PTSD & Trauma treatment in Miami Florida
Santana Mental Health Services provides comprehensive trauma and PTSD evaluations and individualized treatment plans for adolescents and adults. Our providers use evidence-based trauma-focused psychotherapy and medication management, the approaches with the strongest clinical support, to help patients process traumatic experiences, reduce symptoms, and reclaim their daily lives. Care is available both in-office and through secure telehealth services.
Understanding PTSD and Trauma-Related Conditions
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after exposure to a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. PTSD has a lifetime prevalence of approximately 6% in the United States, and women are about twice as likely as men to develop the condition. Most people who experience trauma will recover on their own, but a significant minority will develop chronic PTSD that is unlikely to improve without treatment. PTSD frequently co-occurs with depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and chronic medical conditions including cardiovascular disease.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can develop after traumatic experiences such as combat, sexual or physical assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, or witnessing violence. Symptoms last at least one month and may include flashbacks, nightmares, unwanted memories, avoiding reminders of the trauma, guilt or shame, emotional numbness, loss of interest, hypervigilance, irritability, exaggerated startle response, and sleep problems.
Acute stress disorder
Acute stress disorder involves symptoms similar to PTSD but occurs within the first three days to one month after a traumatic event. Symptoms include intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood, dissociation, and heightened arousal. Not everyone with acute stress disorder will go on to develop PTSD, but early evaluation and support can help reduce that risk.
PTSD with co-occurring conditions
The majority of individuals with PTSD also meet criteria for at least one other mental health condition. The most common co-occurring conditions include major depression, other anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. PTSD is also associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic pain, and increased overall healthcare utilization.
Complex PTSD
Complex PTSD is recognized by the World Health Organization (ICD-11) and describes the impact of chronic or repeated trauma, such as prolonged childhood abuse, domestic violence, torture, or captivity. In addition to the core PTSD symptoms, complex PTSD involves difficulties with emotional regulation, a persistently negative self-concept, and problems forming and maintaining relationships.
Trauma-related sleep disturbance
Sleep problems are among the most common and distressing symptoms of PTSD. Many patients experience trauma-related nightmares, difficulty falling or staying asleep, and hyperarousal at night. Sleep disturbance can worsen other PTSD symptoms and is often an important focus of treatment.
When to Seek an Evaluation
Consider scheduling an evaluation if you have experienced a traumatic event and are noticing symptoms that persist beyond the first few weeks or interfere with your ability to function at work, in relationships, or in daily activities. Common signs include:
• Intrusive, unwanted memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event
• Nightmares related to the trauma
• Avoiding people, places, or situations that remind you of the event
• Feeling emotionally numb, detached, or disconnected from others
• Persistent feelings of guilt, shame, anger, or fear
• Being easily startled or feeling constantly on edge
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Irritability, angry outbursts, or reckless behavior
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. PTSD is a strong risk factor for suicidal ideation, and safety should always come first.
How PTSD and Trauma are Treated
Effective PTSD treatment is built on two pillars: trauma-focused psychotherapy and medication management. All major clinical guidelines recommend trauma-focused psychotherapy as the preferred first-line treatment for PTSD. Medication is an important option for patients who have residual symptoms after therapy, who prefer medication, or who do not have access to trauma-focused therapy. Treatment is personalized based on symptom severity, patient preferences, co-occurring conditions, and prior treatment history.
Therapy for PTSD
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Trauma-focused psychotherapies are the most effective treatments for PTSD. These therapies help patients process traumatic memories, change unhelpful beliefs about the trauma, and reduce avoidance. A typical course involves weekly to biweekly sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes over a period of 8 to 16 sessions.
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Prolonged exposure (PE) helps patients gradually confront trauma-related memories and situations they have been avoiding. Treatment includes:
• Psychoeducation about PTSD and common reactions to trauma
• Breathing techniques for managing distress
• Imaginal exposure — repeatedly recounting the trauma memory in a safe setting to reduce its emotional intensity
• In vivo exposure — gradually facing real-world situations, places, or activities that have been avoided because of the trauma
PE is one of the most extensively studied PTSD treatments and is recommended as a first-line therapy by all major clinical guidelines.
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Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) helps patients identify and challenge unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma, such as excessive self-blame, guilt, or distorted views about safety and trust. CPT typically involves 12 sessions and may include writing about the traumatic event. It is one of the most widely used PTSD treatments and is strongly recommended by clinical guidelines.
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EMDR asks patients to focus on trauma-related memories while simultaneously attending to an external stimulus, such as therapist-directed eye movements. This process is thought to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories. EMDR is recommended as a first-line treatment by the VA/DoD and other major guidelines.
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Written exposure therapy (WET) is a brief, effective alternative for patients who may have difficulty accessing or completing longer treatments. WET consists of only 5 sessions in which patients write about their traumatic experience for 30 minutes per session, with no between-session assignments. Research shows WET significantly reduces PTSD and depression symptoms, with lower dropout rates than longer therapies.
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Present-centered therapy (PCT) focuses on current life problems related to PTSD rather than directly processing the trauma. It may be a good option for patients who are not ready for or prefer not to engage in trauma-focused work. PCT has lower dropout rates than trauma-focused treatments, though the evidence suggests it may be somewhat less effective for PTSD symptom reduction.
Medication for PTSD
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The most commonly recommended first-line medications for PTSD include:
• SSRIs, such as sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine
• The SNRI venlafaxine
Sertraline and paroxetine are the only two medications with FDA approval specifically for the treatment of PTSD. Fluoxetine and venlafaxine are also supported by clinical evidence and recommended by major guidelines.
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PTSD medications do not usually work immediately.
Improvement may begin within the first few weeks, but a full trial at an adequate dose should last at least 8 to 12 weeks before determining whether the medication is effective.
Some people experience early side effects, such as:
• Nausea
• Headache
• Sleep changes
• Appetite changes
These side effects often improve within the first one to two weeks. Providers typically start with a lower dose and increase gradually to the maximum tolerated dose.
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For patients who respond well, maintaining a full therapeutic dose for at least 6 to 12 months is generally recommended to reduce the risk of relapse. Medication should be tapered gradually over several months rather than stopped abruptly. Your provider can help you decide when and how to adjust or discontinue medication safely.
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Trauma-related nightmares are one of the most distressing PTSD symptoms. Prazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic blocker, may be helpful for reducing nightmares and improving sleep in some patients with PTSD. The VA/DoD guidelines suggest prazosin specifically for the treatment of PTSD-related nightmares, though results can vary between individuals.
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For many patients, the best results come from combining trauma-focused therapy and medication.
Therapy helps patients process the trauma and build long-term coping skills, while medication can reduce symptom intensity and make it easier to engage in treatment. Up to half of patients with PTSD may have residual symptoms after psychotherapy alone, making medication an important addition for many individuals.
Your provider will work with you to choose a treatment plan that fits your symptoms, goals, and preferences.
Telehealth for PTSD and Trauma Treatment
PTSD evaluations and follow-up appointments are available through secure telehealth. Research shows that evidence-based PTSD therapies, including prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy, can be delivered effectively via video teleconferencing with outcomes comparable to in-person care. The VA/DoD clinical practice guidelines recommend video teleconferencing as a validated delivery method for PTSD treatment. Telehealth can also help overcome common barriers to PTSD care, such as avoidance of clinical settings, transportation challenges, and scheduling difficulties.
Take the next step toward healing. Book a secure telehealth appointment today and get support from the comfort of home, on a schedule that works for you.
Frequently asked questions
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
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Yes. PTSD is a well-established medical condition recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) under the category of Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders. It involves changes in brain circuitry related to fear processing, stress response, and memory, and it is among the most treatable mental health conditions when evidence-based care is provided.
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Yes. Trauma-focused psychotherapy is the recommended first-line treatment for PTSD, and many patients achieve significant improvement with therapy alone. Medication is recommended when symptoms are moderate to severe, when therapy alone has not been sufficient, when there are significant co-occurring conditions such as depression, or based on patient preference. Treatment decisions are always individualized.
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Without treatment, PTSD tends to follow a chronic course. Research shows that between 30% and 50% of people with PTSD will have a chronic illness trajectory, and untreated PTSD is associated with worsening depression, substance use, relationship difficulties, cardiovascular risk, and increased risk of suicide. Early treatment is associated with better outcomes.
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This varies by individual. Trauma-focused psychotherapy typically involves 8 to 16 sessions, with many patients noticing meaningful improvement within the first several weeks. Written exposure therapy is a briefer option at just 5 sessions. Medication, if prescribed, generally requires 8 to 12 weeks at an adequate dose to determine effectiveness. Some patients benefit from longer-term treatment to maintain gains and address co-occurring conditions.
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No. The majority of people who experience a traumatic event will recover without developing PTSD. Approximately half of all adults in the United States will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, but only about 6% will develop PTSD. Risk factors include the type and severity of trauma, prior trauma history, lack of social support, and co-occurring mental health conditions.
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Yes. Both initial evaluations and ongoing follow-up appointments are available through secure video telehealth. Clinical research and VA/DoD guidelines support the delivery of evidence-based PTSD therapies via telehealth, with outcomes comparable to in-person care.