control to help clients transition from victimization to ownership of their lives.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in PTSD/trauma therapy?

When I do an accelerated resolution therapy session with a client, I literally can see a change in their facial expression when the burden of the trauma lifts as the client finds the relief they seek. I often hear clients describe the difference as peace, calm, freedom, relief, or lightness.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement PTSD/trauma therapy?

The client can supplement their PTSD/trauma therapy between sessions by practicing and applying the tools/skills they learn in their appointments to their everyday interactions. Clients can also enhance therapeutic results by practicing good self-care. Good nutrition and sleep are incredibly important for the body and mind to heal and function well.

What should someone do to prepare for starting PTSD/trauma therapy?

To prepare for the first trauma/PTSD appointment, I need people to understand the importance of developing strong and effective coping skills for managing thoughts and emotions. The mind-body therapy I offer does not require a person to talk about what happened to them; all that is required is the ability to play through the experience and allow themselves to feel the feelings associated with the memory as though watching a movie on the big screen. Accelerated resolution therapy is a therapist-directed process, but the person supplies the content. Accelerated resolution therapy shifts between remembering the trauma and then calming the body until desensitization is achieved.

Starting Trauma therapy

What is trauma therapy?

Trauma therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on treating the psychological impact of traumatic events on individuals. Trauma therapy helps people process and heal from their trauma by guiding them through their trauma in a compassionate and supportive way, allowing clients to feel the full scope of what happened to them and eventually move on from the event(s). This process helps people who have experienced trauma find ways to feel safe in their lives.

How does trauma therapy work?

Trauma therapy will often require individuals to walk through their experiences in a controlled and compassionate setting (unless the client has a dissociative disorder) so that they can fully process the event, an activity that will allow them to move on from what happened and feel safe again. Thriveworks Tampa therapists will also help clients learn healthy coping mechanisms to deal with their symptoms outside of therapy.

Is trauma therapy conducted in person or online?

Thriveworks trauma counseling in Tampa, FL is conducted both in person and online through online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does trauma therapy last?

If an individual is working through a single event that occurred during adulthood, they may only need a few months of treatment. However, in instances of childhood trauma or repeated traumatic events, therapy may continue over the course of years. Trauma therapy usually ends when the client believes they have met their therapeutic goals, however long that takes to occur. Thriveworks therapists in Tampa, FL will continue to provide care for as long as necessary to help clients meet their therapeutic needs.

Need more help deciding?

If you have witnessed a traumatic event, consider choosing to work with a trauma therapist or PTSD counselor. Trauma therapy and PTSD counseling at Thriveworks Tampa is here to help — you can set up an appointment with a trauma therapist or PTSD counselor now and meet with them as soon as this week.

These professionals understand trauma, including how it can linger and affect an individual for the rest of their life if they don’t seek the proper help. They also know how to assist their clients in confronting the traumatic experience they’ve been through, making peace with it, and moving forward. To schedule your trauma therapy appointment, just give our office a call.

What Is Trauma? Common Trauma Symptoms

Traumatic events are disturbing and/or distressing events; examples include violence, emotional or mental abuse, the loss of a loved one, bullying, combat, natural disasters, and car accidents. Often, they have both psychological and physical impacts on an individual.

The Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders delves into the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which one might develop after experiencing a traumatic event. These symptoms include:

  • Troubling memories of the traumatic event
  • Distressing flashbacks
  • Difficulty staying or even falling asleep
  • Decreased interest in one’s day to day
  • Detachment from an individual’s relationships
  • Lack of fulfillment, happiness, and/or success
  • Reckless or rebellious behavior
  • Psychological distress resulting from triggers

How Does Trauma Therapy Work?

Trauma therapy differs from person to person, because the therapist plans their approach to treatment around the individual. They will first work to understand what the individual has experienced, what symptoms they are exhibiting, as well as any goals they might have for themselves in treatment. Then, they will come up with the best plan for therapy. That said, trauma therapy can help a person to:

  1. Confront and make peace with their traumatic past
  2. Reduce or better manage PTSD symptoms
  3. Rebuild any lost confidence
  4. Move forward with revitalized strength, happiness, and determination

Remember: your experience in therapy will be uniquely designed for you, based on your needs and goals. If you are a victim of trauma, consider reaching out to Thriveworks Tampa Counseling. Our trauma therapists can help you heal from your trauma and live a happy, successful life again.

Schedule Trauma Therapy at Thriveworks Tampa Counseling

Any individual who has experienced a traumatic event can find benefit in trauma therapy. If you have fallen victim to trauma and are suffering today, please consider contacting Thriveworks Tampa Counseling. We have trauma therapists and PTSD counselors who are ready to assist, guide, and support.

To schedule your session, you can call our Tampa office at (813) 473-4663. You can also book your session right from our website. Either way, you should know that we have flexible appointment options, including evening and daytime, weekly and weekend sessions. We also have in-person and online counseling opportunities.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Tampa therapists and counselors accept 23 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Florida Blue | BCBS | Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • Florida Blue | Medicare Advantage

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

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Self-pay costs at Tampa
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Best therapy to offer from one of their therapist Breonna, she knows exactly how to fix things where it’s needed. Definitely would go back again
Read more Best therapy to offer from one of their therapist Breonna, she knows exactly how to fix things where it’s needed. Definitely would go back again
Chevoy Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Awesome encouragement helping me with confirmation of decisions.
Debra Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
We adopted a little girl and she struggles with a lot of issues. Darlene identified her issues quickly and really gave our daughter some tools to help her communicate and process better. Darlene is a fantastic therapist/clinician, honest, realistic, and she genuinely cares about helping people.
Read more We adopted a little girl and she struggles with a lot of issues. Darlene identified her issues quickly and really gave our daughter some tools to help her communicate and process better. Darlene is a fantastic therapist/clinician, honest, realistic, and she genuinely cares about helping people.
Tampa Mar 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Jill Burchenal is a caring and intelligent therapist who listens with both heart and mind. Because she is skilled and clearly empathetic, I highly recommend her to anyone seeking help. You won't regret taking making that call.
Read more Jill Burchenal is a caring and intelligent therapist who listens with both heart and mind. Because she is skilled and clearly empathetic, I highly recommend her to anyone seeking help. You won't regret taking making that call.
Tampa Sep 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Tampa is located off of W Spruce St, just north of Interstate 275 and southeast of International Plaza and Bay Street. We currently share a building with FIVE Labs and Elevate, Inc., and are neighbored by Papi’s Cafe, LGC Hospitality, and Awake Activewear. The closest bus stop to us is Lois Av @ Spruce St.

Phone number

(813) 547-5120

Languages spoken by FL providers

  • Hindi
  • Urdu
  • English
  • Spanish
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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