PTSD
When something terrible is over, but your mind and body haven’t gotten the message
Eduardo Florez, LMHC #MH23066 · October 7, 2026 · 5-min read
Part of The ShieldMee Guide: Trauma & PTSD →
“It was years ago. Why am I still like this?”
“I can’t stop seeing it.”
“I snap at the people I love, and I don’t know why.”
“I don’t feel safe anywhere, even at home.”
If something terrible happened to you, it makes sense that you’re still carrying it.
You’re not weak. You’re not broken.
Your mind and body are still trying to protect you from something that already happened.
What PTSD is
PTSD stands for posttraumatic stress disorder.
It can follow things like an assault, a crash, abuse, violence, a disaster, a sudden death, or war.
Most people who go through something awful have strong reactions at first. For many, those reactions fade over weeks or months.
With PTSD, they don’t fade. They stick around and get in the way of life.
What it can look like
- Memories, nightmares or flashbacks that come out of nowhere
- Avoiding people, places, smells or conversations that remind you of it
- Feeling numb, cut off, or unable to feel good things
- Blaming yourself, or believing the world is completely unsafe
- Being on edge, jumpy, or quick to anger
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
Trauma can also build up over time, like growing up with abuse or living with someone dangerous. That kind of trauma can shape how you see yourself and other people.
What helps
PTSD is treatable.
The best-studied treatments are trauma-focused therapies. They help you look at what happened, little by little, in a safe way, instead of spending your energy avoiding it.
Some medications, prescribed by a doctor, can also help.
I don’t provide EMDR. EMDR is one trauma treatment with good research behind it. If that’s what you’re looking for, I’ll help you find an EMDR-trained therapist. You can read more on my page What Is EMDR?
Ready to stop carrying it alone?
Use your insurance · see your cost before you book
How I work
We start with safety and steadiness. You don’t have to tell me everything on day one.
We look at how trauma is showing up now: in your body, your sleep, your work and your relationships.
I pay close attention to the words you use about what happened and about yourself. “It was my fault.” “I should be over it.” Those sentences often hold the pain that keeps PTSD going.
We go at a pace you help set.
PTSD and your relationship
Trauma doesn’t stay inside one person. It moves into the home.
You might pull away from touch or sex. You might go quiet for days, or blow up over small things.
Your partner may feel like they’re walking on eggshells, or like they’re losing you.
Couples sessions can help both of you understand what’s happening, so trauma stops running the relationship.
If you are living with someone who hurts, threatens or controls you, your safety comes first. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. It’s free and open 24/7.
You might recognize yourself here
- You avoid talking or thinking about what happened, but it shows up anyway.
- Loud noises, certain smells or crowds set you off.
- You have nightmares or wake up already on alert.
- You feel numb with the people you love.
- You’re angrier or more jumpy than you used to be.
- Your partner says you’re “not the same person.”
Who this work is for
- Adults in Florida living with PTSD or the effects of trauma
- People who survived abuse, assault, accidents, violence or sudden loss
- Couples where trauma is straining the relationship
- People who want talk-based trauma therapy without EMDR
- Spanish-speaking or bilingual adults
You don’t need to tell me the whole story to start.
Who this isn’t for
I work with adults. If you are under 18, this page is not describing services for you.
If you are in immediate danger or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
If you want EMDR, I’m not the right fit, and I’ll help you find someone who is.
If sleep is your main problem, I may point you to your doctor or a sleep specialist.
Sessions must take place while you are physically located in Florida.
Start wherever you can
You don’t have to share details yet.
You can start with one sentence:
“Something happened, and I’m still not okay.”
We can start there.
In-network with Aetna, Cigna, Florida Blue, UnitedHealthcare and more through Headway · 53-minute sessions
Telehealth anywhere in Florida · English / Español
In crisis? Call or text 988.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to talk about the trauma in detail?
Not at first, and never before you’re ready. We start with how it affects your life now.
Do you do EMDR?
No. I don’t provide EMDR. If you want it, I’ll help you find an EMDR-trained therapist.
What if my trauma happened a long time ago?
That’s very common. PTSD can last for years, or show up long after the event. It can still get better.
Can my partner come too?
Yes. I see individuals, couples and families. Whether couples sessions are covered depends on your insurance plan. You’ll see your estimated cost on my Headway page before you book.
Do you offer therapy in Spanish?
Yes. Sessions can be in Spanish, English, or both.
How much does therapy cost?
It depends on your insurance plan. Most clients pay a copay or coinsurance. You’ll see your estimated cost on my Headway page before you book.
Do you take insurance?
Yes. I’m in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Florida Blue, UnitedHealthcare, Oscar, and other plans through Headway. Check your coverage and book on my Headway page.
When can I start?
Appointments are generally available the next day or within the same week, every day except Saturday.
Eduardo Florez, LMHC
Eduardo Florez, LMHC, has worked across forensic, institutional and private practice settings. He is the founder and clinical director of ShieldMee, a Florida nonprofit telehealth practice, and works bilingually with couples in crisis and clients for whom therapy hasn’t worked before.
Related reading: What Is EMDR? · Functional Dissociation · What Is CBT?
Ready to talk to someone?
ShieldMee offers telehealth therapy across Florida for individuals, couples, and families. Insurance accepted through Headway.
Start TherapyIf you're in crisis, call or text 988 any time.