Understanding Trauma

Everything that I create for this website all comes back around to one central topic…

Trauma

A powerfully life-altering, behavior-molding concept that the majority of us experience, or repeatedly experience, and yet is so elusive to us when attempting to understand the magnitude of the rippling pain it brings.

Connect with what resonates with you.

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Artwork Gallery

A gallery filled with custom paintings done by Candice Brazil

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Complex Trauma Resources

On this page your will find helpful resources for Mental Health. Not all resources are specifically about Complex Trauma, but are in some way related to the topic. For example, a website about healthy childhood development might not have anything about Complex Trauma, but understanding what a healthy development looks like for a child may be helpful for parents who were never taught these concepts in their own development.

My Personal Favorite

7 Cups

This is a FREE online counseling platform. The owners of the website have trained “listeners” that will provide you with caring emotional support. Some are actual therapists, the majority are just understanding peers.

The reason why I REALLY like this website though, is because it is Trauma-Informed. Meaning that they have looked at the research and have structured a website around what actually works when dealing with the residual effects of trauma. Many of the ideas held by society are not only just plain wrong, they are hurtful. Fortunately, this website is evidence-based and not written by some self-proclaimed expert or “secret” method guru. I can’t even begin to tell you how much damage has been done to my self-esteem from fake advice suggesting that I am at fault for the way that other people treat me. The only thing I take the blame for is not cutting them off at the first sign. But accountability for their behavior falls squarely on their shoulders.

Searching For The Soul – A very helpful resource offered on 7 cups to get you thinking about the societal effects of trauma and what you can to do not only heal yourself, but the world around you.

Resources If You Need Help Right Now.

RAINN – Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network

RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline & online chat.

1in6

1in6 has Online Support Groups for Men Who Were Sexually Abused or Assaulted.

Support Group Chat Page

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The official 24/7 lifeline for suicide and crisis in the US.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides phone, chat, and text services.

Florida Department of Children and Families

The Florida Department of Children and Families (FL-DCF) has several hotlines for people in crisis. They also provide portals for individuals to report Child Abuse and Adult Abuse.

Abuse Hotline
- 800-962-2873
Domestic Violence Hotline
- 800-500-1119
Disaster Distress Helpline
- 800-985-5990
Report Child Abuse
Report Adult Abuse

Harbor House of Central Florida

The Harbor House of Central Florida provides local resources, including an emergency crisis hotline and shelter for victims of domestic violence.

407-886-2856

Trans Lifeline

The Trans Lifeline is a fully anonymous and fully confidential hotline run by and for trans people that connects individuals with support and resources.

US: 877-565-8860
Canada: 877-330-6366

LGBT National Help Center

The LGBT National Help Center provides free and confidential peer support, information, and information on local resources. They have several hotlines based on your needs.

LGBT National Hotline
- 888-843-4565
LGBT National Youth Talkline
- 800-246-7743
LGBT National Senior Hotline
- 888-234-7243
LGBT National Coming Out Support Hotline
- 888-688-5428
LGBT Online Peer-Support Chat
LGBT Moderated Youth Chatrooms

FindTreatment.gov

Find Treatment is a US Government page for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and provides resources for people seeking treatment for mental health and substance use issues.

Anti-Violence Project

The Anti-Violence Project (AVP) has several programs that serve LGBTQ and HIV-affected individuals.

NCAVP – National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs

The NCAVP provides LGBTQ and HIV-affected individuals and organizations with resources including counseling and advocacy services.

212-714-1141

United Way National Resource Hotline

The United Way provides free and confidential information to people located in the US and Canada connecting individuals to health and other critical services including Health Care, Emergency Counseling, Disaster Assistance, Food Programs, Stable Housing, Employment and Education Opportunities, Childcare & Family Services, and more.

50 States Public Assistance Guide

The Helping American’s Find Help website provides individuals in the US with links to numerous public assistance resources including Food Assistance, Housing Assistance, Cash Assistance, Help to Pay Bills, Health Programs, and more.

Public Assistance Resources

SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is managed by the US Government and has a number of programs that offer information, training & assistance about mental health and substance abuse.

Criminal and Juvenile Justice

The Criminal and Juvenile Justice Program follows the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) and promotes early intervention and treatment as alternatives to incarceration and has two Training & Technical Assistance initiatives.

GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation – Provides access to mental health and substance abuse services for individuals who have come into contact with the criminal justice system.
SOAR – The SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery program helps those struggling with homelessness, mental illness, and substance use access Social Security disability benefits.

Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center

The Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center provides evidence-based information and tools for communities, clinicians, policy-makers, and other stakeholders to incorporate into their practices.

Early Childhood Mental Health Programs

https://www.samhsa.gov/early-childhood-mental-health-programs

https://www.samhsa.gov/early-childhood-mental-health-programs/project-launch

https://www.samhsa.gov/early-childhood-mental-health-programs/project-i-launch

https://www.samhsa.gov/early-childhood-mental-health-programs/iecmh-grant-program

https://www.samhsa.gov/early-childhood-mental-health-programs/center-of-excellence-iecmh

https://www.samhsa.gov/esmi-treatment-locator

https://www.samhsa.gov/faith-based-initiatives

https://www.samhsa.gov/historically-black-colleges-universities-center-excellence-behavioral-health

https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources

https://www.samhsa.gov/trauma-informed-care

https://www.samhsa.gov/kap

https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders

https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health-awareness-training

https://www.samhsa.gov/programs/mental-health-awareness-month

https://www.samhsa.gov/minority-fellowship-program

https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma

https://www.samhsa.gov/national-consumer-technical-assistance-centers

https://www.samhsa.gov/nned

https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week

https://www.samhsa.gov/native-connections

https://www.samhsa.gov/networking-certifying-training-suicide-prevention-hotlines-disaster-distress-helpline

https://www.samhsa.gov/recovery-month

https://www.samhsa.gov/school-campus-health/project-aware

https://www.samhsa.gov/paimi-program

https://www.samhsa.gov/workforce

https://www.samhsa.gov/trauma-violence/project-recast

https://www.samhsa.gov/resources-serving-older-adults

https://www.samhsa.gov/rural-behavioral-health

https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-day

https://www.samhsa.gov/sbirt

https://www.samhsa.gov/school-campus-health

https://www.samhsa.gov/certified-community-behavioral-health-clinics/section-223

https://www.samhsa.gov/synar

https://www.samhsa.gov/iccpud

https://www.samhsa.gov/power-language-portrayals

https://www.samhsa.gov/power-perceptions-understanding

https://www.samhsa.gov/tribal-affairs

https://www.samhsa.gov/trauma-violence

https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you

https://store.samhsa.gov/

Child Mind Institute

This non-profit organization focuses its efforts on children’s mental health and has numerous resources about the science of child brain development, educational resources for parents, information on developmental milestones, and resources for schools and communities. They also have mental telehealth services for children and young adults

Mental Health Treatment & Telehealth Services for Children and Young Adults. Treatment options are evidence-based, compassionate & personalized. They do not accept insurance but will provide you with the documents needed for reimbursement. They also have a scholarship program that is needs-based.

Family Resource Center Free information and resources about child mental health, behavior & learning challenges.

Parenting Guides Extensive information on a variety of mental challenges children experience, including mental illness. Other guides provide helpful information on developmental milestones, managing problem behaviors, medication guides, and how to find quality care.

Symptom Checker A questionnaire about childhood behavior to help narrow down a possible diagnosis and determine if you should seek professional help for your child.

Ask an Expert You can send their experts a question or you can browse a number of questions already answered in a variety of mental health topics.

Awareness Campaigns Expert resources, including short videos featuring mental health professionals, a Children’s Mental Health Report, and a mental health app. These resources were created and utilized for Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mental Health Awareness Month Resources The resources provided by this page include finding a child mental health professional, a mental health crisis toolkit, resources to help with anxiety in children, and other child mental health resources.