Trauma never affects a single person. There will always be a ripple effect that spreads outward, because life doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We are connected to people in our close circles, as well as on the periphery, and the effects of trauma inevitably seep out to others.

We live in a fast-paced world where staying busy is king and slowing down feels like a pipe dream. It is an exhausting way to live for anyone but can be especially difficult for those suffering from the emotional complications of trauma. When your mind is stuck in a revolving cycle of emotions, you may find yourself struggling to keep up with everyday life. There are typically two camps people fall into when trying to navigate the daily stresses of life under the umbrella of trauma: They either grit their teeth and power through, never slowing down and staying as busy as possible (often culminating in anxiety), or they find themselves struggling to keep up with the simplest of tasks, aimless and overwhelmed (presenting in depression).

The brain has the remarkable ability to protect and preserve a person. Woven into mankind is the desire to survive, which allows us to make cognitive decisions in times of duress. But there are times, particularly when a person has suffered a traumatic event or series of events, when the brain’s self-preservation can lead to unhealthy patterns. This is still a mode of survival, but it is one that needs to be addressed to allow a person to live full and whole.

In situations of extreme duress, many have heard of the two classic responses: Fight or Flight. For many years, we assumed most people fell into one of these two categories. They either respond by standing up to the challenge and fighting back, or they respond by fleeing and looking for safety.

Navigating the murky waters of trauma is not an easy road. A person must face the experiences that shaped them and learn to cope with those experiences in a healthy manner. Depending on the depth of trauma experienced, this path can be quite difficult. Having someone by your side who can help you in your healing journey is crucial to moving forward. But what type of trauma therapy is best for you?

Every single person will experience some form of trauma in their lives. It is an inevitable and inescapable side effect of being a human being. How we respond to traumatic events, however, will vary greatly among every individual based on the severity of the trauma, our backgrounds, our support systems, and our environments.

This Thanksgiving, we at Christian Counseling of Tampa want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for you. Whether you are a client, a supporter, or a visitor to our blog, we are thankful for the opportunity to walk alongside you on your journey. 

Finding a trauma-informed therapist is the first step toward healing after trauma, but there will come a time when you need to take the next step toward healing as you establish community and relationships with other people. Studies have shown that when people find a supportive network of family and friends, they are more likely to recover from traumatic experiences.

Overcoming trauma doesn’t have to be a lonely or solitary journey. Seek out meaningful ways to connect with friends, family, and your community as you continue to heal emotionally and physically. Tampa offers a variety of activities and environments that can help alleviate anxiety and support the healing process. Whether you’re looking for quiet places to relax or engaging activities to distract and uplift, the Tampa Bay area has plenty of options to promote mental wellness.

Living in the beautiful Sunshine State, especially in the Tampa Bay area, offers unique benefits for healing from trauma. Florida’s year-long sunshine and mild winters offer ample opportunity to give the body and brain natural modalities for stress-relief and healing.