Regain a sense of control over your life
Tampa trauma/PTSD treatment that meets you where you are
Located in South Tampa, Psychology House is home to highly trained psychologists who specialize in today’s most pressing mental health issues and treatments, with a special focus on Trauma and PTSD. With VA-trained professionals on staff, we offer proven, evidence-based treatments for acute, chronic, and complex traumas. All in an environment that prioritizes comfort, safety, and connection to create a therapy practice that feels like home.
Proven treatments for trauma/PTSD
We use evidence-based treatment approaches for trauma/PTSD, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Parts Work Therapy (Internal Family Systems approach), and more.
Feel at home
Heal in the comfort and privacy of our curated rooms; equipped with tea and water, beverages, blankets, and all the comforts of home.
Can’t make it into the office? No worries, we’ve got you covered with Teletherapy.
Trauma/PTSD we commonly treat
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Acute Trauma
An emotional reaction to a single, overwhelming event that causes intense fear, distress, or helplessness.
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Chronic Trauma
The emotional effects of prolonged or repeated exposure to highly stressful or harmful events
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Complex Trauma
The psychological effects of experiencing multiple or ongoing traumatic events, often beginning in childhood
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Exposure to Violence
Experiencing or witnessing violence—whether at home, in the military, your community, or at school
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Sexual/Physical Assault
The emotional and psychological distress that can result from experiencing or surviving acts of violence or abuse
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Childhood Abuse
This encompasses physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, and can have lasting effects on individuals.
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Serious Accidents/Injuries
Major accidents, such as car crashes, can result in both physical injuries and emotional trauma
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Death & Loss
The emotional and psychological impacts of experiencing or witnessing the death of a loved one
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Natural Disasters
The emotional and psychological distress that can result from experiencing events like hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods
The most common trauma/PTSD questions, answered
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PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after going through or witnessing something traumatic. It may cause ongoing anxiety, upsetting memories or nightmares, and a strong urge to avoid anything that reminds you of what happened.
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People respond to trauma in many different ways, and no two experiences are exactly the same. Some common reactions include feeling anxious or afraid, feeling numb or disconnected, having trouble focusing, or even noticing physical symptoms like headaches or stomach problems.
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Symptoms of PTSD can vary, but often include things like unwanted memories, flashbacks, nightmares, avoiding reminders of the trauma, feeling down or disconnected, being easily startled or irritable, and having trouble sleeping.
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There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this—it really depends on the type of trauma and the person’s unique situation. That said, people who’ve gone through repeated traumas, have a family history of mental health challenges, or don’t have a strong support system may be more likely to develop PTSD.
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Without treatment, PTSD symptoms can last for months, years, or even a lifetime. But with the right treatment and support, you can begin healing from trauma & PTSD as soon as you’re ready to start.
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Yes, trauma can have a serious effect on your physical health. When someone experiences trauma, the body often releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. If these hormones stay elevated for a long period, they can throw off the body’s natural systems and raise the risk for a range of health problems. This can include issues like heart disease, respiratory problems, and even an increased risk of certain types of cancer.
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A mental health professional will talk with you about your symptoms and experiences to see if they match what's typically seen with PTSD. They might use guided questions or simple questionnaires to help better understand what you're going through.
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Yes, trauma and PTSD can be treated. Many people find that trauma-focused therapies—like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or Prolonged Exposure (PE) —along with medication when needed, can significantly reduce symptoms and improve daily life.
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It’s completely normal to want to learn more about Prolonged Exposure Therapy before starting treatment. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide to help you know what to expect.
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Supporting someone with trauma/PTSD means being patient, showing understanding, and helping them feel safe. One of the best things you can do is encourage them to reach out for professional support when they're ready. To help them determine if they seek therapy, you can refer them to our article: 10 Signs It Might Be Time to Seek Professional Help
In-network insurance
Our psychologists in Tampa currently work with Aetna, United Healthcare (UHC), Oxford, and Oscar. Additionally, we offer simple and secure self-pay and out-of-network options.
Treatment approaches
Know you are on the right track with treatments proven by research and tested by time.
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Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps people recover from trauma by identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs related to the traumatic event. It focuses on understanding how the trauma has affected your thoughts about yourself, others, and the world. By shifting these patterns, CPT helps reduce distress and supports long-term healing.
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Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy is a specialized form of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help individuals gradually confront trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations they’ve been avoiding. By repeatedly revisiting these experiences in a safe and structured way, PE helps reduce the power they hold and decreases symptoms of PTSD. Over time, this process supports healing by helping the brain learn that these memories are not dangerous in the present.
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Parts Work Therapy, also known as Internal Family Systems (IFS), is a therapeutic approach that helps people explore and understand the different "parts" or aspects of themselves—like the inner critic, the people-pleaser, or the wounded child. The goal is to create a compassionate relationship with these parts, so they feel heard and understood rather than pushed away. Over time, this helps people feel more balanced, connected, and in charge of their inner world.
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Conjoint therapy for PTSD is a type of treatment where a person with PTSD attends therapy together with a close partner or family member, rather than going through treatment alone. The idea is to improve not only PTSD symptoms but also strengthen the relationship and address how trauma has impacted both individuals.
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Trauma-Focused Family Therapy is a type of treatment that supports families dealing with the effects of trauma, even if the traumatic event was experienced by only one member of the family in particular. The goal is to help the family heal together by addressing how trauma affects not just the individual, but the entire family system. Trauma-focused Family Therapy typically involve a mix of individual and family sessions.
Meet our team
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Sarah Carpenter, Ph.D. | Licensed Psychologist & Founder
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Laurie Black, Ph.D. | Licensed Psychologist
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Mark Carpenter | Founder & CEO
“If you don’t feel a good fit with anyone on our team, we’ll connect you with other highly rated therapists in Tampa; just so you’re not starting back at square one.”
- Psychology House Founders
In person or remote
Our office is conveniently located in South Tampa. Just minutes from Hyde Park, Davis Island, and Westshore.
Can’t make it into the office? No worries, we’ve got you covered with Teletherapy.
Hours
Monday–Friday | 9am–5pm
Call or text
(813) 736-6281
Email
CareTeam@PsychologyHouse.org
Clients we work with
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![Psychological services for adults. From young adults (18+) through older adults (65+)]()
Adults
From young adults (18+) to older adults (65+)
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![psychology services for professionals, attorneys, doctors, lawyers, educators]()
Professionals
Attorneys, doctors, executives, educators, & more
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![Tampa psychology services for couples. Marriage counseling]()
Couples
At any stage of their relationship (married/unmarried)
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![Tampa family therapy psychology services]()
Families
Relationship struggles within families
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![Tampa psychologist serving veterans & active duty military members]()
Veterans
Veterans and active duty military members
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![Tampa therapy services for LGBTQ+, Diverse genders, sexualities, identities, & more]()
LGBTQ+
Diverse genders, sexualities, identities, & more
Choose how you want to get started
Option 1
Schedule an intake call
Scheduling a call with our Intake Coordinator allows us to better understand your needs and answer any questions you have before matching you with a psychologist on our team. Intake calls typically take 10 minutes or less.
Option 2
Submit an intake form
Fill out this form to be matched with a psychologist on our team who best aligns with your mental health needs. Once matched, your psychologist will reach out to you using your preferred contact method within 1 to 2 business days.
Regain a sense of control over your life. Get started with Psychology House, today.
FAQs about Psychology House.
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During your initial intake call, we'll identify the right clinician for you and schedule your first session. Often times, this first session is used as an opportunity to get to know one another and provide more context around the struggles you are facing. There may be a few administrative tasks to take care of and your clinician will likely set expectations for what you can expect treatment to look like going forward.
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Fit is important, and there is no shame in choosing to work with a different member of our team after a few visits. If for some reason you don’t feel a good fit within our team, we’ll connect you with other highly rated practices in the area; just so you’re not starting back at square one.
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We currently work with Aetna, United Healthcare (UHC), Oxford, and Oscar. Additionally, we have simple & secure self-pay and out-of-network options.
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Many insurance plans offer out-of-network benefits, allowing you to work with the provider of your choice while still covering a percentage of your costs. If we do not work with your insurance, you may be able to receive out-of-network coverage with your current insurance plan. To learn more about our out-of-network option, click here. You can also use self-pay with simple & secure online billing.
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Yes! We offer secure, HIPAA compliant video Telehealth sessions.
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Many of our clinicians are PsyPact certified, allowing them to practice across multiple states. If you live out of state, plan to move soon, or travel a lot, you may still be able to work with a clinician of your choice. To learn more about our PsyPact team members, click here.
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Yes. We are located on the first floor. However, our doorway is raised 4 inches off the ground, which could make it difficult for some mobility devices.